unit 7 (respiratory system) - medical vocabulary Flashcards
aerosol therapy
an inhaled medication, suspended in a mist and delivered by a nebulizer while the patient breathes; also available in metered-dose inhaler form
alveolar sacs
structures located and the ends of bronchioles that lead into the alveoli
alveoli
tiny structures included in the alveolar sacs where gas exchange occurs
antibiotic
a drug that fights or prevents bacterial infections
antihistamine
a drug that blocks the effects of histamines, which are chemicals in the body that produce symptoms of allergic reactions
antitussive
a drug that suppresses a cough
apnea
temporary interruption of breathing
arterial blood gases (ABGs)
a test used to assess the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood
aspiration
drawing in of a foreign body, food, or fluid through a nose, throat, or lungs during inspiration
asthma
condition characterized by sudden, periodic attacks of dyspnea accompanied by wheezing; caused by a spasm of the bronchial tubes or by swelling of the mucous membranes of the bronchi
atelectasis
collapsed or airless lung caused by any condition that prevents the alveoli from expanding normally to allow breathing and coughing
beta-adrenergic agonist
a drug that dilates the bronchi
bradypnea
condition of slower-than-normal breathing
bronchi
subdivisions of the trachea that convey air to and from the lungs; also known as bronchial tubes
bronchioles
very tiny airway branches that split off of the bronchi
bronchitis
inflammation of the mucous membranes of the bronchial tubes
bronchodilator
a drug that relaxes muscle spasms in the bronchial tubes
bronchogenic carcinoma
a malignant tumor that originates in the bronchi; also known as lung cancer
bronchoscopy
a visual examination inside the bronchi using a scope
bronchospasm
sudden, involuntary contractions in the bronchi
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
emergency lifesaving treatment given to someone whose breathing or heartbeat has stopped
carina
the ridge that separates the opening of the right and left main bronchi at their junction with the trachea
chest x-ray (CXR)
a radiographic image of the lungs and heart; often done with anterior, posterior, and lateral views
Cheyne-Stokes respiration
unusual breathing pattern characterized by periods of apnea (between 10 and 60 seconds), following by gradually increasing respirations
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
disease characterized by a reduced ability of the lungs to perform their function of ventilation
common cold
acute (short-term) inflammation of the respiratory mucous membranes; also called nasopharyngitis
continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
the use of a machine that delivers mild air pressure to keep the airways open; a common treatment for sleep apnea
croup
childhood disease characterized by a “barking” cough and high-pitched breathing
cyanosis
condition of bluish tint to the skin due to lack of oxygen circulation to the body tissues
cystic fibrosis (CF)
inherited disease that affects the respiratory system, pancreas, and sweat glands
decongestant
a drug that reduces congestion
diaphragm
a dome-shaped structure between the thoracic and abdominal cavities, which contracts to increase thoracic volume and inflates the lungs
dyspnea
difficult or painful breathing
emphysema
chronic pulmonary disease characterized by an abnormal increase in the size of the alveoli accompanied by loss of elasticity; results in shortness of breath and impaired heart function
empyema
pus in the pleural cavity; usually the result of a lung infection
endotracheal (ET) intubation
insertion of a breathing tube through the mouth and glottis and into the trachea to open and maintain a clear airway
epiglottis
a leaf-like structure of fibrocartilage that closes the opening to the larynx when you swallow food and liquid, and which opens to allow air into the larynx when you breathe
epiglottitis
inflammation of the epiglottis
eupnea
condition of normal breathing
Eustachian tube
a bony and cartilaginous tube that connects the middle ear with the nasopharynx, and which equalizes pressure on both sides of the tympanic membrane
expectorant
a drug that produces thinner mucus
expiration
the process of breathing out
external respiration
a process that involves the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the atmosphere and the cells of the body
glottis
the space between vocal cords
glucocorticoid
a drug that suppresses inflammation
hay fever (allergic rhinitis)
allergic disease of the mucous membranes in the nose and the upper respiratory passages; caused by exposure to pollen from grass, weeds, flowers, and other allergenic substances
Heimlich maneuver
a lifesaving technique in which an obstructed airway is cleared by exerting pressure on the diaphragm
hemothorax
bloody fluid in the pleural cavity caused by the rupture of small blood vessels due to inflammation of the lungs
hyperpnea
condition of deeper-than-normal breathing
hyperventilation
condition in which breathing is faster and deeper than normal
hypoventilation
condition in which breathing is too slow and shallow
influenza
acute, contagious viral infection of the respiratory tract characterized by sudden onset, fever, chills, headache, myalgia (muscle aches), cough, and sore throat
inspiration
the process of breathing in
internal respiration
a process that involves gas exchange at the cellular and tissue levels
laryngitis
inflammation of the larynx
laryngopharynx
the third section of the pharynx, through which air, food, and liquids pass
larynx
the organ of voice production, also known as the voice box
lungs
the main organs of the respiratory system
mast cell stabilizer
a drug that inhibits the release of histamines, which are chemicals in the body that produce symptoms of allergic reactions
mediastinum
a cavity that divides the lungs and which contains the trachea, esophagus, heart, superior and inferior vena cavae, and aorta
medulla oblongata
an area of the brain that acts as a control center that initiates and sustains the breathing process
mucolytic
a drug that loosens mucus
nasal cavity
a cavity on either side of the nasal septum that filters, warms, and humidifies inhaled air
nasal polyp
a tumor with a stem of new growth in the nose or nasal cavity
nasopharynx
the first section of the pharynx, through which air passes
olfactory region
