Respiratory System
Tachypnea
Abnormally rapid and shallow rate of breathing.
External Respiration
Also called breathing or ventilation; the exchange of O2 and CO2 that occurs between the lungs, body and outside environment.
Hyperpnea
An increase in depth and rate of breathing.
Lungs
Cone-shaped organs that are located in the thoracic cavity. They are porous and spongy; the right lung has 3 lobes and the left has 2 lobes.
Orthopnea
Difficult or labored breathing when the body is in a horizontal position; better when sitting or standing.
Dyspnea
Difficult, labored, or painful breathing, usually accompanied by discomfort and breathlessness.
Diaphragm
Dome-shaped muscle that separates the thoracic cavity from the abdomen and make breathing possible.
Eupnea
Normal or easy breathing.
Medulla Oblongata
Part of the brain that controls breathing.
Olfactory Nerves
Sense of smell
Hiccups
Spasms of the diaphragm and a spasmodic closure of the glottis.
Internal Respiration
The exchange of O2 and CO2 takes place between the cells of the body.
Epiglottis
The flap of cartilage that lies behind the tongue and in front of the entrance of the larynx.
Glottis
The space between the vocal cords.
Apnea
The temporary stoppage of breathing movements.
Bronchus
There are 2 Bronchi; they extend from the lower end of the trachea and branch into the bronchus.
Bronchioles
These are subdivisions of the bronchi and their inner walls are made up of smooth muscles.
Pharynx
Throat
Mediastinum
also called the inter pleural space that is between the lungs and lies along the median plane of the thorax.
Alveoli
there are millions of these within the alveolar sacs; they are globular shaped; they are surrounded by blood capillaries that aid in exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen
Pleura
thin, moist, slippery membrane that covers the lungs.
Effects of Aging
Lung tissue loses elasticity; Rib cage is less flexible; Muscle strength decreases; Functioning alveoli decreases.
Hyperventilation
May be caused by disease or stress, rapid breathing occurs that causes the body to lose Carbon Dioxide too quickly.
Larynx
Voice box; triangular shape and houses the vocal cords.
Trachea
Windpipe; tube-like passageway.
