Chapter 12. Respiratory System

Adenoidectomy

Excision of the adenoids.

Alveolar duct

Small tube that leads from the terminal bronchiole to the respiratory bronchiole and is the point of attachment for alveoli.

Alveolitis

Inflammation of the alveoli.

Aphonia

Condition of the absence of one's voice.

Apnea

A temporary absence of respiration.

Asphyxia

Condition caused by a lack of oxygen that leads to impending or actual death.

Aspirate

To withdraw fluid, tissue, or other substances from a body cavity, cyst, or tumor.

Atelectasis

Failure of the lung to expand (inflate) completely.

Autonomic

Involuntary or unconscious.

Benign

Non-cancerous.

Bronchiectasis

Dilation of the bronchi.

Bronchitis

Inflammation of the bronchus.

Bronchodilators

A type of drug that causes small airways in the lungs to open up.

Bronchogenic carcinoma

Cancer that begins in the tissue that lines or covers the airways of the lungs, including small cell and non-small cell lung cancer.

Bronchopneumonia

Inflammation of the lung, particularly the bronchioles and alveoli, that is associated with bronchitis.

Bronchoscope

A thin, tube-like instrument used to examine the inside of the trachea, bronchi, and lungs.

Bronchoscopy

A procedure involving a bronchoscope to examine the inside of the trachea, bronchi, and lungs.

Bronchospasm

Spasmodic contraction of the smooth muscle of the bronchi.

Carcinogen

Any substance that causes cancer.

Cardiac notch

An indentation on the surface of the left lung.

Carina

A ridge at the base of the trachea that separates the openings of the right and left main bronchi.

Chronic

A condition that lasts a long time with periods of remission and exacerbation.

Computerized tomography (CT)

A noninvasive imaging technique that uses computers to analyze several cross-sectional X-rays in order to reveal minute details about structures in the body.

Conducting zone

Provides a route for air, removes debris and pathogens, and warms and humidifies incoming air.

Cyanotic

Pertaining to abnormal blue color caused by deoxygenation.

Defensins

Lysozyme enzyme and proteins with antibacterial properties.

Diaphragm

A sheet of skeletal muscle separating the thoracic and abdominal cavities that contracts and relaxes for breathing.

Dysphonia

Condition of difficult speaking, including hoarseness and change in pitch or quality of the voice.

Dyspnea

Difficulty breathing.

Epiglottitis

Inflammation of the epiglottis.

Endoscope

A thin, tube-like instrument used to look at tissues inside the body.

Endoscopy

A procedure that uses an endoscope to examine the inside of the body.

Epiglottis

Leaf-shaped cartilage that closes the trachea during swallowing.

Epistaxis

Nosebleed.

Erythrocytes

Red blood cells.

Eupnea

Quiet breathing that occurs at rest without conscious effort.

Expiration

Exhalation, or the process of causing air to leave the lungs.

External nose

Surface and skeletal structures that form the outward appearance of the nose.

Fauces

The opening of the oral cavity into the pharynx.

Fibroelastic membrane

Flexible membrane that closes the posterior surface of the trachea.

Glottis

Composed of vestibular folds, true vocal cords, and the space between them.

Hard palate

Anterior region of the nasal cavity composed of bone.

Hemothorax

Hemorrhage within the pleural cavity.

Hematologist

A doctor trained in diagnosing and treating blood disorders.

Hematology

The study of blood and blood-forming tissues.

Hilum of the lung

Concave region where vessels and nerves enter the lungs.

Hypercapnia

Abnormally elevated blood levels of carbon dioxide.

Hyperpnea

Forced or excessive breathing.

Hypocapnia

Abnormally low blood levels of carbon dioxide.

Hypoxemia

Below-normal level of oxygen saturation in the blood.

Hypoxia

Lack of oxygen supply to the tissues.

Inferior

A position below or lower than another part of the body.

Influenza (flu)

An acute viral infection involving the respiratory tract.

Inspiration

Inhalation, or the process of breathing air into the lungs.

Laryngeal

Pertaining to the larynx.

Laryngitis

Inflammation of the larynx.

Laryngopharynx

Region of the pharynx inferior to the oropharynx and posterior to the larynx.

Laryngoplasty

Surgical repair of the larynx.

Laryngoscope

A thin, tube-like instrument used to examine the larynx.

Laryngoscopy

Examination of the larynx with a mirror or laryngoscope.

Larynx

Cartilaginous structure connecting the pharynx to the trachea; also known as the voice box.

Lobectomy

Excision of the lobe(s) of an organ.

Lymphocytes

White blood cells essential for the immune response.

Malignant

Cancerous.

Mucus

A thick, slippery fluid made by membranes lining certain organs.

Nasopharyngitis

Inflammation of the nose and pharynx.

Nasopharynx

The upper part of the throat behind the nose. An opening on each side of the nasopharynx leads into the ear.

Nebulizer

A device used to turn liquid into a fine spray.

Nosocomial infection

Infection acquired in hospital.

Oropharynx

A passageway for both air and food; borders the nasopharynx and the oral cavity.

Oximeter

Instrument used to measure the oxygenation of tissues.

Pharyngeal tonsil

The tonsil located at the back of the throat; also known as the adenoid when swollen.

Pharyngitis

Inflammation of the pharynx.

Pharynx

A tube formed by skeletal muscle and lined by mucous membrane that is continuous with that of the nasal cavities; also known as the throat.

Pleural effusion

An abnormal collection of fluid between the thin layers of tissue (pleura) lining the lung and the wall of the chest cavity.

Pleurisy

Inflammation of the pleura.

Pneumoconiosis

A condition caused by the inhalation of dust.

Pneumonectomy

Excision of the lung.

Pneumonia

A severe inflammation of the lungs in which the alveoli (tiny air sacs) are filled with fluid.

Pneumothorax

An abnormal collection of air in the space between the thin layer of tissue that covers the lungs and the chest cavity that can cause all or part of the lung to collapse.

Polysomnography (PSG)

Simultaneous and continuous monitoring of several parameters during sleep to study normal and abnormal sleep.

Posterior

Describes the back or direction toward the back of the body.

Pulmonary artery

Artery that arises from the pulmonary trunk.

Pulmonary edema

Fluid accumulation in alveoli and bronchioles (related to heart failure).

Pulmonary embolism

A blood clot within the lung.

Radiologist

A doctor who has special training in creating and interpreting pictures of areas inside the body.

Radiography

A procedure that uses x-rays to take pictures of areas inside the body.

Radiology

The use of radiation or other imaging technologies to diagnose or treat disease.

Respiratory zone

The respiratory zone includes structures that are directly involved in gas exchange.

Rhinitis

Inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose.

Rhinoplasty

A plastic surgical operation on the nose, either reconstructive, restorative, or cosmetic.

Rhinorrhea

Excess nasal drainage; also called a "runny nose."

Septal cartilage

The flexible hyaline cartilage connected to the nasal bone.

Sinusitis

Inflammation of the sinuses.

Soft palate

Located at the posterior portion of the nasal cavity and consists of muscle tissue.

Sonogram

A computer picture of areas inside the body created by high-energy sound waves.

Spirometry

The measurement of volume of air inhaled or exhaled by the lung.

Sputum

Mucus and other matter brought up from the lungs by coughing.

Stethoscope

An instrument used to hear sounds produced by the heart, lungs, or other parts of the body.

Sympathetic nervous system (SNS)

The division of the nervous system involved in our fight-or-flight responses. It continuously monitors body temperature and initiates appropriate motor responses.