Chapter 31 Respiratory System

mucus

A thick, slippery substance produced by the body

mucus membrane

lining (of epithelial tissue) inside certain passages (cavities) of the body such as nose, lungs, rectum, genital area

nasal cavity

hollow space behind the nose

Pharynx

the membrane-lined cavity behind the nose and mouth, connecting them to the esophagus.

pharyngitis

inflammation of the pharynx (throat)

Larynx

voice box; passageway for air moving from pharynx to trachea; contains vocal cords

laryngitis

inflammation of the larynx, or voice box (cannot talk)

Trachea (windpipe)

air passage extending from the larynx into the thorax

Bronchi

two short branches located at the lower end of the trachea that carry air into the lungs.

bronchus

one of the two tubes that connect the lungs with the trachea

Bronchioles

smallest branches of the bronchi

Respiration

Inhalation and exhalation of air.

Lungs

Main organs of the respiratory system

alveoli (alveolus)

tiny air sacs at the end of bronchioles in the lungs, one cell thick, diffusion of gases with capillaries occur here

gas exchange in alveoli

\-O2 moves from alveoli into pulmonary capillaries

\-CO2 moves from pulmonary capillaries into alveoli

pleura

double-layered membrane surrounding each lung

Diaphragm

Large, flat muscle at the bottom of the chest cavity that helps with breathing, shaped like a parachute

pneumonia

A bacterial inflammation of lung tissue, where the alveoli in the affected areas fill w/fluid

sputum

phlegm of mucus and other respiratory secretions coughed up from lungs, bronchi, and trachea

hemoptysis

coughing up blood or blood-stained sputum

pleurisy

an inflammation of the pleura (/pler/ /a/) that produces sharp chest pain with each breath

bronchitis

inflammation of the bronchi

Influenza

flu virus-acute respiratory infection

Asthma

episodes of breathing difficulty due to narrowed or obstructed bronchi and bronchioles: due to cold weather, allergies, exercise, smoke, etc.

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

A slow process of dilation and disruption of the bronchi, bronchioles and alveoli caused by chronic bronchial obstruction.

Emphysema

a condition in which the alveoli of the lungs are damaged and enlarged, causing breathlessness.

pneumothorax

air in the pleural cavity between the chest wall and the lungs, caused by a puncture of the lung or chest wall

respiratory therapy

the treatment of patients with breathing and other cardiopulmonary disorders

hemothorax

blood in the pleural cavity

nasal cannula

disposable, plastic device that delivers oxygen via two protruding prongs for insertion into the nostrils

oropharyngeal airway

a curved plastic device inserted through the patient's mouth into the pharynx to help maintain an open airway

endotracheal intubation

placement of a tube through the mouth into the pharynx, larynx, and trachea to establish an airway

face mask

A clear plastic mask used for oxygen administration that covers the mouth and nose.

nasopharyngeal airway

a flexible breathing tube inserted through the patient's nostril into the pharynx to help maintain an open airway

mechanical ventilation

Using a machine to move air into and out of the lungs

Tracheostomy ("Trach")

A surgically created opening in the neck that opens into the trachea

flow meter

a device used to control the rate of oxygen being delivered in liters per minute

airway

passageway by which air enters and leaves the lungs as well as a mechanical device used to keep the air passageway unobstructed

Hypoxic

low oxygen levels

Suctioning

Use of a vacuum device to remove blood, vomitus, and other secretions or foreign materials from the airway.

PNA

pneumonia

Hypoxemia

A below-normal level of oxygen in your blood

Orthopnea

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing when lying flat

Orthopneic position

Tripod position position moving forward on pillows. One sits or stands leaning forward to support the upper body with hands on the knees or another surface

Cheyne Stokes respirations

Abnormal breathing pattern in which a period of fast, shallow breathing is followed by slow, heavier breathing and moments without any breath at all (apnea)