Medical Terminology Module 5: Respiratory System and Diagnostic Procedures Intro

two types of respiration

external respiration and internal respiration

external respiration

exchange of oxygen and carbon between respiratory system and external environment

internal respiration

exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between cells in the body and bloodstream

CO2 is waste from aerobic cell respiration, transported back to lungs for exhalation

nose

nas/o, rhin/o, entrance to the respiratory system, warms and moistens air with inspiration

rhinoplasty

repair the nose

nasal septum

(sept/o) midline partition that separates the interior of the nose

septoplasty

surgical repair of the septum

paranasal sinuses

sinus/o, air containing cavities in the bones around the nose, lined with mucus membranes, produce secretions that drain and lubricate nasal cavity, four sets

pharynx

pharyng/o

pharynx definition

tubelike structure about five inches long, within has adenoids

adenoids

adenoid/o

tonsils

tonsil/o

adenoids and tonsils

within pharynx, paired organs, masses of lymphatic tissue, help filter harmful pathogens that enter the body through the nose and mouth

what does the pharynx transition into

the larynx

larynx word term

laryng/o

epiglottis

epiglott/o

epiglottis definition

leaf shaped flat of tissue, covers entrance to larynx

what happens if the epiglottis is infected?

serious, can prevent exchange of air

trachea

trache/o

trachea definition

windpipe, cylindrical tube in the neck approximately five inches, extends from the larynx to divide

bronchi definition

trachea divides into two tubes

bronchiole 

bronchiol/o

what to bronci divide into

they divide into smaller branches

Alveolar ducts

bronchioles form microscopic tubes

alveoli

alveol/oalveo

alveoli definition

clusters of millions of minute air sacs that form ducts

have thin walls, 1 cell thick, exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide, thin walls move o2 to the bloodstream, tissues, c02 enters air sacs

pneum/o

lungs

peumat/o

lungs

pneumon/o

lungs

pulmon/o

lungs

lungs definition

cone shaped organs, primary structure of the respiratory system, exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide

lob/o

lobes

right lung

has 3 lobes, upper, middle and lower

left lung

has only two lobes, upper and lower

diaphragmatic

muscular partition, separates thoracic and abdominal cavity, muscle that controls breathing

diaphragmat/o

diaphragm

phren/o

diaphragm

thoracic cavity

hollow space between neck and diaphragm

pleur/o

pleural 

pleura

double folded membrane, folds over to form lining of chest wall, contains small amount of fluid, keeping lungs inflated and lubricates them in

pleural cavity

space separating pleura

breathing process

diaphragm contracts, the lungs expand, pulling air into the lungs, relaxing lungs recoil, pushing air back out

mediastinum

central portion of chest cavity, space between lungs, contains heart, trachea, esophagus, bronchiole tubes, major blood vessels and other structures

rhinitis

inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose, swelling of membranes, nasal discharge

viral rhinitis

acute form, common cold, may be more complicated by inflammation of the sinuses

adenoiditis

inflammation of the adenoids

tonsillitus

inflammation of the tonsils, usually accompanied by adenoiditis, appear red and swollen, can possibly enlarge too much, could obstruct pharynx and flow of air

laryngitis

inflammation of the mucous membrane lining of larynx, swelling of vocal chords 

if untreated, may develop into epiglottis because epiglottis is structure that covers opening of larynx

tracheitis

inflammation of trachea, triggered by allergic response, excessive alcohol and diseases like emphysema

-stenosis

means stiffening

tracheostenosis

stiffening and narrowing of trachea, tracheitis could turn into this, medical emergency, may require surgical intervention to fix issue

pertussis

highly contagious bacterial infection of respiratory tract, crowing inspiration, wheezing, whooping cough,

accompanied by upper respiratory infection - viral infection of nasal cavity, pharynx and larynx,

croup

a viral acute obstruction of the larynx, 3 years or younger usually, labored breathing, barking cough sounding like a seal, most likely from swollen vocal cords, stridor - high pitched sound while inspiring - caused by blocked air passages

influenza

highly contagious, potentially fatal, sudden onset, fever, chills, headache, muscular aches, cough, sore throat, treatments are only symptomatic relief and prevent complications

