click below
click below
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Chapter 11, MedTerms
The Respiratory System
Term | Definition |
---|---|
adenoids | Lymphoid tissue located in the nasopharynx; the pharyngeal tonsils |
alveoli | The tiny air sacs in the lungs through which gases are exchanged between the atmosphere and the blood in respiration (singular: alveolus); an alveolus, in general, is a small hollow or cavity; the term also applies to the bony socket for a tooth |
bronchiole | One of the smaller subdivisions of the bronchial tubes (root: bronchiol/o) |
bronchus | One of the larger air passageways in the lungs; the bronchi begin as two branches of the trachea and then subdivide within the lungs (plural: bronchi) (root: bronch/o) |
carbon dioxide (CO2) | A gas produced by energy metabolism in cells and eliminated through the lungs |
carbonic acid | An acid formed when carbon dioxide dissolves in water; H2CO3 |
compliance | A measure of how easily the lungs expand under pressure; compliance is reduced in many types of respiratory disorders |
diaphragm | The dome-shaped muscle under the lungs that flattens during inspiration (root: phren/o) |
epiglottis | A leaf-shaped cartilage that covers the larynx during swallowing to prevent food from entering the trachea |
expectoration | The act of coughing up material from the respiratory tract; also the material thus released; sputum |
expiration | The act of breathing out or expelling air from the lungs; exhalation |
glottis | The opening between the vocal folds |
hemoglobin | The iron-containing pigment in red blood cells that transports oxygen |
inspiration | The act of drawing air into the lungs; inhalation |
larynx | The enlarged, superior portion of the trachea that contains the vocal folds (root: laryng/o) |
lingual tonsils | Small mounds of lymphoid tissue at the posterior of the tongue |
lung | A cone-shaped, spongy respiratory organ contained within the thorax (roots: pneum/o, pulm/o) |
mediastinum | The space between the lungs together with the organs contained in this space |
nose | The organ of the face used for breathing and housing receptors for the sense of smell; includes an external portion and an internal nasal cavity (roots: nas/o, rhin/o) |
oxygen (O2) | The gas needed by cells to release energy from food during metabolism |
palatine tonsils | The paired masses of lymphoid tissue located on either side of the oropharynx; usually meant when the term tonsils is used alone |
pharynx | The throat; a common passageway for food entering the esophagus and air entering the larynx (root: pharyng/o) |
phrenic nerve | The nerve that activates the diaphragm (root: phrenic/o) |
pleura | A double-layered membrane that lines the thoracic cavity (parietal pleura) and covers the lungs (visceral pleura) (root: pleur/o) |
pleural space | The thin, fluid-filled space between the two layers of the pleura; pleural cavity |
pulmonary ventilation | The movement of air into and out of the lungs |
sinus | A cavity or channel; the paranasal sinuses are located near the nose and drain into the nasal cavity |
sputum | The substance released by coughing or clearing the throat; expectoration; it may contain a variety of materials from the respiratory tract |
surfactant | A substance that decreases surface tension within the alveoli and eases lung expansion |
trachea | The air passageway that extends from the larynx to the bronchi (root: trache/o) |
turbinate bones | The bony projections in the nasal cavity that contain receptors for the sense of smell; also called conchae (singular: concha) |
vocal folds | Membranous folds on either side of the larynx that are important in speech production; also called vocal cords |
-pnea | breathing |
-oxia | level of oxygen |
-capnia | level of carbon dioxide |
-phonia | voice |
nas/o | nose |
rhin/o | nose |
pharyng/o | pharynx |
laryng/o | larynx |
trache/o | trachea |
bronch/o, bronch/i | bronchus |
bronchiol | bronchiole |
phren/o | diaphragm |
phrenic/o | phrenic nerve |
pleur/o | pleura |
pulm/o, pulmon/o | lung |
pneumon/o | lung |
pneum/o, pneumat/o | air, gas; also respiration, lung |
spir/o | breathing |
Streptococcus pneumoniae | Most common cause of pneumonia; streptococcal pneumonia |
Haemophilus influenzae | Pneumonia, especially in debilitated patients |
Klebsiella pneumoniae | Pneumonia in elderly and debilitated patients |
Mycoplasma pneumoniae | Mild pneumonia, usually in young adults and children; "walking pneumonia" |
