Unit 8 Respiratory System Vocab

Surfactant

a phospholipid that reduces the surface tension in the alveoli and prevents them from collapsing

Tonsils

clusters of lymphatic tissue in the pharynx that function as the first line of defense against infection

Expiration

the process by which air is expelled from the lungs; exhalation

Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV)

the additional amount of air that can be exhaled, or forced form the lungs, immediately after a normal exhalation

External Respiration

the process by which gas exchange occurs between the alveoli in the lungs and the pulmonary blood

Inspiration

the process by which air flows into the lungs; inhalation

Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV)

the amount of air that can be inhaled immediately after a normal inhalation

Internal Respiration

the process of gas exchange between the tissues and arterial blood

Pulmonary Ventilation

the process of continuously moving air in and out of the lungs

Residual Volume (RV)

the volume of air that never leaves the lungs, even after the most forceful expiration

Tidal Volume (TV)

the amount of air inhaled in a normal breath

Total Lung Capacity (TLC)

a combination of the vital capacity plus the residual volume; IRV + TV + ERV + RV

Vital Capacity (VC)

the total amount of air that can be forcibly expired from the lungs after a maximum inspiration

Asthma

disease of the lungs characterized by recurring episodes of airway inflammation causing bronchospasms and increased mucus production

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

any lung disorder characterized by a long-term airway obstruction, making it difficult to breathe

Emphysema

chronic inflammation of the lungs characterized by an abnormal increase in the air spaces near the bronchioles; causes an accumulation of carbon dioxide in the lungs

Hyperventilation

excessive ventilation that leads to abnormal expulsion of carbon dioxide

Hypoxia

condition of not having enough oxygen

Influenza

a viral infection that affects the respiratory system; the flu

Pneumonia

an infection of the lungs that causes inflammation; caused by a virus, bacterium, fungus, or—in rare cases—parasites