Respiratory System Flashcards
respiratory system
supplies the blood with oxygen for transportation to the cells in all arts of the body
removes carbon dioxide and some water waste
upper respiratory tract
consists of nose, mouth, pharynx, epiglottis, larynx and trachea
lower respiratory tract
brachial tree and lungs
nasal septum
wall of cartilage that divides the nose into 2 equal sections
cilia
thin hairs located inside nostrils to filter incoming air and remove debris
olfactory receptors
nerve endings that act as the receptors for sense of smell
paranasal sinuses
air filled cavities lines with mucous membranes that 1.make the skull lighter
- help produce sound by giving resonance to voice
- produce mucus to lubricate the nasal cavity
frontal sinuses
in frontal bone above eyebrows
sphenoid sinuses
in the sphenoid bone behind eye and under pituitary gland - close to optic nerve
maxillary sinuses
largest sinuses, in the maxillary bones under eyes
ethmoid sinuses
irregular shaped air cells between nose and eyes
pharynx
throat - has 3 divisions; nasopharynx, oropharynx, laryngopharynx
nasopharynx
posterior to the nasal vanity and continues downward to behind mouth - used only by respiratory system
oropharynx
visible when looking into mouth and transports air, food, and fluids to the laryngopharynx
laryngopharynx
food/fluid go to openings of esophagus and air to trachea
larynx
triangular chamber located between pharynx and the trachea
AKA voice box
epiglottis
lid-like structure at the base of the tongue closes off the laryngopharynx so food doesn’t enter trachea and lungs
trachea
used to transport air to and from the lungs
AKA windpipe
bronchi
2 large tubes that branch out from the trachea and convey air into the lungs
bronchioles
smaller branches of the bronchi
alveoli
very small, grape like clusters found at the end of each bronchiole and are where the exchange of oxygen and CO2
AKA air sacs
lungs
essential organs for respiration are divided into lobes
right lung
larger and has 3 lobes
left lung
2 lobes because heart is on that side of body
mediastinum
middle section of chest between lungs and contains, heart with its veins and arteries, the esophagus, trachea, bronchi, thymus gland and lymph nodes
pleura
thin, moist and slippery membrane that covers the outer surfaces of the lungs and lines the inner surface of thoracic cavity
parietal pleura
outer layer of the pleura. lines walls of thoracic cavity, covers the diaphragm and forms the sac containing each lung
visceral pleura
inner layer of pleura - attached directly to each lung
pleura cavity
thin, fluid-filled space between the parietal and visceral pleura membranes that act as lubricant to allow membranes to slid over each other during respiration
diaphragm
dome shaped sheet of muscle that separates the thoracic cavity from the abdomen - the contraction and relaxation of this muscle makes breathing possible
phrenic nerves
stimulate diaphragm to cause to contract
respiration
AKA breathing
exchange of oxygen for CO2
inhalation
act of taking in air as the diaphragm contacts and pulls downward, expanding thoracic cavity
exhalation
act of breathing out as diaphragm relaxes and thoracic cavity becomes narrower
external respiration
act of bringing air in and out of the lungs form the outside environment
internal repsiration
exchange of gases within the cells of the blood and tissue
thoracic surgeon
operates on organs inside the thorax, including lungs, heart and esophagus
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
COPD
ground of lung diseases in which the bronchial airflow is obstructed, making it difficult to breathe out.
chronic bronchitis
disease in which at the airways have become inflamed due to recurrent exposure to an inhaled irritant, usually cigarette smoke. Causes excessive mucus and thickening of the walls of the air passages, ->chronic coughing, difficulty getting air in and out and increase risk of bacterial infections
emphysema
progressive, long term loss of lung function usually due to smoking. Decrease in total number of alveoli, enlargement of remaining alveoli and progressive destruction of alveoli
asthma
chronic inflammatory disease of the bronchial tubes, often triggered by an allergic reaction
airway inflammation
swelling and clogging of the bronchial tubes with mucus, usually from inhaled allergens
bronchospasm
contraction of the smooth muscles in the wall of the bronchi and bronchioles, tightening and squeezing the airway shut
upper respiratory infections
used to describe anyone of 200 different viruses
AKA common cold
allergic rhinitis
AKA allergy
allergic reaction to airborne alleges that cause an increased flow of mucus
croup
acute respiratory infection in kids and babies characterized by obstruction of the larynx, hoarseness, and swelling around the vocal cords resulting in a barking cough
diphtheria
acute bacterial infection of the throat and upper respiratory tract that produces toxins that damage heart and surrounding nerves
epistaxis
bleeding from nose cause by dry air, injury, meds
pertussis
AKA whooping cough
contagious bacterial infection of upper respiratory tract characterized by recurrent bouts of a sudden spasm of coughs followed by breathlessness and noisy inspiration
rhinorrhea
runny nose
sinusitis
inflammation of the sinuses
pharyngitis
AKA sore throat
inflammation of the pharynx
laryngospasm
sudden spasmodic closure of the larynx
aphonia
loss of the ability of the larynx to produce normal speech sounds
dysphonia
difficulty in speaking, including hoarseness, any impairment in vocal quality, weakness or voice cracking
laryngitis
inflammation of the larynx - also used to describe voice loss due to this inflammation
tracheorrhagia
bleeding form the mucous membranes of the trachea
bronchiectasis
permanent dilation of the bronchi, caused by chronic infection and inflammation
bronchorrhea
excessive discharge of mucus from the bronchi, often caused by asthma or chronic bronchitis
pleurisy
inflammation of the pleura, AKA pleuritis
pleurodynia
sharp pain then inflamed membranes rub against each other during inhalation
pleural effusion
