Ch. 8 Respiratory System

Respiration

The process of when oxygen is taken into the body and transported to the cells where it’s needed and carbon dioxide, a waste product, is expelled from the body.

Cellular Respiration

Involves the breakdown of glucose in the presence of oxygen to produce energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), carbon dioxide and water. Energy production at the cellular level.

Naso, rhino

Nose

Pharyngo

Pharynx

Laryngo

larynx

Tracheo

Trachea

Broncho, bronchi

Bronchus

Bronchiol

Bronchiole

Phreno

Diaphragm

Pleuro

Pleura

Pulmo, pulmono, pneumono

Lung

Pneumo, pneumato

Air, gas, respiration, lung

Spiro

Breathing

Pnea

Breathing, suffix

oxia

Level of oxygen

capnia

Level of carbon dioxide

Phonia

Voice

Upper Respiratory Tract

Nose, throat (pharynx), larynx.

Lower respiratory tract

Trachea, bronchial tree and lungs

Alveoli, alveolus

Tiny air sacs in the lungs where gases are exchanged between the atmosphere and blood during respiration.

Sputum

Material eliminated from the respiratory tract by coughing or clearing the throat.

Cilia

Projects dirt and foreign matter toward the pharynx for expulsion.

Nasal septum

The divider the separates 2 nasal cavities.

Paranasal Sinuses

4: frontal, maxillary, sphenoid, and ethmoid. Mucus for the respiratory tract is produced here, as each of the 4 are lined with a mucous membrane.

Nasapharynx

One of the 3 regions of the throat. Is the superior region which can be found behind the nasal cavity.

Oropharynx

One of the 3 regions of the throat. Located just behind the mouth.

laryngopharynx

One of the 3 regions of the throat. Located behind the larynx.

Palatine Tonsil

Lymphoid tissue found on each side of the soft palate in the oropharynx.

Adenoids

Pharyngeal tonsil located in the nasopharynx

Lingual Tonsils

Small masses of lymphoid tissue at the very back of the tongue.

Larynx

Aka voice box. Located just below the pharynx. Hold the vocal folds or cords. 9 pieces of cartilage make up the voice box.

Thyroid cartilage

Largest piece of cartilage that makes up the voice box. Aka Adam’s apple.

Vocal Chords

Bands of tissue housed within the larynx that assist with speech production and high and low voice pitches.

Epiglottis

Useful during swallowing and stops food and liquids before they enter the trachea

Trachea

Allows passage of air to travel from either the nose or mouth through the larynx to the bronchi of the lungs. C-shaped rings of cartilage reinforce it to prevent it from collapsing. Aka windpipe

Bronchial Tree

One of the larger air passageways in the lungs. Division starts at lower end of the trachea.

Tracheal bifuraction

Opening of the bronchi as it splits into left and right sides.

Carina

Located at tracheal bifurcation

Right bronchus

Tube leading into right lung. Divides into 3 secondary bronchi of the right lung.

Left Bronchus

Tube leading to left lung, that divides into 2 branches.

Bronchioles

Smaller subdivisions of the bronchial tubes

Alveolar Ducts

Resemble a cluster of grapes. Miniscule pipes, which bronchioles subdivide into.

Lungs

Centerpiece of the respiratory system. Housed in the thoracic cavity and occupy a large space. Partitions into lobes.

Right lung

Has 3 lobes

Left Lung

2 lobes

Pleura

Double layered membrane that surrounds the lungs and lines the thoracic cavity. 2 layers: parietal and visceral. Damp to allow for ease of expansion of the lungs within the chest cavity during breathing.

Parietal Pleura

Outermost surface and bound to the partition of the thoracic cavity.

Visceral Pleura

Innermost surface, bound to the side of the lungs.

Pleural Space

Slim space between the pleura filled with a fluid like substance.

Pulmonary Ventilation

Act of taking air into and releasing it from the lungs. Balance rotation of inspiration and expiration. an unconscious task regulated by the brain stem. Aka breathing.

Inspiration

Inhalation

Expiration

Exhalation

Eupnea

Normal respiratory rate. While oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange are being met, the individual is oblivious of their breathing pattern.

Hyperventilation

Describes very rapid breathing patterns. Occasionally occurs from a conscious voluntary attempt prior to exertion or from psychological influences.

Hypoventilation

When breathing has slowed or become too shallow to technically meet needs of the body. The body’s carbon dioxide levels rise, which causes a build up of acid, but too little oxygen in the blood.

Dyspena

Forced or difficult breathing. Often connected to hypoventilation.

Inspiration

When lungs take in air, the diaphragm contracts and moves in a descending motion. At the same time the muscles between the ribs contract and pull in an ascending motion.

Expiration

Process of letting air out of the lungs during the breathing cycle. Diaphragm relaxes and the elastic recoil of tissue lessens thoracic volume but escalates the thoracic pressure

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs. Causes strain and labored breathing especially with emptying the lungs or air. Once the lung becomes damaged, it’s irreversible. Symptoms can include shortness of breath, wheezing or chronic cough.

Bronchitis

A persistent inflammation of the lungs and bronchi. This irritability is the object of constant coughing with sputum, wheezing, chest pain, and even shortness of breath. 2 types: acute and chronic.