Legionella pneumophila | Legionellosis (Legionnaire disease); respiratory disease spread through water sources, such as air conditioners, pools, humidifiers |
Chlamydia psittaci | Psittacosis (ornithosis); carried by birds |
Streptococcus pyogenes | "Strep throat," scarlet fever |
Mycobacterium tuberculosis | Tuberculosis |
Bordetella pertussis | Pertussis (whooping cough) |
Corynebacterium diphtheriae | Diphtheria |
Rhinoviruses | Major cause of common cold; also caused by coronaviruses, adenoviruses, and others |
Influenzavirus | Influenza |
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) | Common cause of respiratory disease in infants |
SARS coronavirus | Severe acute respiratory syndrome; highly infectious disease that appeared in 2003 and spreads from small mammals to humans |
Hantavirus | Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS); spread by inhalation of virus released from dried rodent droppings |
Histoplasma capsulatum | Histoplasmosis; spread by airborne spores |
Coccidioides immitis | Coccidioidomycosis (valley fever, San Joaquin fever); found in dry, alkaline soilds |
Blastomyces dermatitidis | Blastomycosis; rare but often fatal fungal disease |
Pneumocystis jirovecii (formerly carinii) | Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP); seen in immunocompromised hosts |
tidal volume (TV) | amount of air breathed into or out of the lungs in quiet, relaxed breathing |
residual volume (RV) | amount of air that remains in the lungs after maximum exhalation |
expiratory reserve volume (ERV) | amount of air that can be exhaled after a normal exhalation |
inspiratory reserve volume (IRV) | amount of air that can be inhaled above a normal inspiration |
total lung capacity (TLC) | total amount of air that can be contained in the lungs after maximum inhalation |
inspiratory capacity (IC) | amount of air that can be inhaled after normal exhalation |
vital capacity (VC) | amount of air that can be expelled from the lungs by maximum exhalation after maximum inhalation |
functional residual capacity (FRC) | amount of air remaining in the lungs after normal exhalation |
forced expiratory volume (FEV) | volume of gas exhaled with maximum force within a given interval of time; the time interval is shown as a subscript, such as FEV1 (one second) and FEV3 (three seconds) |
forced vital capacity (FVC) | the volume of gas exhaled as rapidly and completely as possible after a complete inhalation |
acidosis | Abnormal acidity of body fluids; respiratory acidosis is caused by abnormally high carbon dioxide levels |
acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) | Pulmonary edema that can lead rapidly to fatal respiratory failure; causes include trauma, aspiration into the lungs, viral pneumonia, and drug reactions; shock lung |
acute rhinitis | Inflammation of the nasal mucosa with sneezing, tearing, and profuse secretion of watery mucus, as seen in the common cold |
alkalosis | Abnormal alkalinity of body fluids; respiratory alkalosis is caused by abnormally low carbon dioxide levels |
aspiration | The accidental inhalation of food or other foreign material into the lungs; also means the withdrawal of fluid from a cavity by suction |
asthma | A disease characterized by dyspnea and wheezing caused by spasm of the bronchial tubes or swelling of their mucous membranes |
atelectasis | Incomplete expansion of a lung or part of a lung; lung collapse; may be present at birth (as in respiratory distress syndrome) or be caused by bronchial obstruction or compression of lung tissue (prefix atel/o means "imperfect") |
bronchiectasis | Chronic dilatation of a bronchus or bronchi |
bronchitis | Inflammation of a bronchus |
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) | Any of a group of chronic, progressive, and debilitating respiratory diseases, which includes emphysema, asthma, bronchitis, and bronchiectasis |
cyanosis | Bluish discoloration of the skin caused by lack of oxygen in the blood (adjective: cyanotic) |
cystic fibrosis (CF) | An inherited disease that affects the pancreas, respiratory system, and sweat glands; characterized by mucus accumulation in the bronchi causing obstruction and leading to infection |
diphtheria | Acute infectious disease, usually limited to the upper respiratory tract, characterized by the formation of a surface pseudomembrane composed of cells and coagulated material |
dyspnea | Difficult or labored breathing, sometimes with pain; "air hunger" |
