Respiratory week 6

Flashcards covering the anatomy, physiology, assessment findings, diagnostic tests, and therapeutic interventions of the respiratory system based on the provided lecture notes.

Nasopharynx

The part of the pharynx that extends from the posterior nares to the soft palate and contains openings for the auditory (eustachian) tubes.

Oropharynx

The space between the soft palate and the base of the tongue containing the palatine and lingual tonsils.

Laryngopharynx

The region that passes dorsal to the larynx and connects to the esophagus.

Epiglottis

The uppermost cartilage of the larynx that closes over the top of the larynx during swallowing to direct food and liquids into the esophagus.

Thyroid cartilage

The largest piece of cartilage in the larynx, also known as the Adam's apple.

Glottis

The opening between the vocal cords.

Vestibular folds

The superior pair of folds in the larynx, also called false vocal cords, which close the glottis during swallowing but play no role in speech.

Trachea

A rigid tube about $4.5 ext{ inches}$ ($11 ext{ cm}$) long reinforced by C-shaped rings of cartilage that extends from the larynx to the carina.

Carina

A cartilaginous ridge located at the lower end of the trachea where it branches into two primary bronchi.

Bronchioles

Very small airways less than $1 ext{ mm}$ wide that lack supportive cartilage and divide to form alveolar ducts.

Alveoli

Clusters of air sacs that serve as the primary structures for gas exchange and are wrapped in a fine mesh of capillaries.

Respiratory membrane

The structure where gas exchange occurs, consisting of the alveolar epithelium, the capillary endothelium, and their joined basement membranes.

External intercostal muscles

Muscles that pull the ribs upward and outward to widen the thoracic cavity during inspiration.

Eupnea

Normal respiratory rate and rhythm.

Hyperventilation

Respiratory pattern characterized by deeper respirations with a normal rate.

Tachypnea

An increased respiratory rate.

Bradypnea

Slow but regular respirations.

Apnea

The absence of breathing, which may be periodic.

Cheyne-Stokes

Respirations that gradually become faster and deeper than normal, then slower, alternating with periods of apnea.

Kussmaul's

Respirations that are faster and deeper without pauses.

Crackles (rales)

Discontinuous bubbling, popping, or clicking noises best heard during inhalation, commonly at the lung bases.

Wheezes

High-pitched whistling sounds commonly heard during expiration, generated by narrowed inflamed airways.

Rhonchi

Low-pitched rattling sounds resembling snoring or gurgling that suggest secretions in the large airways.

Stridor

A high-pitched variable respiratory sound heard over the trachea and upper airways.

Pleural friction rub

A creaking, grating, or rubbing sound heard during both inspiration and expiration.

Ventilation-Perfusion (VQ) Scan

A diagnostic test where a radioactive compound is inhaled and another is injected; a "mismatch" between the two indicates a pulmonary embolus.

Tidal volume ($TV$)

The volume of air inhaled and exhaled in a normal breath, approximately $500 ext{ ml}$.

Residual volume ($RV$)

The amount of air remaining in the lungs after a full exhalation.

Pulmonary Angiography

A procedure involving radiographic contrast material injected into pulmonary arteries to visualize vasculature and detect embolisms or lesions.

Bronchoscopy

The use of a bronchoscope to view the airways and check for abnormalities.

Thoracentesis

A therapeutic measure used to remove fluid or air from the pleural space.

Water Seal (Chest Tube)

A chamber designed to allow air to exit from the pleural space during exhalation while preventing air from entering during inhalation.

Tracheostomy

A tube inserted into an opening in the trachea to maintain airway patency.

Incentive Spirometer

A device used by patients to help improve lung function by measuring the volume of air inhaled.

Vibratory Positive Expiratory Pressure (PEP) Device

An intervention used to help patients expectorate sputum by generating vibrations during exhalation.