Chapter Four: Med Term

vWF

von Willebrand Factor

WPW

Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome

Respiratory System

A group of organs, tissues, and cells that enables human beings to breathe.

Lungs

Primary organs in the respiratory system that help absorb oxygen and release carbon dioxide.

Alveolar

little hollows that are responsible for gaseous exchange.

Bronchus

One of the large air passages that conducts air from the atmosphere to the lungs.

Bronchioles

Branches of bronchus.

Diaphragm

A dome-shaped muscle that is responsible for separating the thorax and the abdominal cavity.

Epiglottis

A structure covering the larynx that prevents food from entering into the respiratory tract.

Larynx

Part of the respiratory system that is responsible for the production of sound.

Nasal

Anything related to the nose.

Palatine Tonsil

A pair of lymphoid tissues located on either side of the oropharynx.

Paranasal Sinus

Cavities located near the nose that drain into the nasal cavity.

Pleura

The covering of the lungs.

Pulmonary

Signifies anything related to the lungs.

Pharyngeal

Signifies anything related to the pharynx.

Surfactant

A phospholipid that is responsible for reducing the surface tension of the alveolus.

Trachea

The principal air conducting passage extending from cricoid cartilage to the mid-way of the chest.

Turbinate Bones

Bony projections in the nasal cavity that contain olfactory receptors.

Vocal Chords

Membranous folds inside the larynx responsible for speech production.

Adenoidectomy

The surgical process of removing adenoids.

Arterial Blood Gasses

The concentration of oxygen and carbon dioxide in arterial blood.

Bronchoscopy

The visual examination of the respiratory passage through a lighted instrument.

Endotracheal Intubation

A process where a catheter is introduced through the mouth or nose into the airway passage.

Intubation

Insertion of a tube into a hollow organ like that of the larynx or trachea for enabling the passage of air.

Intermittent Positive Pressure Breathing

Use of a ventilator for inflating the lungs at periodic intervals under positive pressure during inhalation.

Intermittent Positive Pressure Ventilation

Use of mechanical ventilator to force air into the lungs while allowing passive exhalation.

Thracentesis

Puncture of the chest wall in order to aspirate pleural fluid.

Total Gas Volume

The total amount of gas in the thoracic cavity measured by a body plethysmograph.

Tracheostomy

The formation of an opening in the trachea for maintaining the airway below a blockage.

Laryngoscopy

The visual examination of the larynx through a light instrument.

Lobectomy

Surgical removal of a lobe of the lung.

Lung Biopsy

A test for collecting lung tissue for further analysis.

Lung Scan

Radiographic image of the lung.

Mediastinoscopy

The examination of mediastinum through an endoscope by making an incision above the sternum.

Plethysmograph

An instrument for measuring the change in gas volume and pressure during respiration.

Pneumotachometer

A device for measuring airflow.

Pneumoplasty

Plastic surgery of the lungs, often involving the removal of non-functional or dead portions.

Positive End-Expiratory Pressure

Use of mechanical ventilator for an increasing volume of gas in lungs after exhalation.

Pulmonary Angiogram

The examination of lung blood vessels.

Oximetry

The measurement of oxygen saturation of arterial blood.

Pulmonary Function Test

The tests for measuring the ability of the lungs.

Spirometer

An instrument for measuring the amount of air inhaled and exhaled.

Ventilation-perfusion

The ratio of alveolar ventilation to capillary perfusion in the lungs.

Tidal Volume

The total amount of air breathed in or out during relaxed breathing.

Residual Volume

The amount of air remaining in the lung after maximum exhalation.

Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV)

Amount of air that can be exhaled after a normal exhalation.

Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV)

Amount of air that can be inhaled after normal inspiration.

Total Lung Capacity

The total amount of air that can be stored in the lungs after maximum inhalation.

Inspiratory Capacity

Amount of air that can be inhaled after normal exhalation.

Vital Capacity

Amount of air that can be eliminated from lungs through a maximum exhalation after a maximum inhalation.

Forced Expiratory Volume

The volume of gas expelled from the lungs with maximum force within a given amount of time.