emphysema | A chronic pulmonary disease characterized by enlargement and destruction of the alveoli |
empyema | Accumulation of pus in a body cavity, especially the pleural space; pyothorax |
hemoptysis | The spitting of blood from the mouth or respiratory tract (ptysis means "spitting") |
hemothorax | Presence of blood in the pleural space |
hydrothorax | Presence of fluid in the pleural space |
hyperventilation | Increase in the rate and depth of breathing to above optimal levels, with blood carbon dioxide decreasing to levels below normal |
hypoventilation | Condition in which the amount of air entering the alveoli is insufficient to meet metabolic needs and blood carbon dioxide increases to levels above normal |
influenza | An acute, contagious respiratory infection causing fever, chills, headache, and muscle pain; "flu" |
pertussis | An acute, infectious disease characterized by a cough ending in a whooping inspiration; whooping cough |
pleural effusion | Accumulation of fluid in the pleural space; the fluid may contain blood (hemothorax) or pus (pyothorax or empyema) |
pleurisy | Inflammation of the pleura; pleuritis; a symptom of pleurisy is sharp pain on breathing |
pneumoconiosis | Disease of the respiratory tract caused by inhalation of dust particles; named more specifically by the type of dust inhaled, such as silicosis, anthracosis, asbestosis |
pneumonia | Inflammation of the lungs generally caused by infection; may involve the bronchioles and alveoli (bronchopneumonia) or one or more lobes of the lung (lobar pneumonia) |
pneumonitis | Inflammation of the lungs; may be caused by infection, asthma, allergy, or inhalation of irritants |
pneumothorax | Accumulation of air or gas in the pleural space; may result from injury or disease or may be produced artificially to collapse a lung |
pyothorax | Accumulation of pus in the pleural space; empyema |
respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) | A respiratory disorder that affects premature infants born without enough surfactant in the lungs; it is treated with respiratory support and surfactant administration |
sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) | The sudden and unexplained death of an apparently healthy infant; crib death |
tuberculosis | An infectious disease caused by the tubercle bacillus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis; often involves the lungs but may involve other parts of the body as well |
arterial blood gases (ABGs) | The concentrations of gases, specifically oxygen and carbon dioxide, in arterial blood; reported as the partial pressure (P) of the gas in arterial (a) blood, such as PaO2, or PaCO2; these measurements are important in measuring acid-base balance |
bronchoscope | An endoscope used to examine the tracheobronchial passageways. Also allows access for tissue biopsy or removal of a foreign object |
lung scan, or pulmonary scintiscan | Study based on the accumulation of radioactive isotopes in lung tissue; a ventilation scan measures ventilation after inhalation of radioactive material; a perfusion scan measures blood supply to the lungs after injection of radioactive material |
pulse oximetry | Determination of the oxygen saturation of arterial blood by means of a photoelectric apparatus (oximeter), usually placed on the finger or the ear; reported as SpO2, in percent |
pulmonary function tests | Tests done to assess breathing, usually by spirometry |
spirometer | An apparatus used to measure breathing volumes and capacities; record of test in a spirogram |
thoracentesis | Surgical puncture of the chest for removal of air or fluids, such as may accumulate after surgery or as a result of injury, infection, or cardiovascular problems; also called thoracocentesis |
tuberculin test, or Mantoux test | A skin test for tuberculosis; tuberculin (PPD), the test material made from products of the tuberculosis organism, is injected below the skin; a hard, raised lump appearing within 48 to 72 hours indicates an active or inactive TB infection |
carina | A projection of the lowest tracheal cartilage that forms a ridge between the two bronchi; used as a landmark for endoscopy; any ridge or ridge-like structure (from a Latin word that means "keel") |
hyperpnea | Increase in the depth and rate of breathing to meet the body's needs, as in exercise |
hypopnea | Decrease in the rate and depth of breathing |
hilum | An anatomic depression in an organ where vessels and nerves enter |
nares | The external openings of the nose; the nostrils (singular: naris) |
