Chapter 1: Anatomy and Physiology of the Respiratory System

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from the respiratory anatomy and physiology notes.

Upper airway

Nose, oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx; conducts air, humidifies and warms or cools inspired air, prevents foreign materials from entering the tracheobronchial tree, and is important for speech and smell.

Nose

External structure that filters, humidifies, and conditions inspired air.

Olfactory region

Nasal region responsible for the sense of smell.

Conchae (turbinates)

Nasal bony folds (superior, middle, inferior) that increase surface area to warm, humidify, and filter air.

Nares

Nostrils; openings for entering air.

Vestibule (oral cavity)

Front part of the oral cavity; entry space for food and air.

Hard palate

Bony anterior roof of the mouth separating oral and nasal cavities.

Soft palate

Muscular posterior palate that closes the nasopharynx during swallowing.

Tongue

Muscular organ involved in taste, swallowing, and speech; has intrinsic and extrinsic muscles.

Lingual frenulum

Fold under the tongue connecting it to the floor of the mouth.

Pharynx

Throat; pathway for inspired air; divided into nasopharynx, oropharynx, laryngopharynx.

Nasopharynx

Upper part of the pharynx behind the nasal cavity.

Oropharynx

Middle part of the pharynx behind the oral cavity.

Laryngopharynx

Lower part of the pharynx leading to the esophagus and larynx.

Epiglottis

Cartilage that covers the larynx during swallowing to prevent aspiration.

Larynx

Voice box; air passage, protects lower airway, and enables speech.

Thyroid cartilage

Shield-shaped cartilage forming part of the laryngeal skeleton.

Cricoid cartilage

Ring-shaped cartilage below the thyroid; supports the larynx.

Trachea

Windpipe; a cartilaginous tube that conducts air to the main bronchi.

Carina

Bifurcation of the trachea into the right and left main bronchi; important cough trigger.

Cartilaginous airways

Trachea through segmental bronchi; conduct air between environment and sites of gas exchange.

Noncartilaginous airways

Bronchioles and terminal bronchioles; conduct air and participate in gas exchange.

Bronchioles

Small airways without cartilage; conduct air and contribute to gas exchange.

Pulmonary alveoli (sites of gas exchange)

Tiny air sacs where gas exchange occurs; lined by Type I and Type II alveolar cells.

Primary lobule

Functional unit of the lung; includes alveoli and alveolar ducts; site of gas exchange.

Alveolar Type I cells

Squamous cells that form the thin barrier for gas exchange.

Alveolar Type II cells

Granular cells that produce pulmonary surfactant.

Pulmonary surfactant

Substance reducing surface tension in alveoli to prevent collapse and reduce work of breathing.

Pores of Kohn

Small channels in alveolar walls allowing gas movement between adjacent alveoli.

Alveolar macrophages

Immune cells that remove bacteria and debris in alveoli.

Pulmonary vascular system

Arteries, arterioles, capillaries, venules, and veins carrying blood through the lungs.

Lymphatic system (lungs)

Lymph vessels draining bronchial airways and lungs; immune function; returns fluid to the right lymphatic duct or thoracic duct.

Autonomic nervous system effects on the lungs

Sympathetic: bronchodilation and systemic effects; Parasympathetic: bronchoconstriction and increased gland activity; regulates airway tone.

Mediastinum

Central thoracic compartment containing thymus, heart, great vessels, trachea, and main bronchi.

Pleural membranes

Visceral pleura covers the lungs; parietal pleura lines the thoracic wall; creates the pleural space and helps maintain negative pressure.

Thorax

Bony and muscular cage containing the lungs: ribs, sternum, vertebrae, and associated muscles.

Ribs and intercostal spaces

Ribs 1–7 true; 8–10 false; 11–12 floating; spaces between ribs are intercostal spaces.

Diaphragm

Primary muscle of inspiration; separates the thorax from the abdomen; contracts to enlarge thoracic volume.

Accessory muscles of inspiration

External intercostal muscles, scalene muscles, sternocleidomastoid, pectoralis major, and trapezius.

Accessory muscles of expiration

Rectus abdominis, external and internal obliques, transversus abdominis, internal intercostals.

Oral Endotracheal Tube

Tube inserted through the mouth into the trachea to secure an airway and provide ventilation.

Palatine arches

Arches on either side of the oropharynx formed by mucosa over the palatine muscles; part of the oral cavity.

Eustachian tube

Auditory tube connecting the nasopharynx to the middle ear; equalizes middle ear pressure.

Pharyngeal tonsil

Adenoid; lymphoid tissue in the nasopharynx.

Lingual tonsil

Lymphoid tissue at the base of the tongue.

Uvula

Small fleshy extension at the back of the soft palate.

Hyoid bone

U-shaped bone in the neck that supports the tongue and larynx.