chapter 4 vocab Flashcards
what parts make up the upper respiratory tract (3)?
-nose and adjacent structures (cavity, sinuses)
-pharynx
-larynx
what parts make up the lower respiratory tract (3)?
-trachea
-bronchi and alveoli
-lungs
what are the nostrils/nares?
opening to the nose
what is the nasal septum?
the structure separating the left and right airways in the nose
what are nasal cavities lined by?
mucus membranes containing sebaceous glands and hair follicles
what is mucus?
a substance created for lubrication and protection, produced by mucous membranes that line the nasal cavities
what is the floor of the nasal cavity made of?
the hard and soft palate of the mouth
what is an upper respiratory infection (URI)?
a viral infection of one or more of these structures
what is rhinorrhagia? what is another name for it?
-bleeding from the nose
-epistaxis
what is rhinitis
inflammation of the nasal mucosa
what is rhinorrhea? what is it commonly referred to as?
-medical term for excess mucus production by the nasal cavity
-runny nose
what is the function of the sinuses?
warm and humidify incoming air
what are the four sinuses
- frontal
- maxillary
- sphenoidal
- ethmoidal
what is sinusitis?
refers to inflammation of the sinus
what are the three major regions of the pharynx?
- nasopharynx
- oropharynx
- laryngopharynx
what is an adenoid (pharyngeal tonsil)?
collection of lymphatic tissue found at the back of the nasal cavity, trap and destroy invading pathogens
what is the uvula?
bulbous structure, closes nasopharynx when swallowing food
what are the eustachian tubes?
connect middle ear cavities with nasopharynx
what is pharyngitis?
inflammation of the pharynx
what is tonsillitis?
refers to inflammation of the tonsils
what is adenoiditis
inflammation of the adenoids
what structures are found in the nasopharynx?
adenoids, uvula, eustachian tubes
what structures are found in the oropharynx?
palatine tonsils and lingual tonsils
what does the oropharynx do?
traps and destroys pathogens that enter oral or nasal cavities
where is the laryngopharynx located?
posterior to the larynx
what structures are found in the laryngopharynx?
trachea and the esophagus
what structures make up the larynx?
thyroid cartilage, epiglottis, vocal cords and cricoid
what does the epiglottis do? where is it located?
-a flap of tissue that covers the trachea during swallowing to prevent aspiration, the inhalation of food or fluids into the trachea and lower respiratory tract
what are the vocal cords?
membranous folds attached by muscle to the cartilages of the larynx
what is laryngitis?
inflammation of the larynx, specifically the vocal folds or cords, resulting in huskiness or loss of voice
what is dysphonia?
the medical condition of difficulty speaking
what is the trachea made of? what is its function?
-formed by stacked, C-shaped pieces of cartilage connected by dense connective tissue; lined with cilia and mucus-secreting cells
-stretches for breathing; cartilage protects trachea from collapsing
what is a tracheostomy?
an incision created in the trachea to create an artificial opening to allow breathing when an obstruction is present
what are bronchi?
main air passageways of the lungs
what are bronchioles?
smallest branches of the bronchi that lead to the alveolar sacs
what is a bronchospasm?
a symptom of many respiratory conditions that refers to a sudden constriction of the muscles in the walls of the bronchi
what is bronchitis?
inflammation of the bronchi
what is a bronchoscopy?
a procedure in which a tube is inserted by a medical specialist to visually examine the bronchi
what is sputum?
mucous secretions that can be expelled through the mouth
what are the alveoli?
small grapelike sacs where gas exchange occurs
what is surfactant?
a slippery substance that prevents the lungs from collapsing
what is atelectasis?
a medical term that refers to the collapse of alveoli and/or small passageways of the lungs that can result in a partially or completely collapsed lung
what does alveolar mean?
pertaining to the alveolus
what are the lungs?
main organ of the respiratory system, responsible for gas exchange
what are four regions of the lungs and where are they located?
- apex- superior region
- base- distal region near diaphragm
- cardiac notch- medial indentation in the left lung
- lobes- right and left
how are the lobes of the lungs divided?
-left has 2 divisions
-right has 3 divisions
what is a lobectomy?
surgical removal of a lobe of the lung
what is pneumonia?
a diseased state of the lung
what is atelectasis?
the collapse of part or all of a lung, often caused by a blockage of the air passages or by pressure on the outside of the lung
what is the visceral pleura?
membrane on the surface of the lung
what is the parietal pleura?
membrane that lines the thoracic cavity
what is the pleural cavity?
space between the membranes that contains pleural fluid
what is pleural effusion?
a medical term that refers to excessive fluid between the pleural membranes caused by disease or trauma
what is inhalation? what is another name for it?
-the act of breathing in
-inspiration
what are the mechanisms of breathing involved with bringing in air?
