Respiratory System Pathology Flashcards
Internal Medicine
Branch of medicine involving the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and conditions of internal organs such as the respiratory system. The physician is an ‘internist.’
Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)
Branch of medicine involving the diagnosis and treatment of conditions and diseases of the ear, nose, and throat region. The physician is an ‘otorhinolaryngologist.’ This medical specialty may also be referred to as ‘otolaryngology.’
Pulmonology
Branch of medicine involved in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the respiratory system. Physician is a ‘pulmonologist.’
Respiratory Therapy
Allied health specialty that assists patients with respiratory and cardiopulmonary disorders. Duties of a ‘respiratory therapist’ include conducting pulmonary function tests, monitoring oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood, administering breathing treatments, and ventilator management
Thoracic Surgery
Branch of medicine involving the diagnosis and treatment of conditions and diseases of the respiratory system by surgical means. Physician is a ‘thoracic surgeon.’
Anosmia
Lack of sense of smell
Anoxia
Condition of receiving almost no oxygen from inhaled air
Aphonia
Condition of being unable to produce sounds
Apnea
Not breathing
Asphyxia
Lack of oxygen that can lead to unconsciousness and death if not corrected immediately; also called ‘asphyxiation’ or ‘suffocation.’ Common causes include drowning, foreign body in the respiratory tract, poisoning, and electric shock
Aspiration
Refers to withdrawing fluid from a body cavity using suction. For example, using a long needle and syringe to withdraw fluid from the pleural cavity, or using a vacuum pump to remove phlegm from a patient’s airways. Additionally, it refers to inhaling food, liquid, or a foreign object into the airways, which may lead to the development of pneumonia
Bradypnea
Breathing too slowly; a low respiratory rate
Bronchiectasis
Dilated bronchus
Bronchospasm
Involuntary muscle spasm of the smooth muscle in the wall of the bronchus
Cheyne-Stokes Respiration
Abnormal breathing pattern in which there are long periods (10-60 seconds) of apnea followed by deeper, more rapid breathing. Named for John Cheyne, a Scottish physician, and Sir William Stokes, an Irish surgeon
Clubbing
Abnormal widening and thickening of the ends of the fingers and toes associated with chronic oxygen deficiency. Seen in patients with chronic respiratory conditions or circulatory problems
Crackles
Abnormal sound made during inspiration. Usually indicates the presence of fluid or mucus in the small airways. Also called ‘rales.’
Cyanosis
Refers to the bluish tint of skin that is receiving an insufficient amount of oxygen or circulation
Dysphonia
Condition of having difficulty producing sounds or producing abnormal sounds
Dyspnea
Term describing difficult or labored breathing
Epistaxis
Nosebleed
Eupnea
Normal breathing and respiratory rate
Hemoptysis
To cough up blood or blood-stained sputum
Hemothorax
Presence of blood in the chest cavity
Hypercapnia
Condition of having excessive carbon dioxide in the body
Hyperpnea
Taking deep breaths
Hyperventilation
Breathing both too fast (tachypnea) and too deep (hyperpnea)
Hypocapnia
An insufficient level of carbon dioxide in the body; a very serious problem because it is the presence of carbon dioxide that stimulates respiration, not the absence of oxygen. Therefore, a person with low carbon dioxide levels would respond with an increased respiratory rate
Hypopnea
Taking shallow breaths
Hypoventilation
Breathing both too slow (bradypnea) and too shallow (hypopnea)
Hypoxemia
Condition of having an insufficient amount of oxygen in the bloodstream
Hypoxia
Condition of receiving an insufficient amount of oxygen from inhaled air
Laryngoplegia
Paralysis of the muscles controlling the larynx
Orthopnea
Term describing dyspnea that is worsened by lying flat. The patient feels able to breath easier while sitting straight up; a common occurrence in those with pulmonary disease
Pansinusitis
Inflammation of all the paranasal sinuses
Patent
Open or unblocked, such as a patent airway
Phlegm
Thick mucus secreted by the membranes lining the respiratory tract. When phlegm is coughed through the mouth, it is called ‘sputum.’ Phlegm is examined for color, odor, and consistency and tested for the presence of bacteria, viruses, and fungi
Pleural Rub
Grating sound made when the two layers of the pleura rub together during respiration. It is caused when one of the surfaces becomes thicker as a result of inflammation or other disease conditions. This rub can be felt through the fingertips when placed on the chest wall or heard through a stethoscope
Pleurodynia
Pleural pain
Pyothorax
Presence of pus in the chest cavity; indicates a bacterial infection
Rhinitis
Inflammation of the nasal cavity
Rhinorrhagia
Rapid flow of blood from the nose
Rhinorrhea
Discharge from the nose; commonly called a ‘runny
nose.’
