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)