Ch. 7 Structure and Function

Adam’s apple

Thyroid cartilage, supportive structure of the larynx; larger in males than in females.

adenoids

Collection of lymphoid tissue in the nasopharynx; pharyngeal tonsils.

alveolus

Latin, little sac. Air sac at the end of each bronchiole.

apex

Latin, summit. Topmost section of the lung.

base

Bottom section of the lung.

bronchiole

Fine subdivision of the bronchi made of smooth muscle and elastic fibers.

bronchus (pl., bronchi)

Latin, windpipe. One of the two airways from the trachea to the lungs.

cilia

Hairlike extensions of a cell’s surface that usually provide some protection by sweeping foreign particles away.

diaphragm

Membranous muscle between the abdominal and thoracic cavities that contracts and relaxes during the respiratory cycle.

epiglottis

mouth of the windpipe. Cartilaginous flap that covers the larynx during swallowing to prevent food from entering the airway.

exhalation

to breathe out.

expiration

Latin expiro, to breathe out.

external nares

nostrils.

external respiration

Exchange of air between the body and the outside environment.

glottis

Part of the larynx consisting of the vocal folds of mucous membrane and muscle.

hilum (also hilus)

Midsection of the lung where the nerves and vessels enter and exit.

hypopharynx

Laryngopharynx.

inferior lobe

Bottom lobe of the lung.

inhalation

Latin inhalo, to breathe in.

inspiration

to breathe in.

intercostal muscles

Muscles between the ribs.

internal respiration

Exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the cells.

laryngopharynx

Part of the pharynx below and behind the larynx.

larynx

Organ of voice production in the respiratory tract, between the pharynx and the trachea

lung

One of two organs of respiration (left lung and right lung) in the thoracic cavity, where oxygenation of blood takes place.

mediastinum

Median portion of the thoracic cavity; septum between two areas of an organ or cavity.

middle lobe

Middle section of the right lung.

nasal cavity

Opening in the external nose where air enters the body.

nasal septum

Cartilaginous division of the external nose.

nasopharynx

Portion of the throat above the soft palate.

nose

External structure supported by nasal bones and containing nasal cavity.

nostrils

External openings at the base of the nose; also called external nares.

oropharynx

Back portion of the mouth, a division of the pharynx.

palatine tonsils

Lymphatic tissue that works as part of the immune system.

paranasal sinuses

Area of the nasal cavity where external air is warmed by blood in the mucous membrane lining.

parietal pleura

Outer layer of the pleura.

pharyngeal tonsils

Adenoids.

pharynx

Passageway at back of mouth for air and food; throat.

pleura (pl., pleurae)

Double layer of membrane making up the outside of the lungs.

pleural cavity

Space between the two pleura.

respiratory system

The body’s system for breathing.

respiratory tract

Passageways through which air moves into and out of the lungs.

septum

Cartilaginous division, as in the nose or mediastinum.

soft palate

Flexible muscular sheet that separates the nasopharynx from the rest of the pharynx.

superior lobe

Topmost lobe of each lung.

thorax

Greek, breastplate. Chest cavity.

throat

pharynx

thyroid cartilage

Adam’s apple.

trachea

Airway from the larynx into the bronchi; windpipe.

visceral pleura

Inner layer of the pleura.

vocal cords

Strips of epithelial tissue that vibrate and play a major role in the production of sound.

voice box

larynx