Respiratory system Flashcards
Respiratory system
System consisting of the lungs and breathing passages involved in exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the outside air and the blood
Upper respiratory tract
Nose, mouth, pharynx, larynx, trachea
pulmonary circuit
flow of blood from the heart to the lungs and back to the heart
Nostrils
Openings in the nose through which air enters the nasal cavity. lined with hairs called cilia.
Cilia
thin hair in the nose that is covered in mucus and acts as a natural filter
Sinus
A cavity within the skull bones
Paranasal sinuses
Are a group of four air filled cavities lined with mucous membranes
Pharynx
commonly known as the throat. its a passageway between the mouth and esophagus. and is broken into three distinct sections
Nasopharynx
Upper portion of the pharynx. posterior to the nasal cavity
Oropharynx
middle portion of the pharynx. located behind the mouth
Laryngopharynx
Lowest portion of the pharynx, opening into the larynx and esophagus
Larynx
commonly known as the voice box this connects the pharynx and trachea
Vocal folds
Known as vocal cords, these are folds of mucous membrane used in producing speech and located centrally in the superior larynx
Glottis
The space between your vocal cords
Epiglottis
Leaf shaped cartilage that covers the larynx during swallowing. prevents food from going down the wrong pipe
Lower respiratory system
Comprised of the trachea, lungs, bronchi, bronchioles , and alveoli
Trachea
Commonly referred to as the windpipe, this conducts air between the larynx and lungs. the trachea is a framework of separate cartilage rings in the shape of a horseshoe.
Lungs
Two large organs through which gas is exchanged between the blood and environment Right lung had 3 lobes and Left lung has 2 lobes
Bronchi
Large air passage ways in the lungs
Bronchioles
they carry air to the alveoli
Alveoli
Clusters of air sacs where the gas exchange takes place in the lungs between the outside air and the blood
Surfactant
Substance in the alveoli that prevents their collapse by reducing surface tension of the fluid lining them.
pleura
Continuous serous membrane doubled sac that covers each lung
Pleural space
space between the two layers of the pleura containing a thin film of fluid
Diaphragm
Dome shaped muscle used to breathe, located between the thoracic and abdominal cavities
Ventilation
the movement of air into and out of the lungs, its a two step process
Inhalation/ inspiration
breathing in
Exhalation/ expiration
breathing out
Respiration
The process of taking oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide for cell metabolism
External respiration
the process of breathing
internal respiration
the process of the exchange of gases between the blood and body cells.
Tidal volume
The amount of air moved into and out of the lungs in during normal breathing
Residual volume
the volume of air that remains in the lungs after exhaling
Vital capacity
The volume of air that can be expelled from the lungs by maximum exhalation after maximum inhalation
Upper respiratory infection
any infection to the nose, larynx, pharynx.
Bronchitits
Inflammation of the bronchi often due to smoking
pneumonia
inflammation to the lungs in which the air spaces become filled with fluids can be bacterial or viral
Asthma
a condition where a person’s airway becomes inflamed, narrow, and swell, and produce extra mucus.
emphysema
enlargement and damage of the alveoli. The alveoli burst and fuse into enlarged air spaces. the surface area for gas exchange is reduced
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
This term is used to describe several associated lung disorders.
Influenza
The flu. An acute contagious disease causing inflammation in the URT. it is viral and can spread into the LRT
Tuberculosis
Infectious respiratory infection where bacteria grows inside the lung
pleurisy
inflammation of the pleura and usually accompanies a lung infection
Pneumothorax
An accumulation of air in the plural space caused by an injury to the chest wall or rupture of the lungs air spaces.
Lung cancer
Cancer in the lungs most prevalent in smokers and those exposed to certain chemicals
Hyperpnea
increase in the depth and rate of breathing to meet body’s metabolic needs.
Hypopnea
decrease in the rate and depth of breathing
tachypnea
rapid rate of breathing
apnea
absence of breathing. occurs during deep sleep
dyspnea
difficulty breathing
Orthopnea
difficulty in breathing that is relieved by sitting in upright position
Kussmaul respirations
deep, rapid respirations with forced, pursed lip exhalations. typically seen in uncontrolled diabetics
Cyanosis
Bluish color of the skin caused by lack of oxygen
hypoxia
Decreased level of oxygenation to the body’s tissues
