HBS Respiratory System

Functions of the Respiratory System

gas exchange, acid-base balance, sense of smell, speech production

conducting zone

Includes respiratory passageways, cleanses, humidifies and warms incoming air; nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles

respiratory zone

site of gas exchange; alveoli

nasal cavity

filters and warms the air

pharynx

throat; passageway for food to the esophagus and air to the larynx

epiglottis

A flap of tissue that seals off the windpipe and prevents food from entering.

larynx

voice box; passageway for air moving from pharynx to trachea; contains vocal cords

trachea

windpipe

primary bronchi

the two passageways that branch off the trachea and lead to the right and left lungs

bronchioles

smallest branches of the bronchi

alveoli

tiny sacs of lung tissue specialized for the movement of gases between air and blood

pulmonary ventilation

movement of air into and out of the lungs

external respiration

exchange of gases between lungs and blood

internal respiration (cellular respiration)

the exchange of gases within the cells of the blood and tissues

inspiration

breathing in (inhalation)

expiration

breathing out (exhalation)

muscles of respiration

diaphragm, intercostals

spirometry

a measurement of breathing (or lung volumes)

tidal volume (TV)

amount of air inhaled or exhaled with each breath under resting conditions

Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV)

Amount of air that can be forcefully inhaled after a normal tidal volume inhalation

Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV)

Amount of air that can be forcefully exhaled after a normal tidal volume exhalation

Residual Volume (RV)

Amount of air remaining in the lungs after a forced exhalation; prevents alveoli from collapsing

Vital Capacity (VC)

amount of air exhaled after a maximal inspiration; TV + IRV + ERV

Total Lung Capacity (TLC)

maximum amount of air contained in lungs including residual volume

FEV1

forced expiratory volume in 1 second

pharmacology

the study of medications and their interactions with living systems

buccal

route of administration; between gums and teeth

subcutaneous

route of administration; beneath the skin

sublingual

route of administration; under the tongue

intravenous

route of administration in which the drug is injected into a vein

opthalmic

route of administration; to the eye

bronchodilator

agent causing the bronchi to widen

asthma

episodes of breathing difficulty due to narrowed or obstructed airways

rescue inhaler

used to stop asthma symptoms once they have begun