respiratory system Flashcards
Lymphatic tissue between the back of the nasal cavity and the pharynx.
adenoid
Inflammation of the adenoids.
adenoiditis
A condition in which the immune system reacts abnormally to a foreign substance.
allergies
Pertaining to the alveoli, the small air sacs in the lungs responsible for gas exchange
alveolar
Tiny air sacs in the lungs where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place.
alveoli
A severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction
anaphylaxis
Absence of breathing
apnea
A test that measures the amounts of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood from an artery. It is used to check how well the lungs are able to move oxygen into the blood and remove carbon dioxide from the blood.
arterial blood gas
A condition arising when the body is deprived of oxygen, causing unconsciousness or death; suffocation.
asphyxia
To draw in or out using a sucking motion, typically refers to the process of drawing fluid or tissue samples from the body.
aspirate
The inhalation of food, liquid, or other material into the respiratory tract.
aspiration
A condition in which a person’s airways become inflamed, narrow, and swell, producing extra mucus, which makes it difficult to breathe
asthma
Episodes of severe asthma symptoms, such as coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath
asthma attacks
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.
atelectasis
A form of noninvasive ventilation that provides two levels of air pressure, one for inhalation and a lower one for exhalation, used in the treatment of sleep apnea and other respiratory problems.
bilevel positive airway pressure
Abnormally slow breathing
bradypnea
The main passageways into the lungs.
bronchi
A procedure during bronchoscopy where saline is squirted into a part of the lung and then recollected for examination. It’s used to collect cells from the bronchial tubes.
bronchial washing
Small branches of the bronchi that lead to the alveoli in the lungs.
bronchioles
An inflammation of the small airways in the lungs, known as bronchioles, usually due to a viral infection. It is most common in infants and young children, particularly during the winter months, and can cause symptoms like wheezing, coughing, and difficulty breathing.
bronchiolitis
Inflammation of the bronchial tubes, often resulting from infection or environmental factors like smoking
bronchitis
A drug that relaxes bronchial muscle resulting in expansion of the bronchial air passages, used in conditions like asthma
bronchodilator
A medical instrument with a light and camera used for examining the inside of the trachea, bronchi, and lungs.
bronchoscope
A procedure that allows a doctor to look at the airway through a thin viewing instrument called a bronchoscope.
bronchoscopy
The sudden constriction of the muscles in the bronchial walls
bronchospasm
A disease in which abnormal cells divide uncontrollably and destroy body tissue.
cancer
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.
chest x rays
A form of bronchitis characterized by chronic cough and mucus production for at least three months in two consecutive years. (
chronic bronchitis
A group of lung diseases that block airflow and make it difficult to breathe.
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
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.
computed tomography scan (CT)
A type of therapy used in sleep apnea, in which air is supplied through a mask to keep airways open during sleep.
continuous positive airway pressure device (CPAP)
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.
CT guided needle biopsy
A bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes resulting from poor circulation or inadequate oxygenation of the blood.
cyanosis
Pertaining to cyanosis; a bluish or purplish discoloration of the skin due to deficient oxygenation of the blood.
cyanotic
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.
cystic fibrosis
Difficulty in speaking due to a problem with the voice.
dysphonia
Difficulty or discomfort in breathing; shortness of breath.
dyspnea
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.
emphysema
A flexible plastic tube that is put in the mouth and then down into the trachea to help a patient breathe.
endotracheal tube
A flap of tissue that covers the trachea during swallowing to prevent aspiration.
epiglottis
Bleeding from the nose; also called rhinorrhagia.
epistaxis
Episodes where symptoms of a disease become worse or more severe.
exacerbations
The process of breathing out air.
exhalation
A diagnostic procedure used to investigate lumps or masses. In this technique, a thin needle is used to extract sample cells from the body.
fine needle aspiration biopsy
The process in the lungs where oxygen is taken up by the blood and carbon dioxide is released from the blood.
gas exchange
A protein in 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.
hemoglobin
Coughing up blood from the respiratory tract.
hemoptysis
Excess carbon dioxide in the bloodstream, typically caused by inadequate respiration.
hypercapnia
Excessively deep or rapid breathing; forced breathing
hyperpnea
Breathing that is deeper and more rapid than normal
hyperventilation
Deficient shallow or slow breathing
hypopnea
Reduced rate and/or depth of air movement into the lungs, leading to increased carbon dioxide levels in the blood.
hypoventilation
Low levels of oxygen in the blood.
hypoxemia
A condition in which the body or a region of the body is deprived of adequate oxygen supply at the tissue level.
hypoxia
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.
influenza
The process of breathing in air.
inhalation
: Breathing that requires more effort than normal; often a sign of distress or illness. (
labored breathing
Inflammation of the larynx, typically resulting in huskiness or loss of voice.
laryngitis
The organ forming an air passage to the lungs and holding the vocal cords; the voice box. (
larynx
Surgical removal of a lobe of an organ, such as a lobe of the lung.
lobectomy
Divisions of the lungs; the right lung has three lobes, and the left lung has two.
lobes
A type of cancer that begins in the lungs and may spread to lymph nodes or other organs in the body.
lung cancer
The main organs of the respiratory system, responsible for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
lungs
A medical imaging technique used in radiology to form pictures of the anatomy and the physiological processes of the body.
