The Respiratory System : Key Terms Flashcards
alveoli
the tiny air sacs in the lungs through which gases are exchanged between the atmosphere and the blood in respiration. An alveolus is a small hollow or cavity
bronchiole
one of the smaller subdivisions of the bronchial tubes
bronchus
one of the larger air passageways in the lungs. The bronchi begin as two branches of the trachea and then subdivide within the lungs
carbon dioxide
CO2 : a gas produced by energy metabolism in cells and eliminated through the lungs
carbonic acid
an acid formed when CO2 dissolves in water - H2CO3
compliance
a measure of how easily the lungs expand under pressure. Compliance is reduced in many typed of respiratory disorders
diaphragm
the dome shaped muscle under the lungs that flattens during inspiration
epiglottis
a leaf shaped cartilage that covers the larynx during swallowing to prevent food from entering the trachea
expectoration
the act of coughing up material from the respiratory tract; also the material released; sputum
glottis
the opening between the vocal cords
hemoglobin
the iron containing pigment in RBC’s that transports O2
inspiration
the act of drawing air into the lungs; inhalation
larynx
the enlarged, superior portion of the trachea that contains the vocal cords
lung
a cone shaped, spongy respiratory organ contained within the thorax
mediastinum
the space between the lungs together with the organs contained in this space
nose
the organ of the face used for breathing and for housing receptors for the sense of smell; includes an external portion and an internal nasal cavity
oxygen (O2)
the gas needed by cells to release energy from food during metabolism
palatine tonsils
the paired masses of lymphoid tissue located on either side of the oropharynx; usually meant
pharynx
the throat; a common passageway for food entering the esophagus and air entering the larynx
phrenic nerve
the nerve that activates the diaphragm
pleura
a double-layered membrane that lines the thoracic cavity (parietal pleura) and covers the lungs (visceral pleura)
pleural space
the thin, fluid-filled space between the two layers of the pleura; pleural cavity
pulmonary ventilation
the movement of air into and out of the lungs
sinus
a cavity or channel; the paranasal sinuses are located near the nose and drain into the nasal cavity
sputum
the substance released by coughing or clearing the throat; expectoration. It may contain a variety of material from the respiratory tract.
surfactant
a substance that decreases surface tension within the alveoli and eases lung expansion
trachea
the air passageway that extends from the larynx to the bronchi
turbinate bones
the bony projections in the nasal cavity that contain receptors for the sense of smell; aka conchae