Chapter 19 Lecture Notes - Respiratory System

Vocabulary flashcards for the respiratory system.

Functions of the Respiratory System

Provide O2, expel CO2, speech production, sense of smell, regulate blood pH, create pressure gradients for lymph/venous blood flow, urination, defecation, and childbirth.

Ventilation

The movement of air in and out of the lungs (breathing).

External Respiration

The exchange of gases between atmospheric air in the lungs and the pulmonary capillaries.

Internal Respiration

The exchange of gases between systemic capillaries and cells of the body.

Cellular Respiration

Occurs inside of cells, where they use O2 to generate ATP and produce CO2.

Upper Respiratory Tract

Includes the nose, nasal cavity, sinuses, pharynx, and larynx.

Lower Respiratory Tract

Includes the trachea, bronchial tree, and lungs.

Pharynx

Space posterior to the nasal cavity, oral cavity, and larynx; passageway for food and air; aids in sound production.

Nasopharynx

Superior portion of the pharynx, posterior to the nasal cavity; air passage; contains openings to auditory tubes and pharyngeal tonsils.

Oropharynx

Middle portion of the pharynx, posterior to the oral cavity; passageway for air, food, and drink.

Laryngopharynx

Inferior portion of the pharynx; passageway for air, food, and drink; continuous with the larynx and esophagus.

Larynx

Voice box; enlargement anterior and inferior to the laryngopharynx and superior to the trachea; moves air in and out of the trachea; houses vocal cords.

Thyroid Cartilage

Largest cartilage of the larynx; also known as the Adam's apple; thyroid gland covers its lower part.

Cricoid Cartilage

Cartilage of the larynx located below the thyroid cartilage.

Epiglottic Cartilage

Cartilage of the larynx forming the central portion of the flap-like epiglottis; only piece of elastic cartilage in the larynx.

False Vocal Cords (Vestibular Folds)

Upper folds within the larynx that do not produce sound; muscle fibers help close the larynx during swallowing.

True Vocal Cords (Vocal Folds)

Lower folds within the larynx responsible for producing vocal sounds when air is forced between them and vibrates them.

Glottis

The true vocal cords and the opening between them.

Trachea

Windpipe; a flexible cylindrical tube extending downward anterior to the esophagus and into the mediastinum where it splits into right and left primary bronchi.

Carina

Point where the trachea divides into right and left primary (main) bronchi.

Cystic Fibrosis

A genetic disorder affecting cells that produce mucus, sweat, and digestive enzymes, leading to thick mucus and recurring lung infections.

Bronchial Tree

Primary bronchi -> Secondary bronchi -> Tertiary bronchi -> Intralobular bronchiole -> Terminal bronchiole -> Respiratory bronchiole -> Alveolar duct -> Alveolar sac -> Alveoli

Bronchodilation

The widening of the bronchioles, typically caused by epinephrine and sympathetic nerves.

Bronchoconstriction

The narrowing of the bronchioles, typically caused by histamine, parasympathetic nerves, cold air and chemical irritants.

Inspiration (Inhalation)

The movement of air into the lungs.

Expiration (Exhalation)

The movement of air out of the lungs.

Airway Resistance

Anything that impedes air flow through the respiratory tract.

Obstructive Lung Disease

Characterized by airway obstruction, such as in bronchial asthma and emphysema.

Restrictive Lung Disease

Involves a loss of lung compliance, resulting in decreased capacity to expand, such as in infant respiratory distress syndrome and fibrosis.

Spirometry

The process of measuring respiratory volumes.

Anatomic Dead Space

Air that remains in the conducting zone airways.

Medullary Respiratory Centers

Located in the medulla oblongata; includes the ventral respiratory group (basic rhythm of breathing) and dorsal respiratory group (integrates sensory information).

Pontine Respiratory Group

Found in the pons; influences the rhythm of breathing.

Partial Pressure

The amount of pressure each gas contributes to the total pressure in a mixture of gases; proportional to its concentration.

Peripheral Chemoreceptors

Found in aortic and carotid bodies; detect changes in H+, Pco2, and Po2.

Central Chemoreceptors

Found in the medulla oblongata; primarily monitor the pH of the brain and respond to changes in blood pH indirectly.

Alveoli

Site of gas exchange between the atmosphere and pulmonary capillaries during external respiration.

Type I Alveolar Cells

Squamous alveolar cells that account for 95% of the alveolar surface; allow for quick gas exchange.

Type II Alveolar Cells

Surfactant secreting alveolar cells synthesize and secrete surfactant which reduces surface tension.

Alveolar Macrophages

Keep alveoli free from debris by phagocytizing dust particles and potential pathogens.

Respiratory Membrane

Includes alveolar fluid, alveolar epithelium, fused basement membranes, and capillary endothelium; gases diffuse across it.

High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE)

Severe form of altitude sickness with symptoms like severe headache, nausea, vomiting, rapid heart rate, and cyanosis.

Hypoxia

A deficiency of O2 reaching the tissues.

Hypoxemia

Decreased arterial Po2.

Carbonic Anhydrase

An enzyme within red blood cells that catalyzes the reaction between carbon dioxide and water to form bicarbonate ions.