Ch5 - Lower Airway Flashcards
Bronchospasm
A smooth muscle spasm that occurs when the muscle layers around the airway constrict
Mainstem bronchi
Past the carina, this is where air enters the lungs
Hilum
The point of entry for the bronchi, vessels, and nerves into each lung.
Secondary bronchi
The mainstem bronchi divide into the secondary bronchi, each one going to a separate lobe of the lung
Tertiary bronchi
The secondary bronchi branch into tertiary bronchi, which continue to branch several times.
Bronchioles
Very small subdivisions of the bronchi in the lungs made of smooth muscle and dilate or constrict in response to various stimuli
Alveolar ducts
Ducts formed from division of the respiratory bronchioles in the lower airway, each duct ends in clusters known as alveoli
Alveoli
The air sacs of the lungs in which the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place
Alveolocapillary membrane
The very thin membrane, consisting of only one cell layer, that lies between the alveolus and capillary, through which respiratory exchange between the alveolus in the blood vessels occurs
Anaerobic metabolism
The metabolism that takes place in the absence of oxygen; the principal product is lactic acid
Antagonist
A molecule that blocks the ability of a given chemical to bind to its receptor, preventing a biologic response
Antibodies
Proteins within plasma that react with antigens
Antigens
Substances on the surface of erythrocytes that are recognized by the immune system
Aorta
The principal artery leaving the left side of the heart and caring freshly oxygenated blood to the body
Aortic arch
One of the three describe portions of the aorta, the section of the aorta between the ascending and descending portions that gives rise to the right brachiocephalic (innominate), left common carotid, and left subclavian arteries
