Respiratory System Terminology, Pathology, and Procedures

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the anatomy, physiology, respiratory sounds, upper and lower respiratory pathologies, diagnostic imaging, surgical procedures, and medical word parts of the respiratory system.

External Respiration

The exchange of air in lung capillaries; oxygen inhaled into the air sacs of the lungs passes immediately into the capillaries, and carbon dioxide passes from the capillaries into the air sacs to be exhaled.

Internal Respiration

The exchange of gases in the cells occurring simultaneously between cells and capillaries; oxygen passes out of the bloodstream into the tissues, and carbon dioxide passes out of tissues back into the bloodstream to travel to the lungs.

Inspiration

Breathing in; the diaphragm contracts downward to a flattened position, creating decreased pressure in the lungs due to increased chest volume, causing air to rush in.

Expiration

Breathing out; the diaphragm relaxes to a dome position at the floor of the chest cavity, creating increased pressure in the lungs due to decreased chest volume, causing air to rush out.

Mediastinum

The region in the middle of the chest cavity between the lungs where the trachea divides into two branches.

Bronchus

An airway in the respiratory tract that branches from the trachea and conducts air into the lung (plural: bronchi).

Lungs

A pair of elastic organs situated within the rib cage consisting of elastic sacs with branching passages into which air is drawn, allowing oxygen to pass into the blood and carbon dioxide to be removed.

Hilum

The middle region of the lung where blood vessels, nerves, lymphatic tissue, and bronchial tubes enter and exit.

Apex of the lung

The tip or uppermost portion of the lung.

Base of the lung

The lower portion of the lung.

Bronchioles

The smallest branching passages of the bronchi in the lungs.

Alveolus

An air sac in the lung where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place with pulmonary capillaries (plural: alveoli).

Adenoids

Lymphatic tissue located in the nasopharynx.

Palatine tonsil

One of a pair of almond-shaped masses of lymphatic tissue located in the oropharynx.

Paranasal sinuses

Air-filled cavities located within the bones of the head.

Cilia

Thin hairs attached to the mucous membrane epithelium lining the respiratory tract.

Diaphragm

The muscular partition separating the thoracic cavity (chest) from the abdominal cavity.

Epiglottis

A cartilaginous flap that covers the larynx during swallowing to prevent food from entering the lungs.

Glottis

The slit-like opening to the larynx containing the vocal cords.

Larynx

The voice box; contains the vocal cords.

Nares

The openings of the nose that conduct air into the nasal cavities.

Pharynx

The throat, which includes the nasopharynx, oropharynx, and laryngopharynx.

Pleura

The double-folded membrane surrounding each lung.

Parietal pleura

The outer fold of the pleura lying closer to the ribs and the chest wall.

Visceral pleura

The inner fold of the pleura lying closer to the lung tissue.

Pleural cavity

The potential space between the parietal and visceral folds of the pleura.

Pulmonary parenchyma

The essential, functional parts of the lung responsible for respiration, specifically the bronchioles and alveoli.

Trachea

The windpipe that conducts air from the larynx toward the bronchi.

Auscultation

Listening to the sounds of the lungs, pleura, heart, abdomen, and fetus, typically using a stethoscope.

Percussion

Tapping on a surface to determine differences in density of the underlying tissue (producing a dull sound over solid organs and a hollow sound over air-filled spaces).

Pleural rub

A scratchy sound produced by inflamed, roughened pleural surfaces rubbing against each other.

Rale (crackle)

An abnormal sound heard during inspiration caused by the presence of fluid in the alveoli.

Rhonchus

A loud rumbling sound heard in bronchi that are obstructed by sputum.

Sputum

Material expelled from the chest and respiratory tract by coughing.

Stridor

A high-pitched, harsh sound made on inspiration due to an obstructed larynx.

Wheeze

A continuous, high-pitched whistling sound heard when air is forced through narrowed airways during inspiration or expiration.

Croup

An acute viral infection in infants and children characterized by obstruction of the larynx, a barking cough, and stridor.

Diphtheria

An acute infection of the throat and upper respiratory tract caused by the diphtheria bacterium, characterized by the formation of an opaque pseudomembrane over the pharynx and respiratory tract.

Epistaxis

A nosebleed.

Pertussis

A highly contagious bacterial infection of the pharynx, larynx, and trachea caused by Bordetella pertusis; also known as whooping cough.

Asthma

A chronic inflammatory disorder triggered by allergy or infection that causes airway obstruction via bronchial edema, bronchoconstriction, and increased mucus production.

Bronchiectasis

Chronic dilation of a bronchus secondary to infection, typically in the lower lobes of the lung, causing secretions to puddle and fail to drain normally.

Chronic bronchitis

Persistent inflammation of the bronchi over a long period, most commonly caused by smoking and infection; categorized as a form of COPD.

Cystic fibrosis (CF)

A life-threatening, hereditary genetic disorder causing persistent lung infections and impaired breathing due to thick, viscous mucus secretions that do not drain normally.

Atelectasis

The incomplete expansion or collapse of a part or (much less commonly) all of a lung, often caused by obstruction or accumulated fluid/air.

Emphysema

A form of COPD characterized by hyperinflation of the alveoli with destruction of the alveolar walls, causing expiratory flow limitation; most commonly caused by cigarette smoking.

Lung cancer

A malignant tumor arising from the lungs and bronchi, most frequently linked to cigarette smoking.

Pneumoconiosis

An occupational lung disease resulting from the chronic inhalation of mineral or industrial dust, marked by inflammation, coughing, and fibrosis.

Pneumonia

Acute inflammation and infection of the alveoli, causing them to fill with pus or inflammatory exudates.

Pulmonary abscess

A localized, large collection of pus within lung tissue that is potentially life-threatening.

