Medical Terminology | Respiratory System

© 2013 360training.com™ All Rights Reserved

Anatomy

The Respiratory System

The respiratory system enables respiration, the process of breathing in or inhaling oxygen and breathing out or

exhaling carbon dioxide. Let’s look at some of the other structures that form this system.

Other Structures of the Respiratory System

Term Definition

Nasal

septum

This is the partition

separating the left and

right nasal cavities.

Paranasal

sinuses

These are air cavities

inside the cranial bone

opening into the nasal

cavities.

Adenoids

These are made up of

lymphoid tissue and are

located behind the

nasal cavity.

Tonsils

These are also made of

lymphoid tissue but are

located behind the

mouth.

Epiglottis

This is the cartilage flap

that covers the larynx

and prevents food from

entering the pharynx.

Respiration occurs in two stages. During

external respiration, oxygen-rich air

reaches small sacs in the lungs through

the respiratory tract. The fine blood

vessels around the sacs, called

capillaries, absorb oxygen and carry it

all over the body. Similarly, carbon

dioxide is released through the

capillaries and into the air sacs for

release into the atmosphere.

During internal respiration, the cells in

the body receive oxygen from the blood

and release carbon dioxide, which is

produced when oxygen and food react

to create energy.

Paranasal sinuses

Nasal septum

Adenoids

Pharynx

Tonsils

Epiglottis

Trachea

Larynx

Nose

Medical Terminology | Respiratory System

© 2013 360training.com™ All Rights Reserved

Pleura

This is the double-

folded membrane that

covers each lung. It

separates the thoracic

cavity from the pleural

cavity, which is filled

with serous fluid.

Diaphragm

This is the muscular

division between the

thoracic and abdominal

cavities. It contracts

and relaxes to let air in

and out.

Additional Structures of the Respiratory System

Term Definition

Mediastinum

Mediastinum is the

space between the

lungs where the

esophagus, trachea,

heart, great blood

vessels, and other

body parts are

located.

Pleura

Diaphragm

Lungs

Mediastinum

Medical Terminology | Respiratory System

© 2013 360training.com™ All Rights Reserved

Bronchioles

These are the last

and finest branches

of the bronchi that

lead into the alveoli.

Alveolus

This is an air sac at

the end of a

bronchiole. Oxygen

and carbon dioxide

are exchanged

between capillaries

and the walls of these

air sacs.

Epiglottis

Larynx

Medical Terminology | Respiratory System

© 2013 360training.com™ All Rights Reserved

The Respiration Process

Respiration is the continuous process of exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide between body cells and the

atmosphere. Let’s have a look at how the process takes place.

Alveoli

Inhalation

Oxygen-rich air enters nose

and mouth.

Pharynx

Larynx

Trachea

Bronchi

Lung

Alveoli

Oxygen is transfused into the

blood through the capillaries

and is carried to the cells.

Oxygen and food combine

inside the cells to create

energy. Carbon dioxide is

produced as waste.

Carbon dioxide–filled blood

reaches capillaries.

Lung

Bronchi

Trachea

Larynx

Pharynx

Carbon dioxide–filled air is

exhaled from nose or mouth.

Exhalation