Bronchitis

inflammation and narrowing of the bronchi causing airflow limitation

acute bronchitis

onset of illness

chronic bronchitis

results from damaged tissue, belongs to a group of illnesses

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

caused by long term exposure to fumes, smoke, dust or chemicals most often, progressive lung disease obstructing airflow, swelling and inflammation, blue fingers, overweight, trouble getting oxygen

emphysema

alveolar walls lose their elasticity, overinflated and can eventually rupture, as a result the body doesn’t get enough oxygen

asthma

chronic, intermittent respiratory air passages inflamed, exaggerated immune response trigger, could be pollutants, infection, cold temps, vigorous exercise, emotional stress or medications

cough, wheezing, shortness of breath and airway constriction

cystic fibrosis

inherited disorder affecting mucous membranes of respiratory system as well and pancreas and sweat glands

mucous glands make thick, abundant secretions that cause airway obstruction

cure not yet found but treatments have increased life expectancy

atelectasis

incomplete expansion of the alveoli, affect whole lung of portion of the lungs

atel/o

imperfect or incomplete

-ectasis

stretching or expansion

atelectasis during surgery

breathing tube force feeds air, lungs may collapse when tube taken out

atelectasis treatment

patients may be given breathing device to encourage them to take deep breaths/breathing exercises

aspiration - if collapse happens, withdraw/suction fluid from respiratory tract, let alveoli pop back into shape

pneumonia

acute lung inflammation, lungs fill with fluid, response to infective agents such as bacteria, viruses and fungi, fever, chills coughing and chest pain

symptoms may vary depending on area of the lung involved in disease

pneumoconiosis

group of occupation related lung diseases - inflammation, infection and bronchitis, are the results of irritants like dust in the workplace

coal worker’s pneumoconiosis

aka black lung disease when coal is deposited in black nodules in the bronchioles, this inflammation can lead to presence of mucopurulent secretions

muc/o

mucus

purul/o

related to pus

pleuritis

inflammation of the pleura - causes small growth

common causes are also bacterial or viral infections like pneumonia or TN

also associated with neoplasms - growths of abnormal tissue in lungs, characterized by difficulty breathing and chest pain, treatment seeks to alleviate pain and address underlying disease

pneumothorax

accumulation of gas or air in pleural space between lungs and chest wall =  lungs collapse, could results spontaneously or because of trauma, often with chest wound

typically chest pain, rapid breathing, a weak pulse, dizziness and a cough

tachypnea

rapid breathing

tachy-

fast

pnea-

breathing

acute respiratory distress syndrome (ards)

occurs when lung swelling breaks alveolar membranes, causing fluid to build up in the tiny elastic air sacs in the lungs

respiratory failure in adult, usually from trauma

signs and symptoms are rapid breathing, dry cough, fever and cyanosis, not life threatening

infant respiratory distress syndrome

premature infants

pulmonary edema

abnormal amount of fluid accumulates in alveoli and interstitial spaces of lungs, fluid leaks from pulmonary capillaries thanks to the heart disease

if lymphatic system unable to drain excess fluid, then enters bronchi and alveoli, interfering with gas exchange

is a medical emergency, requires meds to improve cardiac functioning, use of oxygen relieves deficiency in blood, special positioning also improved blood flow

usually caused by heart disease (silent killer)

auscultation

listening to lungs through a stethoscope for abnormal sounds within the body

condition of lungs, pleura, heart, arteries, abdomen

percussion

involves tapping surface of body with fingertips, can provide info about size, borders and density of internal organ by sound obtained, important before using technology

ex fluid in pleural space percussion

dull sound during percussion, helps reveal consolidation or solidification of secretions in lungs

pulmonary function test

helps measure breathing to determine respiratory function and abnormalities, extent of airway obstruction,

spirometry

instrument, measure air capacity in lungs during breathing,

spir/o

breathing

-metry

measurement

Peak flow meter

portable instrument used, measure how fast air can be pushing out of lung

pulse oximetry

portable instrument measures blood oxygen saturation, anything above 95 percent is good, anything below see a physician

arterial blood gases

name of test performed on arterial blood to determine levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide and ph acidity, locate blood vessel coming from artery and tap it

may reveal hypercapnia

hypercapnia

excessive amount of carbon dioxide and hypoxemia - lack of oxygen in the blood

radiography

used in place of abg’s if phlebotomist not available

produces images of internal structures, captured energy and digitally processed

bronchograms

radiographic images of bronchi

computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging 

more detailed imaging, many different views of anatomic structure, information send to computer that interprets radiographic data and constructors detailed image

scan may or mat does not have contrast

endoscopy/endoscope

physician uses camera to put into body and see inside body, careful inspection of respiratory structures

laryngoscopy

camera in the larynx

lung ventilation/perfusion scan

nuclear medicine test (radioactive tracers) most often used to diagnose pulmonary embolism post surgery, measures air flow throughout lungs

treatment for pulmonary embolism (clot

use medicine to dissolve clots and prevent further formation of emboli

those unresponsive to medicine might need surgery

bronchodialator

medication to improve breathing by relaxing bronchioles, maybe orally inhaled with metered dose inhaler or nebulizer

ventilator

in more sever patients if oxygen is not helping, assists in breathing , mechanical device

How are chronic tissue obstructions corrected?

surgical procedures like repair - septoplasty, excision tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy