Respiratory and Immune System Overview

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary, definitions, and concepts from the lecture on the respiratory and immune systems.

Respiratory Tract

Includes the nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs.

Digestive Tract

Includes the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, and intestines.

Pharynx

Shared region between the respiratory and digestive systems, includes oropharynx and laryngopharynx.

Epiglottis

Flap of elastic cartilage that prevents food from entering the trachea during swallowing.

Larynx

Voice box that houses vocal cords and connects pharynx to trachea.

Oral Palate

Separates oral and nasal cavities; consists of hard and soft palates.

Uvula

Hangs from the soft palate and prevents food from entering the nasal cavity.

Hyoid Bone

U-shaped bone supporting the tongue, not articulating with other bones.

Conducting Zone

Pathway for air transport that includes nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and terminal bronchioles.

Respiratory Zone

Site for gas exchange including respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts, and alveoli.

Pseudostratified Ciliated Columnar Epithelium

Type of epithelium in the trachea and primary bronchi that contains goblet cells.

Goblet Cells

Secrete mucus to trap particles in the respiratory tract.

Trachea

Windpipe supported by C-shaped cartilage rings.

Pulmonary Ventilation

Movement of air in and out of the lungs, also known as breathing.

Bronchioles

Small air passages that lack cartilage and are lined with smooth muscle.

Bronchoconstriction

Narrowing of bronchioles, increases airflow resistance.

Bronchodilation

Widening of bronchioles, decreases airflow resistance.

Respiratory Membrane

Site of gas exchange between alveoli and capillaries, consisting of alveolar epithelium and capillary endothelium.

Type I Alveolar Cells

Simple squamous cells in the alveoli for gas exchange.

Type II Alveolar Cells

Secrete surfactant, reducing surface tension in alveoli.

Alveolar Macrophages

Cells that remove debris from the alveoli.

Inspiration

The process of breathing in air into the lungs.

Pneumothorax

Collapsed lung caused by air in the pleural cavity.

Diaphragm

Main muscle responsible for inspiration by contracting and expanding the thoracic cavity.

Boyle’s Law

The principle that relates pressure and volume of gas; as volume increases, pressure decreases.

Nasal Conchae

Curved structures in the nasal cavity that increase surface area for warming and filtering air.

Hyaline Cartilage

Type of cartilage that provides support and flexibility in the nose and trachea.

Asthma

Involves inflammation and constriction of bronchioles, often triggered by allergens.

Respiration Muscles

Principal muscles include diaphragm and external intercostals.

Pulmonary Surfactant

Reduces surface tension, preventing collapse of alveoli.

Innate Defenses

Non-specific defense mechanisms like skin, mucous membranes, and phagocytes.

Dendritic Cells

Capture antigens and present them to CD8 T cells.

Memory Cells

Long-lived lymphocytes that remember specific pathogens for a quicker immune response.

Neutrophils

First immune cells to arrive at injury sites, performing phagocytosis.

Macrophages

Clean up debris and signal for tissue repair after infection.

Plasma Cells

Activated B cells that produce large amounts of antibodies.

First Line of Defense

Physical and chemical barriers including skin and mucous membranes.

Second Line of Defense

Internal defenses including phagocytes and NK cells.

Third Line of Defense

Specific immune responses mediated by B and T cells.

MHC Proteins

Major Histocompatibility Complex proteins that help the immune system recognize self from non-self.

Immunocompetence

The ability of lymphocytes to recognize and respond to specific antigens.

Clonal Selection

The process by which B cells are activated and proliferate in response to an antigen.

Chemotaxis

Attraction of immune cells to a site of infection by chemical signals.

Exudate

Fluid containing proteins and WBCs that leaks into tissue, causing swelling.

HIV

Virus that targets and destroys CD4 T cells, leading to an immune deficiency.

Perforin

Substance released by cytotoxic T cells to form pores in target cell membranes.

Granzyme

Substance that triggers apoptosis in target cells after entering through perforin-induced pores.

Events of Inflammation

Tissue injury leads to vasodilation, increased permeability, and phagocyte mobilization.

Vaccines

Preparations that stimulate an immune response without causing illness.

Primary Humoral Response

The slow immune response during the first exposure to an antigen.

Secondary Humoral Response

Rapid and stronger immune response due to memory cells after subsequent exposures.