Term | Definition |
cystic fibrosis | a hereditory 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 breath sound heard on auscultation caused by exudates, spasms, hyperplasia or when air enters moisture filled alveoli: also called rale |
anoxia | absence of oxygen in tissues |
anosima | absence of 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 systems by blocking production of substances that trigger allertic and inflammatory actions |
pertusis (whooping cough) | acute infectious disease characterized by a cough that has a whoop sound. |
coryza | acute inflammation of the membranes of the nose; also called a head cold or upper respira tory infection |
sputum | an abnormal viscous fluid formed in the lower respiratory tract often contains blood, pus and bacteria |
tuberculosis | an infectious disease caused by inhaling viable tubercle bacilli |
pneumonia | an inflammatory disease of the lungs caused by bacteria, viruses,disease and chemicals |
stethoscope | an instrument used in auscultation |
tonsillotome | an instrucment used to cut the tonsils |
antihistamines | block histamines from binding with histamine receptors sites in tissues |
pulmonary embolism | blockage in an artery of the lungs caused by mass of undissolved matter |
hemothorax | blood in the chest cavity |
histamines | body substances that dilate blood vessels, causing swelling and inflammation in nasal passages |
bronchistasis | chronic dilation of a bronchus or bronchi |
atelectasis | collapsed or airless state of the lung, which may be acute or chronic adn affect all or part of a lung |
pneumothorax | collection of air in the pleural cavity |
adenoids | collection of lymphatic tissue within nasopharynx |
palatine tonsils | collection of lympatic tissue withing the oropharynx |
croup | common childhood condition involving inflammation of the larynx, trachea, bronchial passages and sometimes lungs |
sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) | completely unexpected and unexplained death of any apparently normal, healthy infant. Usually less than 12 months of age. AKA crib death |
asphyxia | condition caused by insufficient intake of oxygen |
hypercapnia | condition of an increase of carbon dioxide in the blood |
hemoptysis | condition of spitting up blood |
respiratory system | consists of organs that are responsible for he breathing process |
decongestants | constrict blood vessels of nasal passages and limit blood flow, which causes swollen tissues to shrink so that air can pass more freely |
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 | difficulty in breathing |
pneumoconiosis | disease caused by inhaling dust particles, including coal dust, iron dust, asbestos aka miner's lung. |
deviated nasal septum | displacement of cartilage dividing the nostrils and causes reduced air flow and nosebleeds |
finger clubbing | enlargement of terminal phalanges of the fingers and toes commonly associated with pulmonary disease |
acidosis | excessive acidity of body fluids |
pneumectomy | excision of a lung or a portion of the lung |
pleurectomy | excision of the pleura, usually parietial pleura |
eupnea | good breathing |
cilia | hair like structure |
stridor | high-pitched, harsh, adventitious breath sound caused by a spasm or swelling of the larynx or an obstruction in the upper air way |
hyperpnea | increased breathing, deeper than normal |
sinusitis | inflammation of the sinus |
pleurisy | inflammation of the pleural membrane |
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 dislodge during coughing episodes |
aerosol therapy | lung treatment using various techniques to deliver medications in mist form directly to the lungs |
sweat test | measure the amount of salt in sweat. Used to diagnose cystic fibrosis |
postural drainage | method of positioning a patient so that gravity aids in the drainage of secretions from bronchi and lobes of lungs |
sputum culture | microbial test used to identify disease causing organisms of the lower respiratory tract especially pneumonia |
CTPA | minimally invasive imaging that combines computed tomograghy scanning and angiography to produce images of the pulmonary arteries |
mucous membranes | 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 or nose bleed |
oximetry | noninvasive method of monitoring the percentage of hemoglobin saturated with oxygen also called pulse oimetry |
nares | nostrils |
V-Q scan | nuclear scan that evaluates both air flow 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 |
lobular | pertaining to the lobe |
thoracic | pertaining to the chest area |
pulmonary | pertaining to the lungs |
spirometry | PFT that measures the breathing capacity of the lungs including 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 |
antitissives | relieves or suppress coughing by blocking the cough reflex to the medulla of the brain. Used to suppress dry cough |
cheyne-stokes respiration | reapeated breathing pattern characterized by fluctuation in the depth or respiration, first deep then shallow then not at all. Usually followed by agonal breathing or death rattle. |
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 mostly in children between 2-12 years of age |
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 trachea into which a breathing tube maybe inserted |
thoracentesis | surgical puncture and drainage of the pleural cavity also called pleurocentesis or thoracocentesis |
septoplasty | surgical repair of the septum usually performed on deviated septum |
pH | symbol that indicates the degree of acidity or alkalinity of a substance |
Co2 | carbon dioxide-produced by body cells during metabolism |
O2 | oxygen-colourless gas essential for human respiration |
apnea | temporary loss of breathing |
polysomnography | test of sleep cycles and stages using continuous recordings of brain waves, electrical activity, eye movement, respiratory rate, blood pressure, etc usually observed via video camera while patient is sleeping |
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 | portion of the pharynx above the soft palate and behind the nose |
perussion | process of gently tapping with the fingers to determine position size and consistency of an underlying structure |
auscultation | process of listening to body sounds especially in the chest with a stethoscope |
mediastinum | the space between the right and left lung which contains the heart, aorta esophagus and the bronchi |
bronchi | to branches off the trachea which lead to the right and left lungs |
serous membrane | thin layer of tissue that covers internal bod cavities and secretes a fluid that keeps the membrane moist; also called serosa |
alveoli | tiny air sacs within the lungs resembling ballons |
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 |
PFTs | variety of tests use evaluate respiratory function, the ability of the lungs to take in and expel air as well as perform gas exchange across alveolocapillary membrane |
bronchoscopy | visual examination of the bronchi using an endoscope inserted through the mouth and trachea for direct viewing of structures on a monitor |
laryngoscopy | visual examination of the larynx |
septum | wall dividing to cavities |
artral lavage | washing or irrigation of the paranasl sinuses to remove mucopurulent tissue that has failed medical treatment |
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 |