General Introduction of Respirology

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and definitions related to the field of Respirology as discussed in the lecture.

Respirology

A subspecialty of medicine focused on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of respiratory diseases.

Pulmonary circulation

The circulation of blood from the heart to the lungs and back, characterized by lower pressure and higher volume.

COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a group of lung diseases that block airflow and make it difficult to breathe.

Acute cough

A cough lasting less than 3 weeks, commonly caused by infections such as the common cold.

Chronic cough

A cough lasting more than 8 weeks, often associated with underlying health issues.

Bronchoscopy

A procedure that allows doctors to examine the airways and lungs using a thin tube with a camera.

Diagnostic tests for respiratory diseases

Include blood tests, sputum tests, imaging studies, and lung function assessments.

Respiratory infections

Infections affecting the airways and lungs, often becoming more difficult to treat due to antibiotic resistance.

Gas exchange

The process of oxygen entering the blood and carbon dioxide being expelled, essential for respiration.

Allergen

Substances that can cause allergic reactions, significant in respiratory diseases like asthma.

Dyspnea

The medical term for shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.

Spirometry

A common lung function test used to assess how well lungs work by measuring the volume of air inhaled and exhaled, as well as the flow rate.

Pneumonia

An infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs, which may fill with fluid or pus (exudate).

Sleep Apnea

A potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep.

Pleural Effusion

The build-up of excess fluid between the layers of the pleura outside the lungs.

Hypoxemia

A condition characterized by low levels of oxygen in the blood, often measured using arterial blood gas (ABG) tests.

Pneumothorax

A collapsed lung that occurs when air leaks into the space between the lung and the chest wall.

Ventilation

The process of moving air into and out of the lungs to facilitate gas exchange.

Tuberculosis

A serious infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium\ tuberculosis, which primarily affects the lungs.

Orthopnea

Shortness of breath (dyspnea) that occurs when lying flat, often relieved by sitting or standing up.

Alveoli

Tiny air sacs within the lungs where the exchange of oxygen (O{2}) and carbon dioxide (CO{2}) takes place.

Bronchitis

Inflammation of the bronchial tubes (bronchi), which carry air to and from the lungs, often causing a cough and mucus production.

Pulse Oximetry

A non-invasive method used to monitor a person's oxygen saturation (SpO_{2}).

Asthma

A chronic condition characterized by periodic inflammation and narrowing of the airways, leading to symptoms such as wheezing.

Emphysema

A type of COPD involving damage to the air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs, reducing the surface area for gas exchange.

Hemoptysis

The medical term for coughing up blood or blood-tinged sputum (hemorrhage) from the respiratory tract.

Cyanosis

A bluish or purplish discoloration of the skin or mucous membranes due to low oxygen (O_{2}) levels in the blood.

Pulmonary Embolism

A sudden blockage in a lung artery, usually caused by a blood clot (thrombus) that travels to the lung.

Diaphragm

A dome-shaped muscle located at the bottom of the chest cavity that serves as the main muscle of respiration.

Bronchiectasis

A long-term condition where the airways of the lungs become abnormally widened, leading to a build-up of excess mucus (phlegm).