Med Term Ch. 12 Terms

Adenoids

lymphoid tissue located in the nasopharynx

Alveoli

the tiny air sacs in the lung

Bronchiole

one of the smaller subdivisions of the bronchial tubes

Bronchus

one of the larger air passageways in the lungs

Carbon Dioxide

a gas produced by energy metabolism in cells and eliminated through the lungs

Carbonic Acid

an acid formed when carbon dioxide dissolves in water

Compliance

a measure of how easily the lungs expand under pressure

Diaphragm

the dome-shaped muscle under the lungs that flattens during inspiration

Epiglottis

a leaf-shaped cartilage that covers the larynx during swallowing to prevent food from entering the trachea

Expectoration

the act of coughing up material from the respiratory tract

Expiration

the act of breathing out or expelling air from the lungs

Glottis

the opening between the vocal folds

Hemoglobin

the iron-containing pigment in red blood cells that transports oxygen

Inspiration

the act of drawing air into the lungs

Larynx

the enlarged, superior portion of the trachea that contains the vocal folds

Lingual Tonsils

small mounds of lymphoid tissue at the posterior of the tongue

Lung

a cone-shaped, spongy respiratory organ contained within the thorax

Mediastinum

the space between the lungs together with the organs contained in this space

Nose

the organ of the face used for breathing and housing receptors for smell

Oxygen

the gas needed by cells to release energy from food during metabolism

Palatine Tonsils

the paired masses of lymphoid tissue located on either side of the oropharynx

Pharynx

the throat

Phrenic Nerve

the nerve that activates the diaphragm

Pleura

a double-layered membrane that lines the thoracic cavity

Pleural Space

the thin, fluid-like space beween the two layers of the pleura

Pulmonary Ventilation

the movement of air into and out of the lungs

Sinus

a cavity

Sputum

the substance released by coughing or clearing the throat

Surfactant

a substance that decreases surface tensions within the aveoli

Trachea

the air passageway that extends from the larynx to the bronchi

Turbinate Bones

the bony projections in the nasal cavity that contains receptors for smell

Vocal Folds

membranous folds on either side of the larynx that are important in speech production

Dyspnea

difficult or labored breathing

Hypoxia

decreased amount of oxygen in the tissues

Hypocapnia

decreased amount of carbon dioxide in the tissues

Aphonia

loss of voice

Intranasal

within the nose

Rhinoplasty

plastic repair of the nose

Pharyngeal

pertaining to the pharynx

Laryngospasm

spasm of the larynx

Traceheotome

instrument used to incise the trachea

Bronchogenic

originating in a bronchus

Bronchiolectasis

dilatation of the bronchioles

Phrenic

pertaining to the diaphragm

Phrenicectomy

partial excision of the phrenic nerve

Pleurodesis

fusion of the pleura

Extrapulmonary

outside the lungs

Pneumonitis

inflammation of the lung

Pneumothorax

presence of air in the thorax

Spirometer

instrument for measuring breathing volumes

Tidal Volume

amount of air breathed into or out of the lungs in quiet, relaxed breathing

Residual Volume

amount of air that remains in the lings after maximum exhalation

Expiratory Reserve Volume

amount of air that can be exhaled after a normal exhalation

Inspiratory Reserve Volume

amount of air that can be inhaled above a normal inspiration

Total Lung Capacity

total amount of air that can be contained 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 expelled from the lungs by maximum exhalation after maximum inhalation

Functional Residual Capacity

amount if air remaining in the lungs after normal exhalation

Forced Expiratory Volume

volume of gas exhaled with maximum for within a given interval of time

Forced Vital Capacity

the volume of gas exhaled as rapidly and completely as possible

Acidosis

abnormal acidity of body fluids

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

pulmonary edema that can lead rapidly to fatal respiratory failure

Acute Rhinitis

inflammation of the nasal mucosa with sneezing, tearing and profuse secretion of watery mucus

Alkalosis

abnormal alkalinity of body fluids

Aspiration

the accidental inhalation of food or other foreign material into the lungs

Asthma

a disease characterized by dyspnea and wheezing caused by spasm of bronchial tubes

Atelectasis

incomplete expansion of a lung or part of a lung

Bronchiectasis

chronic dilatation of a bronchus

Bronchitis

inflammation of a bronchus

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

any of a group of chronic, progressive and debilitating respiratory diseases

Croup

a childhood disease usually caused by a viral infection that involves upper airway inflammation and obs

Cyanosis

bluish discoloration of the skin caused by lack of oxygen in the blood

Cystic Fibrosis

an inherited disease that affects the pancreas, respiratory system and sweat glands

Diphtheria

acute infectious disease, usually limited to the upper respiratory tract

Emphysema

a chronic pulmonary disease characterized by the enlargement and destruction of the alveoli

Empyema

accumulation of pus in a body cavity

Hemoptytis

the spitting of blood from the mouth or respiratory tract

Hemothorax

presence of blood in the pleural space

Hydrothorax

presence of fluid in the pleural space

Hyperventilation

increase in the rate and depth of breathing to above optimal levels

Hypoventilation

condition in which the amount of air entering the alveoli is insufficient to meet metabolic needs

Influenza

an acute, contagious respiratory infection causing fever, chills, headache and muscle pain

Pertussis

an acute, infectious disease characterized by a cough ending in a whooping inspiration

Pleural Effusion

accumulation of fluid in the pleural space

Pleurisy

inflammation of the pleura

Pneumoconiosis

disease of the respiratory tract caused by inhalation of dust particles

Pneumonia

inflammation of the lungs generally caused by infection

Pneumonitis

inflammation of the lungs

Pneumothorax

accumulation of air or gas in the pleural space

Pyothorax

accumulation of pus in the pleural space

Respiratory Distress Syndrome

a respiratory disorder that affects premature infants born without enough surfactant in the lungs

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

the sudden and unexplained death of an apparently healthy infant

Tuberculosis

an infectious disease caused by tubercle bacillus

Arterial Blood Gases

the concentration of gases, specifically oxygen and carbon dioxide in arterial blood

Bronchoscope

an endoscope used to examine the tracheobronchial passageways

Lung Scan

study based on the accumulation of radioactive isotopes in lung tissue

Pulse Oximetry

determination of the oxygen saturation of arterial blood

Pulmonary Function Tests

tests done to assess breathing

Spirometer

an apparatus used to measure breathing volumes and capacities

Thoracentesis

surgical puncture of the chest for removal of air or fluids