Question | Answer |
cystic fibrosis | A hereditary disease of the exocrine glands affecting the respiratory system, pancreas and sweat glands. |
diaphragm | A large muscle located between the chest and the abdominal wall. |
rhonchus | Abnormal breath sound heard on auscultation of an obstructed airway. |
crackle | Abnormal respiratory sound heard on auscultation, caused by exudates,spasms, hyperplasia or when air enters moisture-filled alveoli; also called rafe. |
anoxia | Absence of oxygen in the tissues. |
anosmia | Absence of the sense of smell. |
pulmonary edema | Accumulation of extravascular fluid in lung tissues and alveoli, most commonly caused by heart failure. |
corticosteroids | Act on the immune system by blocking production of substances that trigger allergic and inflammatory actions. |
pertussis | Acute infectious disease characterized by a cough that has a "whoop" sounds; also called whooping cough. |
coryza | Acute inflammation of the membrane of the nose; also called head cold or upper respiratory infection. |
sputum | An abnormal viscous fluid formed in the lower respiratory tract that often contains blood, pus and bacteria. |
tuberculosis (TB) | An infectious disease caused by inhaling viable tubercle bacilli. |
pneumonia | An inflammatory disease of the lungs caused by bacteria, viruses, disease, chemicals, etc. |
stethoscope | An instrument used in auscultation. |
tonsillotome | An instrument used to cut the tonsils. |
antihistamines | Block histamines from binding with histamine receptor sites in tissues. |
pulmonary embolism | Blockage in an artery of the lungs caused by a mass of undissolved matter. |
hemothorax | Blood in the chest cavity. |
histamines | Body substances that dilate blood vessels, causing swelling and inflammation in nasal passages. |
bronchiectasis | Chronic dilation of a bronchus or bronchi. |
atelectasis | Collapsed or airless state of the lung, which may be acute or chronic and affect all or part of a lung. |
pneumothorax | Collection of air in the pleural cavity. |
adenoids | Collection of lymphatic tissue within the nasopharynx. |
palatine tonsils | Collection of lymphatic tissue within the oropharynx. |
croup | Common childhood condition involving inflammation of the larynx, trachea, bronchial passages and sometimes lungs. |
(SIDS) sudden infant death syndrome | Completely unexpected and unexplained death of an apparently normal, healthy infant, usually less than 12 months of age; also called crib death. |
asphyxia | Condition caused by insufficient intake of oxygen. |
hypercapnia | Condition of an increased amount of carbon dioxide in the blood. |
hemoptysis | Condition of spitting up blood. |
respiratory system | Consists of organs that are responsible for the breathing process. It exchanges oxygen and carbon dioxide at a cellular level. |
decongestants | Constrict blood vessels of nasal passages and limit blood flow, which causes swollen tissues to shrink, so that air can pass more freely through the passageways. |
antibiotics | Destroy or inhibit the growth of bacteria by disrupting their membranes or one or more of their metabolic processes. |
dysphonia | Difficulty in speaking; hoarseness. |
dyspnea | Diffult breathing. |
pneumoconiosis | Disease caused by inhaling dust particles, including coal dust, stone dust, iron dust and asbestos particles. |
deviated nasal septum | Displacement of cartilage dividing the nostrils that causes reduced airflow and sometimes, nosebleed. |
finger clubbing | Enlargement of the terminal phalanges of the fingers and toes, commonly associated with pulmonary diseases. |
pleural effusion | Excess of fluid in the pleural cavity. |
acidosis | Excessive acidity of body fluids. |
pneumectomy | Excision of a lung or a portion of the lung, commonly for treatment of cancer. |
pleurectomy | Excision of part of the pleura, usually parietal pleura. |
eupnea | Good breathing. |
cilia | Hairlike structures. |
stridor | High-pitched, harsh, adventitious breath sound caused by a spasm or swelling of the larynx or an obstruction in the upper airway. |
hyperpnea | Increased breathing, deeper than normal. |
sinusitis | Inflammation of a sinus. |
pleurisy | Inflammation of a pleural membrane characterized by a stabbing pain that is intensified by coughing or deep breathing; also called pleuritis. |
pharyngoscope | Instrument used to view the throat. |
Mantoux test | Intradermal test to determine tuberculin sensitivity based on a positive reaction where the area around the test site becomes red and swollen. |
expectorants | Liquefy respiratory secretions so that they are more easily dislodged during coughing episodes. |
aerosol therapy | Lung treatment using various techniques to deliver medications in mist form directly to the lungs or air passageways. |
sweat test | Measurement of the amount of salt in sweat. |
postural drainage | Method of positioning a patient so that gravity aids in the drainage of secretions from the bronchi and lobes of the lungs. |
sputum culture | Microbial test used to identify disease-causing organisms of the lower respiratory tract, especially those that cause pneumonias. |
(CTPA) computed tomography pulmonary angiography | Minimally invasive imaging that combines computed tomography scanning and angiography to produce images of the pulmonary arteries. |
mucous membrane | Moist tissue layer lining hollow organs and cavities of the body that open to the environment; also called mucosa. |
