Question | Answer |
ABG | Arterial blood gases;blood test that assesses the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels. Pulmonary gas exchange. |
Adenoids | Collection of lymphatic tissue within the nasophaynx(pharyngeal tonsils). |
Alveoli | Tiny air sacs within the lungs;resembling small balloons.(aveolus-singular form). |
Anosmia | Absence of the sense of smell. |
Anoxia | Absence or deficiency of oxygen in the tissues. |
Antihistamine | Medication which opposes the effects of histamine. sneezing, runny nose, itchiness, & rashes. |
Antitussive | Medication which prevents or relieves coughing. |
Apnea | Without breathing. |
Asphyxia | A condition in which there is insufficient oxygen; literally means "without pulse". |
Atelectasis | inability of the lung to expand properly. Acute or chronic condition of collapsed or airless lung. |
Auscultation | The process of listening to body sounds, especially in the chest, with the use of a stethoscope. |
Bronchi | The two branches of the trachea which lead to the right left lungs. (bronchus - singular form) |
Bronchiectasis | Chronic dilation of the bronchus or bronchi. |
Bronchioles | Smaller branches of the bronchi. |
Bronchodilator | Medication which relaxes the muscles of the bronchial passage providing relief of bronchospasms. |
Cheyne-Stokes Respirations | Breathing characterized by fluctuations in the depth of the respirations. |
C & S | Culture and sensitivity. A lab test that isolates the organisms for identification and then determines which antibiotic(s) will be effective against it. |
CPR | Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. |
Compliance | the ease with which lung tissuse can be stretched. |
COPD | Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease; includes certain lung disorders characterized by decreased ability of the lungs to exchange gases adequetely. (Also known as COLD). |
Cystic Fibrosis | A hereditary disease of the exocrine glands affecting the respiratory system, pancreas, and sweat glands. Digestive system. |
Diaghragm | A large muscle located between the chest and the abdominal wall. |
Dysphonia | Difficulty in speaking; hoarseness. |
Dyspnea | Difficutly breathing. |
Epistaxis | Nosebleed. |
Eupnea | Good (normal) breathing. |
Expectorant | Agent which facilitates the removal of sputum. |
Hemoptysis | Condition of spitting up blood. |
Hemothorax | Blood in the chest cavity. |
Histamines | Body substances that dialate blood vessels, causing swelling and inflammation in nasal passages. |
Hypercapnia | Condition of an increased amount of carbon dioxide in the blood. |
Hypernea | Increased breathing, deeper than normal. |
Hypoxemia | Deficient amount of oxygen in the blood. |
Laryngoscopy | Visual examination of the larynx. |
Larynx | Voice box. Responsible for sound production. |
Lobular | Pertaining to a lobe. |
Mediastinum | The space between the left and right lung, which contains the heart, aorta, esophagus, and the bronchi. |
Nares | Nostrils. (Naris - Singular form) |
Nasopharynx | The portion of the pharynx above the soft palate and behind the nose. |
Orthopnea | Respiratory condition of discomfort breathing in any but an erect or standing position. |
PA (& L) | Posteroanterior refers to the direction of x-ray beams that travel through the body from back to front. (L refers to the lateral direction). |
Palatine Tonsils | Collection of lymphatic tissue within the oropharynx. |
Parietal Pleura | The outermost layer, lining the thoracic cavity. |
Percussion | The process of gently tapping with the fingers to determine positon, size, or consistency of an underlying structure. |
Pharyngoscope | Instrument used to view the throat. |
Pleura | Serious membrane which envelops the lungs and folds over to line the walls of the thoracic cavity. |
Pleural Effusion | Excess of fluid in the pleural cavity. |
Pleurisy / Pleuritis | Inflammation of the pleural membrane, characterized by the stabbing pain which is intensified by coughing or deep breathing. |
Pneumoconiosis | Abnormal conditon of dust in the lungs. |
Pneumonia / Pneumonitis | An inflammatory disease of the lungs caused by bacteria, viruses, disease, chemicals, etc. |
Pneumothorax | Collection of air in the pleural cavity. |
Postural Drainage | Positiong a patient so that gravity aids in the drainage of secretions from the bronchi and lobes of the lung. |
Pulmonary | Pertaining to the lungs. |
Pulmonary Edema | Excessive fluid in the lungs which induces cough and dyspnea. |
Pulmonary Function | A series of tests designed to evaluate the volume and air flow rate to the lungs. |
Rale | Crackle. An abnormal respiratory sound heard on auscultaion. |
Respiratory Distress Syndrome | Condition frequently seen in premature infants caused by a lack of lung substance, called surfactant. |
Respiraory System | Consists of organs that are responsible for the breathing process. It exchanges oxygen and carbon dioxide at a cellular level. |
Rhinoplasty | Surgical repair of the nose. |
Sinusitis | Inflammation of a sinus. |
SOB | Shortness of breath. |
Sputum | An abnormal viscous fluid formed in the lower respiratory tract that often contains blood, pus, and bacteria. |
Stenosis | Narrowing or constricting. |
Stethoscope | An instrument use in ausculation. |
T & A | Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. |
Tachypnea | Rapid breathing. |
Thoracic | Pertaining to the chest area. |
Tonsillotome | An instrument used to cut the tonsils. |
TPR | Temperature, pulse, respiration. |
Trachea | Windpipe. Cartilaginous tube which extends from the larynx to the bronchial tubes. |
Tracheostomy | Creation of an opening in the trachea to relieve a breathing obstruction. |
Tuberculosis | An infectious disease casued by inhaling viable tubercle bacilli. |
Visceral Pleura | The innermost layer lying next to the lung. |