-inhalation/inspiration
-diaphragm contracts and flattens
intercoastal muscles pull downward to expand thoracic cavity
-decrease pressure in lungs causes air to rush into the lungs
what is exhalation? what is another name for it?
-the act of breathing out
-expiration
what are the mechanisms of breathing for removing air?
-exhalation/expiration
-diaphragm relaxes and rounds
-thoracic cavity moves back to original position
-volume decreases and pressure increases
-air leaves lungs
what is a stethoscope?
used to listen to internal body sounds like lung sounds
what are rhonchi?
-coarse crackles
-low-pitched, continuous sounds heard on expiration that are a sign of turbulent airflow through mucus in the large airways
what are rales?
-fine crackles
-popping or crackling sounds heard on inspiration. They are associated with conditions such as heart failure or pneumonia, that cause fluid accumulation within the alveolar and interstitial spaces. The sound is similar to that produced by rubbing strands of hair together close to your ear
what are wheezes?
whistling noises produced when air is forced through airways narrowed by bronchoconstriction or mucosal edema
what is stridor?
only heard on inspiration; associated with obstructions of the trachea/upper airway
what is pleural rub? what is it caused by?
-sounds like rubbing together of leather and can be heard on inspiration and expiration
- caused by inflammation of the pleura membranes that results in friction as the surfaces rub against each other
what is hyperpnea?
a type of forced breathing that can occur during exercise or actions that require the active manipulation of breathing, such as singing
what is labored breathing?
breathing that required more effort than normal, often a sign of distress or illness
what is tachypnea?
refers to rapid breathing
what is bradypnea?
refers to slow breathing
what us hypopnea?
refers to deficient breathing
what is apnea?
refers to the absence of breathing
what is dyspnea?
a common symptom of respiratory disorders and refers to difficulty breathing
what is respiratory rate? how does it change with age?
-the number of breaths taken per minute
-as you get older, you take less breaths per minute
what is hypercapnia?
excess carbon dioxide in the bloodstream, typically caused by inadequate respiration
what is hypoxemia?
low levels of oxygen in the blood
what is hyperventilation?
refers to rapid and deep breathing
hypoventilation
refers to slow and shallow breathing
what is respiration?
refers to the exchange of gases in the lungs between the alveoli and the pulmonary capillaries or in the tissues between they systemic capillaries and the cells/tissues
what is external respiration?
oxygen from air into blood, carbon dioxide from blood into alveoli and then exhaled
what is internal respiration?
oxygen from systemic capillaries diffuse into cells/tissues, carbon dioxide from tissues diffuse to systemic capillaries to be carried to lungs
what is asphyxia?
deprivation of oxygen to the tissues, referred to as suffocation
what is perfusion?
refers to the flow of blood
what is pulmonary circulation?
blood moves from the heart to the lungs and then back to the heart for distribution to the body
what do pulmonary arteries do?
carry deoxygenated blood from the heart into the lungs, where they branch and eventually become the capillary network composed of pulmonary capillaries
what is hemoglobin?
protein within red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body and returns carbon dioxide from the body to the lungs
what is hypoxia?
low levels of oxygen in the tissues, caused by diseases and disorders of the respiratory system
what is pulse oximetry?
an estimated oxygenation level based on the saturation of hemoglobin measured by a pulse oximeter
what is pulmonary edema?
refers to fluid accumulation in alveoli, often caused by heart failure or kidney failure
what are allergies?
a condition in which the immune system reacts abnormally to a foreign substance
what is anaphylaxis?
a sever, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction
what is asthma?
a condition in which a person’s airways become inflamed, narrow, and swell, producing extra mucus, which makes it difficult to breathe, due to edema, bronchospasms
what is a peak flow meter?
a portable instrument used to measure air flow during forced exhalation, to help manage their symptoms
what is a nebulizer?
a medical device that creates a mist for delivering respiratory medication
what is a bronchodilator?
a drug that relaxes bronchial muscle resulting in expansion of the bronchial air passages, used in conditions like asthma
what is bronchitis?
inflammation of the bronchial tubes, often resulting from infection or environmental factors like smoking
what is chronic bronchitis?
a form of bronchitis characterized by chronic cough and mucus production for at least three months in two consecutive years
what is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?
a group of lung diseases that block airflow and make it difficult to breathe
what is emphysema?
a chronic respiratory disease where there is overinflation of the air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs, leading to a decrease in lung function and breathlessness
what is cyanosis?
a bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes resulting from poor circulation or inadequate oxygenation of the blood
what is cystic fibrosis?
a genetic disorder affecting the lungs and digestive system, characterized by thick, sticky mucus that can clog airways and lead to respiratory and digestive problems
what is influenza?
