Respiratory System Terms

Question 1

Adenoids

Answer 1

Another term for pharyngeal tonsils; tonsils are a collection of lymphatic tissue found in nasopharynx to combat microorganisms entering body through nose or mouth

Question 2

Alveoli

Answer 2

Tiny air sacs at end of each bronchiole; alveoli are surrounded by capillary network; gas exchange takes place as oxygen and carbon dioxide diffuse across alveolar and capillary walls

Question 3

Apex

Answer 3

Directional term meaning tip or summit; an area of lungs and heart

Question 4

Auditory Tube

Answer 4

Another name for eustachian tube connecting middle ear and pharynx

Question 5

Base

Answer 5

Directional term meaning bottom or lower part

Question 6

Bronchial Tube

Answer 6

Organ of respiratory system that carries air into each lung

Question 7

Bronchioles

Answer 7

Narrowest air tubes in lungs; each bronchiole terminates in tiny air sacs called alveoli

Question 8

Bronchus

Answer 8

Distal end of trachea splits into left and right main bronchi as it enters each lung; each main bronchus is subdivided into smaller branches; smallest bronchi are bronchioles; each bronchiole ends in tiny air sacs called alveoli

Question 9

Carbon Dioxide

Answer 9

Waste product of cellular energy production; is removed from cells by blood and eliminated from body by lungs

Question 10

Cilia

Answer 10

Term for eyelashes that protect eye from foreign particles or for nasal hairs that help filter dust and bacteria out of inhaled air

Question 11

Diaphragm

Answer 11

Major muscle of inspiration; separates thoracic from abdominal cavity

Question 12

Epiglottis

Answer 12

Flap of cartilage that covers larynx when person swallows; prevents food and drink from entering larynx and trachea

Question 13

Eustachian Tube

Answer 13

Tube or canal that connects middle ear with nasopharynx and allows for balance of pressure between outer and middle ear; infection can travel via mucous membranes of eustachian tube, resulting in middle ear infections

Question 14

Exhalation

Answer 14

To breathe air out of lungs, also called ‘expiration.’

Question 15

External Respiration

Answer 15

Exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide that takes place in lungs

Question 16

Glottis

Answer 16

Opening between vocal cords; air passes through glottis as it moves through larynx; changing tension of vocal cords changes size of opening

Question 17

Hilum

Answer 17

Controlled entry/exit point of an organ such as kidney or lung

Question 18

Inhalation

Answer 18

(1) to breathe air into lungs; also called ‘inspiration’; (2) to introduce drugs into body by inhaling them

Question 19

Intercostal Muscles

Answer 19

Muscles between ribs; when they contract, they raise ribs, which helps to enlarge thoracic cavity

Question 20

Internal Respiration

Answer 20

Process of oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange at cellular level when oxygen leaves bloodstream and is delivered to tissues

Question 21

Laryngopharynx

Answer 21

Inferior section of pharynx; lies at same level in neck as larynx

Question 22

Larynx

Answer 22

Also called ‘voice box’; respiratory system organ responsible for producing speech; located just below pharynx

Question 23

Lingual Tonsils

Answer 23

Tonsils located on very posterior section of tongue as it joins with pharynx

Question 24

Lobes

Answer 24

Subdivisions of organ such as lungs or brain

Question 25

Lungs

Answer 25

Major organs of respiration; consist of air passageways, bronchi and bronchioles, and air sacs, alveoli; gas exchange takes place within alveoli

Question 26

Mediastinum

Answer 26

Central region of chest cavity; contains organs between lungs, including heart, aorta, esophagus, and trachea

Question 27

Mucous Membrane

Answer 27

Membrane that lines body passages that open directly to exterior of body, such as mouth and reproductive tract, and secretes thick substance, or mucus

Question 28

Mucus

Answer 28

Sticky fluid secreted by mucous membrane lining of respiratory tract; assists in cleansing air by trapping dust and bacteria

Question 29

Nares

Answer 29

External openings of nose that open into nasal cavity

Question 30

Nasal Cavity

Answer 30

Large cavity just behind external nose that receives outside air; covered with mucous membrane to cleanse air; nasal septum divides nasal cavity into left and right halves

Question 31

Nasal Septum

Answer 31

Flexible cartilage wall that divides nasal cavity into left and right halves; covered by mucous membrane

Question 32

Nasopharynx

Answer 32

Superior section of pharynx that receives air from nose

Question 33

Oropharynx

Answer 33

Middle section of pharynx that receives food and drink from mouth

Question 34

Oxygen

Answer 34

Gaseous element absorbed by blood from air sacs in lungs; necessary for cells to make energy

Question 35

Palate

Answer 35

Roof of mouth; anterior portion is hard or bony. and posterior portion is soft or flexible

Question 36

Palatine Tonsils

Answer 36

Tonsils located in lateral wall of pharynx close to mouth

Question 37

Paranasal Sinuses

Answer 37

Air-filled cavities within facial bones that open into nasal cavity; act as echo chamber during sound production

Question 38

Parietal Pleura

Answer 38

Outer layer of serous membrane sac lining thoracic cavity

Question 39

Pharyngeal Tonsils

Answer 39

Another term for 'adenoids'; tonsils are collection of lymphatic tissue found in nasopharynx to combat microorganisms entering body through nose

Question 40

Pharynx

Answer 40

Medical term for throat; passageway that conducts air from nasal cavity to trachea and also carries food and drink from mouth to esophagus; pharynx is divided into three sections: nasopharynx, oropharynx, and laryngopharynx

Question 41

Pleura

Answer 41

Protective double layer of serous membrane around lungs; parietal membrane is outer layer and visceral layer is inner membrane; secretes thin, watery fluid to reduce friction associated with lung movement

Question 42

Pleural Cavity

Answer 42

Cavity formed by serous membrane sac surrounding lungs

Question 43

Pulmonary Capillaries

Answer 43

Network of capillaries in lungs that tightly encase each alveolus; site of gas exchange

Question 44

Pulmonary Function Test (PFT)

Answer 44

Group of diagnostic test that give information regarding air flow in and out of the lungs, lung volumes, and gas exchange between the lungs and bloodstream

Question 45

Respiratory Membrane

Answer 45

Formed by tight association of walls of alveoli and capillaries; gas exchange between lungs and blood occurs across this membrane

Question 46

Respiratory Therapist (RT)

Answer 46

Allied health professional whose duties include conducting pulmonary function tests, monitoring oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in blood, and administering breathing treatments

Question 47

Serous Fluid

Answer 47

Watery secretion of serous membranes

Question 48

Thyroid Cartilage

Answer 48

Piece of cartilage associated with larynx; commonly called 'Adam's apple' and is larger in males

Question 49

Trachea

Answer 49

Also called 'windpipe'; conducts air from larynx down to main bronchi in chest

Question 50

Ventilation

Answer 50

Movement of air in and out of lungs

Question 51

Visceral Pleura

Answer 51

Inner layer of serous membrane sac encasing thoracic viscera

Question 52

Vital Signs (VS)

Answer 52

Respiration, pulse, temperature, skin color, blood pressure, and reaction of pupils; signs of condition of body functions

Question 53

Vocal Cords

Answer 53

Structures within larynx that vibrate to produce sound and speech