thorax and lungs definitions

Alveoli

functional units of the lung; the thin-walled chambers surrounded by networks of capillaries that are the site of respiratory exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen.

Angle of Louis

manubriosternal angle, the articulation of the manubrium and body of the sternum, continuous with the second rib.

Apnea

cessation of breathing

Asthma

an abnormal respiratory condition associated with allergic hypersensitivity to certain inhaled allergens, characterized by inflammation, bronchospasm, wheezing, and dyspnea

Atelectasis

an abnormal respiratory condition characterized by collapsed, shrunken, deflated sections of alveoli

Bradypnea

slow breathing, fewer than 10 breaths per minute, regular rate

Hemoptysis

bloody sputum

Bronchiole

one of the smaller respiratory passageways into which the segmental bronchi divide

Bronchitis

inflammation of the bronchi with partial obstruction of bronchi due to excessive mucus secretion

Bronchophony

the spoken voice sound heard through the stethoscope, which sounds soft, muffled, and indistinct over normal lung tissue

Bronchovesicular

the normal breath sound heard over major bronchi, characterized by moderate pitch and an equal duration of inspiration and expiration

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

a functional category of abnormal respiratory conditions characterized by airflow obstruction (e.g., emphysema, chronic bronchitis)

Cilia

millions of hairlike cells lining the tracheobronchial tree

Consodilation

the solidification of portions of lung tissue as it fills up with infectious exudate, as in pneumonia

Crackles

(rales) abnormal, discontinuous, adventitious lung sounds heard on inspiration

Crepitus

coarse, crackling sensation palpable over the skin when air abnormally escapes from the lung and enters the subcutaneous tissue

Dead space

passageways that transport air but are not available for gaseous exchange (e.g., trachea, bronchi)

Dyspnea

difficult, labored breathing

Emphysema

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease characterized by enlargement of alveoli distal to terminal bronchioles

Fissure

the narrow crack dividing the lobes of the lungs

Fremitus

a palpable vibration from the spoken voice felt over the chest wall

Friction rub

a coarse, grating, adventitious lung sound heard when the pleurae are inflamed

Hypercapnia

(hypercarbia) increased levels of carbon dioxide in the blood

Hyperventilation

increased rate and depth of breathing

Hypoxemia

decreased level of oxygen in the blood

Intercostal Space

space between the ribs

Kussmaul respiration

type of hyperventilation that occurs with diabetic ketoacidosis

Orthopnea

ability to breathe only in an upright position

Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea

sudden awakening of sleeping with shortness of breath

Percussion

striking over the chest wall with short, sharp blows of the fingers to determine the size and density of the underlying organ

Pleural Effusion

abnormal fluid between the layers of the pleura

Rhonchi

low-pitched, musical, snoring, adventitious lung sounds caused by airflow obstruction from secretions

Tachypnea

rapid, shallow breathing. More than 24 breaths per minute

Vesicular

refers to soft, low-pitched, normal breath sounds heard over peripheral lung fields

Wheeze

high-pitched, musical, squeaking adventitious lung sound

Xiphoid Process

sword-shaped lower tip of the sternum