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
A machine that provides respiratory support for patients who are unable to breathe effectively on their own.
mechanical ventilator
The spread of cancer from one part of the body to another.
metastases
A slippery secretion produced by, and covering, mucous membranes for lubrication and protection.
mucus
A device used to deliver supplemental oxygen or increased airflow to a patient in need of respiratory help
nasal cannula
A device for converting a drug into mist and delivering it to the lungs, often used in treating asthma and other respiratory conditions.
nebulizer
A procedure to obtain a sample of cells from the body for laboratory testing, often used to diagnose diseases such as cancer.
needle biopsy
A sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing or periods of shallow breathing during sleep.
obstructive sleep apnea
A small, hand-held device used to measure the ability to push air out of the lungs.
peak flow meter
The passage of fluid through the circulatory system or lymphatic system to an organ or a tissue.
perfusion
Inflammation of the pharynx, often resulting in a sore throat.
pharyngitis
Commonly known as the throat; a part of the neck and throat that is situated posteriorly to the mouth and nasal cavity and cranially to the esophagus and larynx.
pharynx
A condition where fluid accumulates in the pleural space, the area between the layers of tissue that line the lungs and chest cavity.
pleural effusion
An abnormal lung sound that is caused by inflammation of the pleura membranes that results in friction as the surfaces rub against each other.
pleural rub
An infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs, which may fill with fluid or pus.
pneumonia
A diagnostic imaging test using a radioactive substance to look for disease in the body, often used for detecting cancer.
positron emission tomography scan
Itching or an uncomfortable irritation of the skin.
pruritus
The arteries carrying blood from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs for oxygenation.
pulmonary arteries
The part of the circulatory system which carries blood from the heart to the lungs and back to the heart.
pulmonary circulation
Fluid accumulation in the alveoli of the lungs, often caused by heart or kidney failure.
pulmonary edema
A blockage in one of the pulmonary arteries in the lungs, usually caused by blood clots that travel to the lungs from the legs or other parts of the body
pulmonary embolism
A group of tests that measure how well the lungs take in and release air and how well they move gases such as oxygen from the atmosphere into the body’s circulation.
pulmonary function tests
A physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders related to the respiratory system.
pulmonologist
A small, clip-like device that attaches to a body part, like toes or an earlobe, but most commonly to a finger, to measure the oxygen saturation of arterial blood.
pulse oximeter
Images produced on a sensitive plate or film by X-rays, gamma rays, or similar radiation, and used in medical examinations.
radiographs
An abnormal lung sound, also called fine crackles, that sound like popping or crackling sounds on inspiration. Rales are associated with medical conditions that cause fluid accumulation within the alveolar and interstitial spaces, such as heart failure or pneumonia.
rales
The process of inhaling oxygen from the air and exhaling carbon dioxide out of the body. It is a vital function for the survival of humans and many other organisms, facilitating the exchange of gases in the lungs and tissues.
respiration
The number of breaths a person takes per minute.
respiratory rate
A common and highly contagious virus that causes infections of the respiratory tract. It can lead to mild, cold-like symptoms in adults and older children but can be severe in infants, young children, and older adults, especially those with underlying health conditions.
respiratory syncytial virus
Health care professionals who specialize in providing care for patients with breathing or other cardiopulmonary disorders.
respiratory therapists
Inflammation of the nasal mucosa.
rhinitis
Bleeding from the nose, also known as epistaxis.
rhinorrhagia
Excess mucous production by the nasal cavities, commonly referred to as a “runny nose.”
rhinorrhea
An abnormal lung sounds, also referred to as coarse crackles, that are are low-pitched, continuous sounds heard on expiration that are a sign of turbulent airflow through mucus in the large airways
rhonchi
The structure separating the left and right airways in the nose, dividing the two nostrils.
septum
Inflammation of the sinus cavities.
sinusitis
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.
spirometry
Mucous secretions from the respiratory tract that can be expelled through the mouth.
sputum
A test to detect and identify bacteria or fungi that are infecting the lungs or breathing passages.
sputum culture
A medical instrument used for listening to the internal sounds of an organism, typically used for heart and lung sounds.
stethoscope
An abnormal lungs sound heard during inspiration that is associated with obstruction of the trachea/upper airway.
stridor
A substance that reduces the surface tension of fluid in the lungs and helps make the alveoli more stable.
surfactant
Rapid breathing.
tachypnea
A procedure to remove fluid from the space between the lining of the outside of the lungs (pleura) and the wall of the chest.
thoracentesis
The area of the body located between the neck and the diaphragm, housing the lungs and heart.
thoracic cavity
A surgeon who specializes in surgical procedures of the chest, including the heart, lungs, esophagus, and other organs in the chest.
thoracic surgeon
Inflammation of the tonsils
tonsillitis
The windpipe; a tube that connects the larynx to the bronchi, providing a pathway for air to enter the lungs.
trachea
A surgical procedure to create an opening through the neck into the trachea (windpipe) to allow direct access to the breathing tube
tracheostomy
A serious infectious disease that mainly affects the lungs, caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
tuberculosis
A viral infection of one or more structures of the upper respiratory system, including the nose, nasal cavities, sinuses, pharynx, and larynx
upper respiratory infection
(URI)
The movement of air in and out of the lungs.
ventilation
A high-pitched whistling sound made while breathing, typically heard when exhaling, often associated with asthma or lung diseases.
wheezing
