Week 3 Terminology: Respiratory system

nares

paired external openings of the respiratory tract, nostrils

apnea

absence of breathing

sinus

air or fluid filled space in bone

tachypnea

abnormally rapid respiration rate

agonal breathing

respirations near death or during extreme suffering

auscultation

to listen

thoracocentesis

puncture of the chest wall with a needle to obtain fluid from the pleural cavity

atelectasis

incomplete expansion of the alveoli

inflammation

a localized protective response to destroy, dilute, or wall off injury

phonation

act of producing sound

pyothorax

accumulation of pus in the chest cavity

tracheitis

inflammation of the windpipe

tracheostomy

surgical creation of an opening into windpipe

thoracic

chest area, located between the neck and abdomen

dyspnea

difficult or labored breathing

hypoxia

inadequate supply of oxygen to tissue despite adequate blood supply

stridor

snoring, squeaking, or whistling that suggests airway narrowing

phlegm

thick mucus secreted by the tissue lining the respiratory passages

anoxia

absence of oxygen

antitussive

substance used to control or prevent coughing

rhinitis

inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose

bronchodilator

substances that expand the openings into the lungs

patent

open, unobstructed, or not closed

crepitation

fine or coarse interrupted crackling noises coming from collapsed or fluid filled alveoli during respiration

percussion

a diagnostic procedure designed to determine the density of a body part by the sound produced by tapping the surface with the fingers

asphyxiation

interruption of breathing resulting in lack of oxygen, suffocation

epistaxis

nosebleed

pharyngitis

inflammation of the throat

pneumothorax

abnormal accumulation of air or gas in the chest cavity

sinusitis

inflammation of the sinus

bronchoconstrictor

substances that narrow the openings into the lung