Chapter 8: Respiratory System

Alveolus

Terminal element of respiratory tract where gas exchange occurs

Bronchus

one of the two subdivisions of the trachea

Cilium

hairlike motile projection from the surface of a cell

Expiration

breathe out

Inpiration

Breathe in

Olfaction

sense of smell

Oxygen

the gas essential of life

Pharynx

tube from the back of the nose to the back of the larynx

Rale

crackle heard through a stethoscope when air bubbles through liquid in the lungs

Respiration

process of breathing

Sputum

matter coughed up and spat out by individuals with respiratory disorders

Trachea

air tube from the larynx to the bronchi

Cautery

A device to scar, burn, or cut a tissue

Coryza

Acute inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nose

Decongestant

agent that reduces the swelling and fluid in the nose and sinuses

Epistaxis

Nosebleed

Naris

Nostrils

Palate

Roof of the mouth, floor of the nose

Polyp

any mass of tissue that projects outward

Rhinitis

acute inflammation of the nasal mucosa

Sinus

cavity or hallow space in a bone or other tissue

Adenoid

single mass of lymphoid tissue in the midline at the back of the throat

Apnea

absence of spontaneous respiration

Hypoxemia

Low oxygen level in arterial blood

Laryngopharynx

Region of the pharynx below the epiglottis that includes the larynx

Nasopharynx

region of the pharynx at the back of the nose and above the soft palate

Polysomnography

Test to monitor brain waves, muscle tension, eye movement, and oxygen levels in the blood as the patient sleeps

Tonsil

Mass of lymphoid tissue on either side of the throat and the back of the tongue

Croup

Infection of the upper airways in children characterized by a barking cough

Epiglottis

leaf-shaped palate of cartilage that shuts off the larynx during swallowing

Glottis

The opening from the oropharynx into the larynx

Intubation

insertion if a tube into the trachea

Larynx

organ sound production

Papilla

any small projection

Stridor

high pitched noise made when there is a respiratory obstruction in the larynx or trachea

Vocal

pertaining to the voice

Diaphragm

The muscular sheet separating the abdominal and thoracic cavities

Fissure

deep furrow or cleft

Lobe

subdivision of an organ of other part

Pleura

membrane covering the lungs and the lining the ribs in the thoracic cavity

Segment

a section of an organ or structure

Pulmonologists

physicians who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of lung/pulmonary conditions

Registered Respiratory Therapists

assist physicians in evaluating, treating, and caring for patients who have respiratory disorders. They also supervise RT technicians

Respiratory Therapy Technicians

assist physicians and RRTs in evaluating, monitoring, and treating patients with respiratory disorders

Sleep Technologists

trained in sleep technology and sleep medicine. These technologists assist sleep specialists in the assessment, monitoring, management, and follow up care of patients with sleep disorders

How many connected elements dows the respiratory tract have

6

how many components does the respiratory tract have

two; ventilation and the exchange of gasses

Exchange of gasses

all of your body cells need oxygen and produce carbon dioxide. Your respiratory system allows oxygen from the air to enter the blood and carbon dioxide to leave the blood and enter the air

Regulation of blood pH

Regulations occurs by changing carbon dioxide levels in the blood

Bradypnea

slow breathing

Cyanosis

blue discoloration of the skin, lips, and nail beds due to low levels of oxygen in the blood

Dyspnea

difficulty breathing

Eupnea

normal breathing

Expectorate

cough up and spit out mucus from the respiratory tract

Hemoptysis

bloody sputum

Hyperpnea

deeper and more rapid breathing than normal

Phlegm

abnormal amounts of mucus exported from the respiratory tract

Tachypnea

rapid breathing

Asthma

episodes of breathing difficulty due to narrowed or obstructed airways

Auscultation

diagnostic method of listening to body sounds with a stethoscope

Bronchiectasis

chronic dilation of the bronchi following inflammatory disease and obstruction

Bronchoconstriction

reduction of diameter of a bronchus

Bulla

bubble-like dilated structure

Cystic Fibrosis

genetic disease in which excessive viscid mucus obstructs passages, including bronchi

Emphysema

Dilation of respiratory bronchioles and alveoli

Hypercapnia

abnormal increase in carbon dioxide in the arterial bloodstream

Hypersecretion

excessive secretion of mucus

Rhonchus

wheezing sound heard on auscultation of the lungs; made by air passing through a constricted lumen

Viscosity

the resistance of a fluid to flow