Acute Bronchitis

A temporary bronchial/ lung infection that will eventually clear up in a week or 2.

Emphysema

A condition of the lung that causes shortness of breath. Air sacs in the lungs become damaged. As time progresses the air sacs begin to breakdown, erode, and separate. As the air sacs begin to separate, this creates larger air spaces which, in turn reduces the surface area of the lungs and causes difficult in breathing.

Influenza

A viral respiratory infection causing fever, cough, headache, malaise. Mortality is possible during seasonal epidemics particularly among high risk patients. (e.g. those who are institutionalized, at the extremes of age, have cardiopulmonary insufficiency or are late in pregnancy.)

Lung Cancer

Cancer that begins in the lungs. Does not display signs or symptoms in the early stages. Typically in the advanced stages of the disease signs and symptoms may occur. Symptoms include: chest pain, shortness of breath, bone pain, coughing up blood, and headache. Smoking and secondhand smoke increase risk.

Secondhand Smoke Inhalation

Exposure increases the risk of developing lung cancer by 20-30% and may increase the risk of breast cancer, nasal sinus cavity cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer, leukemia, lymphoma and brain tumors.

Small cell lung cancer

Commonly materializes exclusively in heavy smokers and is less common than non-small cell lung cancer.

Non small cell lung cancer

An umbrella term for several types of lung cancers ex. adenocarcinoma, large cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma.

Pleural effusion

Accumulations of fluid within the pleural space. They have multiple causes and usually are classified as transudates or exudates. Detection is by physical exam and chest x-ray.

Asymptomatic transudates

Pleural effusion that requires no treatment.

Symptomatic Transudate and exudates

Requires thoracentesis, chest tube drainage, pleurectomy or a combination.

Exudate

Protein-rich and cell-dense fluid caused by inflammation that opens gaps in blood vessel walls.

Transudates

Clear, watery fluid with low protein and few cells caused by pressure changes inside intact blood vessels

Pneumonia

An infection that affects one or both lungs as air sacs become inflamed. Air sacs will fill with fluid or pus, which causes an individual to cough up phlegm or pus. Arranged by the 4 particular types of germ classification that generate infection and where the individual contracted illness.

Community Acquired Pneumonia

Most common type of pneumonia. This type of illness happens outside the hospital or other care facilities. May originate from bacteria (most common streptococcus), fungi, and viruses.

Hospital Acquired Pneumonia

Pneumonia contracted while admitted to the hospital. Can be serious because the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics.

Healthcare Acquired Pneumonia

Bacterial infection that generally transpires with individuals who reside in long term care facilities or experience care in outpatient clinics, which include kidney dialysis. May be more resistant to antibiotics.

Aspiration Pneumonia

Takes place when a person inhales food, drink, vomit, or saliva into their lungs. More likely if something disturbs normal gag reflex, such as a brain injury or swallowing problem or excessive use of alcohol or drugs.

Respiratory Failure

A life threatening impairment of oxygenation, carbon dioxide elimination or both. May occur because of impaired gas exchange, decreased ventilation or both. Common manifestations: dyspnea, use of accessory muscles of respiration, tachypnea, tachycardia, diaphoresis, cyanosis, altered consciousness, and without treatment eventually obtundation, respiration arrest and death. Supplemented by measurements of arterial or venous blood gases.

Obtundation

A reduced level of alertness and consciousness

ABG

Arterial Blood Gases

Venous Blood Gases

VBG

Adenoids

Lymphoid tissue located in the nasopharynx, also called the pharyngeal tonsil

Alveoli

Tiny air sacs in the lungs through which gases are exchanged between the atmosphere and blood in respiration. In general is a small cavity; the term also applies to the bony socket for a tooth.

Alveolus

Singular alveoli

Bleb

A small collection of air between the lung and outer surface of the lung (visceral pleura) usually found in the lobe of the lung.

Bronchiole

One of the smaller subdivisions of the bronchial tubes

Bronchus

One of the larger air passageways in the lungs; the bronchi begin as 2 branches of the trachea and then subdivide within the lungs.

Carbon dioxide

A gas produced by energy metabolism in cells and eliminated through the lungs.

Commissure

A point or line of union or junction especially between 2 anatomical parts. In respiratory system it’s the junction of the oral cavity and nasal cavity.

Cytology

A diagnostic exam of a single cell type, often found in fluid specimens.

Decubitus

The posture adopted by a person who is lying down.

Epiglottis

A leaf shaped cartilage that covers the larynx during swallowing to prevent food from entering the trahea.

Ethmoidectomy

The removal of infected tissue or bone in the ethmoid sinus that blocks natural drainage.

Glottis

Below the epiglottis; opening between vocal folds.

Hemostasis

The stopping of an unnatural flow of blood.

Infundibulum

A funnel shaped cavity or structure. There is one between the right ventricle that leads to the pulmonary artery.

Innominate Artery

An artery that supplies blood to the right arm, head, and neck directly from the aorta.

Larynx

The enlarged, superior portion of the trachea that contains the vocal folds.

Loculated

The process of being divided into compartments by septa.

Lungs

Pair of organs located within the rib cage, containing elastic sacs with passages, acting like branches to draw air in.