Chapter 7: Respiratory System

Broncho/o, bronchi/o

Bronchial tube, bronchus

Laryng/o

Larynx, throat

Nas/o

Nose

Ox/i, ox/o, ox/y

Oxygen

Pharyng/o

Throat, pharynx

Phon/o

Sound, voice

Pleur/o

Pleura, side of the body

-pnea

Breathing

Pneum/o, pneumon/o, pneu-

Lung, air

Pulm/o, pulmon/o

Lung

Sinus/o

Sinus

Somn/o

Sleep

Spir/o

To breathe

Thorac/o, -thorax

Chest, pleural cavity

Trache/o, trachea

Windpipe, trachea

Anoxia

The absence of oxygen from the body’s tissues or organ despite adequate flow of blood

Aspiration pneumonia

Occurs when a foreign substance such as vomit is inhaled into the lungs

Antitussive

Medication administered to prevent or relieve coughing

Aphonia

The loss of the ability of the larynx to produce normal speech sounds

Asbestosis

The form of pneumoconiosis caused by asbestos particles in the lungs

Asphyxia

The loss of consciousness that occurs when the body cannot get the oxygen needs to function

Asthma

The chronic inflammatory disease of the bronchial tubes

Atelectasis

Incomplete expansion of part or all of the lung due to blockage of the air passages

Collapsed lung

Allergic rhinitis

Allergic reaction to airborne allergens that cause an increased flow of mucus

Airway inflammation

Swelling and clogging of the bronchial tubes with mucus

Acute respiratory distress syndrome

Lung condition usually caused by trauma, pneumonia, smoke/fumes, inhaled vomit, or sepsis

Aspiration

Inhaling your drawing a foreign substance into the upper respiratory tract

Apnea

Temporary absence of spontaneous respiration

Opposite of eupnea

Bradypnea

An abnormally, slow rate of respiration, usually of less than 10 breaths per minute

Bronchiectasis

Permanent thickening of the walls of the bronchi caused by chronic infection and inflammation

Brochodilator

An inhaled medication that relaxes and expands the bronchial passages into the lungs

Bronchorrhea

An excessive discharge of mucus from the bronchi

Bronchoscopy

The visual examination of the bronchi using a bronchoscope

Bronchospasm

A contraction of the smooth muscle in the walls of the bronchi and bronchioles, tightening and squeezing the airway shut

Bronchiolitis

Inflammation of the bronchioles

Bronchopneumonia

Localized form of pneumonia that often affects the bronchioles

Cheyne-stokes respiration

Any irregular pattern of breathing characterized by altering rapid or shallow respiration followed by slow respiration or apnea

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

A group of lung diseases in which the bronchial airflow is obstructed making it difficult to breathe out

Chronic bronchitis

Disease in which the airways have become inflamed due to recurrent exposure to an inhaled irritant

Croup

An acute respiratory infection in children and infants characterized by obstruction of the larynx, hoarseness and swelling around the vocal cords, resulting in a barking cough and stridor

Cyanosis

Bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes caused by a lack of adequate oxygen in the blood

Cystic fibrosis

A life-threatening genetic disorder in which the lungs and pancreas are clogged with large quantities of abnormally, thick mucus

Community acquired pneumonia

Pneumonia the results from the contagious infection outside of a hospital or clinic

Double pneumonia

Lowborn pneumonia involving both lungs and is usually a form of bacterial pneumonia

Dysphonia

Difficulty in speaking, which may include any impairment in vocal quality, including hoarseness, weakness, or the cracking of a boys voice during puberty

Diaphragm

Dome shaped sheet of muscle that separates the thoracic cavity from the abdomen

Construction and relaxation of this muscle that makes breathing possible

Dyspnea

Difficulty or labored breathing

Eupnea

Easy or normal breathing

Emphysema

The progressive, long-term loss of lung function, usually due to smoking

Empyema

Collection of pus in body cavity

Endotracheal intubation

The passage of a tube through the mouth into the trachea to establish or maintain an open airway

Epistaxis

Bleeding from the nose

Expectoration

The act of coughing up and spitting out saliva mucus or other body fluids

Exhalation

The act of breathing out as the diaphragm relaxes, moving upward

The thoracic cavity becomes narrower and creates positive pressure within

External respiration

The active bringing air in and out of the lungs from the outside environment and the process of exchanging oxygen for carbon dioxide

