Respiratory System Study Guide

These flashcards cover key terms related to the respiratory system.

Respiratory System

The organ system responsible for the intake of oxygen and the release of carbon dioxide.

Alveoli

Tiny air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs.

Diaphragm

A muscle that separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity and plays a crucial role in breathing.

Gas Exchange

The process of oxygen being absorbed into the bloodstream and carbon dioxide being expelled from it.

Bronchi

Large air passages that lead from the trachea to the lungs, branching into smaller bronchioles.

Oxygenation

The process of adding oxygen to the blood, typically within the alveoli.

Carbon Dioxide

A waste product of cellular respiration that is expelled from the body during breathing.

Ventilation

The movement of air in and out of the lungs.

Pulmonary Circulation

The circulation of blood between the heart and the lungs.

Respiratory Rate

The number of breaths taken per minute.