Respiratory Terms Flashcards
Nose, nares, cavity separated by septum
Nasal Cavity
Throat, cavity behind the nasal cavities and mouth
Pharynx
Voice organ, containing the vocal cords
Larynx
Windpipe (Back to back with esophagus)
Trachea
Two cone-shaped spongy organs consisting of alveoli, blood vessels, nerves, and elastic tissue. Each is enveloped in a double-faced membrane called the pleura
Lung
The serous membrane that lines the thoracic (chest) cavity
Parietal pleura
Membrane that covers the lungs. This membrane and the parietal membrane are close together. Between them is a thin film of lubricating fluid that prevents friction when they slide against each other
Visceral pleura
One of the larger passages conveying air to (right or left principal lobe) and within the lungs
Bronchus
One of the subdivisions of the branched bronchial tree
Broncioles
A small sac-like dilation (outpocketing) of the alveolar ducts
Alveolus
Muscular partition that separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity and aids in teh process of breathing
Diaphragm
A localized collection of pus in a cavity formed by the disintegration of tissue (Tissue irritation of breakdown of tissue)
Abscess (lung)
Accumulation of carbon deposits in the lung due to breathing smoke or coal dust, AKA black lung disease
Anthracosis
Adult (acute) respiratory distress syndrome, very difficult to get rid of
ARDS
Lung disease cause by inhaling asbestos particles. Associated with development of mesothelioma, a type of lung cancer. Lungs sound like velcro when listened through the stethiscope
Asbestosis
Suffocation
Asphyxiation
Spasm and narrowing of bronchi, leading to bronchial airway obstruction. (You must treat quickly, the longer you wait the harder it is to fix)
Asthma
Incomplete expansion of the lungs at birth, or collapse of the adult lung
Atelectasis
Abnormally slow breathing
Bradypnea
Chronic dilation of one or more bronchi, excessive mucus
Bronchiectasis
Inflammation of one or more bronchi
Bronchitis
Lung disease resulting from inhaling cotton, flax, or hemp, AKA brown lung disease
Byssinosis
A malignant new growth made up of epithelial cells tending to infiltrate surrounding tissues and to give rise to metastases
Carcinoma
A respiratory infection cause by spore inhalation of Coccidioides immitis, varying in severity from that of a common cold to symptoms resembling those of influenza. AKA Valley fever
Coccidiodomycosis
Chronic obstructive pulmonary (lung) disease, especially emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and asthma
COPD
Heart failure from pulmonary disease, COPD
Cor Pulmonale
Profuse discharge from the mucous membrane of the nose. The common cold
Coryza
A forceful expiration preceded by a preliminary inhalation. Usually caused by irritation of the airways from dust, smoke, infection, or mucus. Can be described as croupy, rasping, harsh, hollow, loose, dry, productive, brassy, bubbly, or wracking.
Cough
Generalized hereditary disorder of infants, children, and young adults associated with malfunctioning of the pancreas and frequent respiratory infections
Cystic Fibrosis
Defect in the wall between the nostrils that can cause partial or complete obstruction
Deviated septum
An acute bacterial infection primarily affecting the membranes of the nose, throat, or larynx accompanied by fever and pain
Diphtheria
Escape of a fluid; Exudation or transudation
Effusion
A pathologic accumulation of air in tissue or organs
Emphysema
Hemorrhage from the nose; Nosebleed
Epistaxis
The act of spitting out saliva or coughing up material from the lungs
Expectorant
Formation of fibrous or scar tissue (in lungs) usually caused by previous infections
Fibrosis
Chest wall move paradoxically with respiration, owing to multiple fractures of the ribs
Flail chest
Popular name for influenza
Flu
A hypertensive state, e.g., allergy to pollen
Hay fever
Blood in the pleural thoracic cavity
Hemothorax
Protrusion of part of the stomach into the chest through the esophageal hiatus defect of the diaphragm (Happens to babies)
Hiatal hernia
Sharp respiratory sound with spasm of the glottis and diaphragm
