Respiratory System Vocabulary

Front 1

Alveoli

Back 1

gas exchange structure within mammalian lungs; tiny air pocket with walls made of a membrane that is a single cell thick, allowing for exchange of respiratory gases

Front 2

Bronchiole

Back 2

in a mammal, the passageway that branches from the bronchi into the separate lobes of the lungs; divides into smaller and smaller passageways that carry air into all portions of the lung.

Front 3

Bronchus

Back 3

in a mammal, the passageway that branches from the trachea into the lungs with one bronchus carrying air into each lung.

Front 4

Diaphragm

Back 4

in mammals, a muscle layer that separates the region of the lungs (thoracic cavity) from the region of the stomach and liver (abdominal cavity); contraction contributes to inspiration by increasing the volume of the thoracic cavity.

Front 5

Epiglottis

Back 5

in mammals, flap of cartilage located over the entrance to the trachea (glottis); closes during swallowing to prevent food from entering the respiratory tract.

Front 6

Glottis

Back 6

in mammals the opening of the trachea through which air enters the larynx.

Front 7

Larynx

Back 7

in mammals, a structure within the upper respiratory tract that contains the vocal cords. Also known as 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

passage from the nostrils to the back of the throat through which air enters the body; serves to warm, moisten, and clean incoming air; lined with ciliated cells and mucus secreting cells. Also called Nasal Cavity

Front 10

Nostril

Back 10

either of two external openings of the nasal cavity in vertebrates that admit air to the lungs

Front 11

Pharynx

Back 11

structure located just behind the mouth that connects the mouth and nasal cavity to the larynx and esophagus; serves as a passageway for air into the respiratory system and for food and water into the digestive system. Also known as throat.

Front 12

Pleural Membrane

Back 12

double layered membrane that encloses the lungs; also known as pleura.

Front 13

Thoracic Cavity

Back 13

Contains structures of the respiratory system, including the trachea, bronchi and lungs

Front 14

Trachea

Back 14

in vertebrates, tube that carries air from the nasal passages or mouth to the lungs. Also known as windpipe.

Front 15

Spirograph

Back 15

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

Front 16

Tidal Volume

Back 16

volume of air that is inhaled and exhaled in a normal breathing movement when the body is at rest.

Front 17

Inspiratory Reserve Volume

Back 17

additional volume of air that can be taken in by the lungs, beyond a regular, or tidal, inhalation.

Front 18

Expiratory Reserve Volume

Back 18

additional volume of air that can be forced out of the lungs, beyond a regular, or tidal, exhalation.

Front 19

Vital Capacity

Back 19

the total volume of gas that can be moved in or out of the lungs; equal to tidal volume+inspiratory reserve volume+expiratory reserve volume; known as lung volume capacity.

Front 20

Residual Volume

Back 20

amount of gas that remains in the lungs and the passageways of the respiratory system even after a full exhalation.

Front 21

External Respiration

Back 21

exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the air and the blood; takes place in the lungs.

Front 22

Internal Respiration

Back 22

exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the body’s tissue cells and the blood.