Pathophysiology of the Respiratory System

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing key anatomical structures, physiological processes, and assessment terms from the lecture on respiratory pathophysiology.

Respiratory System

Body system responsible for bringing oxygen into the body and removing carbon dioxide waste through breathing.

Upper Respiratory Tract

Section of the respiratory system that includes the nasal cavity, oral cavity, pharynx, epiglottis, larynx, and proximal trachea.

Lower Respiratory Tract

Portion of the respiratory system composed of the distal trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli located within the lungs.

Nasal Cavity

Airway passage behind the nose where air is filtered, warmed, and humidified before reaching the lower respiratory tract.

Pharynx

Muscular tube behind the nasal and oral cavities that conducts air to the larynx and food to the esophagus.

Larynx

Structure housing the vocal cords; routes air to the trachea while preventing food aspiration.

Trachea

Cartilaginous windpipe that carries inhaled air from the larynx to the bronchi.

Bronchus (Bronchi)

Large airway branches of the trachea that conduct air into each lung and subsequently divide into secondary and tertiary branches.

Bronchiole

Small-diameter airway lacking cartilage that branches from bronchi and terminates in alveolar structures.

Terminal Bronchiole

Final conducting airway before gas-exchange regions, giving rise to respiratory bronchioles.

Respiratory Bronchiole

Bronchiole segment possessing occasional alveoli in its walls, marking the beginning of the gas-exchange zone.

Alveolus (plural: Alveoli)

Microscopic air sac at the end of bronchioles where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged between air and blood.

Alveolar Duct

Small passageway leading from respiratory bronchioles to clusters of alveolar sacs.

Alveolar Sac

Cluster of alveoli that share a common opening, collectively participating in gas exchange.

Pores of Kohn

Small openings between adjacent alveoli that allow collateral ventilation and pressure equalization.

Carina

Ridge at the tracheal bifurcation where the trachea divides into the right and left main bronchi.

Cilia

Microscopic hair-like projections lining airways that beat rhythmically to propel mucus and trapped debris upward.

Goblet Cell

Mucus-secreting epithelial cell within airways that traps microbes and particles.

Mucus

Sticky, lysozyme-rich secretion produced by goblet cells that protects and cleanses the respiratory lining.

Pseudostratified Columnar Epithelium

Ciliated, mucus-secreting airway lining that appears multilayered but is actually a single layer of cells of varying heights.

Surfactant

Phospholipid fluid lining alveoli that reduces surface tension and prevents alveolar collapse during breathing.

Ventilation

Mechanical process of moving air into and out of the alveoli.

Perfusion

Flow of blood through pulmonary capillaries surrounding the alveoli.

Gas Exchange

Diffusion of oxygen from alveolar air into blood and carbon dioxide from blood into alveolar air across the respiratory membrane.

Respiratory Membrane

Thin barrier composed of alveolar epithelium, basement membrane, and capillary endothelium where gases diffuse.

Pulmonary Circulation

Vascular pathway that carries deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs and returns oxygenated blood to the left atrium.

Pulmonary Artery

Blood vessel that transports deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the pulmonary capillaries in the lungs.

Pulmonary Vein

Blood vessel that returns oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium.

Diaphragm

Primary respiratory muscle that contracts to enlarge thoracic volume during inspiration and relaxes during expiration.

Inspiration (Inhalation)

Phase of breathing in which thoracic volume increases, causing air to flow into the lungs.

Expiration (Exhalation)

Phase of breathing in which thoracic volume decreases, forcing air out of the lungs.

Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)

Energy-carrying molecule produced in cells; its generation produces carbon dioxide as a metabolic waste.

SOCRATES

Mnemonic for systematic respiratory symptom assessment: Site, Onset, Character, Radiation, Associated symptoms, Time, Exacerbating/relieving factors, Severity.