Chapter 19: Respiratory System

These flashcards cover the key terms and concepts related to the respiratory system as outlined in the lecture notes.

Respiratory System

Specialized system for bringing oxygen into the body and expelling carbon dioxide.

Respiration

Process of exchanging gases between the atmosphere and body cells.

External respiration

Ventilation or breathing; allows gas exchange in lungs.

Internal respiration

Gas transport in blood and exchange with body cells.

Cellular respiration

Process of ATP production in mitochondria using oxygen and producing carbon dioxide.

Trachea

Flexible tube that connects larynx with bronchial tree; lined with ciliated mucous membrane.

Bronchial tree

Branches of airways leading from the trachea to the microscopic air sacs in the lungs.

Alveoli

Microscopic air sacs that perform gas exchange.

Surfactant

Substance secreted by type II cells in alveoli that reduces surface tension.

Vital capacity (VC)

Maximum volume of air that can be exhaled after taking the deepest breath possible.

Tidal volume (TV)

Volume of air moved in or out of the lungs during a respiratory cycle.

Minute ventilation

Volume of new atmospheric air moved into respiratory passages each minute.

Dead space

Air that enters the respiratory tract and does not reach functional alveoli.

Chemoreceptors

Receptors that monitor changes in blood composition, influencing breathing.

Partial pressure

Amount of pressure each gas contributes to the total pressure in a mixture.

Hypoxia

Condition resulting from insufficient oxygen reaching tissues.

Emphysema

Progressive disease where alveolar walls are destroyed, decreasing gas exchange area.

Sinuses

Air-filled spaces in the skeleton that reduce skull weight and resonate voice.

Cilia

Hair-like structures that help convey mucus out of the respiratory tract.

Alveolar ventilation rate (AVR)

Volume of air that reaches the alveoli each minute.

Phrenic nerve

Nerve responsible for stimulating diaphragm contraction during breathing.

Diaphragm

Muscle that contracts to increase thoracic cavity volume and facilitate breathing.