Common disorders of the respiratory system

Abscess (lung)

A localized collection of pus in a cavity formed by the disintegration of tissues.

Anthracosis

Accumulation of carbon deposits in the lung due to breathing smoke or coal dust (also called black lung disease).

ARDS

Adult (acute) respiratory distress syndrome.

Asbestosis

A lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos particles. Associated with the development of mesothelioma.

Asthma

Spasm and narrowing of bronchi, leading to bronchial airway obstruction.

Atelectasis

Incomplete expansion of the lung at birth, or collapse of the adult lung.

Bradypnea

Abnormally slow breathing

bronchiectasis

Chronic dilation of one or more bronchi

Bronchitis

Inflammation of one or more bronchi

Byssinosis

a lung disease resulting from inhalation of cotton, flax, or hemp. Also known as brown lung disease.

Carcinoma

A malignant new growth made of epithelial cells tending to result in metastasis.

Coccidiomycosis

A respiratory infection caused by Coccidioides immitis, varying in severity from that of a common cold, resembles more like the flu. Also called valley fever.

COPD

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, especially emphysema, chronic bronchitis and asthma.

Cor pulmonale

heart failure from pulmonary disease

Coryza

Profuse discharge from the mucous membrane of the nose (think the common cold).

Cystic fibrosis

generalized hereditary disorder of infants, children, and young adults associated with malfunctioning of the pancreas and frequent respiratory infections.

Deviated septum

A defect in the wall between the nostrils that can cause partial or complete obstruction.

Diphtheria

An acute bacterial infection primarily affecting the membranes of the nose, throat or larynx accompanied by fever and pain.

Effusion

Escape of a fluid; exudation or transudation.

Emphysema

A pathologic accumulation of air in tissues or organs

Epistaxis

Hemorrhage from the nose (nosebleed)

Expectoration

The actof spitting out saliva or coughing up material from the lungs.

Fibrosis

Formation of fibrous or scar tissue (in lungs) usually caused by previous infections.

Flail chest

Chest wall moves paradoxically with respiration, owing to multiple fractures of the ribs.

Flu

Popular name for influenza

Hay fever

A hypersensitive state (allergy to pollen)

hemothorax

Blood in pleural thoracic cavity

Hiatal hernia

Protrusion of part of the stomach into the chest through the esophageal hiatus defect of the diaphragm.

Hiccup

Sharp respiratory sound with a spasm of the glottis and diaphragm.

histoplasmosis

Fungal infection, may be symptomatic or asymptomatic, often resembles TB.

Hyaline

Glossy, translucent

Hyaline membrane disease

Lack of surfactant due to a layer of hyaline material lining the alveoli, alveolar ducts, and bronchioles. The leading cause of neonatal deaths.

Influenza

Acute viral infection of respiratory tract

Laryngitis

Inflammation of the larynx

Laryngotracheobronchitis

inflammation of the larynx, trachea, and bronchi

Lung abscess

Pus formed by the destruction of lung tissue and microorganisms by white blood cells that have gone to a localized area to fight infection.

Pertussis

Acute upper respiratory infectious disease caused by Bordetella pertusis. Commonly called whooping cough.

Pharyngitis

Inflammation of the pharynx

Pleural effusion

Accumulation of fluid in the pleural space, which compresses the underlying portion of the lung, resulting in dyspnea.

Pleurisy

Inflammation of the pleura

Pneumoconiosis

Any lung disease, such as anthracosis, silicosis, caused by permanent deposition of substantial amounts of particulate matter in the lungs.

Pneumothorax

a collection of gas or air in the pleural cavity, resulting from a perforation through the chest wall or visceral pleura.

Rhinitis rhinorrhea

Inflammation of the nasal membrane "runny nose."

SIDS

sudden infant death syndrome, or crib death. The cause is unknown. Associated failure of synapse of nerves to activate diaphragm suspect.

sinusitis

inflammation of the sinus

Sneeze

spasmodic contraction of muscles, causing air to be expelled forcefully through the nose and mouth.

Streptococcal throat

Sore throat caused by Streptococcus

Tonsillitis

inflammation of the tonsils, especially the palatine tonsils

Tuberculosis

An infectious disease, marked by tubercles and caseous necrosis tissue of the lung.

URI

Upper respiratory infection

Valley fever

Coccidiomycosis

Wheezing

A high-pitched whistling sound from air moving through narrowed bronchioles during exhalation. Symptom of COPD.

Whooping cough

a respiratory infection caused by Bordetella pertussis, marked by peculiar paroxyms of cough, ending in a prolonged crowing or whooping respiration.