Respiratory System Flashcards
respiratory system
purpose is ventilation and oxygenation
o2 is moved into the bloostream through inhalation and co2 is picked up by the blood and excreted from the body through exhalation
oropharynx
area directly posterior to the mouth
nasopharynx
the area directly posterior to the nose
pharynx
area that includes both the oropharynx and the nasopharynx
epiglottis
leaf-shaped structure, closes over the glottis, the opening of the trachea, to prevent objects from entering the trachea when swallowing
Cricoid cartilage
ring shaped that forms the lower portion of the larynx
Trachea
windepipe, tube that carries inhaled air from the larynx down towards the lungs.
it is formed and protected by 16 C-shaped (incomplete) rings of cartilage
bronchi
the two large sets of branches that come off the trachea and enter the lungs. There are right and left bronchi.
Bronchioles
branches of bronchi, air passages are smaller then bronci
alveoli
small sacs within the lungs where gas exchange takes place with the blood stream. Each branch or bronchi or bronchioles ends in an alveoli
diaphragm
muscle that divides the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity. Controlled by the phrenic nerve
Inhalation
active process, the muslces of the rib cage and the diaphragm contract. At the diaphragm lowers, the ribs moves upwards and outward.
This expands the size of the chest and creates negative pressure inside the chest cavity.
This negative pressure pulls air into the lungs
exhalation
passive process, intercostal muscles and the diaphragm relax. Ribs move down ward and inward while the diaphragm rises.
causes the chest to decrease in size.
positive pressure builds inside the chest cavity
this pushes air outside of the lungs
ventilation
movement of gas in the alveoli
respiration
the process of moving gasses and other nutrients between the cells and the blood