Forced Vital Capacity

The volume of gas expelled as quickly as possible after a complete inhalation.

Acidosis

Increased amount of acid in the body.

Respiratory Acidosis

Usually caused by increasing levels of carbon dioxide in the blood.

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

A severe clinical condition characterized by pulmonary edema leading to fatal respiratory failure.

Acute Rhinitis

Inflammation of the nasal mucosa associated with sneezing and secretion of watery mucus from the nose.

Alkalosis

Increased amount of base in the body.

Respiratory Alkalosis

Usually caused by decreased carbon dioxide in the blood.

Anoxia

Lack or absence of oxygen in the tissues.

Aspiration Pneumonia

A type of pneumonia caused by the inhalation of foreign objects or, in some cases, vomitus.

Asphyxia

The condition where the body is deprived of oxygen.

Asthma

A clinical condition characterized by constriction of the respiratory passage resulting in wheezing sound, coughing, and increased bronchial secretions.

Atelectasis

A condition where there is a collapse of alveoli preventing gaseous exchange in a specific portion of the lung.

Blot Respiration

Deep and fast breathing interrupted by sudden pauses, usually occurring in the case of any CNS disorders.

Bronchiectasis

The condition of chronic dilation of the bronchus.

Bronchitis

Inflammation of the bronchus.

Byssinosis

Obstructive airway disease caused by the inhalation of dust in unprocessed fibers.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

A group of diseases that include asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and bronchiectasis where patients are unable to inspire or expire due to functional obstruction of any kind.

Cheyne-Stokes Respiration

An abnormal respiratory pattern characterized by progressive fast breathing and gradually decreased breathing followed by periods of apnea.

Crackles

The sound produced when air flows by a liquid.

Croup

A viral infection caused by the parainfluenza virus usually involves upper respiratory tract inflammation and obstruction, characterized by a barking cough.

Cystic Fibrosis

An inherited disorder affecting the pancreas, respiratory system, and sweat glands characterized by accumulating mucus in the bronchi, causing obstruction and leading to infection.

Deviated Septum

A displaced or shifter nasal septum.

Diphtheria

An infectious disease characterized by the formation of pseudomembranes limited to the upper respiratory tract.

Dyspnea

Intense tightening of chest leading to difficulty in breathing.

Emphysema

Destruction of the alveolar wall resulting in loss of elasticity and decreased gaseous exchange.

Empyema

Accumulation of pus in a body cavity; empyema of the pleural space is called pyothorax.

Epiglottitis

Inflammation of the epiglottis.

Epistaxis

Bleeding from the nose.

Hemoptysis

Coughing up blood from the respiratory tract.

Hemothorax

Accumulation of blood in pleural space.

Hydrothorax

Accumulation of fluid in the pleural space.

Hyperventilation

An increase in respiratory rate than usual.

Hypoventilation

A decrease in respiratory rate than usual.

Hypoxia

An inadequate supply of oxygen to the body.

Influenza

An acute infectious disease-causing fever, chills, headache, and muscle spasm.

Kussmaul Breathing

Deep, rapid breathing without an interval, usually occurs in severe acidosis.

Rales

Abnormal chest sounds heard when air enters alveoli containing fluid.

Pertussis

An acute infectious disease characterized by an atypical cough.

Pleural Effusion

Abnormal accumulation of fluid in the pleural space.

Pleurisy

Inflammation of the pleura.

Pneumonia

Inflammation of the lung tissue.

Pneumothorax

Accumulation of air in the chest cavity.

Pulmonary Embolism

A blockage in the pulmonary artery caused by an embolus, which is a thrombosis.

Pertussis

An acute infectious disease characterized by an atypical cough referred to as whooping cough.

Pleural Effusion

Abnormal accumulation of fluid in pleural space.

Pleurisy

Inflammation of the outer layer of the Pleura.

Pleuritis

Inflammation of the whole Pleura.

Pneumoconiosis

The group of diseases of the respiratory tract caused by the inhalation of dust particles.