Respiratory System and Disorders Practice Flashcards

Comprehensive flashcards covering the upper and lower respiratory systems, their specific disorders, anatomy, and physiological processes discussed in the lecture notes.

Upper Respiratory Tract

The region consisting of the nose, nasal cavity, sinuses, and pharynx.

Lower Respiratory Tract

The region consisting of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, lungs, and alveoli.

Rhinovirus

The virus commonly responsible for the common cold.

Common Cold (Mechanism)

Viral infection of the upper airways causing swelling and mucus.

Common Cold (Body Response)

Sneezing, congestion, and sore throat.

Sudafed

A common decongestant medication used for upper respiratory disorders.

Claritin

An antihistamine used to treat upper respiratory symptoms.

Cough Suppressants

Medications used to reduce or stop coughing.

Influenza (Flu)

Infection where the influenza virus attacks upper airways and sometimes the lungs.

Fever

The typical body response to the influenza virus.

Tamiflu

An antiviral medication used to treat the flu.

Tylenol

A medication used as a fever reducer for influenza.

Influenza Types

Types A, B, and C.

Common Cold Onset

Gradual onset over several days.

Influenza Onset

Sudden onset within a few hours.

Sinusitis

Condition where the sinus cavities swell and fill with mucus.

Sinus Cavity Locations

Frontal, maxillary, and sphenoid.

Sinusitis (Body Response)

Facial pressure and nasal discharge.

Flonase

A nasal steroid used to treat sinusitis.

Bacterial Sinusitis Treatment

Antibiotics.

Pharyngitis

Inflammation of the pharynx (throat) tissue, often viral or bacterial.

Pharyngitis (Body Response)

Sore throat and redness.

Laryngitis

Swelling of the vocal cords (larynx) from irritation or infection.

Laryngitis (Body Response)

Hoarseness and voice loss.

Voice Rest

A key patient care step for treating laryngitis.

Tonsillitis

Swelling of the tonsils from viral or bacterial infection.

Tonsillitis (Body Response)

Sore throat and swollen glands.

Penicillin

An antibiotic often used to treat tonsillitis.

Trachea

The windpipe portion of the lower respiratory tract.

Alveoli

Air sacs where gas exchange occurs.

Diaphragm

The primary muscle of respiration.

Acute Bronchitis

Inflammation of the bronchi that produces mucus.

Chronic Bronchitis

Long-term (chronic) inflammation and narrowing of the bronchi.

Chronic Bronchitis (Body Response)

Productive (mucus) cough for $3+$ months/year, low oxygen, and cyanosis.

Cyanosis

Turning blue as a body response to low oxygen.

Budesonide

A steroid used in the treatment of chronic bronchitis.

Pneumonia

Infection causing inflammation of the alveoli.

Pneumonia (Mechanism)

Alveoli fill with fluid or pus, resulting in poor gas exchange.

Azithromycin

An antibiotic used to treat pneumonia.

Asthma

Chronic inflammation and narrowing of airways triggered by allergens or cold air.

Asthma (Body Response)

Airways tighten, swell, and fill with mucus; wheezing and chest tightness.

Albuterol

A rescue inhaler medication used for asthma and bronchitis.

Fluticasone

A maintenance inhaler medication used for asthma.

Symbicort

A maintenance inhaler medication used for asthma.

Levalbuterol

A bronchodilator used to treat asthma.

COPD

Progressive disease combining chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

COPD (Mechanism)

Airways lose elasticity and air gets trapped.

Tiotropium

A bronchodilator used for COPD and emphysema.

Tuberculosis (TB)

Bacterial infection affecting the lungs, especially the upper lobes.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis

The specific bacteria that causes tuberculosis.

Granulomas

Hardened structures formed by bacteria in lung tissue during TB infection.

TB Body Response

Cough, weight loss, night sweats, and fever.

Isoniazid

A long-term antibiotic used to treat Tuberculosis.

Rifampin

A long-term antibiotic used to treat Tuberculosis.

BCG Vaccine

A vaccine used for tuberculosis care.

Emphysema

A condition where alveoli walls break down, leaving less surface area for oxygen.

Pursed-lip breathing

A patient care breathing technique specifically used for emphysema.

Pleural Effusion

Condition where fluid builds up in the pleural space and compresses the lung.

Pleural Space

The space between the lung and the chest wall.

Diuretics

Medications that may be used for pleural effusion.

Pneumothorax

Condition where air leaks into the pleural space, causing the lung to collapse.

Chest Tube

A medical procedure used to treat pneumothorax.

Cellular Respiration

The process of energy (ATP) production that requires oxygen ($O_2$).

ATP

The energy product produced from oxygen in the mitochondria.

Carbonic Acid Equation

$$CO_2 + H_2O \rightleftharpoons H_2CO_3 \rightleftharpoons H^+ + HCO_3^-$$

Acid-Base Balance

Homeostatic regulation of blood $pH$ helped by the respiratory removal of $CO_2$.

Upper Respiratory System (Clean)

The function of cleaning incoming air before it reaches the lungs.

Upper Respiratory System (Warm)

The function of warming incoming air before it reaches the lungs.

Upper Respiratory System (Humidify)

The function of adding water vapor to incoming air.

External Nose

The external opening of the respiratory system.

Nares

The nostrils where air enters the body.

Nasal Cavity

The large hollow chamber behind the nose.

Nasal Septum

The wall dividing the nasal cavity into left and right sides.

Nasal Hairs

Structures that trap large particles during filtration.

Goblet Cells

Cells in the nasal cavity that produce sticky mucus.

Cilia

Microscopic hair-like projections that beat rhythmically toward the pharynx.

Mucociliary escalator

The combined mucus and cilia cleaning system.

Warming air mechanism

Blood vessels under the mucosa transfer heat to cold air.

Olfaction

The sense of smell, located in the superior region of the nasal cavity.

Nasal Conchae

Curved bony shelves, also known as turbinates, that increase surface area.

Turbulence

Swirling air movement caused by nasal conchae to improve warming and filtering.

Paranasal Sinuses

Air-filled cavities in skull bones including the frontal, maxillary, ethmoid, and sphenoid bones.

Voice Resonance

The affect on sound quality and tone provided by the sinuses.

Pharynx

Muscular passageway connecting the nasal cavity, mouth, larynx, and esophagus.

Nasopharynx

The portion of the pharynx located behind the nasal cavity that conducts air only.

Pharyngeal Tonsil

Also known as the adenoids, located in the nasopharynx.

Oropharynx

The portion of the pharynx behind the oral cavity that serves as a passage for air and food.

Palatine Tonsils

Lymphatic tissue located in the oropharynx.

Laryngopharynx

The lowest portion of the pharynx directing air to the larynx and food to the esophagus.

Lingual Tonsils

A type of lymphatic tissue found in the pharynx.

Larynx

The voice box, located between the pharynx and trachea, made mostly of cartilage.

Epiglottis

An elastic cartilage flap that covers the glottis during swallowing to prevent aspiration.

Glottis

The opening into the trachea.

Aspiration

The medical term for food or liquid entering the airway.

Thyroid Cartilage

The largest cartilage of the larynx which forms the Adam’s apple.

Cricoid Cartilage

The ring-shaped, only complete cartilage ring below the thyroid cartilage.

Vocal Cords

Vocal folds located inside the larynx that vibrate to produce sound.

Pitch (Tension)

Controlled by tension: tighter folds produce higher pitch, looser folds produce lower pitch.

Volume (Force)

Controlled by air force: more pressure produces louder sound.

Articulation

Speech shaping performed by the tongue, lips, teeth, and palate.