Vocabulary (Chapter 7) Flashcards
The very small grapelike clusters found at the end of each bronchiole.
alveoli
The absence of oxygen from the body’s tissues and organs even though there is an adequate flow of blood.
anoxia
Medication administered to prevent or relieve coughing.
antitussive
Loss of the ability of the larynx to produce normal speech sounds.
aphonia
The form of pneumoconiosis caused by asbestos particles in the lungs.
asbestosis
The loss of consciousness that occurs when the body cannot get the oxygen in needs to function.
asphyxia
A chronic, inflammatory disease of the bronchial tubes, often triggered by an allergic reaction and characterized by episodes of severe breathing difficulty, coughing and wheezing.
asthma
The incomplete expansion of part or all of a lung due to a blockage of the air passages or pneumothorax.
atelectasis
An abnormally slow rate of respiration, usually of less than 10 breaths per minute.
bradypnea
A medication that relaxes and expands the bronchial passages into the lungs.
bronchodilator
An excessive discharge of mucus from the bronchi.
bronchorrhea
The visual examination of the bronchi through using a bronchoscope.
bronchoscopy
A contraction of the smooth muscle in the walls of the bronchi and bronchioles that tighten and squeeze the airway shut.
bronchospasm
An irregular pattern of breathing characterized by alternating rapid or shallow respiration followed by slower respiration or apnea.
Cheyne-Stokes respiration
An acute respiratory syndrome in children and infants characterized by obstruction of the larynx, hoarseness, and swelling around the vocal cords, resulting in a barking cough and stridor.
Croup
A bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes caused by a lack of adequate oxygen in the blood.
cyanosis
A life-threatening genetic disorder in which the lungs and pancreas are clogged with large quantities of abnormally thick mucus.
cystic fibrosis
An acute bacterial infection of the throat and upper respiratory tract.
diphtheria
Difficulty in speaking, which may include any impairment in vocal quality, including hoarseness, weakness, or the cracking of a boy’s voice during puberty.
dysphonia
Difficulty or labored breathing; also known as shortness of breath.
dyspnea
The progressive, long-term loss of lung function, usually due to smoking.
emphysema
An accumulation of pus in a body cavity.
empyema
The passage of a tube through the mouth into the trachea to establish or maintain an open airway.
endotracheal intubation
Bleeding from the nose that may be caused by dry air, an injury, medication to prevent blood clotting, or high blood pressure; also known as a nosebleed.
epistaxis
The expectoration of blood or bloodstained sputum derived from the lungs or brochial tubes as the result of pulmonary or bronchial hemorrhage.
hemoptysis
A collection of blood in the pleural cavity.
hemothorax
The abnormal buildup of carbon dioxide in the blood.
hypercapnia
An increase in the depth and rate of the respiratory movements.
hyperpnea
Shallow or slow respiration.
hypopnea
The condition of having low oxygen levels in the blood.
hypoxemia
The condition of having deficient oxygen levels in the body’s tissues and organs; less severe than anoxia.
Hypoxia
Inflammation of the larynx; also commonly used to describe voice loss that is caused by this inflammation.
laryngitis
The visual examination of the larynx using a laryngoscope.
laryngoscopy
The sudden spasmodic closure of the larynx.
laryngospasm
The middle section of the chest cavity located btw the lungs. This cavity contains the heart and its vein and arteries, the esophagus, trachea, bronchi, the thymus gland and lymph nodes.
mediastinum
An electronic device that pumps air or oxygen through a liquid medicine to turn it into a vapor, which is then inhaled by the patient via a face mask or mouthpiece.
nebulizer
A physician with specialized training in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the head and neck.
otolaryngologist
A contagious bacterial infection of the upper respiratory tract that is characterized by recurrent bouts of a paroxysmal cough, followed by breathlessness and a noisy inspiration.
pertussis
An inflammation of the pharynx.
pharyngitis
Thick mucus secreted by the tissues lining the respiratory passages.
phlegm
An inflammation of the pleura, the membranes that cover the lungs and line the pleural cavity; causes pleurodynia.
pleurisy
Pain in the pleura that occurs in relation to breathing movements. A sharp pain that occurs when the inflamed membranes rub against each other with each inhalation.
pleurodynia
Any fibrosis of the lungs tissues caused by dust in the lungs after prolonged environmental or occupational contract.
pneumoconiosis
The surgical removal of all or part of a lung.
pneumonectomy
A serious inflammation of the lungs in which the alveoli and air passages fill with pus and other liquid.
pneumonia
The accumulation of air in the pleural space, causing pressure imbalance that causes the lung to fully or partially collapse.
pneumothorax
The diagnostic measurement of physiological activity during sleep; also known as a sleep study.
polysomnography
A physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases and disorders of the respiratory system.
