The Respiratory System

Front 1

alveoli

Back 1

any of the many tiny air sacs in the lungs where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place.

Front 2

bronchiole

Back 2

any of the minute branches into which a bronchus divides.

Front 3

bronchus (pl. bronchi)

Back 3

any of the major air passages of the lungs that diverge from the windpipe.

Front 4

diaphragm

Back 4

a dome-shaped, muscular partition separating the thorax from the abdomen in mammals. It plays a major role in breathing, as its contraction increases the volume of the thorax and so inflates the lungs.

Front 5

epiglottis

Back 5

a flap of cartilage at the root of the tongue, which is depressed during swallowing to cover the opening of the windpipe.

Front 6

glottis

Back 6

the part of the larynx consisting of the vocal cords and the slitlike opening between them. It affects voice modulation through expansion or contraction.

Front 7

larynx

Back 7

the hollow muscular organ forming an air passage to the lungs and holding the vocal cords in humans and other mammals; the voice box.

Front 8

lung

Back 8

each of the pair of organs situated within the rib cage, consisting of elastic sacs with branching passages into which air is drawn, so that oxygen can pass into the blood and carbon dioxide be removed.

Front 9

nasal passages

Back 9

A sinus ostium (plural: sinus ostia) is the opening that connects a sinus to the nasal cavity itself. It is a tight area that tends to have a higher percentage of cilia than the surrounding mucosa.

Front 10

nostril

Back 10

either of two external openings of the nasal cavity in vertebrates that admit air to the lungs and smells to the olfactory nerves.

Front 11

tidal volume

Back 11

the lung volume representing the normal volume of air displaced between normal inspiration and expiration

Front 12

inspiratory reserve volume

Back 12

The maximal volume of air inhaled from the end-inspiratory level.

Front 13

expiratory reserve volume

Back 13

maximal amount of air that can be expired

Front 14

vital capacity

Back 14

The greatest volume of air that can be expelled from the lungs after taking the deepest possible breath

Front 15

residual volume

Back 15

the volume of air remaining in the lungs after a maximum expiration.

Front 16

external respiration

Back 16

breathing: the bodily process of inhalation and exhalation; the process of taking in oxygen from inhaled air and releasing carbon dioxide by exhalation

Front 17

internal respiration

Back 17

respiration: the metabolic processes whereby certain organisms obtain energy from organic molecules; processes that take place in the cells and tissues during which energy is released and carbon dioxide is produced and absorbed by the blood to be transported to the lungs

Front 18

spirograph

Back 18

A graph representing the amount of air that moves into and out of the lungs with each breath.

Front 19

tonsillitis

Back 19

an infection of the tonsils, located in the pharynx. It is usually caused by a viral infection.

Front 20

laryngitis

Back 20

an inflammation of the larynx. (vocal cords) Most commonly caused by viral infection; allergies and over straining of the voice.

Front 21

pneumonia

Back 21

a disease that occurs when the alveoli in the lungs become inflamed and fill with liquids. This interferes with gas exchange, and the body becomes starved for oxygen. Can be lobular or bronchial.

Front 22

emphysema

Back 22

an obstructive respiratory disorder in which the walls of the alveoli break down and lose their elasticity. This reduces surface area for gas exchange causing oxygen shortages in the tissues.

Front 23

cystic fibrosis

Back 23

a serious genetic condition that affects the lungs. Caused by an abnormal gene that disrupts the function of cells lining the passageways of the lungs. This causes the mucus to become very thick and sticky.

Front 24

asthma

Back 24

a chronic obstructive lung disease that affects the bronchi and bronchioles, making breathing difficult or impossible due to reduced air flow.

Front 25

lung cancer

Back 25

is the uncontrolled and invasive growth of abnormal cells in the lungs.

Front 26

carcinomas

Back 26

malignant tumors formed when the abnormal cells of lung cancer multiply.

Front 27

carcinogens

Back 27

cancer-causing agents