Exercising induced bronchoconstruction

Narrowing of the airway that develops after 5 to 15 minutes of physical excursion

Granuloma

General term used to describe a localized area of inflammation

Hemoptysis

expectation of blood or bloodstained sputum

Hemothorax

Collection of blood in the pleural cavity

Hypercapnia

Abnormal buildup of carbon dioxide in the blood

Hyperpnea

Breathing that is deeper and more rapid than is normal at rest

Hypopnea

Shallow or slow respiration

Hypoxemia

A condition of having low oxygen levels in the blood

Hypoxia

The condition of having deficient oxygen levels in the body tissues and organs; less severe than anoxia

Hyperventilation

Abnormally rapid rate of deep respiration that is usually associated with anxiety

Inhalation

The act of taking Erin as a diaphragm contract and pulls downward

Causes the thoracic cavity to expand and creates negative pressure within

Internal respiration

The exchange of gases within the cells of the blood and tissue

Also known as cellular respiration

Laryngitis

Inflammation of the larynx

Laryngoscopy

The visual examination of the lyrics and vocal cords using a flexible or rigid laryngoscope inserted through the mouth

Laryngospasm

The sudden spasmodic closure of the larynx

Lobar pneumonia

Affects larger areas of the lungs after including one or more sections or lobes of the lung

Mediastinum

The middle section of the chest cavity located between the lungs

Nebulizer

An electronic device that pumps air or oxygen through a liquid medicine to turn it into a mist that is inhaled with a face mask or a mouthpiece

Nonallergic rhinitis

Inflammation of the lining of the nose caused by something other than an allergen such as cold air, spicy food or medication

Otolaryngologist

Also known as ENT, is a physician with specialized training in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the head and neck

Pertussis

A contagious bacterial infection of the upper respiratory tract that is characterized by recurrent bouts or a paroxysmal cough

Aka Whooping cough

Pharyngitis

Inflammation of the pharynx

Pleural effusion

Excess accumulation of fluid in the pleural space that prevents the lung from fully expanding

Pleurisy

Inflammation of the pleura

Pleurodynia

Sharp chest pain that occurs when inflamed pleural membranes rub against each other with each inhalation

Pneumoconiosis

Any fibrosis of the lung tissues caused by dust in the lungs after prolonged environmental or occupational contact

Pneumonectomy

Surgical removal of all or part of the lung

Pneumonia

A serious inflammation of the lungs in which the alveoli and air passages filled pus other fluids

Pneumothorax

The accumulation of air in the pleural space, resulting in a pressure imbalance that causes a lung to fully or partially collapse

Polysomnography

They diagnostic measurement of physiological activity during sleep, and is often performed to detect nocturnal defects in breathing associated with sleep apnea

Aka sleep study

Pulmonary edema

An accumulation of fluid and lung tissues, especially the alveoli

Pulmonary embolism

Accumulation of fluid and lung tissue, especially the aveoli

Pulmonologist

The physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases and disorders of the respiratory system

Pulse oximeter

An external monitor placed on the patient’s fingertip or earlobe to measure the oxygen saturation level in the blood

Phrenic nerves

Stimulates the diaphragm and causes it to contract

Pyothorax

The presence of pus in the pleural cavity between the layers of the pleural membrane

Respiratory therapist

Licensed medical professional, who specializes in treating patients who are having difficulty, breathing both in hospitals and outpatient settings

Rhinorrhea

Watery flow of mucus from the nose, also known as runny nose

Respiratory syncytial virus

Common highly infectious viral infection spread by respiratory droplets

Surfactant

Reduces the surface tension of the fluid in the lungs and is produced by the Aveoli

Aids so the lungs don’t collapse when an individual exhales

Sinusitis

An inflammation of the sinuses

Sinus

A sacred cavity in an organ or tissue

Sleep apnea

Potentially serious disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep for a long enough period to cause a measurable decrease in blood oxygen levels

Spirometer

A recording device that measures the amount of air inhaled or exhaled and the length of time required for each breath

Stridor

Harsh, high-pitched sound caused by a blockage present when breathing in