the area located on the roof of the nasal cavity, which is connected to the senses of smell and taste
oropharynx
the second section of the pharynx, through which air, food, and liquids pass
orthopnea
condition in which breathing becomes easier when the patient is sitting up straight
oximetry
the use of a noninvasive device, called an oximeter, to measure blood oxygen level
paranasal sinuses
two air-filled cavities in the bones of the face that are lined by mucous membranes; include the frontal, ethmoid, maxillary, and sphenoid sinuses
parietal pleura
the membrane that lines the thoracic cavity and upper side of the diaphragm
perfusionist
a healthcare worker who manages the heart-lung machine during operations when a patient’s heart must be stopped; can administer blood products and medications and control the patient’s body temperature
pharyngitis
inflammation of the pharynx
pharynx
the muscular, tubular passage of the digestive and respiratory tracts that extends from the back of the nasal cavity and mouth to the esophagus; also known as the throat
pleural cavity
the space between the parietal and visceral layers of the pleura
pleural effusion
the escape of fluid into the pleural cavity due to excessive fluid buildup in the pleural space
pleural fluid
the fluid located between the parietal and visceral layers of the pleura, which helps reduce friction
pneumonia
inflammation of the lungs caused by a bacterium, virus, fungus, or chemical irritant
pneumothorax
a collection of air or gas in the pleural space
polysomnography
monitoring of a patient during sleep to aid in diagnosing apnea or other sleep disorders; also known as a sleep study
postural drainage
a treatment used to drain pulmonary secretions after a patient has been placed in a position that uses gravity to promote the drainage (that is, the head lower than the feet)
pulmonary angiography
an x-ray visualization of arteries and veins using a contrast agent (dye) injected into the patient’s bloodstream
pulmonary embolism (PE)
a traveling blood clot that becomes lodged in a lung
pulmonary function test (PFT)
a group of tests performed to measure airflow into and out of the lungs; lung volumes; and gas exchange between the lungs and the bloodstream
pulmonologist
a medical doctor who diagnoses and treats conditions and diseases of the lungs and cardiopulmonary system
rales
an abnormal crackling sound heard during auscultation of the lungs while the patient is breathing in; usually indicates the presence of fluid or mucus in the airway
respiration
the process of gas exchange
respiratory rate
the number of breaths that a person takes in a minute; a type of vital sign used to measure the function of the respiratory system
respiratory region
the area that is responsible for warming and humidifying the air that travels through it
respiratory therapist
a healthcare worker who cares for patients suffering from health conditions and diseases that affect their breathing
ronchi
a coarse rattling or high-pitched snoring sound heard during auscultation of the lungs; usually indicates narrowing of the air passages, such as during asthma or a respiratory infection
sinusitis
inflammation of the sinuses caused by a viral or bacterial infection
sleep apnea
periodic cessation (interruption or stoppage) of breathing during sleep
spirometry
the measurement of air capacity in the lungs using a device called a spirometer
sputum
mucus coughed up from the respiratory tract
sputum culture and sensitivity
a test in which secretions from the lungs are placed in a growth medium, observed for bacterial reproduction, and then tested for antibiotic effectiveness
sputum cytology
the microscopic examination of lung secretions for the presence of malignant (cancerous) cells
sternum
the breastbone
Strep throat
infection of the throat caused by the Streptococcus bacterium; characterized by a red, painful, and purulent (containing pus) throat
stridor
harsh, high-pitched sound during respiration that indicates an airway obstruction
supplemental oxygen therapy
additional concentration of oxygen provided by an endotracheal (ET) tube, mask, or nasal cannulae to increase blood oxygen levels
sweat test
a test that aids in the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis (CF) by measuring the amount of chloride (sodium) present in sweat
tachypnea
condition of faster-than-normal breathing
thoracentesis
a surgical puncture into the chest wall to aspirate (draw out by means of suction) fluid from the pleural sac
thoracic cage
the rib cage
thoracic surgeon
a medical doctor who performs surgical procedures on organs in the chest
thoracic surgery
a branch of medicine dealing with operative procedures that are used to diagnose and treat conditions and diseases of the chest
thoracostomy
the surgical creation of an opening in the chest to drain air or fluid; also known as a chest tube
tonsillitis
inflammation of the tonsils caused by a viral or bacterial inflammation
trachea
the air tube that extends from the larynx into the thorax and which allows air to travel to and from the lungs
tracheostomy
the surgical creation of an opening in the trachea to allow a patient to breathe more easily
tuberculin (TB) skin test (Mantoux tuberculin test)
the injection a tuberculin-purified protein derivative (PPD) under the skin to determine whether or not a person has been exposed to tuberculosis
tuberculosis (TB)
a serious communicable (contagious) disease caused by bacterial infection of the lungs, which spread through droplets from coughing and sneezing
upper respiratory tract
the area that is responsible for the inhalation and humidification of air and for transporting air to the lower respiratory tract; includes the nose, nasal cavities, sinus cavities, pharynx, and larynx
ventilation
the process by which air moves into and out of the lungs
ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) scan
a nuclear medicine diagnostic procedure in which radioactive air is inhaled by the patient and the lungs are observed to determine whether or not they are filling with air
ventilator
a machine that delivers artificial respiration for a patient who is unable to breathe efficiently on their own
vestibular region
the area that contains coarse hairs that act as a first line of defense against infection
visceral pleura
the serous (watery) membrane that encases and protects the lungs
vocal cords
mucous membrane folds in the larynx that move and produce sound; also known as vocal folds
