Chapter 16: Respiratory System

This set of 400 flashcards covers key vocabulary terms and concepts from Chapter 16 of the Respiratory System in Hole's Essentials of Human Anatomy & Physiology, providing essential definitions for exam preparation.

Respiration

The process by which an organism produces energy by breaking down nutrients and releasing energy.

Oxygen

A gas required by cells to break down nutrients and produce ATP.

Carbon Dioxide

A byproduct of nutrient breakdown that must be excreted from the body.

External Respiration

The process of ventilation or breathing and gas exchange between air and capillaries in the lungs.

Internal Respiration

The transport of gases in the blood for exchange with body cells.

Cellular Respiration

The process where oxygen is used to produce energy and carbon dioxide is produced in the mitochondria of cells.

Upper Respiratory Tract

Includes the nose, nasal cavity, sinuses, pharynx, and larynx.

Lower Respiratory Tract

Composed of the trachea, bronchial tree, and lungs.

Nose

Facial structure supported by bone and cartilage used for air entry.

Nasal Cavity

The hollow space posterior to the nose that filters and moistens incoming air.

Nasal Septum

The bone and cartilage structure that divides the nasal cavity medially.

Nasal Conchae

Scroll-shaped bones that increase surface area for warming and filtering incoming air.

Goblet Cells

Cells that secrete mucus in the respiratory epithelium.

Cilia

Hair-like structures that help carry mucus and trapped particles to the pharynx.

Paranasal Sinuses

Air-filled spaces in certain skull bones that reduce skull weight and serve as resonant chambers.

Pharynx

The chamber behind the nasal and oral cavities and the larynx, functioning as a passageway for air and food.

Larynx

The voice box, an enlargement in the airway that houses vocal cords.

Vocal Folds

Tissue in the larynx involved in sound production.

Glottis

The opening between the true vocal cords.

Trachea

The windpipe, a tubular structure that conducts air to the bronchi.

Bronchial Tree

The branched air passages that lead from the trachea to the alveoli.

Alveoli

Microscopic air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs.

Bronchodilation

The increase in diameter of bronchioles during sympathetic stimulation.

Bronchoconstriction

The decrease in diameter of bronchioles during allergic responses or asthma.

Lungs

Soft, elastic organs involved in gas exchange, enclosed by the pleural membrane.

Pleura

A double-layered serous membrane surrounding the lungs.

Diaphragm

A dome-shaped muscle that separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity and aids in breathing.

Inspiration

The process of inhaling air into the lungs.

Expiration

The process of exhaling air from the lungs.

Spirometry

The measurement of air volumes that move into and out of the lungs.

Tidal Volume (TV)

The volume of air moved in or out during one respiratory cycle; approximately 500 mL.

Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV)

The additional volume of air that can be inhaled after a normal inspiration; approximately 3,000 mL.

Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV)

The volume of air that can be exhaled forcefully after a normal expiration; approximately 1,200 mL.

Residual Volume (RV)

The volume of air remaining in the lungs after maximal expiration; approximately 1,200 mL.

Vital Capacity (VC)

The maximum volume of air that can be exhaled after maximal inspiration; approximately 4,600 mL.

Total Lung Capacity (TLC)

The total volume of air the lungs can hold; approximately 5,800 mL.

Central Chemoreceptors

Sensory receptors in the medulla oblongata that respond to changes in carbon dioxide and hydrogen ion concentrations.

Peripheral Chemoreceptors

Chemoreceptors located in the carotid and aortic bodies that respond primarily to low oxygen levels.

Inflation Reflex

A reflex that helps control the depth of breathing to prevent over-inflation of the lungs.

Alveolar Gas Exchange

The process of gas exchange between alveoli and blood in the capillaries.

Oxyhemoglobin

Hemoglobin bound to oxygen.

Carbonic Acid

A compound formed when carbon dioxide reacts with water in the blood.

Hypoxia

A deficiency of oxygen in the tissue.

Chemoreceptors

Receptor cells that detect changes in the chemical composition of the blood, affecting respiration.

Surfactant

A lipoprotein mixture that reduces surface tension in the alveoli, preventing collapse.

Elastic Recoil

The passive process during expiration where lung tissues return to resting position.

