Respiratory System Flashcards
Upper respiratory tract
this is the nose and the nasal cavity
Lower respiratory tract
(trachea) and within the lungs, the bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli
Pulmonary plexus
where the autonomic fibers entering the thoracic cavity intersect
tracheal cartilages
c shaped portions of hyaline cartilage around the outside to support the trachea
trachealis muscle
an elastic ligament and band of smooth muscle that connect the open ends of each tracheal cartilage
- this can contract to decrease the lumen of the trachea if something gets in and we start coughing
carina
this is where the trachea divides into the two bronchi
apex
the superior tip of each lung
-just posterior and superior to the clavicle+
costal surface
- this is a curve on the lung
- it curves anterior
- comes in contact with inner contours of the ribcage
mediastinal surface
this contains the hilum
- these have grooves marking the great vessels and the heart
- this is slightly concave and this is on the side where the two lungs face each other
cardiac notch
- an indentation on the left the lung
cardiac impression
a recess formed on the anteroinferior mediastinal surfaces of both lung
oblique fissure
separates the superior and inferior lobes
superior lobes
this is the upper most lobe of each lung
inferior lobe
the most inferior lobe of the lungs
horizontal fissure
- this separates the superior and middle lobe of the right lung
middle lobe
this is the middle lobe on the right lung
hilum
where structures such as blood vessels and nerves enter the lungs
- a groove on the mediastinal surface of the lung
root of lung
this is a meshwork of connective tissue that anchors all of these structures (bronchi, pulmonary vessels, and nerves) to the lung at the hilum
Alveolar type I cells
squamous epithelial cells that are unusually thin and allow gas diffusion
Alveolar type II cells
scattered throughout the type I and they release surfactant
alveolar macrophages
these roam and patrol the epithelial surface and engulf any particles that have eluded other defenses
- these are the last line of defense in the lungs
pulmonary surfactant
an oily secretion containing phospholipids and proteins; acts to keep the alveoli open by reducing surface tension of water molecules and preventing collapse
alveolar sac
this is a group of alveoli
alveolar duct
tiny ducts that connect the respiratory bronchioles to alveolar sacs