Respi medterm

Adenoids

Lymphoid tissue located in the nasopharynx; the pharyngeal tonsils.

Alveoli

Tiny air sacs in the lungs through which gases are exchanged; singular: alveolus.

Bronchiole

One of the smaller subdivisions of the bronchial tubes.

Bronchus

One of the larger air passageways in the lungs; plural: bronchi.

Carbon dioxide (CO2)

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

Compliance

A measure of how easily the lungs expand under pressure.

Diaphragm

The dome-shaped muscle under the lungs that flattens during inspiration.

Epiglottis

A leaf-shaped cartilage that covers the larynx during swallowing.

Expectoration

The act of coughing up material from the respiratory tract.

Expiration

The act of breathing out or expelling air from the lungs.

Glottis

The opening between the vocal folds.

Hemoglobin

The iron-containing pigment in red blood cells that transports oxygen.

Inspiration

The act of drawing air into the lungs.

Larynx

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

Lingual tonsils

Small mounds of lymphoid tissue at the posterior of the tongue.

Lung

A cone-shaped, spongy respiratory organ contained within the thorax.

Mediastinum

The space between the lungs together with the organs contained in this space.

Nose

The organ used for breathing and housing receptors for the sense of smell.

Oxygen

The gas needed by cells to release energy from food during metabolism.

Palatine tonsils

The paired masses of lymphoid tissue located on either side of the oropharynx.

Pharynx

The throat; a common passageway for food and air.

Phrenic nerve

The nerve that activates the diaphragm.

Pleura

A double-layered membrane that lines the thoracic cavity and covers the lungs.

Pleural space

The thin, fluid-filled space between the two layers of the pleura.

Pulmonary ventilation

The movement of air into and out of the lungs.

Sinus

A cavity or channel; paranasal sinuses are located near the nose.

Sputum

The substance released by coughing; material from the respiratory tract.

Surfactant

A substance that decreases surface tension within the alveoli.

Trachea

The air passageway that extends from the larynx to the bronchi.

Turbinate bones

Bony projections in the nasal cavity that contain receptors for the sense of smell.

Vocal folds

Membranous folds on either side of the larynx important in speech production.

Streptococcus pneumoniae

Most common cause of pneumonia; streptococcal pneumonia.

Haemophilus influenzae

Pneumonia, especially in debilitated patients.

Klebsiella pneumoniae

Pneumonia in elderly and debilitated patients.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae

Mild pneumonia, usually in young adults and children; 'walking pneumonia'.

Legionella pneumophila

Causes Legionellosis; respiratory disease spread through water sources.

Chlamydia psittaci

Causes Psittacosis; carried by birds.

Streptococcus pyogenes

Causes 'Strep throat' and scarlet fever.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Bacteria that causes tuberculosis.

Bordetella pertussis

Causes pertussis (whooping cough).

Corynebacterium diphtheriae

Bacteria that causes diphtheria.

Rhinoviruses

Major cause of common cold; also caused by coronaviruses, adenoviruses.

Influenzavirus

Causes influenza.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

Common cause of respiratory disease in infants.

SARS coronavirus

Caused severe acute respiratory syndrome; spreads from small mammals.

Hantavirus

Causes hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS); spread by inhalation from rodents.

Histoplasma capsulatum

Causes histoplasmosis; spread by airborne spores.

Coccidioides immitis

Causes coccidioidomycosis; found in dry, alkaline soils.

Blastomyces dermatitidis

Causes blastomycosis; rare but often fatal fungal disease.

Pneumocystis jirovecii

Causes pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP); seen in immunocompromised hosts.

Tidal volume (TV)

Amount of air breathed into or out of the lungs in quiet breathing.

Residual volume (RV)

Amount of air remaining in the lungs after maximum exhalation.

Expiratory reserve volume (ERV)

Amount of air that can be exhaled after a normal exhalation.

Inspiratory reserve volume (IRV)

Amount of air that can be inhaled above a normal inspiration.

Total lung capacity (TLC)

Total amount of air that can be contained in the lungs after maximum inhalation.

Inspiratory capacity (IC)

Amount of air that can be inhaled after normal exhalation.

Vital capacity (VC)

Amount of air that can be expelled from the lungs by maximum exhalation.

Functional residual capacity (FRC)

Amount of air remaining in the lungs after normal exhalation.

Forced expiratory volume (FEV)

Volume of gas exhaled with maximum force within a given interval of time.

Forced vital capacity (FVC)

Volume of gas exhaled as rapidly and completely as possible after a complete inhalation.