Respiratory System - Key Terms and Concepts (Lecture Notes)

A set of vocabulary-style flashcards covering anatomy, exam techniques, normal findings, and common thoracic diseases based on the notes.

Upper respiratory tract

Nose, sinuses, pharynx, and larynx.

Lower respiratory tract

Trachea, bronchi, and lungs.

Pleura

Double-layered membranes surrounding the lungs.

Pleural space

The potential space between visceral and parietal pleura containing a small amount of fluid.

Visceral pleura

Inner pleural layer that covers the lungs.

Parietal pleura

Outer pleural layer that lines the chest wall, diaphragm, and mediastinum.

Alveoli

Air sacs where gas exchange occurs.

Left lung

Narrower lung with two lobes.

Right lung

Larger and shorter lung with three lobes.

Epiglottis

Flap that covers the larynx during swallowing.

Sternal angle (Angle of Louis)

Bifurcation of the trachea at the manubriosternal junction.

Manubriosternal junction

Another name for the sternal angle.

Costal angle

Angle formed by the ribs at the chest; normally about 90 degrees.

Vertebra prominens

C7 spinous process; marker at the neck base.

Intercostal spaces

Spaces named for the rib above them (e.g., 2nd ICS is below the 2nd rib).

Anterior axillary line

Vertical line along the anterior axillary fold used as a chest exam landmark.

Midsternal line

Vertical line down the center of the sternum.

Midclavicular line

Vertical line through the midpoint of the clavicle.

Right upper lobe (RUL)

Anterior region from the supraclavicular area down to the 4th rib.

Left upper lobe (LUL)

Anterior region from the supraclavicular area down to the 5th rib.

Right middle lobe (RML)

Region at the 4th–5th intercostal spaces (ICS), or laterally.

Posterior right lower lobe (RLL) and left lower lobe (LLL)

Posterior lungs from about T3 to T10.

Eupnea

Normal breathing at rest.

Tachypnea

Fast breathing.

Bradypnea

Slow breathing.

Hyperventilation

Rapid and deep breathing.

Hypoventilation

Irregular, shallow, slow breathing.

Cheyne-Stokes respiration

Regular waxing and waning breathing with periods of apnea.

Apnea

No breathing.

Sigh

A deep, sometimes abrupt, extra breath.

Biot respiration

Irregular shallow breaths with periods of apnea.

Air trapping

Inability to fully exhale air, leading to hyperinflation (seen in certain lung conditions).

Inspection

Assessment of symmetry, retractions, accessory muscle use, lesions, AP diameter, etc.

Retractions

Inward movement of chest wall during inspiration indicating increased work of breathing.

Accessory muscle use

Use of neck/shoulder muscles to assist breathing.

Tactile fremitus

Vibrations felt on the chest wall when the patient speaks; strongest over close bronchi.

Crepitus

Crackling sensation under the skin due to subcutaneous emphysema.

Percussion

Technique to assess underlying tissue; resonant sounds indicate air-filled lungs; dullness suggests fluid or dense tissue.

Resonance

Normal low-pitched, hollow percussion note of a healthy lung.

Dullness

Pitched thud sound indicating fluid, consolidation, or solid tissue.

Hyperresonance

Loud, hollow percussion note indicating excess air (e.g., pneumothorax or emphysema).

Flatness

Soft, short percussion note over very dense tissue (muscle/bone).

Bronchial breath sounds

High-pitched, loud, hollow sounds heard over trachea; inspiration shorter than expiration.

Bronchovesicular breath sounds

Moderate-pitched sounds with equal inspiration and expiration.

Vesicular breath sounds

Low-pitched, soft sounds heard peripherally; inspiration longer than expiration.

Adventitious breath sounds – Rhonchi

Continuous, low-pitched snoring sounds from secretions in bronchi/bronchioles.

Adventitious breath sounds – Crackles (Rales)

Discontinuous, high-pitched crackling sounds from fluid in alveoli; often on inspiration.

Pleural friction rub

Grating, low-pitched sound from pleural inflammation.

Wheeze

Continuous, high-pitched musical sound from narrowed airways; often expiratory.

Stridor

High-pitched crowing sound from upper airway obstruction.

Bronchophony

Voice test:

Whispered pectoriloquy

Whispered voice test: sounds clear and distinct with consolidation.

Egophony

“E” to “A” change over consolidation.

Normal breath sounds

All breath sounds should be clear; no adventitious sounds present.

Atelectasis

Small airway collapse due to hypoinflation; diminished breath sounds and fremitus; dullness.

Pneumonia

Consolidation of alveoli with pus/exudate; fever, cough, tachycardia, pleuritic pain; rales and increased fremitus.

Tuberculosis (TB)

Contagious bacterial infection; latent vs active; fatigue, weight loss, night sweats; crackles in apices.

Lung cancer

Most fatal cancer; strong link to smoking; persistent cough, chest pain, dyspnea, hemoptysis; possible unilateral dullness with large tumor.

Asthma

Reactive airway disease with bronchoconstriction, mucus production, inflammation; triggers; wheezing and dyspnea.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Chronic lung disease including chronic bronchitis and emphysema; barrel chest, hypoxemia, dyspnea.

Chronic bronchitis

Clinical diagnosis: daily productive cough for ≥3 months in 2 consecutive years; overweight, cyanosis, edema; rhonchi.

Emphysema

Pathologic enlargement and destruction of airspaces distal to terminal bronchioles; hyperinflation; thin, older patients.

Pleural effusion

Accumulation of fluid in the pleural space; dyspnea, dullness, decreased fremitus and breath sounds.

Pneumothorax

Air in the pleural space causing lung collapse; hyperresonance, decreased breath sounds, tracheal shift away.

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)

Widespread inflammation and increased capillary permeability leading to pulmonary edema; rapid onset.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

Common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in infants.

Croup

Swelling of trachea, larynx, and bronchi; barking cough, fever, stridor; may cause drooling and cyanosis.

Incentive spirometer

Device used to encourage deep breathing to prevent atelectasis after surgery.