Anatomy
Gas exchange occurs in these tiny air sacs of the lungs.
Alveoli
This tube connects the throat to the lungs (generally called the windpipe).
Trachea
The leading preventable cause of lung disease worldwide.
This index (often reported in weather apps) tells you how polluted the air is.
AQI (Air Quality Index)
Chronic respiratory disease that involves airway inflammation and episodes of broncho-constriction; causes wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath
Asthma
Oxygen is transported in the blood primarily bound to this molecule.
Hemoglobin
These smaller branches of the bronchi regulate airflow and resistance.
Bronchioles
This type of prevention aims to stop lung disease before it starts (e.g., anti-smoking campaigns). [primary, secondary, tertiary]
Primary Prevention
This common air pollutant from vehicles can impair lung function.
Carbon monoxide (and/or nitrogen dioxide)
This infection can cause inflammation of the alveoli, sometimes causing the air sacs to fill with fluid or pus
Pneumonia
This process allows gases to move across the alveolar membrane based on concentration gradients.
Diffusion
This structure prevents food from entering the lungs during swallowing.
Epiglottis
This type of tobacco smoke exposure happens when someone breathes in smoke from another person's cigarette, cigar, or other tobacco product
Secondhand smoke exposure
Wearing this type of mask can help reduce inhalation of fine particulate matter during wildfires.
N95
Progressive scarring of the lung tissue, making it increasingly difficult for oxygen to cross from the alveoli into the bloodstream
Pulmonary Fibrosis
Located between the pharynx and trachea, this structure helps keep food out of the lower respiratory tract and contains the vocal cords
Larynx
During inhalation, contraction of the diaphragm causes the volume of the thoracic cavity to do this.
Increase
A substance capable of causing or contributing to the development of cancer is known by this term.
Carcinogen
Can make it harder to breathe and can irritate the lungs. It can come from things like cars, factories, and wildfires.
Air Pollution
Lining of the bronchial tubes becomes inflamed, often causing coughing and increased mucus production. It can be caused by infections or long-term exposure to irritants
Bronchitis
This thin, dome-shaped muscle is the primary muscle responsible for quiet breathing.
Diaphragm
When the volume of the lungs increases during inhalation, the pressure inside the lungs does what?
Decrease
Increasing tobacco taxes, restricting tobacco advertising, and creating smoke-free public spaces are examples of this type of public-health intervention.
Tobacco Control
Pollen levels often increase during certain seasons. For someone with asthma, exposure to high levels of pollen can trigger inflammation and make breathing symptoms worse
Allergen
This condition occurs when part of the lung collapses because air escapes into the space between the lung and chest wall
Pneumothorax