Respiratory System Anatomy and Physiology

These flashcards cover essential concepts in respiratory system anatomy and physiology, key terms, and their definitions based on the lecture notes.

Angle of Louis

Manubriosternal junction, useful for rib identification.

Midsternal line

The center of the sternum.

Bronchial breath sounds

Heard over trachea & larynx, high-pitched & loud; abnormal in lung fields.

Bronchovesicular sounds

Medium-pitched sounds heard over major bronchi, found anteriorly and posteriorly at certain rib levels.

Vesicular breath sounds

Low-pitched, soft, rustling sounds heard over lung surfaces.

Diaphragm

Muscle responsible for inhalation by expanding the chest cavity.

Alveoli

Tiny air sacs in lungs, site of gas exchange for oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Pleura

Doubled-walled membrane covering each lung.

Tachypnea

Increased respiratory rate of 20 or more breaths per minute.

Bradypnea

Decreased respiratory rate of 12 or fewer breaths per minute.

Hyperventilation

Rapid, deep breathing causing excessive loss of carbon dioxide.

Kussmaul breathing

Deep, regular, increased rate of respiration.

Cheyne-Stokes breathing

A cycle of deep to shallow breathing, often seen in end-of-life scenarios.

Pulmonary edemas

Fluid buildup in alveoli, blocking oxygen diffusion.

Pneumothorax

Collapsed lung due to trauma, resulting in unequal chest expansion.

Atelectasis

Collapse of alveoli; can be prevented with incentive spirometry.

Incentive spirometer

Device used to encourage deep breathing to prevent atelectasis.

Adventitious sounds

Abnormal lung sounds such as crackles, wheezes, and rhonchi.

Cyanosis

Bluish discoloration of skin indicating lack of oxygen.

Clubbing

Enlargement of the distal phalanges of fingers, indicating long-term hypoxia.