Term | Definition |
pharynx | tube-like passageway used by food, liquid, and air |
larynx | area between pharynx and trachea; where vocal cords are located |
trachea | tube around 12 cm in length that leads to the lungs; made of cartilage; lined with mucous membranes and cilia to trap dust, bacteria, and pollen |
bronchi | two short tubes that lead from the trachea to each lung |
alveoli | tiny, thin-walled grape-like clusters at the end of each bronchiole that are surrounded by capillaries; exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place here |
diaphragm | muscle beneath your lungs that relaxes and contracts to help move gases into and out of your lungs |
emphysema | disease in which the alveoli in the lungs enlarge; limits the exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen |
asthma | reaction that causes bronchial tubes to contract quickly; causes shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing |
breathing | the movement of the chest that brings air into the lungs and removes waste gases |
respiration | series of chemical reactions used to release energy stored in food molecules; requires oxygen |
epiglottis | flap of tissue that covers the airway when swallowing to prevent food or liquid from entering |
urinary system | system of excretory organs that rids the blood of wastes, controls blood volume by removing excess water, and balances concentrations of salts and water |
urine | liquid waste that contains excessive water, salts, and other wastes that are not reabsorbed by the body |
kidney | bean shaped urinary system organ that is made up of about 1 million nephrons and filters blood, producing urine |
nephron | tiny filtering unit of the kidney |
ureter | tube that carries urine from each kidney to the bladder |
bladder | elastic, muscular organ that holds urine until it leaves the body through the urethra |
urethra | tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body |