The Respiratory System Flashcards
All the structures of the body that contribute to the process of breathing, consisting of the upper and lower airways and their component parts.
respiratory system
The part of the pharynx that lies above the level of the roof of the mouth, or palate
nasopharynx
The windpipe; the main trunk for air passing to and from the lungs
trachea
A thin, leaf-shaped valve that allows air to pass into the trachea but prevents food and liquid from entering
epiglottis
A firm prominence of cartilage that forms the upper part of the larynx
thyroid cartilage (Adam’s apple)
A firm ridge of cartilage that forms the lower part of the larynx
cricoid cartilage
A thin sheet of fascia that connects the thyroid and cricoid cartilages that make up the larynx
cricothyroid membrane
the air sacs of the lungs in which the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place
alveoli
The serous membranes covering the lungs and lining the thoracic cavity, completely enclosing a potential space
pleura
The potential space between the parietal pleura and the visceral pleura. It is described as “potential” because under normal conditions, the space does not exist.
pleural space
A muscular dome that forms the undersurface of the thorax, separating the chest from the abdominal cavity. Contraction brings air into the lungs. Relaxation allows air to be expelled from the lungs.
diaphragm
The muscle over which a person has no conscious control. It is found in many automatic regulating systems of the body
involuntary muscle
The movement of air between the lungs and the environment
ventilation
The inhaling and exhaling of air; the physiologic process that exchanges carbon dioxide from fresh air
respiration
Movement of gas from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration
diffusion
A “backup system” to control respiration; senses drops in the Oxygen level in the blood
hypoxic drive
A portion of the medulla oblongata where the primary respiratory pacemaker is found
dorsal respiratory group (DRG)
A portion of the medulla oblongata that is responsible for modulating breathing during speech.
ventral respiratory group (VRG)
A portion of the pons that assists in creating shorter, faster respirations.
pneumotaxic (pontine) center
portion of the pons that increases the length of inspiration and decreases the respiratory rate
apneustic center
A protective mechanism that terminates inhalation, thus preventing overexpansion of the lungs.
Hering-Breuer reflex
The amount of air moved in and out of the lungs in one relaxed breath; about 500 mL for an adult.
tidal volume
The amount of air that can be inhaled after a normal inhalation; the amount of air that can be inhaled in addition to the normal tidal volume
inspiratory reserve volume
The amount of air that can be exhaled following a normal exhalation; average volume is about 1,200 mL
expiratory reserve volume
The air that remains in the lungs after maximal expiration.
residual volume
any portion of the airway that does contain air and cannot participate in gas exchange, such as the trachea and bronchi
dead space
the amount of air that moves in and out of the lungs per minute minus the dead space. Also called minute ventilation.
minute volume
the use of muscles of the chest, back, and abdomen to assist in expanding the chest; occurs when air movement is impaired.
labored breathing
slow, gasping breaths, sometimes seen in dying patients
agonal gasps
