Respiratory System Flashcards

Flashcards for reviewing key vocabulary related to the respiratory system.

Breathing

An essential function for life involving the movement of air into and out of the lungs.

Gas Exchange

An essential function for life where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged for respiration.

Conducting Zone

The part of the ventilatory system that includes the trachea and terminal bronchioles.

Transitional and Respiratory Zones

The part of the ventilatory system that includes the respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts, and alveoli.

Respiratory Zone

The location of gas exchange in the lungs, constituting the largest portion of total lung volume.

Pulmonary Ventilation

The process where ambient air moves into and exchanges with the air in the lungs.

Bronchioles

Conduct inspired air through a narrow route to eventually mix with existing air in the alveolar ducts

Alveoli

Microscopic terminal branches of the respiratory tract where gas exchange occurs.

Inspiration

Muscles pull up on ribs to expand thoracic volume; Diaphragm flattens as it contracts, increasing the thoracic volume.

Expiration

At rest, no effort is needed; Diaphragm springs back into place and thoracic volume decreases.

Dalton’s Law

The total pressure of a gas mixture is equal to the sum of the pressures of all of the individual gases in the mixture.

Henry’s Law

The amount of gas that will dissolve in a liquid is proportional to the partial pressure in the air above the liquid.

Fick’s Law

The amount of gas that will diffuse across the alveoli is directly proportional to the surface area it is going to diffuse across and the differences in pressure of that gas from one side to the other!

Pulmonary Artery

Transports deoxygenated blood to the lungs for oxygenation.

Pulmonary Vein

Transports oxygenated blood from the lungs back to the heart.

Tidal Volume (TV)

Air volume moved during either the inspiratory or expiratory phase of each breathing cycle.

Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV)

Following a normal inspiration, the individual inspires as deeply as possible; represents the reserve ability for inhalation.

Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV)

After a normal exhalation, the individual continues to exhale and forces as much air as possible from the lungs.

Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)

Total volume of air voluntarily moved in one breath (from full inspiration to maximum expiration).

Residual Lung Volume (RV)

Even after exhaling as deeply as possible, an air volume remains in the lungs.

Total Lung Capacity (TLC)

RV + FVC

Functional Residual Capacity (FRC)

Air remaining in the lungs at the end of a normal expiration; FRC = ERV + RV

COPD

Airflow limitation due to various reasons like buildup of mucus or narrowing of the airways.

FEV1/FVC ratio

A measurement used in pulmonary testing that indicates the proportion of air that a person can exhale in one second.

Partial Pressure

Force which a gas exerts in a gas or liquid.