5.9 - Respiratory System

Ventilation

Delivery of air to the alveoli

Cellular Respiration

The process by which oxygen receives the end products of energy production

Carbon Dioxide

Waste product of the metabolism of glucose; does not need a carrier to penetrate blood

Parenchyma

Lung tissue

Respiratory Epithelia

Produces mucus in nose to protect against pathogens; mucus is either expelled or swallowed

Nares

Nasal passages

Trachea

Muscular tube encircled with cartilaginous rings to keep it open when breathing

Cilia

Hair-like structures that push mucus to be swallowed or expelled

V-Q Match

Ventilation and perfusion (sending blood) to maximize efficiency in the lungs

Oxyhemoglobin

Oxygen in its bound form with hemoglobin

Upper Respiratory Infection (URI)

Most common infection of the respiratory tract; may include hoarseness of speech

Tonsillitis

Inflammation of tonsils

Asthma

Inflammatory response of the body mediated by immunoglobulin E and eosinophils; edema and swelling of respiratory mucosa causes obstruction of the upper airways making ventilation difficult

Bronchitis

Inflammation of the bronchi; usually seen in chronic smokers

Emphysema

Destruction of the parenchyma of the lung leading to dilated air spaces and decreasing the surface area of the lung required for air exchange

Pleurisy

Inflammation of the coverings of the lung

Pneumonia

Infection in the lung; usually exudates fill the air spaces and inhibit oxygen exchange

Pulmonary Edema

Accumulation of fluid in the lung

Tuberculosis

Infection of the lung with mycobacterium tuberculosis

Rhinitis

Inflammation of the nasal mucus membranes (mucosa)

Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS)

A constellation of issues involving the impairment of adequate ventilation in newborn babies

Pneumothorax

Air in the chest cavity outside of the lungs