Pathology of the Respiratory System

Question 1

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Answer 1

A group of lung diseases in which the bronchial airflow is obstructed, making it difficult to breathe out. COPD, which is most often caused by long-term smoking, is generally permanent and progressive. Most people with COPD suffer from two related conditions: chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

Question 2

Chronic bronchitis

Answer 2

A disease in which the airways have become inflamed due to recurrent exposure to an inhaled irritant, usually cigarette smoke. An increase in the number and size of mucus-producing cells results in excessive mucus production and thickening of the walls of the air passages. This causes chronic coughing, difficulty getting air in and out of the lungs, and increased risk of bacterial lung infections.

Question 3

Emphysema

Answer 3

The progressive, long-term loss of lung function, usually due to smoking. Emphysema is characterized by a decrease in the total number of alveoli, enlargement of the remaining alveoli, and the progressive destruction of the walls of these remaining alveoli. As the alveoli are destroyed, breathing becomes increasingly rapid, shallow, and difficult. In an effort to compensate for the loss of capacity, the lungs chronically overinflate, and the rib cage stays partially expanded all the time, resulting in a slightly rounded shape called a barrel chest.

Question 4

Asthma

Answer 4

A chronic inflammatory disease of the bronchial tubes, often triggered by an allergic reaction. An asthma attack is characterized by episodes of severe breathing difficulty, coughing, and wheezing.

Question 5

Airway inflammation

Answer 5

The swelling and clogging of the bronchial tubes with mucus. This usually occurs after the airway has been exposed to inhaled allergens.

Question 6

Bronchospasm

Answer 6

A contraction of the smooth muscle in the walls of the bronchi and bronchioles, tightening and squeezing the airway shut

Question 7

Exercise-induced asthma

Answer 7

The narrowing of the airways that develops after 5 to 15 minutes of physical exertion.

Question 8

Upper respiratory infections (URI), acute nasopharyngitis

Answer 8

The terms used to describe the common cold. An upper respiratory infection can be caused by any one of 200 different viruses, the most common of which is the human rhinovirus.

Question 9

Allergic rhinitis, “allergy”

Answer 9

An allergic reaction to airborne allergens that causes an increased flow of mucus. Nonallergic rhinitis is an inflammation of the lining of the nose caused by something other than an allergen, such as cold air, spicy food, or medication.

Question 10

Croup

Answer 10

An acute respiratory infection in children and infants characterized by obstruction of the larynx, hoarseness, and swelling around the vocal cords resulting in a barking cough and stridor. Stridor is a harsh, high-pitched sound caused by a blockage present when breathing in.

Question 11

Diptheria

Answer 11

An acute bacterial infection of the throat and upper respiratory tract. The diphtheria bacteria produce toxins that can damage the heart muscle and peripheral nerves. Through immunization, the disease is now largely prevented.

Question 12

Epistaxis (nosebleed)

Answer 12

Bleeding from the nose that may be caused by dry air, injury, medication to prevent blood clotting, or high blood pressure.

Question 13

Influenza

Answer 13

An acute, highly contagious viral infection characterized by respiratory inflammation, fever, chills, and muscle pain. Influenza is spread by respiratory droplets and occurs most commonly in epidemics during the colder months. There are many strains of the influenza virus. Some strains can be prevented by annual immunization.

Question 14

Pertussis (“whooping cough”)

Answer 14

A contagious bacterial infection of the upper respiratory tract that is characterized by recurrent bouts of a paroxysmal cough, followed by breathlessness and a noisy inspiration. Paroxysmal means sudden or spasmlike. Childhood immunization against diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus are given together (DPT); however, the incidence of pertussis is on the rise.

Question 15

Rhinorrhea

Answer 15

Runny nose; watery mucus coming out of the nose.

Question 16

Sinusitis

Answer 16

Inflammation of the sinuses

Question 17

Pharyngitis (sore throat)

Answer 17

An inflammation of the pharynx. It is often a symptom of a cold, flu, or sinus infection. Pharyngitis caused by the bacteria Streptococcus is commonly referred to as strep throat.

Question 18

Laryngospasm

Answer 18

The sudden spasmodic closure of the larynx. It is sometimes associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Question 19

Aphonia

Answer 19

The loss of the ability of the larynx to produce normal speech sounds

Question 20

Dysphonia

Answer 20

Difficulty in speaking, which may include any impairment in vocal quality, including hoarseness, weakness, or the cracking of a boy’s voice during puberty

Question 21

Laryngitis

Answer 21

An inflammation of the larynx. This term is also commonly used to describe voice loss that is caused by this inflammation.

