respiratory

Abnormal breathing sounds

Abnormal sounds or noises heard over the lungs and airways, commonly leading to a diagnosis of a respiratory or cardiac condition; also called adventitious breath sounds.

Crackle

Intermittent sounds caused by exudates, spasms, hyperplasia, or when air enters moisture-filled alveoli; also called rale.

Rhonchus

Continuous sound heard during inspiration and expiration caused by secretions in the larger airways and commonly resembling snoring.

Stridor

High-pitched, harsh sound caused by a spasm or swelling of the larynx or an obstruction in the upper airway.

Wheeze

Whistling or sighing that results from narrowing of the lumen of the respiratory passageway.

Acidosis

Excessive acidity of body fluids.

Anosmia

Absence of the sense of smell.

Atelectasis

Collapsed or airless state of the lung, which may be acute or chronic and affects all or part of a lung.

Coryza

Acute inflammation of the membranes of the nose; also called rhinitis.

Croup

Common childhood condition involving inflammation of the larynx, trachea, and bronchial passages and sometimes involving the lungs.

Cystic fibrosis

Life-threatening genetic disease causing mucus to become unusually thick and sticky, plugging tubes and ducts, especially in the lungs and pancreas.

Deviated nasal septum

Displacement of the cartilage dividing the nostrils that causes reduced airflow and sometimes causes nosebleed.

Epiglottitis

Severe, life-threatening infection of the epiglottis and supraglottic structures that occurs most commonly in children between ages 2 and 12 years.

Epistaxis

Nasal hemorrhage; also called nosebleed.

Hypoxemia

Oxygen deficiency in arterial blood, which is usually a sign of respiratory impairment and commonly causes hypoxia.

Hypoxia

Oxygen deficiency in the body or a region of the body that commonly causes cyanosis.

Influenza

Acute, contagious viral disorder of the respiratory tract, characterized by weakness, fever, chills, and muscle pain; also called flu.

Pertussis

Acute, infectious disease characterized by a cough that has a characteristic “whoop” sound; also called whooping cough.

Pleural effusion

Abnormal accumulation of fluid in the pleural cavity that impairs breathing by limiting the expansion of the lungs.

Empyema

Exudative effusion characterized by collection of pus in the pleural cavity, commonly as a result of bacterial pneumonia.

Pneumothorax

Presence of air in the pleural cavity, commonly caused by a blunt or penetrating chest injury.

Pleurisy

Inflammation of the pleural membrane characterized by a stabbing pain intensified by coughing or deep breathing.

Pulmonary edema

Accumulation of extravascular fluid in lung tissues and alveoli, most commonly caused by heart failure.

Pulmonary embolism

Blockage in an artery of the lungs caused by a mass of undissolved matter that has traveled to the lungs.

Sudden infant death syndrome

Completely unexpected and unexplained death of an apparently normal, healthy infant, usually less than age 12 months.

Tuberculosis

Potentially fatal contagious disease spread through respiratory droplets, primarily affecting the lungs.

Mantoux test

Tuberculosis screening test using an injection of tuberculin purified protein derivative (PPD) to identify previous exposure.

Oximetry

Noninvasive method of monitoring the percentage of hemoglobin saturated with oxygen; also called pulse oximetry.

Polysomnography

Test of sleep cycles and stages using electroencephalograms (EEGs) and additional monitoring parameters.

pulmonary function tests

Series of tests to aid in the diagnosis of lung diseases and evaluate treatment effectiveness.

Spirometry

Pulmonary function test that measures how much and how quickly air moves in and out of the lungs.

Bronchoscopy

Visual examination of the bronchi using an endoscope for direct viewing or projection on a monitor.

Laryngoscopy

Visual examination of the larynx to detect tumors, foreign bodies, or other abnormalities.

Mediastinoscopy

Visual examination of the mediastinal structures, including the heart and major vessels.

arterial blood gas

Test that measures dissolved oxygen and carbon dioxide in arterial blood.

sputum culture

Microbial test used to identify disease-causing organisms in the lower respiratory tract.

Sweat test

Measurement of the amount of salt (sodium chloride) in sweat.

Throat culture

Test used to identify pathogens, especially group A streptococci.

chest x-ray

Radiographic test that aids in identifying lung conditions such as pneumonia.

computed tomography pulmonary angiography

Minimally invasive imaging combining CT scanning and angiography of the pulmonary arteries.

Ventilation-perfusion

Nuclear test scan evaluating airflow and blood flow in the lungs.

Pleurectomy

Excision of part of the pleura, usually the parietal pleura.

Pneumonectomy

Excision of a lung or portion of the lung, commonly for cancer treatment.

Septoplasty

Surgical repair of a deviated nasal septum.

Thoracentesis

Surgical puncture and drainage of the pleural cavity.

Tracheostomy

Surgical procedure creating an opening in the neck and into the trachea.

aerosol therapy

Lung treatment using various techniques to deliver medication in mist form.

antral lavage

Washing or irrigating of the paranasal sinuses to remove mucopurulent material.

endotracheal intubation

Procedure in which a plastic tube is inserted into the trachea.

postural drainage

Method of positioning a patient to aid in drainage of bronchial secretions.