Rhonchi
Somewhat musical sound during expiration, often found in asthma or infection. Caused by spasms of the bronchial tubes. Also called ‘wheezing.’
Shortness of Breath (SOB)
Term used to indicate that a patient is having some difficulty breathing; also called ‘dyspnea.’ The causes can range from mild SOB after exercise to SOB associated with heart disease
Sputum
Mucus or phlegm coughed up from the lining of the respiratory tract
Stridor
Harsh, high-pitched, noisy breathing sound made when there is an obstruction of bronchus or larynx. Found in conditions such as croup in children
Tachypnea
Breathing fast; a high respiratory rate
Thoracalgia
Chest pain. Does not refer to angina pectoris
Tracheostenosis
Narrowing of the trachea
Croup (KROOP)
Acute respiratory condition found in infants and children characterized by a barking type of cough or stridor
Diphtheria
Bacterial upper respiratory infection characterized by the formation of a thick membranous film across the throat and a high mortality rate. Rare now due to the DPT (diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus) vaccine
Laryngitis
Inflammation of the larynx
Nasopharyngitis
Inflammation of the nasal cavity and pharynx; commonly called the ‘common cold.’
Pertussis
Commonly called ‘whooping cough,’ due to the whoop sound made when coughing. An infectious bacterial disease of the upper respiratory system that children receive immunization against as part of their DPT shots
Pharyngitis
Inflammation of the pharynx; commonly called a ‘sore throat.’
Rhinomycosis
Fungal infection of the nasal cavity
Asthma
Disease caused by various conditions, like allergens, and resulting in constriction of the bronchial airways, dyspnea, coughing, and wheezing. Can cause violent spasms of the bronchi (bronchospasms) but is generally not a life-threatening condition. Medication can be very effective
Bronchiectasis
Abnormal enlargement of bronchi; may be the result of a lung infection. This condition can be irreversible and result in destruction of the bronchial walls. Major symptoms include coughing up a large amount of purulent sputum, crackles, and hemoptysis
Bronchitis
Inflammation of a bronchus
Bronchogenic Carcinoma
Malignant tumor originating in the bronchi. Usually associated with a history of cigarette smoking
Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
Acute respiratory failure in adults characterized by tachypnea, dyspnea, cyanosis, tachycardia, and hypoxemia. May follow trauma, pneumonia, or septic infections. Also called ‘acute respiratory distress syndrome.’
Anthracosis
Type of pneumoconiosis that develops from the collection of coal dust in the lung. Also called ‘black lung’ or ‘miner’s lung.’
