Respiratory System Deck Flashcards
functions of the respiratory system
- to sustain life
- to help regulate body temperature by cooling and warming the blood
- to produce audio sounds
ventilation
the physical act of breathing
inhalation
occurs when the intercostal muscles contract, leading to the lifting and separation of the ribs
the process of breathing
involuntary
external respiration
the transfer of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the environment and the bloodstream in the lungs
internal respiration
the transfer of gases between the bloodstream and the cells of the body
the products of cellular respiration
energy, water, and carbon dioxide
oxygenation
the process by which the oxygen molecules are loaded onto the hemoglobin molecules in the bloodstream
percentage of air we breathe that is oxygen
21%
percentage of breathed air that the body uses
5%
divisions of the respiratory system
the upper and lower airways
the moisteners and filters of air
the nasal cavity’s mucous membranes and tiny hairs called cilia
sinuses
hollow spaces in the skull that connect to the nasal cavity
purposes of the sinuses
to moisten and filter the air, to help regulate the temperature of the air before it reaches the lungs, to give the air a place to vibrate as it exits to augment the sound of the voice
resonance
to give the air a place to vibrate as it exits to augment the sound of the voice
laryngopharynx
where the esophagus and the trachea branch off
nasopharynx
contains the hard palate and the soft palate
epiglottis
the small, leaf-like flap of tissue at the bottom of the laryngopharynx
oropharynx
contains the base of the tongue, tonsils, and vallecula
vocal cords
produce audio sounds as air passes over them
thyroid cartilage
the scientific term for the Adam’s apple
cricoid cartilage
the only completely circular ring of cartilage in the upper airway
trachea
the passageway for air into the lungs that marks the beginning of the lower airway
carina
where the trachea splits into two passages after it extends from the cricoid cartilage
alveoli
the site of oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange in the lungs
mediastinum
separates the two lungs
lobes of the right lung
the superior, middle, and inferior lobes
lobes of the left lung
`superior and inferior lobes
the distortion between the lungs
the right lung is bigger because the left lung has only two lobes to allow space for the heart
pleura
a thin, slippery membrane that surrounds each lung
function of the pleura
to protect against friction during breathing
primary muscles involved in breathing
the diaphragm and the intercostal muscles
diaphragm
a flat, dome-shaped muscle below the lungs
intercostal muscles
located between the ribs
PFTs
lung function tests that are used to diagnose various diseases and disorders of the respiratory system
peak expiratory flow (PEF)
a person’s maximum speed of expiration
peak flow meter
a small, hand-held device used to monitor a person’s ability to breathe out air
high PEF readings
indicate that patients are well
low PEF readings
indicate constricted airways
changes in recorded PEF values
patients and doctors may determine lung functionality, the severity of asthma symptoms, treatment
atelectasis
the collapse of all or part of the lung
causes of atelectasis
blockage of the air passages or injury
symptoms of atelectasis
include severe pain and shortness of breath
treatment of atelectasis
involves correcting the cause of the collapse and the use of pulmonary suction to reinflate the lung
lung cancer
the leading cause of cancer death in both genders
main cause of lung cancer
exposure to cancer-causing substances (ex.: asbestos and cigarette smoke)
treatment of lung cancer
may include surgical removal of the lung or sections of it as well as chemotherapy and radiation
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
a term for any disease that causes recurring blocking of the air passages that refers to a group of chronic conditions
examples of COPD
include chronic bronchitis and emphysema
main cause of COPD
smoking and possible causes include allergies and persistent infections
asthma
a condition where the bronchial tubes are inflamed, which leads to obstruction
possible causes of asthma
include anxiety, an allergy, or an infection
treatment for asthma
involves anti-inflammatory drugs and oxygen therapy
inhaled bronchodilator
may be used to reduce inflammation in the bronchial tubes so that air can pass through
pneumonia
an inflammation and infection of the lungs
consistency of pneumonia
infectious and often affects people who are bedridden, elderly, or frail
cause of pneumonia
when either a bacteria, virus, or chemical builds up too much moisture in the lungs which impairs breathing
symptoms of pneumonia
include chest pain, fever, chills, difficulty breathing
treatment of pneumonia
may include bed rest, antibiotics, oxygen therapy
tuberculosis
a potentially serious infectious disease that mainly affects the lungs
the bacteria that cause tuberculosis
spread from one person to another through tiny droplets released into the air via coughs and sneezes
emphysema
a lung condition that causes shortness of breath
suffering emphysema patient
the air sacs in the lungs are damaged, which eventually causes a reduction in the oxygen that reaches the bloodstream
