The Respiratory System - Vocabulary Flashcards (Video Notes)

Vocabulary flashcards covering the major parts, structures, and functions of the human respiratory system as described in the lecture notes.

Nose

External entry point for air; includes the nostrils and nasal cavity, helps warm, moisten, and filter air.

Nostril

Each external opening of the nose through which air enters.

Nasal cavity

Space behind the nose where air is filtered, warmed, and humidified; lined with mucous membranes and cilia.

Paranasal sinuses

Air-filled cavities around the nasal cavity that help humidify air and contribute to voice resonance.

Mucous membrane

Layer that lines cavities like the nose and traps dust and microbes with mucus.

Cilia

Tiny hair-like structures that move mucus and trapped particles out of the airways.

Oral cavity

Mouth; an entry point for air and food.

Pharynx

Throat; passageway for air and food that connects the nasal/oral cavities to the larynx and esophagus.

Nose and mouth as entry points

Primary entry routes for air into the respiratory system.

Epiglottis

Flap of tissue that closes over the trachea during swallowing to prevent food from entering the airways.

Larynx

Voice box; contains vocal cords and routes air to the trachea.

Vocal cords

Folds within the larynx that vibrate to produce sound (speech).

Trachea

Windpipe; cartilage-reinforced tube that conducts air from the larynx to the bronchi.

Carina of the trachea

Internal keel where the trachea splits into the right and left main bronchi; highly sensitive region.

Right main bronchus

Primary airway to the right lung; usually more vertical than the left.

Left main bronchus

Primary airway to the left lung.

Bronchi

Two main branches from the trachea that lead into the lungs and divide into smaller airways.

Bronchioles

Smaller airways branching from the bronchi that lead to the alveoli.

Alveoli

Tiny air sacs where gas exchange (O2 in, CO2 out) occurs.

Lungs

Organs responsible for gas exchange; contain bronchioles and alveoli.

Diaphragm

Dome-shaped muscle that contracts to expand the thoracic cavity during breathing.

Pleural membrane

Membrane surrounding the lungs that reduces friction and allows smooth movement.

Parietal pleura

Outer layer of the pleura that lines the chest wall.

Ribs

Bones forming the rib cage that protect respiratory organs and aid breathing.

Intercostal muscles

Muscles between the ribs that help expand and compress the chest during breathing.

Gas exchange

Process by which oxygen is taken into the blood and carbon dioxide is released from the blood.

Oxygen (O2)

Gas inhaled into the lungs for use by body cells.

Carbon dioxide (CO2)

Gas produced by metabolism and expelled from the body via respiration.

Gas exchange sites

Alveoli are the main sites where O2 and CO2 are exchanged between air and blood.

Bunch of Grapes model

A visual model where the trachea is the stem, bronchi are branches, bronchioles are smaller branches, and alveoli are the grape-like sacs, illustrating the breathing system.