Respiratory System

pharynx

throat

larynx

voice box

epiglottis

flap that covers the airway when swallowing

trachea

windpipe

bronchus

large airway that branches from the trachea

bronchiole

small airway branch

alveolus

air sac where gas exchange occurs

pleura

double membrane around the lungs

cilia

tiny hairs that sweep debris from the airway

surfactant

fluid that keeps alveoli open

inspiration

breathing in

expiration

breathing out

eupnea

normal breathing

dyspnea

difficult or painful breathing

tachypnea

rapid breathing

bradypnea

slow breathing

apnea

absence of breathing

orthopnea

breathing easier when upright

hypoxia

low oxygen in tissues

hypoxemia

low oxygen in the blood

cyanosis

bluish skin from low oxygen

hemoptysis

coughing up blood

epistaxis

nosebleed

rhinorrhea

runny nose

sputum

mucus coughed up from the lungs

wheeze

high pitched whistling breath sound

asthma

reversible airway narrowing and inflammation

bronchitis

inflammation of the bronchi

emphysema

destruction of alveoli

COPD

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

pneumonia

infection of the lung

tuberculosis

bacterial infection of the lungs

pleurisy

inflammation of the pleura

pneumothorax

air in the pleural space

hemothorax

blood in the pleural space

atelectasis

collapsed lung

pulmonary embolism

blood clot in a lung artery

sinusitis

inflammation of the sinuses

laryngitis

inflammation of the larynx

sleep apnea

repeated pauses in breathing during sleep

spirometry

test that measures air volume

pulse oximetry

test of blood oxygen saturation

bronchoscopy

visual exam of the bronchi

thoracentesis

puncture of the chest to remove fluid

tracheostomy

surgical opening in the trachea

tracheotomy

incision into the trachea

intubation

placing a tube in the airway

lobectomy

removal of a lung lobe

pneumonectomy

removal of a lung