The Respiratory System: Supplementary Terms

Question 1

hilum

Answer 1

an anatomic depression in an organ where vessels and nerves enter

Question 2

nares

Answer 2

the external openings of the nose; the nostrils

Question 3

nasal septum

Answer 3

the partition that divides the nasal cavity into two parts

Question 4

anoxia

Answer 4

lack or absence of oxygen in the tissues; often used incorrectly to mean hypoxia

Question 5

asphyxia

Answer 5

condition caused by inadequate intake of oxygen; suffocation

Question 6

blot respirations

Answer 6

deep,fast breathing interrupted by sudden pauses; seen in spinal meningitis and other central nervous system disorders

Question 7

bronchospasm

Answer 7

narrowing of the bronchi caused by smooth muscle spasms; common in cases of asthma and bronchitis

Question 8

Cheyne- Stokes respiration

Answer 8

a repeating cycle of gradually increased and then decreased respiration followed by a period of apnea; caused by depression of the breathing centers in the brainstem; seen in cases of coma and in terminally ill patients

Question 9

cor pulmonale

Answer 9

enlargement of the heart’s right ventricle caused by disease of the lungs or pulmonary blood vessels

Question 10

coryza

Answer 10

acute inflammation of the nasal passages with profuse nasal discharge; acute rhinitis

Question 11

croup

Answer 11

a childhood disease usually caused by a viral infection that involves upper airway inflammation and obstruction. Croup is characterized by a barking cough, difficulty breathing, and laryngeal spasm

Question 12

deviated septum

Answer 12

a shifted nasal septum; may require surgical correction

Question 13

epiglottitis

Answer 13

inflammation of the epiglottis that may lead to upper airway obstruction. Commonly seen in croup

Question 14

epistaxis

Answer 14

hemorrhage from the nose; nosebleed

Question 15

fremitus

Answer 15

a vibration, especially as felt through the chest wall on palpation

Question 16

Kussmaul respiration

Answer 16

rapid and deep and grasping respiration without pause; characteristic of severe acidosis

Question 17

pleural friction rub

Answer 17

a sound heard on auscultation that is produced by the rubbing together of the two pleural layers; a common sign of pleurisy

Question 18

rales

Answer 18

abnormal chest sounds heard when air enters small airways or alveoli containing fluid; usually heard during inspiration; aka crackles

Question 19

rhonchi

Answer 19

abnormal chest sounds produced in airways with accumulated fluids; more noticeable during expiration

Question 20

stridor

Answer 20

a harsh, high-pitched sound caused by obstruction of an upper air passageway

Question 21

tussis

Answer 21

a cough. An antitussive drug is one that relieves or prevents coughing

Question 22

wheeze

Answer 22

a whistling or sighing sound caused by narrowing of a respiratory passageway

Question 23

byssinosis

Answer 23

obstructive airway disease caused by reaction to the dust in unprocessed plant fibers

Question 24

sleep apnea

Answer 24

intermittent periods of breathing cessation during sleep. Central sleep apnea arises from failure of the brainstem to stimulate breathing. OSA results from airway obstruction during deep sleep, as from obesity or enlarged tonsils

Question 25

small cell carcinoma

Answer 25

a highly malignant type of bronchial tumor involving small, undifferentiated cells; “oat cell” carcinoma

Question 26

mediastinoscopy

Answer 26

examination of the mediastinum by means of an endoscope inserted through an incision above the sternum

Question 27

plethysmograph

Answer 27

an instrument that measures changes in gas volume and pressure during respiration

Question 28

pneumotachometer

Answer 28

a device for measuring air flow

Question 29

thoracoscopy

Answer 29

examination of the pleural cavity through an endoscope; pleuroscopy

Question 30

aerosol therapy

Answer 30

treatment by inhalation of a drug or water in spray form

Question 31

CPAP

Answer 31

Continuous positive airway pressure: use of a mechanical respirator to maintain pressure throughout the respiratory cycle in a patient who is breathing spontaneously

Question 32

extubation

Answer 32

removal of a previously inserted tube

Question 33

intermittent positive pressure breathing (IPPB)

Answer 33

use of a ventilator to inflate the lungs at intervals under positive pressure during inhalation

Question 34

intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV)

Answer 34

use of a mechanical ventilator to force air into the lungs while allowing for passive exhalation

Question 35

nasal cannula

Answer 35

a two-pronged plastic device inserted into the nostrils for delivery of oxygen

Question 36

orthopneic position

Answer 36

an upright or semiupright position that aids breathing

Question 37

positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP)

Answer 37

use of a mechanical ventilator to increase the volume of gas in the lungs at the end of exhalation, thus improving gas exchange

Question 38

postural drainage

Answer 38

use of body position to drain secretions from the lungs by gravity. The patient is placed so that secretions will move passively into the larger airways for elimination

Question 39

thoracic gas volume (TGV, V tg)

Answer 39

the volume of gas in the thoracic cavity calculated from measurements made with a body plethysmograph

Question 40

adenoidectomy

Answer 40

surgical removal of the adenoids

Question 41

intubation

Answer 41

insertion of a tube into a hollow organ such as into the larynx or trachea for entrance of air. Patients may be intubated during surgery for administration of anesthesia or to maintain an airway. Endotracheal intubation may be used as an emergency measure when airways are blocked

Question 42

lobectomy

Answer 42

surgical removal of a lobe of the lung or of another organ

Question 43

pneumoplasty

Answer 43

plastic surgery of the lung. In reduction pneumoplasty, nonfunctional portions of the lung are removed, as in cases of advanced emphysema

Question 44

tracheotomy

Answer 44

incision of the trachea through the neck, usually to establish an airway in cases of tracheal obstruction

Question 45

tracheostomy

Answer 45

surgical creation of an opening into the trachea to form an airway or to prepare for the insertion of a tube for ventilation

Question 46

antihistamine

Answer 46

agent that prevents responses mediated by histamine, such as allergic and inflammatory reactions

Question 47

antitussive

Answer 47

drug that prevents or relieves coughing

Question 48

asthma maintenance drug

Answer 48

agent used to prevent asthma attacks and for chronic treatment of asthma

Question 49

bronchodilator

Answer 49

drug that relieves bronchial spasm and widens the bronchi

Question 50

corticosteroid

Answer 50

hormone from the adrenal cortex; used to reduce inflammation

Question 51

decongestant

Answer 51

agent that reduces congestion or swelling

Question 52

expectorant

Answer 52

agent that aids in removal of bronchopulmonary secretions

Question 53

isoniazid (INH)

Answer 53

drug used to treat tuberculosis

Question 54

leukotriene antagonist

Answer 54

drug that prevents or reduces inflammation by inhibiting leukotrienes, substances made in white blood cells that promote inflammation; they also constrict the bronchi and increase mucus production; used in asthma tx

Question 55

mucolytic

Answer 55

agent that loosens mucus to aid in its removal

Question 56

rifampin (rifampicin)

Answer 56

drug used to treat tuberculosis

Question 57

carina

Answer 57

a projection of the lowest tracheal cartilage that forms a ridge between the two bronchi. Used as a landmark for endoscopy. Any ridge or ridge-like structure.