Respiratory System and Radiology

Pulmonologist

Diagnosis and treatment of respiratory problems.

Thoracic Surgeon

Surgical treatment of lungs/respiratory system.

Respiratory Therapist

Evaluation, monitoring, and treatment of patients with respiratory problems.

Alveoli

The smallest air sac at the end of the respiratory tract.

Bronchi

Subdivisions of the trachea.

Larynx

Voice box.

Pharynx

Airway from the back of the nose to the larynx

Pulmonary

Pertaining to the lungs.

Sputum

Something coughed up and spit out.

Thorax

Trunk between the abdomen and neck.

Trachea

Airway from the larynx to the bronchi.

Ventilation

Breathing in and out.

Epistaxis

Nose bleed.

Nares

Nose holes.

Rhinitis

Inflammation of the nasal tissue.

Sinus

Hollow space.

Apnea

Absence of breathing.

Hypoxemia

Decreased oxygen level in the blood.

Anoxia

No oxygen.

Polysomnography

Sleep study/test.

Tonsilitis

Inflammation of tonsils.

Diaphragm

Tissue that separates the abdomen and thoracic cavities.

Mediastinum

Area between lungs that holds heart, vessels, esophagus, and trachea.

Expiration

Breathe out.

Inspiration

Breathe in.

Pleura

Covering of the lungs.

Bradypnea

Slow breathing.

Cyanosis

Blue discoloration of skin.

Dyspnea

Difficulty breathing.

Eupnea

Normal breathing.

Expectorate

Spit out.

Hemoptysis

Bloody Sputum.

Phlegm

Mucus.

Tachypnea

Fast breathing.

Retraction

Pulling back/pulling inward.

Atelectasis

Partial lung collapse.

Effusion

Collection of fluid.

Empyema

Pus in a body cavity.

Hemothorax

Blood in the pleural cavity.

Pneumonia

Inflammation of the lung.

Pneumothorax

Air in the pleural cavity.

Spirometer

Measures respiratory volumes.

Stridor

High-pitched noise made when there is upper respiratory obstruction.

Bronchoscopy

Examination of the tracheobronchial tree with a scope.

Lobectomy

Surgical removal of a lobe of an organ.

Resection

Removal of a specific part of an organ.

Thoracentesis

Insertion of a needle to withdraw air or fluid.

Thoracotomy

Incision through the chest wall.

Tracheostomy

Surgical opening into the airway; a tube can be put in the opening in order to help with breathing.

Aerosol

Liquid suspension used for inhalation.

Decongestant

Reduces swelling and fluid in the nose and sinuses.

Inhaler

An instrument to deliver medication by inhalation.

Mucolytic

Dissolves or liquefies muscus.

Nebulizer

A device to deliver liquid medicine in a mist for inhalation.

CO2

Carbon dioxide.

O2

Oxygen.

RT

Respiratory therapist.

SOB

Shortness of breath.

URI

Upper respiratory infection.

OSA

Obstructive sleep apnea.

COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

ARDS

Acute respiratory distress syndrome.

ARF

Acute respiratory failure.

PFT

Pulmonary function test.

CPAP

Continuous positive airway pressure.

CXR

Chest x-ray.