Term | Definition |
auscultation | listening to sounds within the body. |
percussion | tapping on a surface to determine the difference in the density of the underlying structure. |
pleural rub | scratchy sound produced by the motion of inflamed or irritated pleural surfaces rubbing against each other; also called a friction rub. |
rale (crackle) | fine crackling sound heard on auscultation (during inspiration) when there is fluid in the alveoli. |
rhonchus (plural: rhonchi) | loud rumbling sound heard on auscultation of bronchi obstructed by sputum. |
sputum | material expelled from the chest by coughing or clearing the throat. |
stridor | strained, high-pitched, relatively loud sound made on inspiration; associated with obstruction of the larynx or trachea. |
wheeze | musical sounds usually heard during expiration. |
croup | acute repiratory syndrome in children and infants; characterized by obstruction of the larynx, barking cough, and stridor. |
diphtheria | acute infection of the throat and upper respiratory tract caused by diphtheria (corynebacterium). |
epistaxis | nosebleed. |
pertussis | bacterial infection of the pharynx, larynx, and trachea by bordetella pertussis, a highly contagious bacterium. |
asthma | spasm and narrowing of bronchi, which leads to bronchial airway obstruction. |
bronchiectasis | chronic dilation of a bronchus or bronchi; secondary to infection that usually involves the lower portion of the lung. |
chronic bronchitis | inflammation of the bronchi that persists for a long time. |
cystic fibrosis | inherited disease of exocrine glands (pancreas, sweat glands, and mucous membranes of the respiratory tract) that leads to airway obstruction |
atelectasis | incomplete expansion of alveoli; collapsed functionless, airless lung or portion of a lung. |
emphysema | Hyperinflation of air sacs with destruction of aveolar walls |
lung cancer | Malignant tumor arising from the lungs and bronchi |
pneumoconiosis | abnormal condition caused by dust in the lungs, with chronic inflammation, infection, and bronchitis |
pneumonia | acute inflammation and infection of alveoli, which fill with pus or products of the inflammatory reaction |
pulmonary abscess | a large collection of pus (bacterial infection) in the lungs |
pulmonary edema | swelling and fluid in the air sacs and bronchioles |
pulmonary embolism (PE) | clot (thrombus) or other material lodges in vessels of the lung |
pulmonary fibrosis | formation of scar tissue in the connective tissue of the lungs |
sarcoidosis | chronic inflammatory disease of unknown cause in which small nodules or tubercles develop in lungs, lymph nodes, and other organs |
tuberculosis (TB) | infectious disease caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis; lungs usually are involved, but any other organ in the body may be affected |
mesothelioma | rare malignant tumor arising in the pleura; associated with asbestos exposure |
pleural effusion | abnormal accumulation of fluid in the pleural space (cavity) |
pleurisy | inflammation of the pleura |
pneumothorax | collection of air in the pleural space (cavity) |
chest x-ray (CXR) | radiographic image of the thoracic cavity (chest film) |
computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest | computer-generated x-ray images show thoracic structures in cross section |
pulmonary angiography or arteriography | x-ray images are obtained after radiopaque contrast is injected into the pulmonary artery |
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the chest | magnetic waves create detailed images of the chest in frontal, lateral, and cross-sectional (axial) planes |
positron emission tomography (PET) scan of the lung | radioactive substance is injected and images reveal metabolic activity in the lung |
ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scan | detection device records radioactivity in the lung after injection of a radioisotope or inhalation of small amount of radioactive gas (xenon) |
bronchoscopy | fiberoptic or rigid endoscope inserted into the bronchial tubes for diagnosis, biopsy, or collection of specimens |
endotracheal intubation | placement of a tube through the mouth into the pharynx, larynx, and trachea the establish an airway |
laryngoscopy | visual examination of the voice box |
lung biopsy | removal of lung tissue followed by microscopic examination |
mediastinoscopy | endoscopic visual examination of the mediastinum |
pulmonary function tests (PFTs) | tests measure the ventilation mechanics of the lung (airway function, lung volume, and capacity of the lungs to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide efficiently) |
thoracentesis | surgical puncture to remove fluid fron the pleural space |
thoracotomy | major surgical incision of the chest |
thoracoscopy (thorascopy) | visual examination of the chest via small incisions and use of an endoscope |
tracheostomy | surgical creation of an opening into the trachea through the neck |
tuberculin test | determines past or present tuberculous infection based on a positive skin reaction |
tube thoracostomy | chest tube is passed through an opening in the skin of the chest to continuously drain a pleural effusion |
bronchogenic carcinoma | cancerous tumors arising from a bronchus; lung cancer |