Mt Medical Terms Respiration

Front 1

adenoids

Back 1

(ADD-eh-noydz)
aden/o
gland -oid
resembling
Lymphatic tissue forming a prominence on the wall of the recess of the nasopharynx.

Front 2

alveoli

Back 2

(al-VEE-oh-lye)
Air cells of the lungs;
known as the pulmonary parenchyma (functional units of the lungs).

Front 3

apex of lung

Back 3

(AY-peks of lung)
The upper portion of the lung, rising about 2.5 to 5 cm above the collarbone.

Front 4

base of lung

Back 4

The lowest part of the lung, resting on the diaphragm.

Front 5

bronchi

Back 5

(BRONG-kigh)
bronch/o
bronchus -i
plural ending
The two main branches leading from the trachea to the lungs, providing the passageway for air movement.

Front 6

bronchiole

Back 6

(BRONG-key-ohl)
bronchi/o
bronchiole -ole
small or little
One of the smaller subdivisions of the bronchial tubes.

Front 7

capillaries

Back 7

(CAP-ih-lair-eez)
Any of the minute (tiny) blood vessels.
The capillaries connect the ends of the smallest arteries (arterioles) with the beginnings of the smallest veins (venules).

Front 8

diaphragm

Back 8

(DYE-ah-fram)
The musculomembranous wall separating the abdomen from the thoracic cavity.

Front 9

epiglottis

Back 9

(ep-ih-GLOT-iss)
A thin leaf-shaped structure located immediately posterior to the root of the tongue;
covers the entrance of the larynx when the individual swallows.

Front 10

glottis

Back 10

(GLOT-iss)
The sound-producing apparatus of the larynx consisting of the two vocal folds and the intervening space (the epiglottis protects this opening).

Front 11

laryngalgia

Back 11

(lair-ring-GAL-jee-ah)
Pain in the larynx.

Front 12

laryngopharynx

Back 12

(lah-ring-go-FAIR-inks)
laryng/o
larynx pharyng/o
pharynx
Lower portion of the pharynx that extends from the vestibule of the larynx (the portion just above the vocal cords) to the lowermost cartilage of the larynx.

Front 13

larynx

Back 13

(LAIR-inks)
laryng/o
larynx
The enlarged upper end of the trachea below the root of the tongue;
the voice box.

Front 14

mediastinum

Back 14

(mee-dee-ass-TYE-num)
The mass of organs and tissues separating the lungs.
It contains the heart, aorta, trachea, esophagus, and bronchi.

Front 15

nares

Back 15

(NAIRZ)
External nostrils.

Front 16

nasopharynx

Back 16

(nay-zoh-FAIR-inks)
nas/o
nose pharyng/o
pharynx
Part of the pharynx located above the soft palate (postnasal space).

Front 17

oropharynx

Back 17

(or-oh-FAIR-inks)
or/o
mouth pharyng/o
pharynx
Central portion of the pharynx lying between the soft palate and upper portion of the epiglottis.

Front 18

palatine tonsils

Back 18

(PAL-ah-tyne TON-sills)
Lymphatic tissue located in the depression of the mucous membrane of fauces (the constricted opening leading from the mouth and the oral pharynx) and the pharynx.

Front 19

paranasal sinuses

Back 19

(pair-ah-NAY-sal SIGH-nuss-ez)
para-
near, beside, beyond, two like parts nas/o
nose -al
pertaining to
Hollow areas or cavities within the skull that communicate with the nasal cavity.

Front 20

parietal pleura

Back 20

(pah-RYE-eh-tal PLOO-rah)
pleur/o
pleura -a
noun ending
Portion of the pleura that is closest to the ribs.

Front 21

pharynx

Back 21

(FAIR-inks)
pharyng/o
pharynx
Passageway for air from nasal cavity to larynx and food from mouth to esophagus.
Serves both the respiratory and digestive systems;
the throat.

Front 22

pleura

Back 22

(PLOO-rah)
pleur/o
pleura -a
noun ending
The double-folded membrane that lines the thoracic cavity.

Front 23

pleural space

Back 23

(PLOO-ral space)
pleur/o
pleura -al
pertaining to
The space that separates the visceral and parietal pleurae, which contains a small amount of ? uid that acts as a lubricant to the pleural surfaces during respiration.

Front 24

pulmonary parenchyma

Back 24

(PULL-mon-air-ee par-EN-kih-mah)
pulmon/o
lung -ary
pertaining to
The functional units of the lungs (for example, the alveoli) which have very thin walls that allow for the exchange of gases between the lungs and the blood.

