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.
Afterload
The force of contraction that the left ventricle has to generate
to overcome the resistance in the aorta to eject the blood.
Baroreceptors
Stretch-sensitive receptors located in the aortic arch and
carotid bodies that constantly measure the blood pressure.
Chemoreceptors
Receptors that monitor oxygen levels, carbon dioxide, and pH
in arterial blood.
Systemic vascular
resistance
The resistance of blood flow through a vessel based on the
diameter of the vessel
Cardiac output
The volume of blood ejected from the left ventricle in one
minute.
Circulatory system
The system composed of the heart and blood vessels that
brings oxygen and nutrients to and takes wastes away from
body cells. Also called the cardiovascular system.
Frank-Starling law
of the heart
The concept that the stretch of the muscle fiber in the left
ventricle at the end of diastole determines the force necessary
to eject.
Hydrostatic
pressure
The blood pressure, or force exerted against the inside of
vessel walls; the “push” effect that forces fluid out of a
capillary.
Microcirculation
The flow of blood through the arterioles, capillaries, and
venules that is the site of exchange of gases, nutrients, and
waste products with the cells.
Plasma oncotic
pressure
The force created by the presence of large molecules that
tends to keep fluid inside a capillary by exerting a “pull” effect.
Also called colloid.
Preload
The pressure generated in the left ventricle at the end of
diastole (resting phase of the cardiac cycle).
Stroke volume
Volume of blood ejected by the left ventricle during each
contraction.
Peripheral nervous system
That portion of the nervous system located outside the brain
and the spinal cord
Central nervous system
The Brain and the Spinal Cord
Integumentary system
The skin
Cyanosis
A blue-gray color of the mucous membranes and/or skin
that indicates inadequate oxygenation or poor perfusion.
Dead air space
Anatomical areas in the respiratory tract where no gas exchange occurs but where air collects during inhalation.
Minute volume
The amount of air moved in and out of the lungs in one
minute. Also called minute ventilation
Residual volume
The air remaining in the lungs after a maximal exhalation.
Tidal volume
The amount of air breathed in and out in one normal
respiration.
Pituitary gland
Referred to as the “master gland” because is regulates growth, the function of the thyroid and parathyroid glands, the pancreas, the gonads, the metabolism of fatty acids, blood sugar levels, and urinary functions. The pituitary gland has anterior and posterior parts.
Alpha 1 effects
- Vasoconstriction.
- In events that cause shock, the vessels in the skin constrict and shunt blood to the core of the body, resulting in pale and cool skin.
- Alpha1 effects also stimulate the sweat glands, causing the skin to become moist or clammy in states of shock.
- Norepinephrine causes primarily Alpha1 and Alpha2 effects
Alpha 2 effects
Thought to regulate the release of Alpha1.
Beta 1 effects
Affect the myocardium, increasing heart rate, contractile force, and speeding up the electrical impulses traveling through the conduction system of the heart
Beta 2 effects
Cause smooth muscles to relax, especially in the bronchioles.
vertebrae in each part of spine
Cervical: 7 Thoracic: 12 Lumbar: 5 Sacram: 5 (fused) Coccygeal: 4 (fused)
Body of spine
Thick & disk shaped, weight bearing portion of vertebrae
Articular process
A point of attachment for muscle lateral to spinous process (spine)
Spinous process
Posterior midline, boney prominence felt through skin of the back
Transverse process
Point of attachment for muscle lateral to the articular process
Vertebral foramen
In center of body, allows for passage of spinal cord
Brain stem
Part of brain that controls involuntary function
Diencephalon
Part of brain that controls sensory processing and is involved with body function control
Cerebrum
Part of brain involved in censory control
Cerebellum
Part of brain involved in coordination of balance
Vagus nerve
Controls parasympathetic nervous system
Sutures
Zigzagged joints that hold the cranium together
Physiological manifestation of stress
Cool, clammy skin Increase in RR, pulse Dilated pupils Increased BP Tensed muscles Increase in blood sugar levels Perspiration Decreased circulation to GI tract
