Respiratory System Flashcards

Flashcards for Respiratory System Lecture Review

Primary Functions of the Respiratory System

Exchange gases (oxygen and CO2), produce vocal sounds, sense of smell, and regulate blood pH

Respiration

Process of gas exchange.

External Respiration

Air enters the lungs (air → blood)

Internal Respiration

Blood travels to body parts and exchanges gas with those tissues (blood → tissues)

Cellular Respiration

Cells use oxygen and sugars to create energy in the form of ATP.

Upper Respiratory Tract

nose, nasal cavity, sinuses, pharynx, epiglottis

Lower Respiratory Tract

larynx, trachea, bronchial tubes, lungs

Mucus Membrane

Warms and moistens air, also traps dust and other particles that then go to the stomach.

Nasal Concha

Bones that divide the nasal cavity, support the mucus membrane and increase surface area (superior, middle, inferior)

Paranasal Sinuses

Spaces within the bones (maxillary, frontal, ethmoid, sphenoid); reduce the weight of the skull and are resonant chambers for voice.

Pharynx

Behind the oral cavity, between the nasal cavity and larynx (space, not a structure)

Epiglottis

This flap closes when you swallow, preventing food from going into the airway.

Heimlich maneuver

Used to save someone who is choking.

Larynx

Enlargement at the top of the trachea, houses vocal cords

False Vocal Folds

Close airway during swallowing

True Vocal Folds

Produce sound

Glottis

Part of the larynx consisting of the vocal cords

Laryngitis

Inflammation of the larynx that makes the voice hoarse

Otolaryngologist

Ear, nose, and throat doctor

Trachea

Windpipe; cylinder with stiff cartilage to keep it from collapsing

Bronchial Tree

Series of branches from the trachea to the bronchioles

Bronchioles

Have air sacs called alveoli which are connected to the circulatory system via capillaries

Alveoli

Air sacs in the lungs.

Cystic Fibrosis - Channel function

Channels in the epithelium move chlorine ions out of the cell. If those channels are “broken”, chlorine builds up which attracts water, causing a thick mucus to build up extracellular space, restricting air flow.

Lung Lobes

Right Lung = 3 lobes, Left Lung = 2 lobes

Cardiac Notch

Space for the heart

Serous Fluid

Lubricates lungs during breathing

Lungs

Spongy tissue that sit within the pleural cavity

Breathing Mechanism - Inhalation

Diaphragm moves down, forcing air into airways; intercostals contract, enlarging cavity even more

Surfactant

A mixture of fat and proteins made in the lungs which coats the alveoli and prevents them from sticking together when you exhale.

Respiratory Cycle

One sequence of inhalation and exhalation

Inspiration

Air enters the lungs (inhale)

Expiration

Air leaves the lungs (exhale)

Spirometry

Measures the amount (volume) of air moving in and out of the lungs

Resting Tidal Volume

Amount of air that enters the lungs during one cycle (normal breath)

Vital Capacity (lung capacity)

The amount of air that can be forced in or out by taking a deep breath.

Hyperventilation

Increased breathing, lower CO2 concentration

Respiratory Membrane

Gas exchange occurs across a membrane - a layer of simple squamous cells

Hypoxia

A disease in which there is an overall lack of oxygen content within the body's tissue and vital human organs (specifically the brain)

Cyanosis

Blue skin indication of hypoxia

Asphyxia

Deficient supply of oxygen that arises from being unable to breathe normally

COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Bronchitis

Inflammation of the main air passages to the lungs

Sleep Apnea

Pause or slowing of breathing during sleep

Pulmonary Embolism

A blood clot that moves to the lungs

Lung Cancer

Starts when abnormal cells grow out of control in the lungs

Atmospheric Pressure

Necessary for breathing

Asthma

Inflammation of the bronchial tubes with increased production of sticky secretions

Bronchodilators

Open airways.

Whooping Cough (Pertussis)

Causes serious coughing and gasping for breath, dangerous for infants.

Pneumothorax

Collapsed Lung - pressure from fluid in the pleural cavity deflates lung