Front 25

septum

Back 25

(SEP-tum)
A wall dividing two cavities.

Front 26

thorax

Back 26

(THOH-raks)
The chest;
that part of the body between the base of the neck and the diaphragm.

Front 27

trachea

Back 27

(TRAY-kee-ah)
trache/o
trachea -a
noun ending
A cylinder-shaped tube lined with rings of cartilage (to keep it open) that is 4.5 inches long, from the larynx to the bronchial tubes;
the windpipe.

Front 28

visceral pleura

Back 28

(VISS-er-al PLOO-rah)
viscer/o
internal organs
Portion of the pleura that is closest to the internal organs.

Front 29

apnea

Back 29

Apnea is a temporary cessation of breathing;
“without breathing.” May be a result of reduction in stimuli to the respiratory center, as in over-breathing (in which the carbon dioxide content of the blood is reduced), or from failure of respiratory center to discharge impulses—as when the breath is held voluntarily.

Front 30

bradypnea

Back 30

Abnormally slow breathing.

Front 31

Bradypnea is evidenced by a respiratory rate slower than

Back 31

12 respirations per minute.

Front 32

Bradypnea could indicate

Back 32

neurological or electrolyte disturbance or infection;
or it may indicate a protective response to pain, as in the pain of pleurisy.
It may also indicate that the patient is in excellent physical fitness.

Front 33

cough

Back 33

A forceful and sometimes violent expiratory effort preceded by a preliminary inspiration.
The glottis is partially closed, the accessory muscles of expiration are brought into action, and the air is noisily expelled.

Front 34

Most coughs are due to

Back 34

irritation of the airways (e.g., by dust, smoke, or mucus) or to infection.

Front 35

A cough may be described as

Back 35

brassy, bubbling, croupy, hacking, harsh, hollow, loose, metallic, nonproductive, productive, rasping, rattling, or wracking.
The type of cough and the nature, color, and quantity of any sputum produced can be suggestive of the underlying cause.

Front 36

Types of Coughs

Back 36

1 Nonproductive, unproductive: Not effective in bringing up sputum;
“dry cough”
2 Productive: Effective in bringing up sputum;
“wet cough”

Front 37

Types of Sputum

Back 37

1. Mucoid: resembling mucus
2. Mucopurulent: containing mucus and pus
3. Purulent: containing pus
4. Serous: resembling serum;
containing a thin, watery fluid

Front 38

cyanosis

Back 38

Slightly bluish, grayish, slatelike, or dark discoloration of the skin due to presence of abnormal amounts of reduced hemoglobin in the blood.

Front 39

Symptoms of cyanosis include:

Back 39

Bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes, especially the lips, tongue, and fingernail beds.

Front 40

dysphonia

Back 40

Difficulty in speaking;
hoarseness.

Front 41

dysphonia occurs when the larynx becomes

Back 41

inflamed as a result of infection or overuse.

Front 42

dyspnea

Back 42

Air hunger resulting in labored or difficult breathing, sometimes accompanied by pain.

Front 43

dyspnea normally is due to

Back 43

vigorous work or athletic activity.

Front 44

Symtoms of dyspnea include

Back 44

Audible labored breathing, distressed anxious expression, dilated nostrils, protrusion of abdomen and expanded chest, gasping, and marked cyanosis are among the symptoms of someone with dyspnea.

Front 45

epistaxis

Back 45

Hemorrhage from the nose;
nosebleed.

Front 46

Epistaxis may be caused by

Back 46

a blow to the nose, fragile blood vessels, high blood pressure, or dislodging of crusted mucus, or may be secondary to local infections or drying of the nasal mucous membrane.

Front 47

expectoration

Back 47

The act of spitting out saliva or coughing up materials from the air passageways leading to the lungs.
The expulsion of mucus or phlegm from the throat or lungs.

Front 48

hemoptysis

Back 48

Hemoptysis is expectoration of blood arising from the oral cavity, larynx, trachea, bronchi, or lungs.

Front 49

hypercapnia

Back 49

Increased amount of carbon dioxide in the blood.

Front 50

Hypercapnia

Back 50

results from inadequate ventilation or from great differences between ventilation and perfusion of the blood.

Front 51

hypoxemia

Back 51

Insufficient oxygenation of arterial blood.

Front 52

Hypoxemia is occasionally associated with

Back 52

decreased oxygen content.

Front 53

hypoxia

Back 53

Deficiency of oxygen.

Front 54

Hypoxia is the state of having an

Back 54

inadequate supply of oxygen to the tissues, usually due to hypoxemia.

Front 55

Kussmaul respirations

Back 55

Kussmaul respirations are a very deep, gasping type of respiration associated with severe diabetic acidosis.

