Medical and Respiratory Vocabulary

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards covering cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, and musculoskeletal systems based on the lecture notes provided.

Emphysema

A chronic lung disease in which alveoli are damaged and lose elasticity, trapping air and causing progressive shortness of breath and difficulty exhaling

Spontaneous Pneumothorax

Sudden lung collapse without trauma, typically causing sharp chest pain and decreased breath sounds on one side

Tension Pneumothorax

Trapped pleural air causing unilateral absent breath sounds, severe distress, hypotension, neck-vein distention, and possible tracheal deviation

Respiratory Distress

Increased work of breathing with signs such as dyspnea, tripod positioning, tachypnea, and mild hypoxia while ventilation remains adequate

Tuberculosis

contagious airborne bacterial infection that usually affects the lungs; signs include a persistent cough, coughing up blood, night sweats, fever, fatigue, and unexplained weight loss.

Pulmonary Edema

Fluid buildup in the lungs, causing shortness of breath, crackles, low oxygen, and sometimes pink, frothy sputum

Pneumonia

Infection of the lungs causing fever, cough, shortness of breath, and localized crackles or diminished breath sounds

Pleurisy

Inflammation of the lining around the lungs, causing sharp chest pain that worsens with breathing or coughing

Portal Hypertension

Abnormally high pressure in the vein carrying blood to the liver, often causing abdominal fluid buildup, enlarged veins, and gastrointestinal bleeding

Laryngotracheobronchitis

A viral upper-airway infection in young children that causes a barking cough, hoarseness, and inspiratory stridor

Pertussis

A contagious bacterial respiratory infection causing prolonged, forceful coughing fits, often followed by a “whoop” or vomiting

Coronary Artery

Blood vessels that wrap around the heart that deliver oxygen and nutrient rich blood to the heart

Increased systemic vascular resistance

Increased opposition to blood flow in the body’s vessels, making the heart pump harder and often raising blood pressure

Coronary-artery atherosclerosis

Accumulation of fatty plaque in a heart-supplying artery, which can narrow or completely block it

Pulmonary-artery embolism

A blood clot—usually originating in a deep leg vein—that travels to and obstructs an artery in the lungs

Renal System

The organ system—primarily the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra—that filters blood, removes waste as urine, balances fluids and electrolytes, and helps regulate blood pressure.

Angioedema

Sudden swelling beneath the skin, commonly affecting the lips, face, tongue, and throat; it can obstruct the airway during anaphylaxis

Peritoneum

The thin membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and covers or supports many abdominal organs.

Sacral area

The lower back region over the sacrum—a triangular bone at the base of the spine, between the hips and just above the tailbone

Decubitus ulcer

(pressure sore/bed sore): An injury to the skin and underlying tissue caused by prolonged pressure, usually over a bony area in someone who cannot reposition themselves.

Sclerae

The tough, normally white outer surfaces of the eyes; yellow sclerae may indicate jaundice.

Conjunctivae

Thin, moist membranes lining the inside of the eyelids and covering the front of the eyes; pale conjunctivae can indicate anemia

Jaundice

Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes caused by excess bilirubin, often related to liver problems or rapid red-blood-cell breakdown

Anemia

A shortage of healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin, reducing oxygen delivery and often causing paleness, fatigue, weakness, or shortness of breath.

Decompensated hypovolemic shock

Severe blood or fluid loss in which compensation is failing, causing hypotension, confusion, a rapid weak pulse, and cool, clammy skin.

Neurogenic shock

Loss of sympathetic vascular tone, usually from spinal cord injury, causing hypotension with warm, dry skin and often a slow pulse

Cardiogenic shock

Failure of the heart to pump effectively, causing hypotension, poor circulation, chest symptoms, and often lung congestion or crackles.

Compensated hypovolemic shock

Early blood or fluid loss in which vasoconstriction and an increased heart rate maintain blood pressure despite signs such as tachycardia and cool, clammy skin

Cardiac Tamponade

A life-threatening buildup of blood or fluid in the sac surrounding the heart that compresses it and prevents effective filling and pumping; signs may include hypotension, jugular-vein distention, muffled heart sounds, and a rapid pulse

TMJ dislocation

Displacement of the jawbone from the temporomandibular joint, causing jaw pain and difficulty closing the mouth

Fracture

A break or crack in a bone

Le Fort III injury

A severe facial fracture in which the entire midface separates from the skull, producing facial instability and abnormal movement

Muscle spasm

A sudden, involuntary muscle contraction that causes pain, tightness, or restricted movement

Compartment syndrome

A medical emergency in which swelling or bleeding inside a tight muscle compartment raises pressure, compressing nerves and blood vessels and reducing circulation to the tissue

Flail chest

Multiple adjacent ribs are fractured in multiple places, creating a free-moving chest segment that moves opposite the rest of the chest

Pneumothorax

Air enters the space between the lung and chest wall, partially or completely collapsing the lung and decreasing breath sounds on the affected side

Influenza

A contagious viral respiratory infection causing fever, chills, body aches, fatigue, cough, and headache

Epiglottitis

Dangerous inflammation and swelling of the epiglottis causing difficulty swallowing, drooling, muffled voice, tripod positioning, and stridor

Respiratory arrest

Complete absence of effective breathing, although a pulse may initially still be present.

Eupneic respirations

Normal, quiet, effortless breathing at an appropriate rate and depth.