Chapter 11: The Respiratory System

Nose

acts as a filter to moisten and warm the entering air

Pharynx

serves as a food and air passageway

Larynx

voice box, location of the vocal cords

Epiglotis

flap of cartilage that automatically covers the opening of the larynx during swallowing

Trachea

the windpipe, passageway of air to the bronchi

Bronchus / Bronchi

two branches that carry air from the trachea to the lungs

Bronchioles

smallest subdivision of the bronchial tree

Lungs

two sponge-like organs in the chest cavity

Pleura

serous membrane covering each lung and lining the chest cavity

Diaphragm

muscular partition that separates the chest from the abdominal cavity

Mediastinum

space between the lungs that contain the heart, esophagus, trachea and others

Paranasal sinuses

are hollow, air spaces in the skull that join up with the nasal cavity

Nasopharynx

is nearest the nasal cavity and contains the adenoids

Oropharynx

where the tonsils, two rounded masses of lymphatic tissue, are located

Adam’s apple

is the largest cartilage ring in the larynx

Atelectasis

collapsed lung or incomplete expansion of a lung

Croup

acute respiratory syndrome in children and infants characterized by obstruction of the larynx and a barking cough

Dyspnea

difficult or painful breathing

Hypoxia

reduced level of oxygen in the blood; usually a sign of respiratory impairment

wheeze

whistling sound heard usually during expiration caused by narrowing of an airway

Sinography

x-ray recording of the sinuses

Spirometry

measurement of breathing

Asthma

respiratory condition characterized by obstruction of the bronchi, usually due to excessive mucus production or bronchial spasm

Rales

crackling sounds heard when using a stethoscope to listen to a patient’s breathing; sign of obstructed airways

Stridor

high-pitched sound heard usually during inspiration caused by obstruction of the larynx or a bronchus