The Respiratory System: Words to Know



Alveoli


Air sacs of the lungs.

Breathing


Process of inhaling and exhaling air.


Bronchi


Largest branch of the bronchial tree between the trachea and bronchioles.

Bronchial tree


Entire system of air passageways within the lungs formed by the branching of bronchial tubes.


Bronchioles


Smallest of the air passageways within the lungs.


Epiglottis


Flaplike piece of tissue at the top of the larynx that covers its opening when swallowing is
occurring.


Esophagus


Muscular tube connecting the pharynx and stomach.


Exhalation


Also known as expiration, the movement of air out of the lungs.


Glottis

Opening of the larynx between the vocal cords.


Hemoglobin


Iron-containing protein pigment in red blood cells that can combine with oxygen andcarbon dioxide.


Inhalation


Also known as inspiration, the movement of air into the lungs.


Larynx


Organ between the pharynx and trachea that contains the vocal cords.


Lungs


Paired breathing organs.


Nasal cavity


Air cavity in the skull through which air passes from the nostrils to the upper part of the
pharynx.


Nasal septum


Vertical plate made of bone and cartilage that divides the nasal cavity.


Nose


Part of the human face that contains the nostrils and organs of smell and forms the beginning of
the respiratory tract.


Nostril


Either of the two external openings of the nose.


Pharynx


Short, muscular tube extending from the mouth and nasal cavities to the trachea and esophagus.


Pleura


Membrane sac covering and protecting each lung.


Respiration


Exchange of gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) between living cells and the environment.


Trachea


Also known as the windpipe, the respiratory tube extending from the larynx to the bronchi.






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