Anatomical Terms Flashcards
Respiratory system
The organs involved in the exchange of gases between an
organism and the atmosphere.
Aerobic metabolism
Chemical and physical changes that take place within the cells
in the presence of oxygen.
Airway resistance
The restriction of airflow that is related to the diameter of the
airways.
Alveolar ventilation
The amount of inspired air that reaches the alveoli of the lungs.
Anaerobic
metabolism
Chemical and physical changes that take place within the cells
without the presence of oxygen.
Apneustic center
The respiratory center in the brainstem that intensifies and
prolongs inhalation.
Boyle’s law
The concept that the volume of a gas is inversely proportionate
to the pressure
Central
chemoreceptors
Receptors located in the medulla that are most sensitive to
changes in carbon dioxide and pH.
Compliance
The measure of the ability of the chest wall and lungs to
stretch, distend, and expand.
Dead air space
Anatomical areas in the respiratory tract where no gas
exchange occurs but where air collects during inhalation.
Deoxyhemoglobin
Hemoglobin that does not have any oxygen molecules
attached to it.
Dorsal respiratory
group (DRG)
Respiratory rhythm center located in the brainstem that
controls the rate and depth of normal quiet respiration.
Frequency of
ventilation
The number of ventilations in one minute.
Glycolysis
The breakdown of glucose into pyruvic acid in the cells.
Irritant receptors
Receptors found in the airways that are sensitive to irritating
gases, aerosol, and particles and that result in a cough, bronchoconstriction, and increased ventilatory rate when
stimulated.
J-receptors
Receptors found in the capillaries surrounding the alveoli that
are sensitive to increases in the pressure in the capillary and
that cause rapid, shallow ventilation when stimulated.
Minute ventilation
minute volume
The amount of air moved in and out of the lungs in one minute.
Peripheral
chemoreceptors
Receptors located in the aortic arch and the carotid bodies that
are somewhat sensitive to CO2 and pH but are most sensitive
to the level of oxygen in the arterial blood.
Pneumotaxic center
Located in the brainstem, it sends inhibitory impulses to the
apneustic center to turn off the inhalation before the lungs are
too full.
Respiratory control
centers
Located in the brain stem. Consists of four control centers: the
dorsal and ventral respiratory groups and the apneustic and
pneumotaxic centers
Stretch receptors
Receptors found in the smooth muscle of the airways that
monitor the size and volume of the lungs. These receptors
stimulate a decrease in the rate and volume of ventilation
when stretched by high tidal volumes to protect against lung
over-inflation.
Tidal volume
The amount of air breathed in and out in one normal
respiration.
Ventral respiratory
group (VRG)
Respiratory rhythm center located in the brainstem that has
both inspiratory and expiratory neurons. It becomes active and
stimulates accessory muscles when an increase in ventilatory
effort is necessary.
Laryngeal spasm
A contraction of the vocal cords that causes them to close and
prevents air from passing through into the trachea. Also called
laryngospasm.