nasal septum | The partition that divides the nasal cavity into two parts (root sept/o means "septum") |
tachypnea | Excessive rate of breathing, which may be normal, as in exercise |
anoxia | Lack or absence of oxygen in the tissues; often used incorrectly to mean hypoxia |
asphyxia | Condition caused by inadequate intake of oxygen; suffocation (literally "lack of pulse") |
Biot respirations | Deep, fast breathing interrupted by sudden pauses; seen in spinal meningitis and other central nervous system disorders |
bradypnea | Abnormally slow rate of breathing |
bronchospasm | Narrowing of the bronchi caused by smooth muscle spasms; common in cases of asthma and bronchitis |
Cheyne-Stokes respiration | A repeating cycle of gradually increased and then decreased respiration followed by a period of apnea; caused by depression of the breathing centers in the brainstem; seen in cases of coma and in terminally ill patients |
cor pulmonale | Enlargement of the heart's right ventricle caused by disease of the lungs or pulmonary blood vessels |
coryza | Acute inflammation of the nasal passages with profuse nasal discharge; acute rhinitis |
croup | A childhood disease usually caused by a viral infection that involves upper airway inflammation and obstruction; croup is characterized by a barking cough, difficulty breathing, and laryngeal spasm |
deviated septum | A shifted nasal septum; may require surgical correction |
epiglottitis | Inflammation of the epiglottis that may lead to upper airway obstruction; commonly seen in croup (also spelled epiglottiditis) |
epistaxis | Hemorrhage from the nose; nosebleed (Greek: staxis means "dripping") |
fremitus | A vibration, especially as felt through the chest wall on palpation |
Kussmaul respiration | Rapid and deep gasping respiration without pause; characteristic of severe acidosis |
pleural friction rub | A sound heard on auscultation that is produced by the rubbing together of the two pleural layers; a common sign of pleurisy |
rales | Abnormal chest sounds heard when air enters small airways or alveoli containing fluid; usually heard during inspiration (singular: rale); also called crackles |
rhonchi | Abnormal chest sounds produced in airways with accumulated fluids, more noticeable during expiration (singular: rhonchus) |
stridor | A harsh, high-pitched sound caused by obstruction of an upper air passageway |
tussis | A cough; an antitussive drug is one that relieves or prevents coughing |
wheeze | A whistling or sighing sound caused by narrowing of a respiratory passageway |
byssinosis | Obstructive airway disease caused by reaction to the dust in unprocessed plant fibers |
sleep apnea | Intermittent periods of breathing cessation during sleep; central sleep apnea arises from failure of the brainstem to stimulate breathing; obstructive sleep apnea results from airway obstruction during deep sleep, as from obesity or enlarged tonsils |
small cell carcinoma | A highly malignant type of bronchial tumor involving small, undifferentiated cells; "oat cell" carcinoma |
mediastinoscopy | Examination of the mediastinum by means of an endoscope inserted through an incision above the sternum |
plethysmograoph | An instrument that measures changes in gas volume and pressure during respiration |
pneumotachometer | A device for measuring air flow |
thoracoscopy | Examination of the pleural cavity through an endoscope; pleuroscopy |
aerosol therapy | Treatment by inhalation of a drug or water in spray form |
continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) | Use of a mechanical respirator to maintain pressure throughout the respiratory cycle in a patient who is breathing spontaneously |
extubation | Removal of a previously inserted tube |
intermittent positive pressure breathing (IPPB) | Use of a ventilator to inflate the lungs at intervals under positive pressure during inhalation |
intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV) | Use of a mechanical ventilator to force air into the lungs while allowing for passive exhalation |
nasal cannula | A two-pronged plastic device inserted into the nostrils for delivery of oxygen |
orthopneic position | An upright or semi-upright position that aids breathing |
positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) | Use of a mechanical ventilator to increase the volume of gas in the lungs at the end of exhalation, thus improving gas exchange |