pulmonologist
An external monitor placed on the patient’s fingertip or earlobe to measure the oxygen saturation level in the blood.
pulse oximeter
A collection of pus in the pleural cavity between the layers of the pleural membrane.
pyothorax
Inflammation of the sinuses.
sinusitis
A potentially serious disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep for long enough periods to cause a measurable decrease in blood oxygen levels.
sleep apnea
A recording device that measures the amount of air inhaled or exhaled and the length of time required for each breath.
spirometer
An abnormally rapid rate of respiration, usually of more than 20 breaths per minute.
tachypnea
The surgical puncture of the chest wall with a needle to obtain fluid from the pleural cavity.
thoracentesis
A surgical incision into the chest walls to open the pleural cavity for biopsy or treatment.
thoracotomy
The surgical creation of a stoma into the trachea in order to insert a temporary or permanent tube to facilitate breathing.
tracheostomy
An emergency procedure in which an incision is made into the trachea to gain access to the airways below the blockage.
tracheotomy
An infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis that usually attacks the lungs - it can also affect other parts of the body.
tuberculosis (TB)
A wall that separates two chambers.
septum
The name of the specialized tissue that lines the digestive, respiratory, reproductive and urinary systems.
mucOus membranes
The secretion that flows from the specialized tissue that lines body systems (respiratory, digestive, reproductive & urinary).
mucUs
A sac or cavity in any organ or tissue.
sinus (term sinus most commonly refers to the paranasal sinuses)
The quality of sound being deep, full and reverberating (echoing).
resonance
Pertaining to or affecting the lungs.
pulmonary
A detergent like substance produced by the alveoli, which reduces the surface tension of the fluid in the lungs.
surfactant
A subdivision or part of an organ (ie. lungs)
lobe
Relating to the walls of a cavity.
parietal
Relating to the internal organs.
visceral
Refers to a dividing structure.
diaphram
Moving air in and out of the lungs (breathing).
ventilation
Exchange of oxygen for carbon dioxide that is essential to life (breathing).
respiration
A life-threatening genetic disorder in which the lungs and pancreas are clogged with large quantities of abnormally thick mucus.
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
A disease in which the airways have become inflamed due to recurrent exposure to an inhaled irritant.
chronic bronchitis
A breathing sound caused by a partially obstructed airway.
wheezing
The swelling and clogging of the bronchial tubes with mucus. Usually occurs after the airway has been exposed to inhaled allergens.
airway obstruction
Involuntary contraction.
spasm
The narrowing of the airways that develop after 5 to 15 minutes of physical exertion. This could also be due to cold weather or allergies.
exercise-induced asthma
Two terms that describe the common cold. It can be caused by any one of 200 different viruses, the most common of which is the human rhinovirus.
upper respiratory infections (UTI)
acute nasopharyngitis
An allergic reaction to airborne allergens.
Allergic rhinitis
A harsh, high pitched sound caused by a blockage present when breathing in.
stridor
A highly contagious viral respiratory infection that occurs in seasonal epidemics.
influenza
Sudden or spasm-like
paroxysmal
Bleeding from the mucous membranes of the trachea.
tracheorrhagia
Permanent dilation of the bronchi caused by chronic infection and inflammation.
bronchiectasis
The excess accumulation of fluid in the pleural space that prevents the lungs from fully expanding.
pleural effusion
The escape of fluid from blood or lymphatic vessels into the tissues or into a body cavity.
effusion
A life-threatening condition in which inflammation in the lungs and fluid in the alveoli lead to low levels of oxygen in the blood. Usually caused by trauma, pneumonia, smoke or fumes, inhaled vomit, or sepsis.
acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
A systematic bacterial infection in the bloodstream.
sepsis
An accumulation of fluid in the lung tissues.
pulmonary edema
The sudden blockage of a pulmonary artery by foreign matter or by an embolus that has formed in the leg or pelvic region.
pulmonary embolism
Bleeding from the lungs.
pneumorrhagia
Present but not active (opposite of dormant).
latent
A dangerous form of tuberculosis because the germs have become resistant to the effect of the primary TB drugs.
multidrug-resistant tuberculosis
A localized form of pneumonia often affects the bronchioles.
bronchopneumonia (often leads to lobar pneumonia)
Pneumonia caused by a foreign substance, such as vomit, being inhaled into the lungs.
aspiration pneumonia
A type of pneumonia that affects larger areas of the lungs, often including one or more sections of the lungs.
lobar pneumonia - Double pneumonia is lobar pneumonia involving both lungs & is usually a form of bacterial pneumonia.