Respiratory Membrane

The barrier across which gas exchange occurs, consisting of alveolar and capillary walls.

Hyperventilation

Rapid and deep breathing that decreases carbon dioxide levels in the blood.

Hiccups

Spasmodic contractions of the diaphragm; cause unknown.

Yawn

A process believed to increase oxygen intake; function unclear.

Inspiratory Muscles

Muscles that contract to increase thoracic cavity volume during inhalation.

Forced Exhalation

Exhaling more air than normal using abdominal and intercostal muscles.

Carbon Dioxide Transport

Movement of carbon dioxide in the blood, commonly as bicarbonate ions.

Bicarbonate Ion

An ion that plays a crucial role in carbon dioxide transport in the blood.

Capillary Network

A network of small blood vessels surrounding the alveoli for gas exchange.

Elastin

A protein in the lung that allows it to stretch and recoil during the breathing process.

Thoracic Cavity

The body cavity containing the lungs and heart.

Respiratory Rate

The number of breaths taken per minute.

Anatomic Dead Space

The volume of air that does not participate in gas exchange.

Lobar Bronchi

The secondary bronchi that lead to each lobe of the lungs.

Segmental Bronchi

The tertiary bronchi that branch into different lung segments.

Mucous Membrane

A lining of the respiratory tract that helps filter and moisten incoming air.

Tracheal Rings

Cartilaginous structures supporting the trachea to keep it open.

Visceral Pleura

The pleural layer that covers the lungs directly.

Parietal Pleura

The pleural layer that lines the thoracic cavity.

Pleural Cavity

The potential space between the visceral and parietal pleura.

Respiratory Control Center

Group of neurons in the brain that regulate breathing patterns.

Medullary Rhythmicity Center

Part of the brainstem that contains neurons responsible for basic breathing rhythm.

Pontine Respiratory Group

Group of neurons that may influence the rate and depth of breathing.

Ventral Respiratory Group

Part of the medullary center that stimulates respiratory muscles and regulates rhythm.

Dorsal Respiratory Group

Part of the medullary center especially involved with diaphragm control.

Chemical Control of Breathing

Regulation of breathing rate and depth based on chemical changes in the blood.

Inspiratory Capacity

The maximum volume of air that can be inhaled after a normal expiration.

Functional Residual Capacity

The volume of air remaining in the lungs after a normal expiration.

Total Lung Capacity

The total volume of air the lungs can hold after a maximal inhale.

Transports Gases

The mechanism by which oxygen and carbon dioxide are carried in the bloodstream.

Alveolar Ducts

Tubes that connect respiratory bronchioles to alveolar sacs.

Respiratory Bronchioles

Branches of terminal bronchioles that contain alveoli for gas exchange.

Partition

The physical separation of the alar cartilage from other structures.

Pulmonary Vein

Blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart.

Pulmonary Artery

Blood vessel that carries deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs.

Sympathetic Stimulation

The activation of the sympathetic nervous system, resulting in increased respiratory rate.

Hypoxemia

A decrease in blood oxygen levels.

Hypercapnia

An increase in blood carbon dioxide levels.

Amphoteric property

The ability of substances to act as both acids and bases.

Respiratory Cycle

One complete inhale and exhale.

Exhalation

The process of expelling air from the lungs.

Lobule

The functional unit of a lung lobe containing alveoli.

Internal intercostals

Muscles that help depress the rib cage during forced expiration.

External intercostals

Muscles that help elevate the ribs during inhalation.

Cardiopulmonary Reflexes

Reflex actions involving both the heart and lungs.

Secondary Bronchi

Bronchi that branch from the primary bronchi into lobes of the lungs.

Tertiary Bronchi

Smaller branches of the bronchi entering lung segments.

Diaphragmatic Breathing

Breathing that primarily involves the diaphragm.

Costal Breathing

Breathing that primarily involves the rib cage.

Breath-holding

Stopping the breath to increase CO2 buildup.

Oxygen Saturation

The percentage of hemoglobin molecules that are bound with oxygen.

Residual Volume

The amount of air remaining in the lungs after a forceful exhalation.

Transitional Zone

Area in the respiratory tract where gas exchange begins.

Buoyancy

The ability of the lungs to remain inflated in minimal pressure.