Respiratory Flashcards
Alveoli
tiny, thin walled sacs
respiratory organs
nose
pharynx
larynx
trachea
bronchi
lungs
Diffusion
mode for the exchange of gasses that occurs in the respiratory system
Upper Respiratory Tract
composed of: nose, pharynx, & larynx
Lower Respiratory Tract
consists of: trachea, all segments of the bronchial tree, & lungs
respiratory muscosa
membrane that lines most of the air distribution tubes in the system
mucus
varies in composition from very watery to very thick & sticky {depends on location}
ciliary escalator
millions of cilia that beat or move only in one direction
external nares
nostrils
nasal septum
separates the two cavities
paranasal sinuses
four parts: frontal, maxillary, sphenoid, & ethmoid
sinusitis
sinus infection
lacrimal sacs
two ducts; collect tears from the corner of each eyelid & drain them into nasal cavity
conchae
three shelf-like structures that protrude into the nasal cavity on each side
turbinates
another name for the nasal conchae
pharynx
throat
three parts of pharynx
-nasopharynx
-oropharynx
laryngopharynx
auditory {eustachian} tube
they connect the middle ears with the nasopharynx; equalization of air pressure between the middle & the exterior ear
tonsils
masses of lymphoid tissue
three types of tonsils
-lingual tonsils
-palatine tonsils
-pharyngeal tonsils {adenoids}
tonsillitis
when the tonsils become infected and inflamed
larynx
voice box; located below the pharynx; made of nine pieces of cartilage
vocal cords
two short fibrous bands
glottis
space between the vocal cords that change shape as we speak
epiglottis
piece of cartilage that partially covers the larynx; acting as a trapdoor
trachea
windpipe
endotracheal intubation
a tube placed through the mouth, pharynx, & larynx into the trachea; especially if the airway is collapsed or obstructed
interaytenoid notch
v-shaped posterior groove
tracheotomy
make an incision in the trachea
tracheostomy
creating a permanent opening
primary bronchi
trachea’s first branches
secondary bronchi
smaller branches
bronchioles
very small passageways
alveolar ducts
bronchioles subdivide into microscopic tubes
alveolar sacs
resembles a cluster of grapes
alveoli
small grape-like structure; effective in promoting the rapid & effective exchange of O2, CO2 between blood circulating through the lung capillaries & alveolar air
respiratory membrane
extremely thin barrier
surfactant
surface of the respiratory membrane inside each alveolus is covered by a substance
lungs
large organ that fills most of the thoracic cavity
pleura
serous membrane that covers the outer surface of each lung; lines the inner surface of rib cage
infant respiratory distress syndrome
affects premature infants or those who weigh < 5 Ibs; characterized by lack of surfactant in the alveolar air sacs {affects 50,000 babies annually}
COPD
progressive irreversible obstruction of expiratory air flow
chronic bronchitis
chronic inflammation of the bronchi & bronchioles
emphysema
progression of chronic bronchitis or other conditions as air becomes trapped within alveoli & causes them to enlarge
pleurisy
is inflammation of the parietal pleura {characterized by difficulty in breathing & stabbing pain}
pneumothorax
presence of air in the intrapleural space on one side of the chest
respiration
exchange of gasses
pulmonary ventilation
the process that moves air into & out of the lungs
external respiration
internal respiration
cellular respiration
use of oxygen by cells in the process of metabolism
inspiration
moves air into the lungs
expiration
moves air out of the lungs
phrenic nerve
stimulates diaphragm to contract
hypoxia
an insufficient oxygen supply to the tissues
respiratory control centers
changes in respiration depend on proper functioning of the muscles of respiration; these muscles are stimulated by nerve impulses
chemoreceptors
specialized sensory receptors that are sensitive to increases in blood CO2 & decreases in blood O2 level
chemoreflexes
sense & respond to increasing blood acid levels
eupnea
refers to normal respiratory rate
hyperventilation
very rapid, deep breathes
hypoventilation
slow, shallow respirations
dyspnea
labored or difficult breathing & is often associated w/ hypoventilation
SIDS
sudden infant death syndrome
apnea
breathing stops completely for a brief period {regardless of cause}
respiratory arrest
failure to resume breathing after a period of apnea
cheyne-stokes respiration
series of cycles of alternating apnea & hyperventilation
partial pressure
oxyhemoglobin
union of oxygen & hemoglobin
heme
carbaminohemoglobin
union of carbon dioxide & hemoglobin
bicarbonate ions
carbonic anhydrase
