Chapter 24: The Respiratory System

A collection of key vocabulary terms and their definitions from Chapter 24, covering fundamental concepts of the respiratory system.

Ventilation

The process of moving air in and out of the lungs, involving pulmonary ventilation, external respiration, internal respiration, and cellular respiration.

Pulmonary ventilation

Inspiration and expiration processes that bring gases in and out from the atmosphere.

External respiration

The exchange of gases between the atmosphere and the lungs.

Internal respiration

The exchange of gases between blood and the cells.

Cellular respiration

The process occurring inside mitochondria where cells produce ATP.

Conducting portion

The part of the respiratory system that consists of tubes conducting air to the lungs, with no gas exchange.

Respiratory portion

Structures where gas exchange occurs, including respiratory bronchioles and alveoli.

Alveoli

Small air sacs in the lungs where most gas exchange occurs.

Type I alveolar cells

Simple squamous epithelial cells that form the walls of alveoli, ideal for diffusion.

Type II alveolar cells

Cells that secrete surfactant, reducing surface tension inside alveoli.

Respiratory membrane

A membrane through which oxygen and carbon dioxide pass, consisting of type I alveolar cells and capillary endothelial cells.

Diaphragm

A muscle that plays a major role in breathing, contracting and relaxing to change the volume of the thoracic cavity.

Asthma

A condition characterized by spasms of smooth muscle in bronchi and bronchioles, leading to reduced airway size.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

A group of lung diseases that block airflow and make it difficult to breathe, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

Pulmonary embolism (PE)

A condition where a blood clot travels to the pulmonary vessels, potentially obstructing blood flow.

Pneumothorax

The presence of air in the pleural cavity, often due to penetrating trauma.

Hemothorax

The presence of blood in the pleural cavity, which can occur due to injury.