Thorax + Lungs Flashcards
define alveoli
functional units of the lung; thin walled chambers surrounded by networks of capillaries that are the site of respiratory exchange of carbon dioxide
define angle of louis
manubriosternal angle; the articulation of manubrium + body of the sternum; continuous with the second rib
define apnea
cessation of breathing
define asthma
an abnormal respiratory condition associated with allergic hypersensitivity to certain inhaled allergens, characterized by bronchospasm, wheezing, coughing
define atelectasis
an abnormal respiratory condition characterized by collapsed, shrunken, deflated section of alveoli
define bradypnea
slow breathing, fewer than 10 breaths/min
define bronchiole
one of the smaller respiratory passageways into which the segmental bronchi divide
define bronchitis
inflammation of the bronchi with partial obstruction of bronchi due to excessive mucus secretion
define bronchophony
spoken voice sound heard through the stethoscope, which sounds soft, muffled + indistinct over normal lung tissue
define bronchovesicular
the normal breath sound heard over major bronchi, characterized by moderate pitch + an equal duration of inspiration + expiration
define chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
functional category of abnormal respiratory conditions characterized by an airflow obstruction; ex. emphysema + chronic bronchitis
define cilia
millions of hairlike cells lining the tracheobronchial tree
define consolidation
solidification of portions of lung tissue as it fills up with infectious exudate, as in pneumonia
define crackles
aka rales; abnormal, discontinuous, adventitious lung sounds heard on inspiration
define crepitus
a course, crackling sensation palpable over the skin when air abnormally escapes from the lung + enters the subcutaneous tissue
define dead space
passageways that transport air but are not available for gaseous exchange
define dyspnea
difficult, laboured breathing
define egophony
the voice of “eeeeee” heard through stethoscope
define emphysema
the COPD characterized by enlargement of alveoli distal to terminal bronchioles
define fissure
the narrow crack dividing the lobes of the lungs
define fremitus
a palpable vibration from the spoken voice felt over the chest wall
define friction rub
a course, grating, adventitious lung sound heard when the pleurae are inflamed
define hypercapnia
aka hypercarbia; increased level of carbon dioxide in the blood
define hyperventilation
increased rate + depth of breathing
define hypoxemia
decreased level of oxygen in the blood
define intercostal space
space between the ribs
define kussmaul’s respirations
a type of hyperventilation that occurs with diabetic keto acidosis
define orthopnea
the ability to breathe easily only in an upright position
define paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
a sudden awakening from sleeping with shortness of breath
define percussion
striking over the chest wall with a short sharp slob of the fingers in order to determine the size + density of the underlying organ
define pleural effusion
abnormal fluid between the layers of pleura
define rhonchi
low-pitched, musical, snoring, adventitious lung sounds caused by airflow obstruction from secretions
define tachypnea
rapid, shallow breathing, more than 24 breaths/min
define vesicular
soft, low-pitched, normal breath sounds heard over peripheral lung fields
define vital capacity
the amount of air, following maximal inspiration, that can be exhaled
define wheeze
high-pitched, musical, squeaking, adventitious lung sound
define whispered pectoriloquy
a whispered phrase heard through the stethoscope that sounds faint + inaudible over normal lung tissue
define xiphoid process
sword shaped lower tip of sternum
describe the pleura + its function
- thin layer of tissue that lines the chest cavity + covers the lungs
- secretes flood to lubricate lungs allowing them to move smoothly
- function: protect + cushion th lungs
- 2 kinds
1. viscera pleura = inner layer wrapping around the lungs
2. parietal pleura = outer layer that lines the inside of chest wall
list the structures that composed the respiratory dead space
- nose
- pharynx
- trachea
- bronchi
summarize the mechanics of breathing
2-phase process: inspiration + expiration
- inspiration: diaphragm contracts + moves downward, increase space in chest cavity, muscles between ribs also contract, pulling rib cage upward + outward, this decreases pressure inside thoracic cavity, causing air to rush into the lungs
- expiration: diaphragm + intercostal muscles relax, decreasing volume of thoracic cavity, this increases pressure inside thoracic cavity, causing lungs to contract + air to be forced out
list the elements included in inspection of respiratory system
- observation of breathing: rate, pattern/rhythm, effort
- level of consciousness
- skin color
- chest configuration
- symmetry of expansion
discuss significance of “barrel chest”
symptom of several conditions that affect the lungs or chest + back joints + is a sign of severe lung or inflammatory disease
list + describe common thoracic deformities
- pectus excavatum = aka funnel chest / sunken chest - occurs when breastbone + ribs grow inward, causing a depression in the centre of the chest
- pacts carinatum = aka pigeon chest / raised chest - occurs when the breastbone + ribs protrude
- barrel chest = caused by chronic back pain, failed back surgery, or aging
list + describe 3 types of normal breath sounds
- loud, high-pitched over the trachea
- medium pitched bronchovesicular sounds over the main bronchi, between the scapulae + below the clavicle
- soft, breezy, low pitched vesicular breath sounds over most of peripheral lung fields
define 2 types of adventitious breath sounds
- crackles = high pitched, clicking/rattling sounds occur when person inhales, can be fine (soft + high-pitched) or coarse (louder + low-pitched), this may indicate persons lung has fluid or not inflating correctly
- wheeze = high-pitched whistling sounds occur when air moves through the constricted airways
another name for manubriosternal angle is:
angle of Louis
why is the angle of Louis / manubriosternal angle a useful angle?
crucial reference point in clinical examinations + medical procedures
how many degrees is the normal costal angle
90 degrees
when comparing the anteroposterior diameter of the chest to the transverse diameter, what is the expected ratio?
expected ratio: 1:2 or 5:7
- anteriorposterior diameter = distance from anterior skin to posterior skin
- transverse diameter = horizontal distance between internal surface of ribs on right + left sides
what is tripod position
leaning forward, arms braced against knees, chair, or bed - this gives them leverage so rectus abdomens, intercostal + accessory neck muscles all can aid in expiration
list 3 factors that affect normal intensity of tactile function
- relative location of branch to chest wall
- thickness of chest wall
- pitch + intensity
during percussion, which sound would you expect to predominate over normal lung tissue
resonance
normal findings for symmetrical chest expansion are:
3-5cm or 7-8cm in a well conditioned person
- may be higher on right side due to position of liver
list 5 factors that can cause extraneous noise during auscultation
- examiners breathing on stethoscope tubing
- stethoscope tubing bumping together
- patient shivering
- patients hairy chest - movement of hairs under stethoscope sounds like crackles
- patients rustling gown
