Science-Medical Science

diaphragm

A dome-shaped muscle at the bottom of the lungs that plays a key role in breathing by contracting and relaxing to change the volume of the chest cavity.

epiglottis

A flap of tissue that covers the trachea during swallowing to prevent food from entering the lungs.

organ

A group of tissues that work together to perform a specific function, such as the heart, lungs, or liver.

carcinogen

A substance capable of causing cancer in living tissue.

veins

Blood vessels that carry oxygen-depleted blood back to the heart.

arteries

Blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood away from the heart to the body.

white blood cells

Cells of the immune system that help the body fight infections and other diseases.

red blood cells

Cells that carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body and return carbon dioxide to the lungs for exhalation.

tissues

Groups of cells that work together to perform a specific function, such as muscle tissue or nervous tissue.

intercostal muscles

Muscles located between the ribs that assist with breathing by expanding and contracting the rib cage.

platelets

Small blood cells that help with blood clotting to prevent bleeding.

bronchioles

Smaller branches of the bronchi that lead to the alveoli.

cells

The basic building blocks of all living organisms.

ribs

The bones that form the rib cage, protecting the heart and lungs.

plasma

The liquid portion of blood that carries cells, nutrients, hormones, and waste products.

bronchi

The main passageways that direct air from the trachea into the lungs. The trachea splits into the left and right bronchi.

heart

The muscular organ that pumps blood throughout the body.

diffusion

The process by which molecules move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration; essential in the exchange of gases in the alveoli.

breathing

The process of inhaling oxygen and exhaling carbon dioxide, enabling gas exchange in the lungs.

respiration

The process of inhaling oxygen and exhaling carbon dioxide, or more broadly, the metabolic process that uses oxygen to produce energy in cells.

gas exchange

The process of oxygen being absorbed into the blood and carbon dioxide being expelled, primarily occurring in the alveoli.

capillaries

The smallest blood vessels where the exchange of oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, and waste occurs between blood and tissues.

alveoli

Tiny air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs between the air and the blood.

ventricle

The two lower chambers of the heart that pump blood out of the heart to the lungs and the rest of the body.

atria

The two upper chambers of the heart that receive blood coming into the heart.

trachea

The windpipe; a tube that connects the throat to the bronchi, allowing air to pass to and from the lungs.