Question 22

Tracheorrhagia

Answer 22

Bleeding of the mucous membranes of the trachea.

Question 23

Bronchiectasis

Answer 23

The permanent dilation of the bronchi, caused by chronic infection and inflammation.

Question 24

Bronchorrhea

Answer 24

An excessive discharge of mucus from the bronchi.

Question 25

Pleurisy/pleuritis

Answer 25

An inflammation of the pleura, the membranes that cover the lungs and line the pleural cavity. Pleurisy, which causes pleurodynia, may result from trauma, tuberculosis, connective tissue disease, or an infection.

Question 26

Pleurdynia

Answer 26

A sharp pain that occurs when the inflamed membranes rub against each other with each inhalation

Question 27

Pleural effusion

Answer 27

The excess accumulation of fluid in the pleural space. This produces a feeling of breathlessness because it prevents the lung from fully expanding. Effusion is the escape of fluid from blood or lymphatic vessels into the tissues or into a body cavity

Question 28

Pyothorax/empyema of the pleural cavity

Answer 28

The presence of pus in the pleural cavity between the layers of the pleural membrane

Question 29

Empyema

Answer 29

A collection of pus in a body cavity.

Question 30

Hemothorax

Answer 30

A collection of blood in the pleural cavity. This condition often results from chest trauma, such as a stab wound, or it can be caused by disease or surgery.

Question 31

Pneumothorax

Answer 31

The accumulation of air in the pleural space resulting in a pressure imbalance that causes the lung to fully or partially collapse. This can have an external cause, such as a stab wound through the chest wall, or it can occur when there is a lung-disease-related rupture in the pleura that allows air to leak into the pleural space.

Question 32

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)

Answer 32

A lung condition usually caused by trauma, pneumonia, smoke or fumes, inhaled vomit, or sepsis. ARDS is a life-threatening condition in which inflammation in the lungs and fluid in the alveoli lead to low levels of oxygen in the blood.

Question 33

Atelectasis, (“collapsed lung”)

Answer 33

The incomplete expansion of part or all of a lung due to a blockage of the air passages or pneumothorax

Question 34

Pulmonary edema

Answer 34

an accumulation of fluid in lung tissues, especially the alveoli. Edema means swelling. Pulmonary edema is often a symptom of heart failure.

Question 35

Pulmonary embolism

Answer 35

The sudden blockage of a pulmonary artery by foreign matter or by an embolus that has formed in the leg or pelvic region.

Question 36

Pneumorrhagia

Answer 36

Bleeding from the lungs

Question 37

Tuberculosis (TB)

Answer 37

An infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, usually attacks the lungs; however, it can also affect other parts of the body. Pleurisy and coughing up blood (hemoptysis) can be symptoms of TB in the lungs. It often occurs in people who are immunocompromised.

Question 38

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis

Answer 38

A dangerous form of the disease that can occur when the prescribed drug regimen is not strictly followed, rendering the treatment insufficient to destroy all the bacteria.

Question 39

Pneumonia

Answer 39

A serious inflammation of the lungs in which the alveoli and air passages fill with pus and other fluids. Pneumonia is most commonly caused by an infection and often follows a cold, flu, chronic illness, or other condition, especially in the elderly, that weakens the immune system and its ability to stave off infection.

Question 40

Bronchopneumonia

Answer 40

A localized form of pneumonia that often affects the bronchioles. It often leads to lobar pneumonia.

Question 41

Lobar pneumonia

Answer 41

Affects larger areas of the lungs, often including one or more sections, or lobes, of a lung. Double pneumonia is lobar pneumonia involving both lungs and is usually a form of bacterial pneumonia.

Question 42

Aspiration pneumonia

Answer 42

Can occur when a foreign substance, such as vomit, is inhaled into the lungs.

Question 43

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP)

Answer 43

any pneumonia that results from contagious infection outside of a hospital or clinic. CAP may be bacterial pneumonia or be caused by a virus or fungi. This is the most common form of pneumonia, and it can affect people of all ages.

Question 44

Walking pneumonia/ myocoplasma pneumonia

Answer 44

A milder but longer-lasting form of the disease caused by the bacteria Mycoplasma pneumoniae. It gets its name from the fact that the patient is often not bedridden.

Question 45

Pneymocystis pneumonia

Answer 45

An opportunistic infection caused by the yeast-like fungus Pneumocystis carinii.

Question 46

Viral pneumonia

Answer 46

Can be caused by several different types of viruses, accounts for approximately a third of all pneumonias.