postural drainage | Use of body position to drain secretions from the lungs by gravity; the patient is placed so that secretions will move passively into the larger airways for elimination |
thoracic gas volume (TGV, VTG) | The volume of gas in the thoracic cavity calculated from measurements made with a body plethysmograph |
adenoidectomy | Surgical removal of the adenoids |
intubation | Insertion of a tube into a hollow organ, such as into the larynx or trachea for entrance of air; patients may be intubated during surgery for administration of anesthesia or to maintain an airway |
endotracheal intubation | Insertion of a tube into a hollow organ, such as into the larynx or trachea for entrance of air; endotracheal intubation may be used as an emergency measure when airways are blocked |
lobectomy | Surgical removal of a lobe of the lung or of another organ |
pneumoplasty | Plastic surgery of the lung; in reduction pneumoplasty, nonfunctional portions of the lung are removed, as in cases of advanced emphysema |
tracheotomy | Incision of the trachea through the neck, usually to establish an airway in cases of tracheal obstruction |
tracheostomy | Surgical creation of an opening into the trachea to form an airway or to prepare for the insertion of a tube for ventilation; also the opening thus created |
antihistamine | Agent that prevents responses mediated by histamine, such as allergic and inflammatory reactions |
antitussive | Drug that prevents or relieves coughing |
asthma maintenance drug | Agent used to prevent asthma attacks and for chronic treatment of asthma |
bronchodilator | Drug that relieves bronchial spasm and widens the bronchi |
corticosteroid | Hormone from the adrenal cortex; used to reduce inflammation |
decongestant | Agent that reduces congestion or swelling |
expectorant | Agent that aids in removal of bronchopulmonary secretions |
isoniazid (INH) | Drug used to treat tuberculosis |
leukotriene antagonist | Drug that prevents or reduces inflammation by inhibiting leukotrienes, substances made in white blood cells that promote inflammation, constrict the bronchi, and increase mucus production; used in asthma treatment |
mucolytic | Agent that loosens mucus to aid in its removal |
rifampin (rifampicin) | Drug used to treat tuberculosis |
ABG(s) | Arterial blood gas(es) |
AFB | Acid-fast bacillus (usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis) |
ARDS | Acute respiratory distress syndrome; shock lung |
ARF | Acute respiratory failure |
BCG | Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (tuberculosis vaccine) |
BS | Breath sounds |
C | Compliance |
CF | Cystic fibrosis |
CO2 | Carbon dioxide |
COPD | Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease |
CPAP | Continuous positive airway pressure |
CXR | Chest radiograph, chest x-ray |
DTaP | Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (vaccine) |
ERV | Expiratory reserve volume |
FEV | Forced expiratory volume |
FRC | Functional residual capacity |
FVC | Forced vital capacity |
HPS | Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome |
IC | Inspiratory capacity |
IGRA | Interferon-gamma release assay (test for TB) |
INH | Isoniazid |
IPPB | Intermittent positive pressure breathing |
IPPV | Intermittent positive pressure ventilation |
IRV | Inspiratory reserve volume |
LLL | Left lower lobe (of lung) |
LUL | Left upper lobe (of lung) |
MEFR | Maximal expiratory flow rate |
MMFR | Maximum midexpiratory flow rate |
NAA | Nucleic acid amplification (test) (for TB) |
O2 | Oxygen |
PaCO2 | Arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide |
PaO2 | Arterial partial pressure of oxygen |
PCP | Pneumocystis pneumonia |
PEEP | Positive end-expiratory pressure |
PEFR | Peak expiratory flow rate |
PFT | Pulmonary function test(s) |
PIP | Peak inspiratory pressure |
PND | Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea |
PPD | Purified protein derivative (tuberculin) |
R | Respiration |
RDS | Respiratory distress syndrome |
RLL | Right lower lobe (of lung) |
RML | Right middle lobe (of lung) |
RSV | Respiratory syncytial virus |
RUL | Right upper lobe (of lung) |
RV | Residual volume |
SARS | Severe acute respiratory syndrome |
SIDS | Sudden infant death syndrome |
SpO2 | Oxygen percent saturation |
T & A | Tonsils and adenoids; tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy |
TB | Tuberculosis |
TGV | Thoracic gas volume |
TLC | Total lung capacity |
TV | Tidal volume |
URI | Upper respiratory infection |
VC | Vital capacity |
VTG | Thoracic gas volume |