Respiratory System Lab Flashcards

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers the anatomy, histology, and physiological measurements of the respiratory system as described in the Lab 8 transcript.

External nares

Also known as nostrils, these are the openings for air to pass into the nasal cavity.

Nasal septum

A structure divided into left and right halves formed by hyaline cartilage, the vomer, perpendicular plate of the ethmoid, maxillae, and palatine bones.

Meatuses

Three passageways in the nasal cavity created by the superior, middle, and inferior nasal conchae.

Choanae

Also known as internal nares, these lead from the nasal cavity into the pharynx and are located at the junction of the hard and soft palates.

Pharynx

A passageway for air to the larynx and for food to the esophagus, divided into the nasopharynx, oropharynx, and laryngopharynx.

Nasopharynx

The superior region of the pharynx extending the length of the soft palate, containing the pharyngeal tonsil and openings to the Eustachian tubes.

Oropharynx

The middle region of the pharynx extending from the soft palate to the hyoid bone, containing the fauces and the palatine and lingual tonsils.

Laryngopharynx

The inferior region of the pharynx extending from the hyoid bone to the esophagus and larynx.

Larynx

The structure connecting the laryngopharynx to the trachea, extending from the tip of the epiglottis to the inferior border of the cricoid cartilage.

Vocal cords

Membranes attached to ligaments and skeletal muscles that vibrate to produce sound as air passes through them.

Trachea

A continuation of the larynx supported by 'C' shaped rings of hyaline cartilage, passing through the mediastinum anterior to the esophagus.

Carina

The point at the inferior end of the trachea where it branches into the left and right primary bronchi.

Hilum

The medial surface of the lungs where bronchi, pulmonary arteries, pulmonary veins, lymphatic vessels, and nerves enter and exit.

Type I alveolar cells

Simple squamous epithelial cells lining the alveoli that serve as the main site of gas exchange.

Type II alveolar cells

Cells within the alveoli that secrete alveolar fluid and surfactant.

Respiratory membrane

The site of $O_2$ and $CO_2$ diffusion consisting of the alveolar wall, its basement membrane, the capillary basement membrane, and the capillary endothelium.

Pulmonary Ventilation

The movement of air into and out of the lungs to ensure gases in the alveoli are continuously refreshed.

External Respiration

The movement of gas across the respiratory membrane where blood in pulmonary capillaries gains $O_2$ and loses $CO_2$.

Internal Respiration

The process where $O_2$ diffuses from systemic capillaries into tissue cells and $CO_2$ diffuses from tissue cells into systemic capillaries.

Tidal volume (TV)

The amount of air inhaled or exhaled during a single breath, usually $400-500\,ml$ for at-rest males.

Dead space

The air remaining in respiratory areas not lined by simple squamous epithelium which is unavailable for gas exchange.

Inspiratory reserve volume (IRV)

The amount of air that can be inhaled in excess of a normal inhalation.

Expiratory reserve volume (ERV)

The amount of air that can be forcefully expelled in excess of a normal exhalation.

Residual volume

The amount of air remaining in the alveoli and airways after a forceful exhalation.

Vital capacity (VC)

The total exchangeable air of the lungs, calculated as the sum: $TV + IRV + ERV$.

Total lung capacity (TLC)

The sum of the vital capacity and the residual volume.

Spirometer

An instrument used to measure lung volumes and capacities to assess the health of the respiratory system.