stenosis | Narrowing or constriction. |
epistaxis | Nasal hemorrhage, also called nosebleed. |
oximetry | Noninvasive method of monitoring the percentage of hemoglobin saturated with oxygen; also called pulse oximetry. |
nares | Nostrils |
(V-Q) ventilation-perfusion scan | Nuclear scan that evaluates both airflow and blood flow in the lungs for evidence of a blood clot in the lungs; also called V-Q lung scan. |
hypoxemia | Oxygen deficiency in arterial blood; usually a sign of respiratory impairment. |
hypoxia | Oxygen deficiency in body tissues; usually a sign of respiratory impairment. |
lobular | Pertaining to a lobe. |
thoracic | Pertaining to the chest area. |
pulmonary | Pertaining to the lungs. |
spirometry | PFT that measures the breathing capacity of the lungs, including the time necessary for exhaling the total volume of inhaled air. |
endotracheal intubation | Procedure in which a plastic tube is inserted into the trachea to maintain an open airway. |
tachypnea | Rapid breathing. |
antitussives | Relieve or suppress coughing by blocking the cough reflex in the medulla of the brain. |
Cheyne-Stokes respiration | Repeated breathing pattern characterized by fluctuation in the depth of repiration, first deeply, then shallow, then not at all. |
orthopnea | Respiratory condition of discomfort breathing in any but an erect or standing position. |
pleura | Serous membrane which envelops the lungs and folds over to line the walls of the thoracic cavity. |
epiglottitis | Severe, life-threatening infection of the epiglottis and supraglottic structures that occurs most commonly in children between 2-12 years of age. |
sleep apnea | Sleeping disorder in which breathing stops repeatedly for more than 10 seconds, causing measurable blood deoxygenation. |
bronchioles | Smaller branches of the bronchi. |
bronchodilators | Stimulate bronchial muscles to relax, thereby expanding air passages, resulting in increased air flow. |
tracheostomy | Surgical procedure in which an opening is made in the neck and into the trachea into which a breathing tube may be inserted. |
thoracentesis | Surgical puncture and drainage of the pleural cavity; also called pleurocentesis or thoracocentesis. |
septoplasty | Surgical repair of a deviated nasal septum usually performed when the septum is encroaching on the breathing passages or nasal structures. |
pH | Symbol that indicates the degree of acidity or alkalinity of a substance. |
carbon dioxide (CO2) | Tasteless, colourless, odourless gas produced by the body cells during the metabolism. |
oxygen (O2) | Tasteless, colourless,odourless gas essential for human respiration. |
apnea | Temporary loss of breathing. |
polysomnography | Test of sleep cycles+stages of continuous recordings of brain waves,electrical activity of muscles,eye movement,respiratory rate,blood pressure,blood oxygen saturation,heart rhythm and sometimes direct observation of person sleeping using a video camera. |
arterial blood gases (ABG) | Test that measures dissolved oxygen and carbon dioxide in arterial blood. |
throat culture | Test used to identify pathogens, especially group A streptococci. |
visceral pleura | The innermost layer lying next to the lung. |
parietal pleura | The outermost layer, lining the thoracic cavity. |
nasopharynx | The portion of the pharynx above the soft palate and behind the nose. |
percussion | The process of gently tapping with the fingers to determine position, size or consistency of an underlying structure. |
auscultation | The process of listening to body sounds, especially in the chest, with the use of a stethoscope. |
mediastinum | The space between the right and left lung, which contains the heart, aorta, esophagus and the bronchi. |
bronchi | The two branches off the trachea which leads to the right and left lungs. |
serous membrane | Thin layer of tissue that covers internal body cavities and secretes a fluid that keeps the membrane moist; also called serosa. |
alveoli | Tiny air sacs within the lungs; resembling small balloons. |
diffuse | To move or spread out a substance at random, rather than by chemical reaction or application of external forces. |
cartilage | Tough, elastic connective tissue that is more rigid than ligaments but less dense than bone. |
pulmonary function test (PFTs) | Variety of tests used to evaluate respiratory function, the ability of the lungs to take in and expel air as well as perform gas exchange across the alveolocapillary membrane. |
bronchoscopy | Visual examination of the bronchi using an endoscope inserted through the mouth and trachea for direct viewing of structures or for projection on a monitor. |
laryngoscopy | Visual examination of the larynx, to detect tumors, foreign bodies, nerve or structural injury, or other abnormalities. |
mediastinoscopy | Visual examination of the mediastinal structures including the heart, trachea, esophagus, bronchus, thymus, and lymph nodes. |
larynx | Voice box. Responsible for sound production. |
septum | Wall dividing two cavities. |
antral lavage | Washing or irrigating of the paranasal sinuses to remove mucopurulent material in an immunosuppressed patient or one with known sinusitis that has failed medical management. |
wheeze | Whistling or sighing sound heard on auscultation that results from narrowing of the lumen of the respiratory passageway. |
trachea | Windpipe. Cartilaginous tube which extends from the larynx to the bronchial tubes. |