Pulmonary edema

Swelling and abnormal accumulation of fluid in the air sacs (alveoli) and bronchioles of the lungs.

Pulmonary embolism (PE)

The occlusion of pulmonary arterial vessels by a thrombus (blood clot) or other foreign material that travels from another part of the body.

Pulmonary fibrosis

The formation of scar tissue in the connective tissue framework of the lungs.

Sarcoidosis

A chronic inflammatory disease of unknown etiology characterized by the formation of small nodules or tubercles in the lungs, lymph nodes, and other organs.

Tuberculosis (TB)

An infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis that primarily attacks the lungs.

Mesothelioma

A rare, aggressive malignant tumor arising from the pleura, strongly associated with occupational exposure to asbestos.

Pleural effusion

An abnormal accumulation of fluid in the pleural space, classified as exudates (from tumors, infections, trauma) or transudates (from CHF, pulmonary embolism, cirrhosis).

Pleurisy (pleuritis)

Inflammation of the pleural membranes that leads to dyspnea, pleural effusion, and sharp chest pain.

Pneumothorax

A collapsed lung resulting from air escaping into the pleural cavity, creating external pressure that compresses the lung.

Anthracosis

The accumulation of coal dust in the lungs; also known as black lung disease.

Asbestosis

A lung disease caused by the inhalation and accumulation of asbestos particles in the lung tissue.

Bacilli

Rod-shaped bacteria, such as the causative organism of tuberculosis.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

A chronic progressive condition characterized by airflow limitation in the bronchial tubes and lungs, primarily caused by smoking, infection, and asthma.

Cor pulmonale

Failure of the right side of the heart to pump a sufficient volume of blood to the lungs as a result of underlying chronic pulmonary disease.

Exudate

Fluid, cells, or pus that slowly oozes out of cells or capillaries through pores or tiny breaks in cell membranes.

Hydrothorax

A non-inflammatory accumulation of fluid in the pleural cavity.

Infiltrate

A localized collection of fluid or other inflammatory material within the lung parenchyma, as visualized on a chest radiograph or CT scan.

Palliative

Medical care or treatment directed at relieving distressing symptoms rather than curing the underlying condition.

Paroxysmal

Pertaining to a sudden, intense recurrence or intensification of symptoms, such as a spasm or seizure.

Pulmonary infarction

An area of necrosis (dead tissue) in the lung resulting from the interruption of its blood supply.

Purulent

Containing, discharging, or consisting of pus.

Silicosis

A form of pneumoconiosis caused by the inhalation of silica or glass dust, seen frequently in miners and sandblasters.

Chest x-ray (CXR)

A radiographic image of the thoracic cavity used to evaluate the lungs, heart, and chest wall.

Computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest

Computer-generated x-ray imaging that produces cross-sectional views of thoracic anatomy to detect lesions in the hilum, mediastinum, and pleura.

Pulmonary angiography

X-ray visualization of the pulmonary arterial system following the injection of radiopaque contrast media into the pulmonary artery to detect vascular obstructions such as emboli.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the chest

The use of magnetic waves and radiofrequency pulses to generate detailed cross-sectional images of chest structures.

Positron emission tomography (PET) scan of the lung

A nuclear imaging technique in which an injected radioactive isotope demonstrates metabolic activity and tissue function within the lung.

Ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scan

A nuclear medicine test comparing the inhalation of radioactive xenon gas (ventilation) with the injection of radioactive material (perfusion) to locate areas of mismatched blood flow and airflow, such as in pulmonary embolism.

Bronchoscopy

Direct visual examination of the interior of the tracheobronchial tree using a flexible fiberoptic or rigid endoscope for diagnostic evaluation, bronchial washings, brushings, or biopsy.

Endotracheal intubation

The insertion of a specialized tube through the mouth and vocal cords into the trachea to secure an open airway, administer oxygen or anesthesia, and allow mechanical ventilation.

Laryngoscopy

Visual examination of the larynx and vocal cords using a flexible endoscope inserted through the mouth or nose.

Mediastinoscopy

Endoscopic examination of the mediastinum through a suprasternal incision to visualize structures and obtain biopsy samples from mediastinal lymph nodes.

Pulmonary function tests (PFTs)

A battery of noninvasive diagnostic tests designed to evaluate the mechanical ventilation of the lungs, measuring lung volume, airway mechanics, and gas exchange.

Thoracentesis

Surgical puncture of the chest wall with a needle to aspirate and remove fluid from the pleural space.

Thoracotomy

A major surgical incision made into the chest wall to access thoracic organs for resections or lung biopsies.

Thoracoscopy

Visual inspection of the pleural cavity, lungs, and mediastinum by inserting a video-assisted thoracoscope through small thoracic incisions.

Tracheostomy

Surgical creation of an artificial external opening into the trachea through the anterior neck to secure an airway.

Tuberculin test

A diagnostic skin test (such as the Mantoux or PPD test) where an intradermal injection of tuberculin antigen is measured after $48$ to $72$ hours to detect exposure to Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Tube thoracostomy

The placement of a flexible chest tube through the thoracic wall into the pleural cavity to continuously evacuate fluid, pus, blood, or air.

Capn/o

Combining form meaning carbon dioxide.

Coni/o

Combining form meaning dust.

Cyan/o

Combining form meaning blue.

Orth/o

Combining form meaning straight or upright.

Pector/o

Combining form meaning chest.

Phon/o

Combining form meaning voice or sound.

Phren/o

Combining form meaning diaphragm or mind.

Tel/o

Combining form meaning complete.

-osmia

Suffix meaning smell.

-pnea

Suffix meaning breathing.

-ptysis

Suffix meaning spitting.