The Respiratory System

Question 1

All the structures of the body that contribute to the process of breathing, consisting of the upper and lower airways and their component parts.

Answer 1

respiratory system

Question 2

The part of the pharynx that lies above the level of the roof of the mouth, or palate

Answer 2

nasopharynx

Question 3

The windpipe; the main trunk for air passing to and from the lungs

Answer 3

trachea

Question 4

A thin, leaf-shaped valve that allows air to pass into the trachea but prevents food and liquid from entering

Answer 4

epiglottis

Question 5

A firm prominence of cartilage that forms the upper part of the larynx

Answer 5

thyroid cartilage (Adam’s apple)

Question 6

A firm ridge of cartilage that forms the lower part of the larynx

Answer 6

cricoid cartilage

Question 7

A thin sheet of fascia that connects the thyroid and cricoid cartilages that make up the larynx

Answer 7

cricothyroid membrane

Question 8

the air sacs of the lungs in which the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place

Answer 8

alveoli

Question 9

The serous membranes covering the lungs and lining the thoracic cavity, completely enclosing a potential space

Answer 9

pleura

Question 10

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.

Answer 10

pleural space

Question 11

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.

Answer 11

diaphragm

Question 12

The muscle over which a person has no conscious control. It is found in many automatic regulating systems of the body

Answer 12

involuntary muscle

Question 13

The movement of air between the lungs and the environment

Answer 13

ventilation

Question 14

The inhaling and exhaling of air; the physiologic process that exchanges carbon dioxide from fresh air

Answer 14

respiration

Question 15

Movement of gas from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration

Answer 15

diffusion

Question 16

A “backup system” to control respiration; senses drops in the Oxygen level in the blood

Answer 16

hypoxic drive

Question 17

A portion of the medulla oblongata where the primary respiratory pacemaker is found

Answer 17

dorsal respiratory group (DRG)

Question 18

A portion of the medulla oblongata that is responsible for modulating breathing during speech.

Answer 18

ventral respiratory group (VRG)

Question 19

A portion of the pons that assists in creating shorter, faster respirations.

Answer 19

pneumotaxic (pontine) center

Question 20

portion of the pons that increases the length of inspiration and decreases the respiratory rate

Answer 20

apneustic center

Question 21

A protective mechanism that terminates inhalation, thus preventing overexpansion of the lungs.

Answer 21

Hering-Breuer reflex

Question 22

The amount of air moved in and out of the lungs in one relaxed breath; about 500 mL for an adult.

Answer 22

tidal volume

Question 23

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

Answer 23

inspiratory reserve volume

Question 24

The amount of air that can be exhaled following a normal exhalation; average volume is about 1,200 mL

Answer 24

expiratory reserve volume

Question 25

The air that remains in the lungs after maximal expiration.

Answer 25

residual volume

Question 26

any portion of the airway that does contain air and cannot participate in gas exchange, such as the trachea and bronchi

Answer 26

dead space

Question 27

the amount of air that moves in and out of the lungs per minute minus the dead space. Also called minute ventilation.

Answer 27

minute volume

Question 28

the use of muscles of the chest, back, and abdomen to assist in expanding the chest; occurs when air movement is impaired.

Answer 28

labored breathing

Question 29

slow, gasping breaths, sometimes seen in dying patients

Answer 29

agonal gasps