Exploring Medical Language Chapter 5

nose

lined with mucous membrane and fine hairs; it acts as a filter to moisten and warm the entering air

nasal septum

partition separating the right and left nasal cavities

paranasal sinuses

air cavities within the cranial bones that open into the nasal cavities

pharynx

serves as a food and air passageway. Air enters from the nasal cavities and/or mouth and passes through the pharynx to the larynx. Food enters the pharynx from the mouth and passes into the esophagus. (also called the throat)

adenoids

lymphoid tissue located on the posterior wall of the nasal cavity (also called pharyngeal tonsils)

tonsils

lymphoid tissue located on the lateral wall at the junction of the oral cavity and oropharynx

larynx

location of the vocal cords. Air enters from the pharynx. (also called the voice box)

epiglottis

flap of cartilage that automatically covers the opening of the larynx and keeps food from entering the larynx during swallowing

trachea

passageway for air to the bronchi from the larynx; (also called the windpipe)

bronchus (pl. bronchi)

one of two branches from the trachea that conducts air into the lungs, where it divides and subdivides. The branchings resemble a tree; therefore, they are referred to as a bronchial tree.

bronchioles

smallest subdivision of the bronchial tree

alveoli (s. alveolus)

air sacs at the end of the bronchioles. Oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged through the alveolar walls and the capillaries (also a term for the sockets in the jaw bones into which the teeth fit).

thorax

chest, the part of the body between the neck and the diaphragm encased by the ribs. Thoracic cavity is the hollow space between the neck and diaphragm.

lungs

two spongelike organs in the thoracic cavity. The right lung consists of three lobes, and the left lung has two lobes.

pleura

double-folded serous membrane covering each lung (visceral pleura) and lining the thoracic cavity (parietal pleura) with a small space between, called the pleural cavity, which contains serous fluid

diaphragm

muscular partition that separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity. It aids in the breathing process by contracting and pulling air in, then relaxing and pushing air out.

mediastinum

space between the lungs. It contains the heart, esophagus, trachea, great blood vessels, and other structures.

adenoiditis

inflammation of the adenoids

alveolitis

inflammation of the alveoli (pulmonary or dental)

atelectasis

incomplete expansion (of the lung or portion of the lung)

bronchiectasis

dilation of the bronchi

bronchitis

inflammation of the bronchi

bronchogenic carcinoma

cancerous tumor originating in a bronchus (also referred to as lung cancer)

bronchopneumonia

diseased state of the bronchi and lungs (an inflammation of the lungs that begins in the terminal bronchioles)

diaphragmatocele

hernia of the diaphragm

epiglottitis

inflammation of the epiglottis

hemothorax

blood in the chest cavity (pleural space)

laryngitis

inflammation of the larynx

laryngotracheobronchitis (LTB)

inflammation of the larynx, trachea, and bronchi (the acute form is called croup)

lobar pneumonia

pertaining to the lobe(s); diseased state of the lung (infection of one or more lobes of the lung)

nasopharyngitis

inflammation of the nose and pharynx

pharyngitis

inflammation of the pharynx

pleuritis

inflammation of the pleura (also called pleurisy)

pneumatocele

hernia of the lung (lung tissue protrudes through an opening in the chest)

pneumoconiosis

abnormal condition of dust in the lungs (pneumoconiosis is the general name given for chronic inflammatory disease of the lung caused by excessive inhalation of mineral dust. When the disease is caused by a specific dust, it is named for the dust. For example, the disease caused by silica dust is called silicosis).

pneumonia

diseased state of the lung (the infection and inflammation are caused by bacteria such as Pneumococcus, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Haemophilus; viruses; and fungi)

pneumonitis

inflammation of the lung

pneumothorax

air in the chest cavity (specifically, the pleural space, which causes collapse of the lung and is often a result of an open chest wound)

pulmonary neoplasm

pertaining to (in) the lung, new growth (tumor)

pyothorax

pus in the chest cavity (pleural space) (also called empyema)

rhinitis

inflammation of the nose (mucous membranes)

rhinomycosis

abnormal condition of fungus in the nose

rhinorrhagia

rapid flow of blood from the nose (also called epistaxis)

sinusitis

inflammation of the sinuses

thoracalgia

pain in the chest

tonsillitis

inflammation of the tonsils

tracheitis

inflammation of the trachea

tracheostenosis

narrowing of the trachea

acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)

respiratory failure as a result of disease or injury. ARDS is respiratory failure in an adult.Symptoms include dyspnea, tachypnea, and cyanosis. (also called adult respiratory distress syndrome)

asthma

respiratory disease characterized by coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath, caused by constriction and inflammation of airways that is reversible between attacks

