Respiratory System

nares/nostrils

the two external openings of the nose that conduct air into the nasal cavity

Nasal septum

a partition that divides the nose and the nasal cavity into right/left sides

Paranasal sinuses

four pairs of hollow air filled cavities within the facial bones beside the nose

Olfaction

the sense of smell

Pharynx

the throat; a muscular tube extending from behind the nasal cavity to the larynx

Larynx

the voice box: the structure that produces sound for speech

Trachea

the windpipe; passageway for air from the larynx to the primary bronchi

Hilar

pertaining to the hilum

Lobar

pertaining to a lobe

Ole

small

Alveoli

tiny air filled sacs at the end of the bronchioles, each encased within pulmonary capilaries: the site of gas exchange

Expectorate

cough up; the act of coughing up mucus from the respiratory tract

Mucus

a protective, slimy secretion from glands within mucous membranes

Mucous

pertaining to mucus

Mucous membrane

a thin protective liining that secretes protective mucus in body passages that open directly to the exterior of the body, such as the respiratory tract

Phlegm

thick or excessive mucus produed in the lower respiratory tract

Sputum

thick or excessive mucus (phlegm) that is coughed up from the respiratory tract

Eupnea

breathing at a normal rate and rhythm

Ventilation

the act of inhaling and exhaling; the movement of gases into and out of the lungs

Cellular respiration

the process within the cell that converts oxygen into unusable energy and creates the byproduct carbon dioxide

Diaphragm

a single, dome shaped sheet of skeletal muscle that acts as the primary muscle of respiration; a partition between the thoracic and abdominal cavities

Aspiration

inhalation of liquids or a foreign object into the airway; may or may not obstruct the upper or lower airway

Epistaxis

nosebleed

Pharyngitis

inflammtion/infection of the pharynx; commonly called a sore throat

Rhinorrhea

Runny nose, nose discharge

Rhinitis

inflammation/infection of the nose; specifically the mucosa in the nose and nasal cavity

Ectasis

dilation

Hemoptysis

coughing up blood or blood

Pneumonia

a lung infection/inflammation that causes the alveoli to fill up with fluid and/or pus

Pneumonia

commonly named after the area it is located: lobar, hilar, apical, basilar, bilateral

Tracheostenosis

abnormal narrowing of the trachea

Hemothorax

the presence of blood in the pleural cavity/space

Pneumothorax

the presence of air/gas in the pleural space/cavity

Bradypneic

pertaining to breathing too slowly

Dyspnea

difficult breathing: labored breathing, shortness of breath (SOB)

Tachypnea

rapid breathing, faster than normal breathing rate at rest

Hypercapnia

a condition of excessive carbon dioxide in the blood

Hypoxic

pertaining to having hypoxia

Hypoxemia

a condition of decreased oxygen level in arterial blood

Stridor

high pitched, harsh crowig sound caused by obstruction of the larynx or trachea; suggestive of severe upper airway obstruction, as heard in croup

Pulmonology

the branch of medicine/physician that specializes in the study, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases of the lungs

Auscultation

diagnostic method of listening to body sounds with a stethoscope

Pulse oximeter

a device that measures pulse rate and blood’s oxygen saturation (percentage of oxygen/SpO2)

Spirometer

instruments used to measure lung capacity/volume by having a patient inhale or exhale through the device

Meter

instrument for measuring

Endotracheal intubation

insertion of a tube into the trachea for ventilation of the patient; allows a non breathing patient to be placed on a ventilator

Nebulizer

a device used to aerosolize (make a fine mist) respiratory inhalant medications

Stoma

a surgically created opening (hole) in an organ that leads to the body surface

Thoracentesis

insertion of a needle into the pleural cavity to evacuate small to moderate amounts of fluid or air

Tracheostomy

a surgical incision and creation of an opening (hole) into the trachea to assist breathing via placement of a tracheostomy tube

Antitussive

an agent that suppresses coughing and the urge to cough

Expectorant

an agent that improves the ability too cough up mucus by increasing water content of secretions and making secretions less viscous

Mucolytic

agent capable of breaking the chemical bonds of mucus, thus thinning the viscosity of thick mucus secretions, making it easier to clear mucous from the airways