Respiratory System Study Notes

Respiratory System Overview

• Comprises: nose, nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, lungs, alveoli.
• Function: Exchanges carbon dioxide for oxygen via the bronchial tree.

Key Structures

• Nose: Provides airway, moistens/warms air, filters inspired air, supports speech, contains smell receptors.
• Pharynx: Divided into nasopharynx (air), oropharynx (air+food), and laryngopharynx (air+food).
• Larynx: Voice box; maintains open airway and directs air/food.
• Trachea: Splits into bronchi (carina); includes epiglottis, which prevents airflow when swallowing.
• Bronchi: Branch into bronchioles, ending in alveolar sacs for gas exchange (via diffusion with capillaries).

Medical Terms

• ARDS: Acute respiratory distress syndrome; rapid pulmonary edema.
• Bronchiolitis: Inflammation of bronchioles.
• Bronchoscope: Device for examining bronchi.
• Carina: Tracheal structure; cough reflex activation point.
• COPD: Group of chronic respiratory diseases (e.g., emphysema, bronchitis).
• Dyspnea: Difficulty breathing.
• Endotracheal tube: Tube for airway assistance.
• Hemothorax: Blood in pleural space.
• Hyperpnea: Rapid or deep breathing.
• Lobectomy: Removal of lung lobe.
• Orthopnea: Breathing difficulty in lying positions.
• Pneumothorax: Air collection in pleural cavity.
• Rales: Abnormal lung sounds; fluid presence.
• Rhinorrhea: Nasal discharge.
• Rhonchus: Rattling sound from obstructed bronchi.
• Tachypnea: Fast breathing.
• Thoracoscopy: Pleural cavity examination.
• Thoracotomy: Chest wall incision.
• Thoracentesis: Fluid removal from pleural cavity.
• Tuberculosis: Infectious lung disease.
• Wheeze: Whistling sound from airway obstruction.