A type of pneumonia that results from contagious infection outside of a hospital or clinic.
community-acquired pneumonia
Pneumonia caused by Streptococcus Pneumoniae - only form of pneumonia that can be prevented through vaccination.
bacterial pneumonia
A type of pneumonia contracted during a stay in the hospital when a patient’s defenses are impaired. Patients on a respiratior are particularly at risk.
hospital-acquired or nosocomial pneumonia
A milder but longer-lasting form of pneumonia caused by the bacteria Mycoplasma Pneumoniae.
walking pneumonia or mycoplasma pneumonia
The form of pneumonia caused by an opportunistic infection with the fungus Pneumocystis Carinii.
pneumocystis pneumonia
Caused by several different types of viruses, accounts for approximately 1/3 of all pneumonias.
viral pneumonia
A group of diseases that cause inflammation and scarring of the alveoli and their supporting structures.
interstitial lung disease
The progressive formation of scar tissue in the lung, resulting in decreased lung capacity and increased difficulty in breathing.
pulmonary fibrosis
A condition in which the normal tissue is replaced by hardened tissue. Many connective tissue diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, and lupus can cause this condition, as can environmental toxins such as asbestos and silica. Can also occur w/o a known cause.
fibrosis (fibrotic = hardened)
The form of pnuemoconiosis caused by coal dust in the lungs.
Anthracosis aka coal miner’s pneumoconiosis or black lung disease
The form of pneumoconiosis caused by inhaling silica dust in the lungs.
silicosis
A condition in which cancer cells form in the tissues of the lung. Leading cause of cancer death in the US.
Lung cancer
An abnormally rapid rate of deep respiration that is usually associated with anxiety.
hyperventilation
Noisy breathing during sleep that is caused by the vibration of the soft palate, which can be a symptom of sleep apnea.
snoring
The act of coughing up and spitting out saliva, mucus or other body fluid.
expectoration
Occurs when food or a foreign object partially or completely blocks the airway and prevents air from entering or leaving the lungs, aka choking.
airway obstruction (Heimlich maneuver- abdominal thrust maneuver)
A condition that can be brought on by the decreased oxygen in the air at higher altitudes, usually above 8,000 feet.
Altitude hypoxia, aka altitude sickness
A state of asphyxia or suffocation - life threatening condition, oxygen levels in the blood drop quickly, carbon dioxide levels rise, and unless the patient’s breathing is restored within a few minutes, death or serious brain damage follows.
asphyxiation
A condition in which the level of oxygen in the blood becomes dangerously low (hypoxemia) or the level of carbon dioxide becomes dangerously high (hypercapnia).
respiratory failure (RF)
Damage to the lungs in which particles from a fire coat the alveoli and prevent normal exchange of gases.
smoke inhalation
The sudden and unexplained death of an apparently healthy sleeping infant btw the ages of two and six months.
sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
A valuable tool for diagnosing pneumonia, lung cancer, pneumothorax, pleural effusion, tuberculosis and emphysema.
chest x-ray (CXR)
A handheld device used to measure how quickly a person with asthma can expel air.
peak flow meter
A group of tests that measure volume and flow of air by utilizing a spirometer.
pulmonary function tests
Phlegm ejected through the mouth that can be examined for diagnostic purposes.
sputum
A screening test for tuberculosis in which the skin of the arm is injected with a harmless antigen extracted from the TB bacteria.
Tuberculin skin testing
A test for diagnosing tuberculosis - considered a more accurate skin test. A very small amount of PPD tuberculin is injected just under the top layer of skin on the forearm. The site is checked for a reaction 48-72 hours later.
Mantoux PPD skin test
Medication administered to prevent or relieve coughing.
anitussive
A medical device that administers a specific amount of a medication such as a bronchodilator in aerosol form.
meter-dosed inhaler (MDI)
A surgical procedure performed using an endoscope in which chronic sinusitis is treated by enlarging the opening btw the nose and sinus.
functional endoscopic sinus surgery
The surgical repair of alteration of parts of the nasal septum.
septoplasty
A surgically created opening on a body surface.
stoma
The use of a thoracoscope to view the inside of the pleural cavity through very small incisions.
video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS)
A relation technique used to relieve anxiety.
diaphragmatic breathing
A noninvasive ventilation device used in the treatment of sleep apnea.
CPAP machine (another type BiPAP machine)
An emergency resuscitator used to assist ventilation - a flexible air chamber is squeezed to force air through a face mask into the lungs of the patient, a process referred to as “bagging”.
Ambu bag or bag valve mask
A mechanical device for artificial respiration that is used to replace or supplement the patient’s natural breathing function.
ventilator
Administered when the patient is unable to maintain an adequate oxygen saturation level in the blood from breathing normal air. Oxygen is administered by using a compressor either flowing into a hood or tent.
supplemental oxygen
A small tube that divides into two nasal prongs.
nasal cannula
Use of inhaled oxygen in a special chamber with increased air pressure to promote healing and fight infection.
hyperbaric oxygen therapy
The surgical removal of the larynx.
Laryngectomy