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

progressive lung disease obstructing air flow, which makes breathing difficult. Chronic bronchitis and pulmonary emphysema are the two main components of COPD. Most COPD is a result of cigarette smoking.

coccidioidomycosis

fungal disease affecting the lungs and sometimes other organs of the body (also called valley fever)

croup

condition resulting from acute obstruction of the larynx, characterized by a barking cough, hoarseness, and stridor. It may be caused by viral or bacterial infection, allergy, or foreign body. Occurs mainly in children. (also called laryngotracheobronchitis)

cystic fibrosis (CF)

hereditary disorder of the exocrine glands characterized by excess mucus production in the respiratory tract, pancreatic deficiency, and other symptoms

deviated septum

one part of the nasal cavity is smaller because of malformation or injury of the nasal septum

epistaxis

nosebleed (also called rhinorrhagia)

idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)

chronic progressive lung disorder characterized by increasing scarring, which ultimately reduces the capacity of the lungs; etiology unknown. Most often affects adults over the age of 50. Smoking, pollutants, and heredity may play a role in its genesis. Symptoms include exertional dyspnea and a dry cough. Lung transplant may be indicated in severe cases; there is no cure.

influenza (flu)

highly contagious and often severe viral infection of the respiratory tract

obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)

repetitive pharyngeal collapse during sleep, which leads to transient periods of apnea (absence of breathing); can produce daytime drowsiness and elevated blood pressure

pertussis

highly contagious bacterial infection of the respiratory tract characterized by an acute crowing inspiration, or whoop (also called whooping cough)

pleural effusion

fluid in the pleural space caused by a disease process or trauma

pulmonary edema

fluid accumulation in the alveoli and bronchioles, most often a manifestation of heart failure

pulmonary embolism (PE)

matter foreign to the circulation, carried to the pulmonary artery and its branches, where it blocks circulation to the lungs and can be fatal if of sufficient size or number. Blood clots broken loose from the deep veins of the lower extremities are the most common source.

pulmonary emphysema

loss of elasticity of the alveoli resulting in distention causing stretching of the lung. As a result, the body does not receive enough oxygen. (component of COPD)

tuberculosis (TB)

infectious bacterial disease, most commonly spread by inhalation of small particles and usually affecting the lungs; may spread to other organs

upper respiratory infection (URI)

infection of the nasal cavity, pharynx, or larynx usually caused by a virus (commonly called a cold)

adenoidectomy

excision of the adenoids

adenotome

instrument used to cut the adenoids

bronchoplasty

surgical repair of a bronchus

laryngectomy

excision of the larynx

laryngoplasty

surgical repair of the larynx

laryngostomy

creation of an artificial opening into the larynx

laryngotracheotomy

incision into the larynx and trachea

lobectomy

excision of a lobe (of the lung)

pleuropexy

surgical fixation of the pleura

pneumonectomy

excision of a lung

rhinoplasty

surgical repair of the nose

septoplasty

surgical repair of the (nasal) septum

septotomy

incision into the (nasal) septum

sinusotomy

incision into a sinus

thoracocentesis

surgical puncture to aspirate fluid from the chest cavity (also called thoracentesis) (Exercise Figure F)

thoracotomy

incision into the chest cavity

tonsillectomy

excision of the tonsils

tracheoplasty

surgical repair of the trachea

tracheostomy

creation of an artificial opening into the trachea

tracheotomy

incision into the trachea (Fig. 5.12)

bronchoscope

instrument used for visual examination of the bronchi

bronchoscopy

visual examination of the bronchi

endoscope

instrument used for visual examination within (a hollow organ or body cavity). (Endoscopes are used for surgical procedures as well as for viewing.)

endoscopic

pertaining to visual examination within (a hollow organ or body cavity) (used to describe the practice of performing surgeries that use endoscopes)

endoscopy

visual examination within (a hollow organ or body cavity)

laryngoscope

instrument used for visual examination of the larynx

laryngoscopy

visual examination of the larynx

thoracoscope

instrument used for visual examination of the chest cavity (VAT)

thoracoscopy

visual examination of the chest cavity

radiograph

record of x-rays

radiography

process of recording x-rays

sonogram

record of sound waves after they bounce off organs in the body

sonography

process of recording sound

tomography

process of recording slices (anatomical cross section)