| Question | Answer |
| ABG | Arterial blood gases; blood test that assesses the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels. |
| Adenoids | Collection of lymphatic tissue within the nasopharynx (pharyngeal tonsils). |
| Alveoli | Tiny air sacs within the lungs; resembling small balloons. (alveolus - 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. |
| 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. |
| Auscultation | The process of listening to body sounds, especially in the chest, with the use of a stethoscope. |
| Bronchi | The two branches off the trachea which lead to the right left lungs. (bronchus - singular form) |
| Bronchiectasis | Chronic dilation of a bronchus or bronchi. |
| Bronchioles | Smaller branches of the bronchi. |
| Bronchodilator | Medication which relaxes the muscles of the passage providing relief of bronchospasms. |
| Cheyne-Stokes | Breathing characterized by fluctuations in the Respirations 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 tissue can be stretched. |
| COPD | Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease; includes certain lung disorders characterized by decreased ability of the lungs to exchange gases adequately. (Also known as COLD). |
| 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. |
| Dysphonia | difficulty in speaking; hoarseness. |
| Dyspnea | Difficult 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 dilate blood vessels, causing swelling and inflammation in nasal passages. |
| Hypercapnia | Condition of an increased amount of carbon dioxide in the blood. |
| Hyperpnea | 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 right and left 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 position, size, or consistency of an underlying structure. |
| Pharyngoscope | Instrument used to view the throat. |
| 46. Pleura Serous membrane which envelops the lungs and folds over to line the walls of the thoracic cavity. | |
| 47. Pleural effusion Excess of fluid in the pleural cavity. | |
| 48. Pleurisy / pleuritis Inflammation of the pleural membrane, | |
| characterized by a stabbing pain which is | |
| intensified by coughing or deep breathing. | |
| 49. Pneumoconiosis Abnormal condition of dust in the lungs. | |
| 50. Pneumonia / pneumonitis An inflammatory disease of the lungs caused by | |
| bacteria, viruses, disease, chemicals, etc. | |
| 51. Pneumothorax Collection of air in the pleural cavity. | |
| 52. Postural drainage Positioning a patient so that gravity aids in the | |
| drainage of secretions from the bronchi and lobes | |
| of the lung. | |
| 53. Pulmonary Pertaining to the lungs. | |
| 54. Pulmonary edema Excessive fluid in the lungs which induces cough | |
| and dyspnea. | |
| 55. Pulmonary function A series of tests designed to evaluate the volume | |
| and air flow rate of the lungs. | |
| 56. Rale Crackle. An abnormal respiratory sound heard on | |
| auscultation. | |
| 57. Respiratory Distress Condition frequently seen in premature infants | |
| Syndrome caused by a lack of a lung substance, called surfactant. | |
| 58. Respiratory System Consists of organs that are responsible for the | |
| breathing process. It exchanges oxygen and | |
| carbon dioxide at a cellular level. | |
| 59. Rhinoplasty Surgical repair of the nose. | |
| 60. Sinusitis Inflammation of a sinus. | |
| 61. SOB Shortness of breath. | |
| 62. Sputum An abnormal viscous fluid formed in the lower | |
| respiratory tract that often contains blood, pus, and | |
| bacteria. | |
| 63. Stenosis Narrowing or constriction. | |
| 64. Stethoscope An instrument used in auscultation. | |
| 65. T & A Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. | |
| 66. Tachypnea Rapid breathing. | |
| 67. Thoracic Pertaining to the chest area. | |
| 68. Tonsillotome An instrument used to cut the tonsils. | |
| 69. TPR Temperature, pulse, respiration. | |
| 70. Trachea Windpipe. Cartilaginous tube which extends from | |
| the larynx to the bronchial tubes. | |
| 71. Tracheostomy Creation of an opening in the trachea to relieve a breathing obstruction. | |
| 72. Tuberculosis An infectious disease caused by inhaling viable | |
| tubercle bacilli. | |
| 73. Visceral pleura The innermost layer lying next to the lung. | |
