Vocabulary & Check Your Knowledge

Respiratory System Vocabulary

Alveolar Duct

A tube composed of smooth muscle and connective tissue.

Anteriorly

Pertaining to front.

Autonomic

Unconsciously regulates.

Benign

Non-cancerous.

Bronchodilators

Substance that dilates the bronchi and bronchioles.

Carcinogenic

Causing cancer.

Cardiac Notch

The cardiac notch is an indentation on the surface of the left lung.

Carina

The carina is a ridge of cartilage that separates the two main bronchi.

Cessation

Stop or stopping.

Chronic

A condition that lasts over a long time with periods of exacerbation and periods of remission.

Conducting Zone

The major functions of the conducting zone are to provide a route for incoming and outgoing air, remove debris and pathogens from the incoming air, and warm and humidify the incoming air. Several structures within the conducting zone perform other functions as well. The epithelium of the nasal passages, for example, is essential to sensing odors, and the bronchial epithelium that lines the lungs can metabolize some airborne carcinogens.

Cyanotic

Pertaining to abnormal colour of blue (bluish colour, lips and nail beds) caused by deoxygenation.

Defensins

The lysozyme enzyme and proteins which have antibacterial properties.

Diaphragm

A flat, dome shaped muscle located at the base of the lungs and thoracic cavity.

Dyspnea

Difficulty breathing.

Epiglottis

The epiglottis, attached to the thyroid cartilage, is a very flexible piece of elastic cartilage that covers the opening of the trachea.

Erythrocytes

Red blood cells.

Eupnea

Normal breathing.

Expiration

Exhalation or the process of causing air to leave the lungs.

External nose

The external nose consists of the surface and skeletal structures that result in the outward appearance of the nose and contribute to its numerous functions.

Fauces

The fauces is the opening at the connection between the oral cavity and the oropharynx.

Fibroelastic Membrane

A fibroelastic membrane is a flexible membrane that closes the posterior surface of the trachea, connecting the C-shaped cartilages.

Glottis

The glottis is composed of the vestibular folds, the true vocal cords, and the space between these folds.

Hard Palate

The hard palate is located at the anterior region of the nasal cavity and is composed of bone.

Hilum

The hilum is a ridge of cartilage that separates the two main bronchi. A concave region where blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and nerves also enter the lungs.

Hyperpnea

Forced breathing or breathing that is excessive.

Inferior

Pertaining to below.

Inspiration

Inhalation or process of breathing air into the lungs.

Laryngeal

Pertaining to the larynx.

Laryngopharynx

The laryngopharynx borders the oropharynx, trachea, and esophagus.

Larynx

The larynx is a cartilaginous structure inferior to the laryngopharynx that connects the pharynx to the trachea and helps regulate the volume of air that enters and leaves the lungs. Also known as the voice box.

Lingual

Pertaining to the tongue.

Lymphocytes

Lymphocytes are lymph cells, a type of white blood cell.

Malignant

Cancerous.

Nasopharynx

The nasopharynx serves as an airway and is continuous with the nasal cavity.

Oropharynx

The oropharynx is a passageway for both air and food and borders the nasopharynx and the oral cavity.

Pharyngeal

Pertaining to the pharynx.

Pharyngeal Tonsils

A pharyngeal tonsil, also called an adenoid, is an aggregate of lymphoid reticular tissue similar to a lymph node that lies at the superior portion of the nasopharynx.

Pharynx

The pharynx is a tube formed by skeletal muscle and lined by mucous membrane that is continuous with that of the nasal cavities. Also known as the throat.

Posterior

Pertaining to behind.

Pulmonary Artery

The pulmonary artery is the artery that arises from the pulmonary trunk.

Respiratory Zone

The respiratory zone includes structures that are directly involved in gas exchange.

Rhinorrhea

Excessive flow or discharge from the nasal cavity (runny nose).

Septal Cartilage

The flexible portion you can touch with your fingers.

Soft Palate

The soft palate is located at the posterior portion of the nasal cavity and consists of muscle tissue.

Sympathetic

Flight or fight response.

Trachea

The trachea (windpipe) extends from the larynx toward the lungs.

Uvula

The uvula is a small bulbous, teardrop-shaped structure located at the apex of the soft palate.

Attribution

Except where otherwise noted, this chapter is adapted from “Respiratory System” in Building a Medical Terminology Foundation by Kimberlee Carter and Marie Rutherford licensed under CC BY 4.0. / A derivative of Betts et al., which can be accessed for free from Anatomy and Physiology (OpenStax). Adaptations: dividing Respiratory System chapter content into sub-chapters.