Respiratory System Vocabulary Flashcards
Alveolus
Alveoli
Air sacs clustered at the very end of the respiratory
tubes.
Bronchial Tree
Branched airways leading from the trachea to the air sacs (alveolus) in the lungs.
Carbaminohem-oglobin
The compound formed by the union of carbon dioxide and hemoglobin.
Cellular Respiration
The breakdown of sugar within the cell to create energy (ATP) in the presence of oxygen.
Expiration
Movement of air out of the lungs.
Glottis
The slit-like opening between true vocal cords and vocal folds.
Epiglottis
Cartilage structure at the back of the tongue near the entrance of the trachea. Covers the airway when swallowing. The “umbrella”
Hemoglobin
Iron-containing protein found in red blood cells which binds oxygen.
Hyperventilation
A term that describes abnormal deep and prolonged
breathing.
Inspiration
Movement of air into the lungs.
Oxyhemoglobin
The compound formed by the union of oxygen and hemoglobin.
Partial Pressure
The pressure one gas produces in a mixture of gasses.
Pleural Cavity
The space between plural membranes (visceral pleura and parietal pleura). A cavity in the thorax houses the lungs.
Respiratory Capacities
The greatest volume of air can be exhaled from the lungs after a maximum inspiration.
Respiratory Center
The group of neurons in the brain stem that controls both inspiration and expiration.
