16 - The Respiratory System Flashcards
The larger air passages in the lungs.
Bronchi
Small sacs in the lungs that fill with air from the alveolar ducts (singular alveolus).
Alveoli
A tiny branch of the bronchi that connects to the alveoli.
Bronchiole
The outer curved part of the nasal cavities that acts as a filter for dust, and to warm and moisten the incoming air.
Choana
A dome-shaped muscle between the thoracic and abdominal cavities; controls regular, relaxed breathing by contracting and relaxing.
Diaphragm
A cartilaginous flap above the glottis that closes while food or liquid is passing through the pharynx.
Epiglottis
Breathing out
Exhalation
Another term for exhalation (breathing out).
Expiration
The vocal cords and the opening between them.
Glottis
Breathing in
Inhalation
Another term for inhalation (breathing in).
Inspiration
The bottom part of the pharynx.
Laryngopharynx
The voice box
Larynx
The main breathing organs in the chest that bring oxygen into the body and expel carbon dioxide.
Lungs
Any of the passages in the nasal passages.
Nasal cavity
The part of the pharynx behind the nasal cavity and above the soft palate.
Nasopharynx
External openings of the nose that provide air passage and secretions from the nose and eyes.
Nostrils
The part of the throat located at the back of the mouth.
Oropharynx
The outer layer of the pleural membrane.
Parietal pleura
The cavity at the back of the mouth that opens to the esophagus and larynx.
Pharynx
The volume of air left in the lungs after a maximum exhalation.
Residual volume
An air-filled cavity
Sinus
The volume of air that is inhaled or exhaled during a normal, resting breathing cycle.
Tidal volume
The volume of air in the lungs after a maximum inhalation.
Total lung capacity
The inner layer of the pleural membrane
Visceral pleura
The volume of gas that can be exhaled from the lungs at maximum inhalation.
Vital capacity
A number of conditions in which the lungs receive inadequate oxygen; may be caused by a pathological condition or by exposure to smoke, pollution, or toxic chemicals, resulting in shortness of breath.
Acute respiratory disease syndrome (ARDS)
The temporary cessation of breathing (usually occurs during sleep)
Apnea
A condition caused by an inadequate intake of oxygen.
Asphyxia
The accidental inhalation of foreign matter into the bronchial system.
Aspiration
A disease characterized by narrowing of the bronchial tubes, making breathing difficult.
Asthma
Abnormally slow breathing
Bradypnea
Inflammation of the bronchi
Bronchitis
An irregular breathing pattern consisting of periods of maximum respiration followed by a progressive decrease until apnea results; often seen in comatose or brain-injured patients.
Cheyne-Stokes respiration
A progressive disease characterized by shortness of breath, wheezing, and chronic coughing, usually caused by smoking; usually a combination of chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Profuse discharge from the mucous membrane of the nose.
Coryza
A common genetic disorder of infants and children in which thick, viscous mucus is produced in the respiratory tract; the exocrine glands do not secrete properly, and a predisposition to bacterial infections exists in the lungs.
Cystic fibrosis
Shortness of breath
Dyspnea
A lung disease in which tissue deterioration results in increased air retention and reduced exchange of gases. The result is difficulty breathing and shortness of breath; usually caused by smoking.
Emphysema
A common nosebleed
Epistaxis
A seasonal rhinitis resulting from an allergic reaction to pollen.
Hay fever
Coughing up blood from lungs or airways
Hemoptysis
An involuntary spastic contraction of the diaphragm.
Hiccup
Abnormally deep or fast respiration, in which excessive quantities of air are taken in, causing buzzing in the ears, tingling in the extremities, and sometimes fainting.
Hyperventilation
An acute viral infection involving the respiration tract and other body systems.
Influenza
A cancerous growth in the lung tissue.
Lung cancer
An inflammation of the covering around the lungs.
Pleurisy
An inflammation of the lungs caused by a bacterial or viral infection, which causes fever, shortness of breath, and the coughing up of phlegm (mucus and other material produced by the lining of the respiratory tract; also called sputum).
Pneumonia
A collapsed lung caused by accumulation of air or gas in the space between the lung and chest wall.
Pneumothorax
The abnormal collection of fluid in the lungs.
Pulmonary edema
An inability of the lungs to conduct gas exchange.
Respiratory failure
Asthma, hay fever, and other conditions caused by oversensitivity of any part of the respiratory system.
Respiratory hypersensitivity
A failure to provide adequate oxygen to the cells of the body and remove carbon dioxide.
Respiratory insufficiency
An inflammation of mucous membranes in the nose; the common cold.
Rhinitis
Pain or discomfort from inflammation of any combination of the tonsils, larynx, or pharynx; also called pharyngitis.
Sore throat
Exaggeratedly rapid breathing
Tachypnea
A contagious, life-threatening disease caused by a bacterial infection and spread through person-to-person contact.
Tuberculosis