excess accumulation of fluid in the pleural space and causes a feeling of breathlessness because it prevent the lung from fully expanding
pyothorax
presence of pus in pleural cavity
empyema
a collection of pus in a body cavity
hemothorax
collection of blood in the pleural cavity
pneumothorax
accumulation of air in the pleural cavity resulting in a pressure imbalance that causes the lung to fully or partially collapse
acute respiratory distress syndrome
lung condition in which inflammation in the lungs and fluid in the alveoli lead to low levels of oxygen in blood
atelectasis
AKA collapsed lung
incomplete expansion of part or all of a lung due to a blockage of the air passages or pneumothorax
pulmonary edema
accumulation of fluid in lung tissue, especially alveoli
pulmonary embolism
sudden blockage of a pulmonary artery after by foreign matter or by an embolus that has formed in the leg or pelvic region
pneumorrhaia
bleeding from the lungs
tuberculosis
infectious disease that attacks the lungs - pleurisy and coughing up blood can be symptoms
pneumonia
inflammation of lungs in which the alveoli and air passages fill with pus and other fluids
bronchopneumonia
localized form of pneumonia that often affects the bronchioles
lobar pneumonia
affects larger areas of the lungs often including one of more of the lobes
aspirational pneumonia
occur when a foreign substance like vomit is inhaled
community-acquired pneumonia
any pneumonia that results from contagious infection outside a hospital or clinic
walking pneumonia
milder but longer lasting pneumonia caused by bacteria
pneumocystis pneumonia
caused by an opportunistic infection by a yeast like fungus
interstitial lung disease
~200 disorders that cause inflammation and scarring of the alveoli and supporting structures
pulmonary fibrosis
progressive formation of scar tissue in the lung, resulting in decreased lung capacity and increased difficulty in breathing
pneumoconiosis
any fibrosis (condition in which normal tissue is replace with hardened tissue) of the lung tissues caused by dust in lungs after prolonged environmental or occupational contact
asbestosis
caused by asbestos particles in the lungs
silicosis
caused by inhaling silica dust
cystic fibrosis
genetic disorder in which lungs and pancreas are clogged with large amounts of thick mucus resulting in damage to lungs, poor growth and nutritional deficiencies
eupnea
easy or normal breathing
apnea
temporary absence of spontaneous breathing
bradypnea
abnormally slow rate of respiration, usually leads than 10 breaths per min
Cheyne-Stokes respiration
irregular pattern of breathing characterized by alternating rapid or shallow respiration followed by slower respiration or apnea
tachypnea
abnormally rapid rate of respiration, usually more than 20 breaths/min
dyspnea
difficult or labored breathing
hyperpnea
breathing that is deeper and more rapid than normal, usually from exertion
hypopnea
shallow or slow respiration
hyperventilation
abnormally rapid rate of deep respiration usually associated with anxiety
hemoptysis
the expectoration of blood or blood stained sputum from the lungs or bronchial tubes as a results of a pulmonary or bronchial hemorrhage
anoxia
absence if oxygen from the body’s tissues and organs even though there is adequate flow of blood
hypoxia
having deficient levels of oxygen in tissues and organs but less severe than anoxia
asphyxia
loss of consciousness then body can’t get enough oxygen to function
cyanosis
bluish discoloration of skin and mucous membranes caused by lack of enough oxygen in blood
hypercapnia
buildup of CO2 in blood
hypoxemia
having low oxygen levels in blood, usually due to respiratory or heart disorders
peak flow meter
handheld device asthma patients use to measure air flowing out of the lungs, showing any narrowing of the airway in advance of an attack
polysomnography
AKA sleep study
spirometer
recording device that measure amount of air inhaled or exhaled and the length of time required for each
pulse oximeter
external monitor placed on the patient’s fingertip or earlobe to measure the oxygen saturation level in blood
sputum
phlegm ejected through mouth
tuberculin skin testing
screening test for tuberculosis - very small amount of PPD tuberculin is injected just under skin and checked for reaction 48-72 hours later
antitussive
cough medicine
bronchodilator
inhaled medicine that relaxed and expands the bronchial passages into the lungs - used often by asthma pts
metered-dose inhaler
gives a specific amount of meds like bronchodilator in aerosol form
nebulizer
electronic device that pumps air or oxygen through liquid meds to turn it into mist, then inhaled by pt
endotracheal intubation
passage of a tube through the mouth in to the trachea to establish or maintain an open airway, esp when pt is on ventilator
functional endoscopic sinus surgery
sx using an endoscope in which chronic sinusitis is treated by enlarging the opening between the nose and sinus
laryngotomy
surgical incision into larynx when the upper part of the airway is obstructed
septoplasty
surgical repair or alteration of parts of the nasal septum
tracheostomy
surgical creation of a stoma into the trachea to insert a temporary or permanent breathing tube
tracheotomy
incision is made into the trachea to gain access to airway below a blockage
pneumonectomy
surgical removal of all or part of lung
lobectomy
surgical removal of a love of an organ, usually lungs, brain, or liver
Wedge resection
sx in which a small wedge shaped piece of cancerous lung tissue is removed, along with a margin of healthy tissue
thoracentesis
surgical puncture of the chest wall with a needle to obtain fluid from the pleura cavity - removed fluid or air
thoracotomy
surgical incision into chest walls to open pleural cavity for biopsy or tx
diaphragmatic breathing
relaxation technique used to relieve anxiety
CPAP machine
noninvasive ventilation device used in tx of sleep apnea. Face mask uses constant sir pressure in nasal passage, holding airways open
BiPAP machine
like CPAP machine but can be set to high level for inhalation and lower pressure of exhaling
Ambu bag
flexible air chamber is squeezed to force air through face mask into lungs
“bagging”
