Respiratory System Flashcards
Nasopharynx
Ney-zoh-far-ingks
the portion of the pharynx that extends from the nostrils to the soft palate
Oropharynx
ohr-oh-far-ingks
the central portion of the pharynx lying between the soft palate and the epiglottis with the mouth as the opening
Pharynx
far-ingks
the throat, or passageway for air from the nasal cavity to the larynx and passageway for food from the mouth to the esophagus; the common passageway for the respiratory and digestive tracts
Epiglottis
ep-i-glot-is
a small, leaf-shaped flap of cartilaginous tissue, located immediately posterior to the root of the tongue, that covers the opening of the larynx to keep food and liquid from entering the trachea and lungs
Larynx
lar-ingks
the structure that houses the vocal cords and is located inferior to the pharynx and superior to the trachea
Trachea
tray-ke-ah
the tube-like structure that leads from the larynx to the lungs
Esophagus
es-ah-fuh-gus
passageway at the lower end of the pharynx that leads to the stomach
Bronchi
brong-ke
the two main branches leading from the trachea to the lungs, providing the passageway for air movement
Bronchiole
brong-ke-olz
small branches of the bronchi
Alveoli
al-ve-oh-le
the air sacs of the lungs (plural - alveolus)
Capillary
kap-i-lair-e
tiny blood vessel that connects an arteriole to a venule
Diaphragm
di-ah-fram
the major muscle of respiration that separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity
Thorax
tho-raks
the chest, or that part of the body between the base of the neck and the diaphragm
Parietal Pleura
puh-rahy-i-tl) (ploor-uh
the outermost pleural layer that adheres to the chest wall
Visceral Pleura
vis-er-uhl) (ploor-uh
Innermost layer of the pleura that covers the lung