Asbestosis
Type of pneumoconiosis that develops from collection of asbestos fibers in the lungs. May lead to the development of lung cancer
Atelectasis
Condition in which the alveoli in a portion of the lung collapse, preventing the respiratory exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. Can be caused by a variety of conditions, including pressure on the lung from a tumor or other object. Term also used to describe the failure of a newborn’s lungs to expand
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Progressive, chronic, and usually irreversible group of conditions, like emphysema, in which the lungs have a diminished capacity for inspiration (inhalation) and expiration (exhalation). The person may have dyspnea upon exertion and a cough
Cystic Fibrosis (CF)
Hereditary condition causing the exocrine glands to malfunction. The patient produces very thick mucus that causes severe congestion within the lungs and digestive system. Through more advanced treatment, many children are now living into adulthood with this disease. The term cystic in cystic fibrosis refers to cysts that form in the pancreas
Emphysema
Pulmonary condition characterized by the destruction of the walls of the alveoli, resulting in fewer over-expanded air sacs. Can occur as a result of long-term heavy smoking. Air pollution also worsens this disease. The patient may not be able to breathe except in a sitting or standing position
Histoplasmosis
Pulmonary infection caused by the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum, found in dust and in the droppings of pigeons and chickens. The translation of the name of this condition reflects the microscopic appearance of the fungus
Infant Respiratory Distress Syndrome (IRDS)
Lung condition most commonly found in premature infants that is characterized by tachypnea and respiratory grunting. The condition is caused by a lack of surfactant necessary to keep the lungs inflated. Also called ‘hyaline membrane disease (HMD)’ and ‘respiratory distress syndrome of the newborn.’
Influenza
Viral infection of the respiratory system characterized by chills, fever, body aches, and fatigue. Commonly called the ‘flu.’
Legionnaires’ Disease
Severe, often fatal bacterial infection characterized by pneumonia and liver and kidney damage. Named after people who came down with it at an American Legion convention in 1976
Mycoplasma Pneumonia
Less sever but longer lasting form of pneumonia caused by the Mycoplasma pneumoniae bacteria. Also called ‘walking pneumonia.’ The translation of the name of this condition reflects the microscopic appearance of the bacteria
Pneumoconiosis
Condition that is the result of inhaling environmental particles that become toxic. Can be the result of inhaling coal dust (anthracosis) or asbestos (asbestosis)
Pneumocystis Pneumonia (PCP)
Pneumonia with a nonproductive cough, very little fever, and dyspnea caused by the fungus Pneumocystis jiroveci. An opportunistic infection often seen in those with weakened immune systems, such as AIDS patients
Pneumonia
Inflammatory condition of the lung that can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and aspirated substances. Results in the filling of the alveoli and air spaces with fluid
Pulmonary Edema
Condition in which lung tissue retains an excessive amount of fluid, especially in the alveoli. Results in dyspnea
Pulmonary Embolism
Obstruction of the pulmonary artery or one of its branches by an embolus (often a blood clot broken away from another area of the body). May cause an infarct in the lung tissue
Pulmonary Fibrosis
Formation of fibrous scar tissue in the lungs that leads to decreased ability to expand the lungs. May be caused by infections, pneumoconiosis, autoimmune diseases, and toxin exposure
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
Acute viral respiratory infection that begins like the flu but quickly progresses to severe dyspnea; high fatality rate. First appeared in China in 2003
Silicosis
Type of pneumoconiosis that develops from the inhalation of silica (quartz) dust found in quarrying, glass works, sandblasting, and ceramics
Sleep Apnea
Condition in which breathing stops repeatedly during sleep long enough to cause a drop in oxygen levels in the blood
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
Unexpected and unexplained death of an apparently well infant under 1 year of age. The child suddenly stops breathing for unknown reasons
Tuberculosis (TB)
Infectious disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterioum tuberculosis. Most commonly affects the respiratory system and causes inflammation and calcification in the lungs. Tuberculosis incidence is on the increase and is seen in many patients with weakened immune systems. Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis is a particularly dangerous form of the disease because some bacteria have developed a resistance to the standard drug therapy
Empyema
Pus with in the pleural space usually associated with a bacterial infection. Also called ‘pyothorax.’
Pleural Effusion
Abnormal accumulation of fluid in the pleural cavity preventing the lungs from fully expanding. Physicians can detect the presence of fluid by tapping the chest (percussion) or listening with a stethoscope (auscultation)
Pleurisy
Inflammation of the pleura characterized by sharp chest pain with each breath. Also called ‘pleuritis.’
Pneumothorax
Collection of air or gas in the pleural cavity, which may result in collapse of the lung
