Tissues, Organs, Respiratory, and Musculoskeletal Systems Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards reviewing gas exchange, respiratory system structures, breathing mechanisms, medicinal drug processing, and musculoskeletal joints.

Diffusion

The net movement of particles from a high concentration to a low concentration.

Oxygenated Blood

Blood containing a high concentration of oxygen and a lower concentration of carbon dioxide.

Deoxygenated Blood

Blood containing less oxygen and a higher concentration of carbon dioxide.

Gas Exchange

The process occurring in the alveoli where oxygen passes into the blood and carbon dioxide passes into the lungs across thin cell walls.

Inhaled Air

Air breathed into the lungs, consisting of $20.9\%$ oxygen, $0.03\%$ carbon dioxide, $0.9\%$ water vapour, $78.1\%$ nitrogen, and $>1\%$ noble gases.

Exhaled Air

Air breathed out of the lungs, consisting of $15.9\%$ oxygen, $3.0\%$ carbon dioxide, $2.4\%$ water vapour, $78.1\%$ nitrogen, and $>1\%$ noble gases.

Respiratory System

The organ system that allows air to move into and out of the lungs through the nose and mouth, consisting of the nose, mouth, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli.

Trachea

The main windpipe tube that allows air to move in and out of the lungs.

Bronchi

The two main branches that separate from the trachea to direct air into each lung (singular: bronchus).

Bronchioles

Smaller branches in the respiratory system that split off from the bronchi and lead directly to the alveoli.

Alveoli

Millions of tiny air sacs at the ends of bronchioles with single-cell thick walls and a good blood supply where gas exchange occurs.

Intercostal Muscles

Muscles located between the ribs that contract and relax to move the ribcage, changing the volume of the chest cavity.

Diaphragm

A layer of muscle sitting below the lungs that contracts and relaxes to alter the volume and pressure inside the chest cavity.

Inhaling

The process of breathing in where the diaphragm contracts (flattens), intercostal muscles contract (moving ribs up and out), chest cavity volume increases, chest pressure decreases, and air moves into the lungs.

Exhaling

The process of breathing out where the diaphragm relaxes (domes up), intercostal muscles relax (moving ribs down and in), chest cavity volume decreases, chest pressure increases, and air moves out of the lungs.

Bell Jar Model

A mechanical model representing breathing, where a glass jar represents the rigid ribcage, glass tubes represent the trachea and bronchi, balloons represent lungs, and a rubber sheet represents the diaphragm.

Drug

A chemical substance that has an effect on the body.

Medicine

A drug taken specifically to treat an illness.

Asthma

A common condition where the airways (bronchi and bronchioles) become narrower, making it difficult to breathe during an attack.

Ventolin

An inhaled medicinal drug used to treat asthma by widening the airways to allow more air to move in and out of the lungs.

Absorption

The process of a substance passing through the digestive wall into blood vessels.

Metabolite

A modified, product formed when organs such as the liver break down a drug.

Metabolism

The alteration or breakdown of a substance by the liver or other body organs.

Circulatory System

The body's system responsible for transporting substances throughout the body via blood vessels.

Musculoskeletal System

The system comprising muscles, bones, ligaments, cartilage, and tendons that coordinates movement, provides support and organ protection, and produces blood cells.

Antagonistic Muscles

Muscles that work in pairs (such as the biceps and triceps) to help the body move.

Joint

A place in the musculoskeletal system where two or more bones meet, allowing movement.

Ligaments

Tissues in the musculoskeletal system that connect bone to bone.

Cartilage

Tissue covering the ends of bones that reduces friction between bones and acts as a shock absorber.

Tendons

Tissues in the musculoskeletal system that connect muscle to bone.

Hinge Joint

A type of joint (e.g., knee or elbow) that allows movement in one direction backwards and forwards, providing controlled and stable movement.

Fixed Joint

A type of joint (e.g., skull sutures) that allows no movement, providing strength and protecting delicate organs like the brain.

Ball-and-Socket Joint

A type of joint (e.g., hip or shoulder) that allows movement in many directions including rotation, providing flexibility and a wide range of motion.

Types of Joints

The structural categories of joints in the skeleton, classified into hinge joints, fixed joints, and ball-and-socket joints based on movement capabilities.