respiratory system

Adenoids

lymphatic tissue in the nasopharynx

Alveolus (alveoli)

air sac in the lung

Apex of the lung

tip (uppermost) of the lung

Base of the lung

lower portion of the lung

Bronchioles

smallest branches of bronchi

Bronchus (bronchi)

branch of the trachea that is a passageway into the lung

Carbon dioxide

gas produced by body cells when oxygen and food combine; exhaled through the lungs

Cilia

thin hairs attached to the mucous membrane epithelium lining the respiratory tract

Diaphragm

muscle separating chest and abdomen

Epiglottis

cartilage that covers the larynx to prevent food from entering the lungs

Expiration

breathing out

Glottis

slit-like opening to the larynx

Hilum

middle region where bronchi

Inspiration

breathing in

Larynx

voice box containing the vocal cords

Lobe

division of a lung

Mediastinum

region between the lungs in the chest cavity

Nares

openings of the nose carrying air into the nasal cavities

Oxygen

gas that passes into the bloodstream in the lungs and travels to all cells in the body

Palatine tonsil

one of a pair of almond-shaped masses of lymphatic tissue in the oropharynx

Paranasal sinus

air cavities in the head

Parietal pleura

outer fold of pleura lying closer to the ribs and chest wall

Pharynx

throat including the nasopharynx

Pleura

double-folded membrane surrounding each lung

Pleural cavity

space between the folds of the pleura

Pulmonary parenchyma

essential parts of the lung responsible for respiration; bronchioles and alveoli

Respiration

process of moving air into and out of the lungs; breathing

Trachea

windpipe

Visceral pleura

inner fold of pleura lying closer to the lung tissue

Auscultation

using a stethoscope to listen to body sounds

Percussion

tapping on a surface to determine differences in underlying density

Pleural rub

scratchy sound produced by inflamed pleural surfaces rubbing together

Rale (crackle)

sound heard during inspiration when fluid is in the alveoli

Rhonchus

loud rumbling sound heard in bronchi obstructed by sputum

Sputum

material expelled from the chest by coughing

Stridor

high-pitched sound made on inspiration by an obstructed larynx

Wheeze

continuous high-pitched whistling sound caused by narrowed airways

Croup

acute viral infection causing laryngeal obstruction with barking cough and stridor

Diphtheria

acute bacterial infection of the throat and upper respiratory tract

Epistaxis

nosebleed

Pertussis

highly contagious bacterial infection also known as whooping cough

Asthma

chronic inflammatory disorder with airway obstruction

Bronchiectasis

chronic dilation of a bronchus due to infection

Chronic bronchitis

long-term inflammation of the bronchi; a type of COPD

Cystic fibrosis (CF)

genetic disease causing thick mucus and persistent lung infections

Atelectasis

collapse of part or all of a lung

Emphysema

destruction of alveoli with hyperinflation; a form of COPD

Lung cancer

malignant tumor arising from the lungs or bronchi

Pneumoconiosis

lung disease caused by inhalation of dust

Pneumonia

acute inflammation and infection of the alveoli

Pulmonary abscess

large collection of pus in the lungs

Pulmonary edema

swelling and fluid in the air sacs and bronchioles

Pulmonary embolism (PE)

blockage of a pulmonary vessel by a thrombus or other material

Pulmonary fibrosis

formation of scar tissue in the lungs

Sarcoidosis

chronic inflammatory disease with nodules in the lungs and other organs

Tuberculosis (TB)

infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Mesothelioma

malignant tumor of the pleura caused by asbestos exposure

Pleural effusion

abnormal accumulation of fluid in the pleural space

Pleurisy (pleuritis)

inflammation of the pleura

Pneumothorax

collapsed lung caused by air in the pleural space

Anthracosis

coal dust accumulation in the lungs

Asbestosis

accumulation of asbestos particles in the lungs

Bacilli

rod-shaped bacteria that cause TB

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

chronic airflow obstruction caused by smoking

Cor pulmonale

right-sided heart failure due to lung disease

Exudate

fluid

Hydrothorax

collection of fluid in the pleural cavity

Infiltrate

collection of fluid or other material within the lung

Palliative

relieving symptoms without curing disease

Paroxysmal

sudden occurrence such as a spasm or seizure

Pulmonary infarction

area of dead tissue in the lung

Purulent

containing pus

Silicosis

lung disease caused by inhalation of silica dust

Chest x-ray (CXR)

radiographic image of the chest

Computed tomography (CT) scan

cross-sectional x-ray images of the chest

Pulmonary angiography/arteriography

x-ray imaging of pulmonary vessels using contrast media

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

magnetic imaging of the chest

Positron emission tomography (PET) scan

imaging using radioactive isotopes to show metabolic activity

Ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scan

imaging test to evaluate airflow and blood flow in the lungs

Bronchoscopy

endoscopic examination of the bronchial tubes

Endotracheal intubation

placement of a tube into the trachea to establish an airway

Laryngoscopy

endoscopic examination of the larynx

Lung biopsy

removal of lung tissue for microscopic examination

Mediastinoscopy

endoscopic examination of the mediastinum

Pulmonary function tests (PFTs)

tests measuring lung function and gas exchange

Thoracentesis

surgical puncture to remove fluid from the pleural space

Thoracotomy

surgical incision into the chest

Thoracoscopy

endoscopic examination of the chest cavity

Tracheostomy

surgical creation of an opening into the trachea

Tuberculin test

skin test for tuberculosis infection

Tube thoracostomy

chest tube placement to drain pleural fluid