Chapter 5 - Respiratory System Vocabulary Flashcards
alveoli
Tiny sacs of lung tissue in which gas exchange takes place
Alveolar ducts
Ducts formed from division of the respiratory bronchioles in the lower airway; each Duct ends in clusters known as alveoli
Alveolocapillary membrane
Very thin membrane, consisting of only one cell layer, that lies between the alveolus and capillary, through which respiratory exchange between alveolus and the blood vessels occurs. Also known as the pulmonary capillary membrane
Asbestosis
A disease of the lungs caused by inhalation of asbestos particles
Asthma
A chronic inflammatory lower airway condition resulting in intermittent wheezing and excess mucus production
Bicarbonate ions
Ions related to carbonic acid; they are formed from carbon dioxide transport mechanism
Black lung disease
A disease of the lung cause by consistent inhalation of coal dust
Bronchial arteries
Arteries that branch off of the thoracic aorta and supply the lung tissue with blood
Bronchial veins
veins that return deoxygenated blood to the heart from the lungs
Bronchioles
Find subdivisions of the bronchi that give rise to the alveolar ducts; made of smooth muscle and dilate or constrict in response to various stimuli
Bronchodilator
Medication that is designed to improve lung function by widening the bronchial tubes
Carbaminohemoglobin
The bond of carbon dioxide with hemoglobin
Carbonic anhydrase
An enzyme in red blood cells that speeds reaction of carbon dioxide and water, resulting in carbonic acid
Carina
A ridgelike projection of tracheal cartilage located where the trachea bifurcates into the right and left mainstem bronchi
Chronic bronchitis
A chronic inflammatory condition affecting the bronchi that is associated with excess mucus production that results from overgrowth of the mucous glands in the airways
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
A progressive and irreversible disease of the airway marked by decreased inspiratory and expiratory capacity of the lungs
Conchae
Three bony ridges contained within the lateral walls of the nasopharynx
diffusion
The process in which molecules move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration
Emphysema
The infiltration of any tissue by air or gas; a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease characterized by distention of the alveoli and destructive changes in the lung parenchyma
Epiglottis
A leaf-shaped cartilaginous structure that closes over the trachea during swallowing
Esophagus
Collapsible tube that extends from the pharynx to the stomach; contractions of the muscle in the wall of the esophagus propel food and liquids to the stomach
Expiration
Exhalation
Expiratory reserve volume
Supplemental air; additional air that is expelled from the lungs due to forced exhalation
External nares
The external openings in the nasal cavity; also called the nostrils
Forced expiratory vital capacity
The volume of air exhaled from the lungs following a forceful exhalation
functional residual capacity
Expiratory reserve volume plus residual volume
glottis
The vocal chords and the opening between them
Hard palate
The floor of the nasal cavity
Hemoglobin
The iron containing protein in the red blood cells
Hilum
The point of entry for the bronchi, vessels, and nerves into each lung
Hyperventilation
Deep, rapid breathing; it lowers blood carbon dioxide levels
Hypoxia
A deficiency of oxygen reaching the tissues
Inspiration
Inhalation
Inspiratory capacity
Tidal volume plus inspiratory reserve volume
Inspiratory reserve volume
Additional air that enters the lungs due to forced inspiration
Interior nares
The posterior opening for the nasopharynx into the pharynx
Larynx
A complete structure formed by the epiglottis, thyroid cartilage, cricoid cartilage, arytenoid cartilage, corniculate cartilage, and cuneiform cartilage; the voice box
Lingula
A small portion of the left lung that is the equivalent of the middle lobe in the right lung
Lungs
The two primary organs of breathing
Mainstem bronchi
The part of the lower airway below the larynx through which air enters the lungs
medullary respiratory center
The dorsal and ventral responsory groups in the medulla oblongata as well as the respiratory groups of the Pons
Nasal septum
The rigid partition composed of bone and cartilage that separates the right and left nostrils
Nasolacrimal ducts
The passage through which tears drain from the lacrimal sac into the nasal cavity
Nasopharynx
The nasal cavity (the portion of the fairings that lives above the level of the roof of the mouth); formed by the union of the facial bones
Oropharynx
A tubular structure that forms the posterior portion of the oral cavity, extending vertically from the back of the mouth to the esophagus and trachea
Oxyhemoglobin
The combination of oxygen that diffuses into the blood and the hemoglobin molecule
Parietal pleura
The membrane that lines the walls of the plural cavity
Partial pressure
The amount of pressure each gas contributes to diffusion
Partial pressure of carbon dioxide (Paco2)
A measurement of the percentage of carbon dioxide in the blood
Partial pressure of oxygen (Pao2)
A measurement of the percentage of oxygen in the blood
pH
The measure of acidity or alkalinity of a solution
Pharynx
The cavity lying posterior to the mouth, connecting to the esophagus; the throat
Pleura
The serous membranes covering the lungs and lining the thoracic cavity, completely enclosing a potential space known as the pleural space
Pleural space
A potential space between the visceral plural and parietal pleura; it is described as potential because under normal circumstances, the space does not exist
Primary respiratory acidosis
A decrease in the blood pH secondary to insufficient exhalation of CO2
Primary respiratory alkalosis
An increase in the blood pH secondary to excessive exhalation of CO2
Residual volume
The volume of air remaining in the respiratory passages and lungs after maximal expiration
Respiratory areas
Parts of the brain that control inspiration and expiration
Respiratory bronchioles
Structures formed by the final branching of the bronchioles
Respiratory capacities
The four capacities created by the combination of two or more of the respiratory volumes
Respiratory cycle
One cycle of inspiration followed by expiration
Respiratory membrane
Layers of an alveolus that separate air from blood and a capillary; it is where blood and alveolar air exchange gases. Also known as the pulmonary capillary membrane or the alveolar capillary membrane
Respiratory system
All the structures of the body that contribute to the process of breathing, including the upper and lower airways and their component parts
Respiratory volumes
Four distinct volumes involved in respirations: tidal volume, inspiratory reserve volume, expiratory reserve volume, and residual volume
Resting tidal volume
The volume that leaves during a normal, resting expiration (about 500 mL)
Restrictive lung disease
Diseases that limit the ability of the lungs to expand appropriately
Secondary bronchi
Airway passages in the lungs that are formed from the division of the right and left main stem bronchi
Spirometer
A device used in pulmonary function testing that measures air entering and leaving the lungs over a specific period of time
Surface tension
An effect that makes it difficult for the alveoli to inflate; it is caused by attraction of water molecules
Surfactant
A mixture of lipids and proteins synthesized to reduce the tendency of alveolar collapse and to ease alveolar inflation
Tertiary bronchi
Airway passages in the lungs that are formed from branching of the secondary bronchi
Tidal volume
A measure of the depth of breathing; the volume of air that is inhaled or exhaled during a single respiratory cycle
Total lung capacity
Vital capacity plus residual volume
Trachea
The conduit for all entry into the lungs; a tubular structure that is approximately 10-12 cm long and composed of a series of C-shaped cartilaginous rings; also called the windpipe
True vocal cords
The inferior portion of the vocal cords that vibrate to produce sound
Turbinates
A set of bony convolutions formed by the conchae in the nasopharynx that help to maintain smooth airflow
Uvula
A soft – tissue structure that resembles a punching bag; located in the posterior aspect of the oral cavity, at the base of the tongue
Ventilation
The process of exchanging air between the lungs and the environment; includes inhalation and exhalation
vestibular folds
The superior portion of the vocal cords; also called the false vocal cords
Visceral pleura
The pleural membrane that covers the lungs
Vital capacity
The amount of air moved in and out of the lungs with maximum inspiration and exhalation