Question 47

Interstitial lung disease

Answer 47

Refers to a group of almost 200 disorders that cause inflammation and scarring of the alveoli and their supporting structures. Interstitial means relating to spaces within or around a tissue or an organ. In these lung conditions the tissue around the alveoli becomes scarred or stiff, leading to a reduction of oxygen being transferred to the blood.

Question 48

Pulmonary fibrosis/interstitial fibrosis

Answer 48

The progressive formation of scar tissue in the lung, resulting in decreased lung capacity and increased difficulty in breathing. Fibrosis is a condition in which normal tissue is replaced by fibrotic (hardened) tissue.

Question 49

Pneumoconiosis

Answer 49

Any fibrosis of the lung tissues caused by dust in the lungs after prolonged environmental or occupational contact

Question 50

Abestosis

Answer 50

Caused by asbestos particles in the lungs and usually occurs after working with asbestos

Question 51

Silicosis

Answer 51

Caused by inhaling silica dust in the lungs and usually occurs after working in occupations including foundry work, quarrying, ceramics, glasswork, and sandblasting

Question 52

Cystic fibrosis

Answer 52

A life-threatening genetic disorder in which the lungs and pancreas are clogged with large quantities of abnormally thick mucus. This results in damage to the lungs, poor growth, and nutritional deficiencies. Common symptoms of cystic fibrosis include wheezing and persistent cough.

Question 53

Eupnea

Answer 53

Baseline or normal breathing

Question 54

Apnea

Answer 54

The temporary absence of spontaneous respiration

Question 55

Bradypnea

Answer 55

Abnormally slow rate of respiration, usually of less than 10 breaths per minute

Question 56

Cheyne-Stokes respiration

Answer 56

An irregular pattern of breathing characterized by alternating rapid or shallow respiration followed by slower respiration or apnea. This sometimes appears in comatose patients or those close to death.

Question 57

Tachypnea

Answer 57

Abnormally rapid rate of respiration, usually of more than 20 breaths per minute

Question 58

Dyspnea (shortness of breath)

Answer 58

Difficult or labored breathing. Shortness of breath is frequently one of the first symptoms of heart failure. It can also be caused by strenuous physical exertion or can be due to lung damage that produces dyspnea even at rest.

Question 59

Hyperpnea

Answer 59

Commonly associated with exertion, is breathing that is deeper and more rapid than is normal at rest. Hyperpnea may also occur at high altitude or be caused by anemia or sepsis.

Question 60

Hypopnea

Answer 60

Shallow or slow respiration.

Question 61

Expectoration

Answer 61

The act of coughing up and spitting out saliva, mucus, or other body fluid

Question 62

Hemoptysis

Answer 62

The expectoration of blood or blood-stained sputum derived from the lungs or bronchial tubes as the result of a pulmonary or bronchial hemorrhage.

Question 63

Anoxia

Answer 63

The absence of oxygen from the body’s tissues and organs even though there is an adequate flow of blood. If anoxia continues for more than 4 to 6 minutes, irreversible brain damage can occur.

Question 64

Hypoxia

Answer 64

The condition of having deficient oxygen levels in the body’s tissues and organs; however, it is less severe than anoxia. This condition can be caused by a variety of factors, including head trauma, carbon monoxide poisoning, suffocation, and high altitudes.

Question 65

Altitude hypoxia/altitude sickness

Answer 65

A condition that can be brought on by the decreased oxygen in the air at higher altitudes, usually above 8,000 feet.

Question 66

Asphyxia

Answer 66

The loss of consciousness that occurs when the body cannot get the oxygen it needs to function. Asphyxia can be caused by choking, suffocation, drowning, or inhaling gases such as carbon monoxide.

Question 67

Asphyxiation

Answer 67

A state of asphyxia or suffocation. In this life-threatening condition, oxygen levels in the blood drop quickly, carbon dioxide levels rise, and unless the patient’s breathing is restored within a few minutes, death or serious brain damage follows.

Question 68

Cyanosis

Answer 68

A bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes caused by a lack of adequate oxygen in the blood

Question 69

Hypercapnia

Answer 69

The abnormal buildup of carbon dioxide in the blood

Question 70

Hypoxemia

Answer 70

The condition of having low oxygen levels in the blood, usually due to respiratory disorders or heart conditions

Question 71

Respiratory failure/respiratory acidosis

Answer 71

A condition in which the level of oxygen in the blood becomes dangerously low (hypoxemia) or the level of carbon dioxide becomes dangerously high (hypercapnia). It is a medical emergency that can result from a chronic condition or develop suddenly.