what is the purpose of the respiratory system? - Answers ventilate and oxygenate the remaining body
systems and tissues
airway - Answers passageway by which air enters and leaves the body. includes the nose, mouth,
pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi and lungs
alveolar ventilation - Answers the amount of air that reaches the alveoli
artificial ventilation - Answers forcing air or oxygen into the lungs when a patient has stopped breathing
or has inadequate breathing (positive pressure ventilation)
apnea - Answers no breathing
bronchoconstriction - Answers contraction of smooth muscle that lines the bronchial passages that
results in a decreased internal diameter of the airway and increased resistance to airflow
cellular respiration - Answers exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between cells and circulating
blood
cyanosis - Answers blush color of the skin due to insufficient oxygen levels in the blood
diffusion - Answers process by which molecules move from an area of high concentration to an area of
low concentration
dyspnea - Answers difficult or labored breathing; shortness of breath
flail chest - Answers fracture of two or more adjacent ribs in two or more places that allows for free
movement of the fractured segment
flowmeter - Answers valve that indicated the flow of oxygen reaching the tissues of the body
hypoxia - Answers deficiency of oxygen reaching the tissues of the body
intercostal - Answers situated or extending between the ribs
nasopharyngeal airway - Answers flexible breathing tube inserted through the patient's nostril into the
pharynx to help maintain an open airway
oropharyngeal airway - Answers curved device inserted through the patient's mouth into the pharynx to
help maintain an open airway
paradoxical motion - Answers movement of ribs in flail segment that is opposite to the direction of
movement of the rest of the chest cavity
patent airway - Answers airway that is open and clear and will remain open and clear without
interference to the passage of air into and out of the body
, pressure regulator - Answers device connected to an oxygen cylinder to reduce pressure, so it is safe for
delivery of oxygen to a patient
pulmonary respiration - Answers exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the alveoli and
circulating blood in the pulmonary capillaries
respiratory arrest - Answers when breathing stops completely
respiratory distress - Answers increased work of breathing; a sensation of shortness of breath (doesn't
need ventilation)
respiratory failure - Answers reduction of breathing to the point where oxygen intake is not sufficient
enough to support life (needs ventilation)
retractions - Answers pulling in the skin and soft tissue between the ribs when breathing
upper airway - Answers air enters the body through the mouth and nose. posterior and inferior to the
mouth and nasal passages, air enters the pharynx
what are the three regions of the pharynx? - Answers oropharynx, nasopharynx, laryngopharynx
oropharynx - Answers where the oral cavity joins the pharynx
nasopharynx - Answers where the nasal passages empty into the pharynx
laryngopharynx - Answers structures surrounding the entrance to the trachea; point of division between
the upper airway and the lower airway
what is the entry point into the larynx called? - Answers glottis opening
epiglottis - Answers large leaf-like structure that protects the glottis to prevent food and foreign objects
from entering the trachea
lower airway - Answers begins below the larynx and is composed of the trachea, bronchi, bronchioles,
and the alveoli
trachea - Answers tube protected by 16 sings of cartilage
where does the trachea branch off into two mainstream bronchi? - Answers at the carina
all air passages are supported by what and lined with what? - Answers cartilage and smooth muscles
what does smooth muscle do? - Answers allows the bronchioles to change their diameter in response to
specific stimulation
the bronchi branch further into smaller and smaller air passages called what? - Answers bronchioles