Respiratory System Flashcards
where the lungs are located
thoracic cavity
external opening of nose where air enters respiratory tract (nostril) before passing through nasal cavity
nares
mucous membranes and nasal hairs that filter air passing through nasal cavity
vibrissae
resides behind nasal cavity and at back of mouth; common pathway for both air destined for lungs and food for esophagus
pharynx
lies below pharynx; only a pathway for air
larynx
opening of larynx
glottis
covers glottis during swallowing
epiglottis
contained in larynx; maneuvered using skeletal muscle and cartilage
vocal cords
cartilaginous place air passes to from larynx; contain ciliated epithelial cells to catch material (filter air)
trachea
two main stems air passes to from trachea; contain ciliated epithelial cells to catch material (filter air)
bronchi
smaller structures bronchi divide into in the lungs; divide further into alveoli
bronchioles
tiny balloon like structures in which gas exchange occurs; small sacs that interface with pulmonary capillaries, allowing gases to diffuse across a one-cell-thick membrane
alveoli
coats alveoli to reduce surface tension at the liquid-gas interface, preventing collapse
surfacant
cover the lungs and line the chest wall
pleura
layer of pleura:
lines adjacent to the lung
visceral pleura
layer of pleura:
lines the chest wall
parietal pleura
lies between visceral and parietal pleura and contains a thin layer of fluid that lubricates the two pleural surfaces
intrapleural space
a thin skeletal muscle that helps to create the pressure differential required for breathing
diaphragm
an active process; the diaphragm and external intercostal muscles expand the thoracic cavity, increasing volume of the interpleural space, decreasing interpleural pressure; pressure differential expands lungs, dropping pressure within and drawing in air from the environment (negative-pressure breathing)
inhalation
may be passive or active (inhalation/exhalation)
exhalation
relaxation of the muscles of inspiration and elastic recoil of the lungs allow the chest cavity to decrease in volume, reversing the pressure differentials seen in inhalation
passive exhalation
internal intercostal muscles and abdominal muscles can be used to forcibly decrease the volume of the thoracic cavity, pushing out air
active exhalation
can be used to measure lung capacities and volumes
spirometer
maximum volume of air in the lungs when one inhales completely
total lung capacity (TLC)
the volume of air remaining in the lungs when one exhales completely
residual volume (RV)
the difference between the minimum and maximum volume of air in the lungs
vital capacity (VC)
the volume of air inhaled or exhaled in a normal breath
tidal volume (TV)
the volume of additional air that can be forcibly exhaled after a normal exhalation
expiratory reserve volume (ERV)
the volume of additional air that can be forcibly inhaled after a normal inhalation
inspiratory reserve volume (IRV)
a collection of neurons in the basal ganglia that regulates ventilation; can respond to carbon dioxide concentrations (chemoreceptors) or low oxygen concentrations
ventilation center
carry deoxygenated blood with high carbon dioxide concentration to the lungs
pulmonary arteries
carry oxygenated blood with low carbon dioxide concentration away from the lungs
pulmonary veins
thermoregulation in capillary beds of the respiratory system enabled by large surface area of interaction between the alveoli and capillaries
vasodilation and vasoconstriction
help filter incoming air and trap particulate matter
vibrissae, mucous membranes, and mucociliary escalator
in nasal cavity and saliva; attacks thick peptidoglycan call walls of gram-positive bacteria
lysozyme
can engulf and digest pathogens and signal to the rest of the immune system that there is an invader
macrophages
have antibodies on their surface that, when triggered, can promote the release of inflammatory chemicals; involved in allergic reactions as well
mast cells
method of pH balance in the blood by the respiratory system
bicarbonate buffer system
bicarbonate buffer system:
reaction:
bicarbonate buffer system:
when pH is too acidic (lower than 7.35), because hydrogen ion concentration is high; causes respiration rate to increase to compensate by blowing off carbon dioxide, this causes a left shift in the buffer equation reducing hydrogen ion concentration
acidemia
bicarbonate buffer system:
when pH is too basic (higher than 7.45), because hydrogen ion concentration is low; causes respiration rate to decrease to compensate by trapping carbon dioxide, this cause a right shift in the buffer equation increasing hydrogen ion concentration
alkalemia
