Respiration Vocabulary

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards covering anatomical structures, physiological processes, and clinical conditions related to the respiratory system.

alveoli (alveolus)

Microscopic air sacs in the lungs where the exchange of oxygen ($O_2$) and carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) occurs.

auditory tube (eustachian tube)

A tube that connects the middle ear to the pharynx and assists in equalizing pressure.

bronchi (bronchus)

The two primary air passages that branch off from the trachea and lead into the lungs.

bronchiole

Small branches of the bronchial tubes within the lungs that lead eventually to the alveoli.

epiglottis

A leaf-shaped flap of cartilage located at the base of the tongue that prevents food and liquid from entering the larynx during swallowing.

endotracheal intubation

A medical procedure where a tube is inserted through the mouth or nose into the trachea to maintain an unobstructed airway.

larynx

Commonly known as the voice box, it is the muscular organ that houses the vocal cords and forms an air passage to the lungs.

pharynx

Commonly known as the throat, it serves as a common passageway for both the respiratory and digestive systems.

respiratory membrane

The thin barrier consisting of the alveolar and capillary walls through which gas exchange occurs in the lungs.

respiratory mucosa

The mucus-secreting membrane that lines the tubes of the respiratory tree to trap and remove impurities.

sinus

Air-filled cavities within certain bones of the skull that provide resonance for the voice and lighten the weight of the head.

spirometer

An instrument used to measure the volume of air inspired and expired by the lungs.

surfactant

A fluid substance in the alveoli that reduces surface tension, preventing the air sacs from collapsing during expiration.

tidal volume (TV)

The volume of air inhaled or exhaled during a single normal, quiet breath, denoted as $\text{TV}$.

trachea

Commonly known as the windpipe, it is a tube reinforced by rings of cartilage extending from the larynx to the bronchi.

tracheostomy

A surgical procedure involving the creation of an opening into the trachea to provide an alternative airway.

vital capacity (VC)

The maximum amount of air that can be exhaled following the maximum possible inhalation, denoted as $\text{VC}$.

mucociliary escalator

A defense mechanism where cilia move a layer of mucus containing trapped debris upward toward the pharynx for removal.

compliance

A measure of the ability of the lungs and thorax to expand and stretch during breathing.

pleural cavity

The potential space between the visceral and parietal layers of the pleura that surround the lungs.

central chemoreceptors

Sensory neurons located in the brainstem that monitor changes in the $pH$ of cerebrospinal fluid to regulate ventilation.

chloride shift

The exchange of bicarbonate ($HCO_3^-$) and chloride ($Cl^-$) ions across the red blood cell membrane to maintain electrical neutrality.

Bohr effect

The phenomenon where an increase in $CO_2$ or a decrease in $pH$ causes hemoglobin to release oxygen more readily to the tissues.

Asthma

A condition characterized by chronic inflammation of the airways, leading to temporary narrowing and difficulty breathing.

Bronchitis

Inflammation of the bronchial tubes, often resulting in a productive cough and increased mucus production.

Emphysema

A lung disease characterized by the destruction of the walls of the alveoli, resulting in reduced surface area for gas exchange.

Cor pulmonale

Enlargement and failure of the right ventricle of the heart caused by primary disorders of the respiratory system or pulmonary blood vessels.