Respiratory System 9.1

trachea (the windpipe)

trachea (the windpipe)

the air tube that extends from the larynx into the thorax, where it splits into the right and left bronchi

tonsils

clusters of lymphatic tissue in the pharynx that function as the first line of defense against infection

larynx (voice box)

a triangular-shaped space inferior to the pharynx that is responsible for voice production

thyroid cartilage (Adam’s apple)

the largest cartilaginous plate in the larynx

pharynx (the throat)

the muscular passageway that extends from the nasal cavity to the mouth and connects to the esophagus

epiglottis

a flap of cartilaginous tissue that covers the opening to the trachea, diverts food and liquids to the esophagus

sinuses

the air-filled cavities that surround the nose

nares (nostrils)

the two openings in the nose through which air enters

conchae

three uneven, scroll-like nasal bones that extend down through the nasal cavity

pleural sac

the thin, double-walled serous membrane that surrounds the lungs

surfactant

a phospholipid that reduces the surface tension in the alveoli and prevents them from collapsing

pores of Kohn

small openings in the alveolar walls that allow gases and macrophages to travel between the alveoli

pleural sac

the thin, double-walled serous membrane that surrounds the lungs

palate (the roof of the mouth)

the structure consisting of hard and soft components that separates the oral and nasal cavities

mediastinum

the area of the thoracic cavity between the lungs, houses the major organs

cardiopulmonary system

the collective name for the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, work together to conduct gas exchange

bronchioles

the thin-walled branches of the bronchi, the smallest air- conducting passageways of the bronchi

primary bronchi

the two passage ways that branch off the trachea and lead to the right and left lungs

terminal bronchioles

conduct a small amount of gas exchange in the respiratory zone

alveoli

air sacs in the lungs from which gas is exchanged with the capillaries

alveolar capillary membrane

gas-exchange structure that contains the alveoli and the capillaries surrounding the alveoli