Edexcel IGCSE Biology - Ventilation

Vocabulary flashcards for the Edexcel IGCSE Biology ventilation lecture.

Thorax

The chest cavity containing the heart, lungs, and associated structures.

Trachea

A tube that draws air into the lungs; sometimes referred to as the windpipe.

Bronchi

The two branches the trachea splits into.

Bronchioles

Smaller branches that the bronchi split into.

Alveoli

Air sacs at the end of bronchioles where gas exchange occurs.

Diaphragm

A sheet of muscle at the bottom of the thorax.

Ribcage

A collection of bones that encloses and protects the thorax.

Pleural Membrane

Surrounds the lungs and helps to lubricate them during ventilation.

Intercostal Muscles

Muscles located between the ribs that help hold the ribs together.

Ventilation

The mechanism of breathing.

Inhalation

The process of breathing in, increasing the volume of the thorax and drawing air into the lungs due to a pressure decrease.

Exhalation

The process of breathing out, decreasing the volume of the thorax and forcing air out of the lungs due to a pressure increase.