Medical Terminology Respiratory

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Empyema

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pus in a body cavity, especially in the pleural cavity (pyothorax).

Empyema is usually the result of a primary infection in the lungs.

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Epiglottitis

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in the acute form, epiglottitis is a severe, life-threatening infection of the epiglottis and surrounding area; occurs most often in children between ages 2 and 12.

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Epistaxis

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hemorrage from the nose; also called nosebleed.

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hypoxemia

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deficiency of oxygen in the tissus; usually a sign of respiratory impairment; also called anoxia.

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influenza

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acute, contagious respiratory infection characterized by sudden onset of fever, chills headache, and muscle pain.

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lung cancer

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pulmonary malignancy commonly attributable to cigarette smoking. Survival rates are low due to rapid metastasis and late detection.

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pertussis

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acute infectious disease characterized by a "whoop" - sounding cough. Immunization of infants as part of the diphtheria and tetanus (DPT) vaccine prevents contraction; also called whooping cough.

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pleural effusion

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abnormal presence of fluid in the pleural cavity. The fluid may contain blood (hemothrax), serum (hydrothorax), or pus (pyothorax)

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pneumothorax

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collection of air in the pleural cavity, causing the complete or partial collapse of a lung.

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wheezes

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whistling or sighing sounds resulting from narrowing of the lumen of a respiratory passageway that is noted by use of a stethoscope.

Wheezing occurs in conditions such as asthma, croup, hay fever, obstructive emphysema, and many other obstructive respiratory conditions.

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rhonchi

Back 11

abnormal chest sounds resembling snoring, produced in airways with accumulated fluids

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stridor

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abnormal high-pitched musical sound made on inspiration caused by an obstruction in the trachea or larynx.

Stridor is one of the characteristics of the upper respiratory disorder called croup.

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Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

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completely unexpected and unexplained death of an apparently well, or virtually well, infant. The most common cause of death between the second week and first year of life; also known as crib death.

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arterial blood gases

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group of tests that measure the oxygen and carbon dioxide concentration in an arterial blood sample.

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bronchoscopy

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direct visual examination of the interior bronchi using a bronchoscope (curved, flexible tube with a light).

A bronchoscopy may be performed to remove obstructions, obtain a biopsy specimen, or observe directly for pathological changes.

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Chest x-ray

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radiograph of the chest taken from anteroposterior (AP), posteroanterior (PA), or lateral projections

Chest x-ray is used to diagnose atelectasis, tumors, pneumonia, emphysema, and many other lung diseases.

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Computed tomography (CT) scan

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radiographic technique that uses a narrow beam of x-rays, which rotates in a full arc around the patient to image the body in cross sectional slices. A scanner and detector send the images to a computer, which consolidates all of the data it receives from the multiple x-ray views

CT scanning is used to detect lesions in the lungs and thorax , blood clots, and pulmonary embolism (PE). CT scan may be performed with or without a contrast medium.

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Magnetic Resonance Imaging

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radiographic technique that uses electromagnetic energy to produce multiplanar cross-sectional images of the body.

In the respiratory system, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used to produce an MRI scan of the chest and lungs. MRI does not require a contrast medium, but it may be used to enhance internal structure visualization

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Pulmonary function tests

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include any of several tests to evaluate the condition of the respiratory system. Measures of expiratory flow and lung volumes and capacities are obtained.

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Spirometry

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measures the breathing capacity of the lungs.

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Bronchodilators

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Drugs used to dilate the walls of the bronchi of the lungs to increase airflow.

Bronchodilators are used to treat asthma, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary lung disease (COLD), and exercise-induced bronchospasm.

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Corticosteroids

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hormonal agents that reduce tissue edema and inflammation associated with chronic lung disease.

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Nebulized mist treatment (NMT)

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use of a device for producing a fine spray (nebulizer) to deliver medication directly into the lungs

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postural drainage

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use of body positioning to assist in the removal of secretions from specific lobes of the lung, bronchi, or lung cavities