Hiccup
Fungal infection of lungs, may be symptomatic or asymptomatic, resembling TB
Histoplasmosis
Glossy, translucent. (Lining of the lungs)
Hyaline
Lack of surfactant due to a layer of hyaline material lining the alveoli, alveolar ducts, and bronchioles. Leading cause of neonatal deaths
Hyaline membrane disease
An acute viral infection of the respiratory tract; Serious for the very young and old
Influenza
Inflammation of the larynx
Laryngitis
Inflammation of the larynx, trachea, and bronchi
Laryngotracheaobronchitis
Pus formed by the destruction of lung tissue and microorganisms by white blood cells that have gone to a localized area to fight infection
Lung Abscess
Acute upper respiratory infectious disease caused by bacterium ‘Bordetella pertusis’. AKA whopping cough
Pertussis
Any lung disease, e.g., anthracosis, silicosis, caused by permanent deposition of substantial amounts of particulate matter in the lungs
Pneumoconiosis
A collection of gas or air in the pleural cavity, resulting from a perforation through the chest wall or the visceral pleura
Pneumothorax
Inflammation of the nasal membrane; Runny nose
Rhinitis Rhinorrhea
Sudden infant death syndrome or crib death; Cause unknown. Associated failure of synapse of nerves to activate the diaphragm
SIDS
Inflammation of a sinus
Sinusitis
Spasmodic contraction of muscles causing air to be expelled forcefully through the nose and mouth
Sneeze
Sore throat caused by the spore bacteria ‘Streptococcus’ AKA Strep throat
Streptococcal Throat
Inflammation of the tonsils, especially the palatine tonsils
Tonsilitis
An infectious disease, marked by tubercles and caseous necrosis in tissue of the lung (These patients are in a negative pressure room)
Tuberculosis (TB)
Upper respiratory infection, general term for colds or flu
URI
A high-pitched, whistling sound from air movement through narrowed bronchioles during exhalation; Symptom of asthma and COPD
Wheezing
A medication that can be sprayed for a container to relieve bronchial distress, especially asthma
Aerosol
Without oxygen
Anoxia
Temporary cessation of breathing; asphxia
Apnea
A division into two branches, e.g., bronchi
Bifurcation
Oxygen, carbon dioxide, and other gasses in the blood
Blood gases
An agent capable of dilating the brochi
Bronchodilator
An instrument for inspection the bronchi
Bronchoscope
Lung examination using a bronchoscope
Brochoscopy
Spasmodic contraction of bronchi muscles, as in asthma
Bronchospasm
Breathing characterized by waxing and waning of the depth of respiration: the patient breathes deeply a short time and then breathes slightly or stops altogether. The cycle repeats
Cheyne-Stokes
An odorless, colorless gas resulting from oxidation of carbon, formed in the tissues and eliminated by the lungs
Carbon Dioxide
Solidification of lung tissue, as in pneumonia
Consolidation
Artificial means of providing circulation and breathing during cardiac and respiratory arrest
CPR (Cardiopulmonary resuscitation)
A blueish discoloration of skin and mucous membranes caused by insufficient oxygen in the blood
Cyanosis
Voice impairment; Difficulty speaking. Could be from a viral infection or wrong intubation)
Dysphonia
Labored or difficult breathing
Dyspnea
An airway catheter inserted in the trachea during surgery and for a temporary airway in emergency situations
Endotracheal (ET) tube
An agent that promotes expectoration (loosening of secretions)
Expectorant
The spitting of blood or of blood-stained sputum (from the lungs)
Hemoptysis
A gap (opening), especially in the diaphragm
Hiatus
Part of lung where vessels, nerves, and bronchi enter
Hilus
An excess of carbon dioxide in the blood
Hypecapnea
Increased rate and/or depth of respiration, e.g., from anxiety
Hyperventilation
The process of rendering hyposensitive, e.g., exposing a patient to an offending substance to reduce his or her sensitivity to the substance
Hyposensitization
Insufficient oxygen
Hypoxia
Intermittent positive pressure breathing, used as treatment with ventilation
IPPB
Gasping, labored breathing, AKA air hunger
Kussmaul breathing
Excision of the larynx
Laryngectomy