a highly contagious viral infection affecting the respiratory tract, commonly referred to as the flu, with symptoms like fever, cough, sore throat, and muscle aches
what is cancer?
a disease in which abnormal cells divide uncontrollably and destroy body tissue
what is lung cancer?
a type of cancer that begins in the lungs and may spread to lymph nodes or other organs in the body
what is metastases?
the spread of cancer from one part of the body to another
what is hemoptysis?
coughing up blood from the respiratory tract
what are chest x-rays (CXR)?
an imaging test that uses small amounts of radiation to produce pictures of the organs, bones, and tissues in the chest area; also called radiographs
what are radiographs?
images produced on a sensitive plate or film by X-rays, gamma rays, or similar radiation, and used in medical examinations
what is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)?
a sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing or periods of shallow breathing during sleep
what are continuous positive airway pressure devices (CPAP)?
a type of therapy used in sleep apnea, in which air is supplied through a mask to keep airways open during sleep
what is pneumonia?
an infection of the alveoli of the lungs caused by microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, or fungi that can cause mild to severe illness in people of all ages
what is aspiration pneumonia?
pneumonia that occurs when food or liquid is breathed into the airways or lungs, instead of being swallowed
what is community-aquired pneumonia?
pneumonia that is diagnosed in someone in the community (not a hospital)
what is healthcare-associated pneumonia?
pneumonia that is diagnosed in someone during or following a stay in a healthcare setting
what is ventilator-associated pneumonia?
pneumonia that is diagnosed in someone who has been on a ventilator
what is pulmonary embolism (PE)?
a blood clot or other substance, such as fat or an air bubble, that has traveled through the bloodstream and lodged in a smaller vessel within the pulmonary circulation in the lungs and obstructed blood flow
what is respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)?
a very common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms
what is bronchiolitis
inflammation of the small airways in the lungs
what is tuberculosis?
a serious infectious disease that mainly affects the lungs, caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis
what is an arterial blood gas?
a measurement of dissolved oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in blood taken from an artery
what is a bronchoscope?
a medical instrument with a light and a camera used for examining the inside of the trachea, bronchi, tubes
what is a bronchoscopy?
a procedure that allows a doctor to look at the airway through a thin viewing instrument called a bronchoscope
what is bronchial washing?
a procedure during a bronchoscopy where saline is squirted into a part of the lung and then recollected for examination; it is used to collect cells from the bronchial tubes
what is a computed tomography scan (CT)?
a medical imaging technique used to create detailed images of internal body structures, particularly useful for diagnosing diseases or conditions in the lungs and other thoracic structures
what is a CT-guided needle biopsy?
a procedure where a needle biopsy is performed with the guidance of computed tomography (CT) imaging to obtain a tissue sample from the lung or other internal organs
what is an endotracheal tube?
a flexible plastic tube that is put in the mouth and then down into the trachea to help a patient breathe
what is magnetic response imaging (MRI)
a medical imaging technique used in radiology to form pictures of the anatomy and the physiological processes of the body
what is a mechanical ventilator?
a machin that provides respiratory support for patients who are unable to breathe effectively on their own
what is a needle biopsy?
a procedure to obtain a sample of cells from the body for laboratory testing, often used to diagnose diseases such as cancer
what is a dine needle aspiration biopsy (FNA)?
a diagnostic procedure used to investigate lumps or masses. In this technique, a thin needle is used to extract sample cells from the body
what does aspirate mean?
withdraw cells and small fragments of tissue
what is a peak flow meter?
a small, hand-held device used to measure the ability to push air out of the lungs
what is a positron emission tomography scan (PET)?
a diagnostic imaging test using a radioactive substance to look for disease in the body, often used for detecting cancer
what is a pulmonary function test (PFT)?
a group of tests that measure how well the lungs take in and release air and how well they move gasses such as oxygen from the atmosphere into the body’s circulation
what is a spirometry?
a common office test used to assess how well the lungs work by measuring how much air is inhaled, how much is exhaled, and how quickly it is exhaled
what is a sputum culture?
a test to detect and identify bacteria or fungi that are infecting the lungs or breathing passages
what is a thoracentesis?
a procedure to remove fluid from the space between the lining of the outside of the lungs (pleura) and the wall of the chest cavity
what is a tracheostomy?
a surgical procedure to create an opening through the neck into the trachea (windpipe) to allow direct access to the breathing tube
what is bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP)?
a form of noninvasive ventilation that provides two levels of air pressure, one for inhalation and a lower one for exhalation, used in treatment of sleep apnea and other respiratory problems
what is a nasal cannula?
a device used to deliver supplemental oxygen or increased airflow to a patient in need of respiratory help
what is a pulse oximeter?
a small, clip-like device that attaches to a body part, like toes or an earlobe, but most commonly to a finger, to a measure the oxygen, saturation of arterial blood