Front 56

The Kussmaul respirations hyperventilation (with very deep, but not labored, respirations) represents the body’s attempt to decrease ______—counteracting the effect of the ketone buildup that occurs with diabetic acidosis.

Back 56

acidosis

Front 57

orthopnea

Back 57

Respiratory condition in which there is discomfort in breathing in any but erect, sitting, or standing position.

Front 58

Symptoms of orthopnea include

Back 58

slow or rapid respiratory rate;
sitting or standing posture necessary to breathe properly;
muscles of respiration forcibly used;
patients feel necessity of bracing themselves to breathe.
Anxious expression, cyanotic face;
struggle to inhale and exhale.

Front 59

pleural rub

Back 59

Friction rub caused by inflammation of the pleural space.

Front 60

The pleural rub sound is heard on

Back 60

auscultation.

Front 61

rales

Back 61

An abnormal sound heard on auscultation of the chest, produced by passage of air through bronchi that contain secretion or exudate or that are constricted by spasm or a thickening of their walls, also known as crackle.
The sound is a crackling sound similar to that of moisture crackling in a tube as air passes through it.
The crackles are heard on auscultation, usually during inhalation.
Rales may be described as bibasilar, bubbling, coarse, crackling, crepitant, post-tussive, moist, or sticky.

Front 62

rhinorrhea

Back 62

Rhinorrhea is thin, watery discharge from the nose.

Front 63

rhonchi

Back 63

Rales or rattlings in the throat, especially when it resembles snoring.
Loud, coarse, rattling sounds produced by passage of air through obstructed airways.
The sounds are heard on auscultation.

Front 64

Rhonchi may be described as

Back 64

coarse, high pitched, humming, low pitched, musical, post-tussive, sibilant (hissing), sonorous (loud), or whistling.

Front 65

sneeze

Back 65

To expel air forcibly through the nose and mouth by spasmodic contraction of muscles of expiration due to irritation of nasal mucosa.

Front 66

stridor

Back 66

Harsh sound during respiration;
high pitched and resembling the blowing of wind, due to obstruction of air passages.

Front 67

Stridor is heard without the aid of a

Back 67

stethoscope, usually during inhalation.

Front 68

tachypnea

Back 68

Abnormal rapidity of breathing.

Front 69

Nervous tachypnea is evidenced by a respiratory rate of

Back 69

40 or more respirations per minute.

Front 70

Nervous tachypnea occurs in

Back 70

hysteria and neurasthenia.

Front 71

If Nervous tachypnea is prolonged, it will cause

Back 71

excess loss of carbon dioxide and the hyperventilation syndrome will develop (fall in blood pressure, vasoconstriction;
sometimes fainting).
Immediate treatment involves having the patient breathe into a paper bag until the carbon dioxide content of the blood has an opportunity to return to normal.

Front 72

wheeze

Back 72

A whistling sound or sighing sound resulting from narrowing of the lumen of a respiratory passageway.
The wheeze is often heard without the aid of a stethoscope, usually during exhalation.

Front 73

Wheezing occurs in

Back 73

asthma, croup, hay fever, mitral stenosis, and pleural effusion.
It may result from presence of tumors, foreign obstructions, bronchial spasm, tuberculosis, obstructive emphysema, or edema.

Front 74

coryza

Back 74

Coryza is inflammation of the respiratory mucous membranes known as rhinitison the common cold.

Front 75

The term common cold is usually used when referring to symptoms of an

Back 75

upper respiratory tract infection.

Front 76

The patient cold symptoms may be:

Back 76

nasal discharge and obstruction, sore throat, sneezing, general malaise, fever, chills, headache, and muscle aches.

Front 77

A cough may also accompany a cold.
The symptoms may last a

Back 77

week or more and usually occur without fever.

Front 78

croup

Back 78

A childhood disease characterized by a barking cough, hoarseness, tachypnea, inspiratory, stridor, and laryngeal spasm.

Front 79

The symptoms of croup can be dramatic and anxiety-producing to the

Back 79

parent and the child.

Front 80

Crop Treatment includes

Back 80

providing a high-humidity atmosphere with cool moisture (cool mist vaporizer) and rest to relieve the symptoms.

Front 81

Croup may result from an

Back 81

acute obstruction of the larynx caused by an allergen, foreign body, infection, or new growth.

Front 82

diphtheria

Back 82

Serious infectious disease affecting the nose, pharynx, or larynx— usually resulting in sore throat, dysphonia, and fever.

Front 83

Diphtheria is caused by the bacterium

Back 83

Corynebacterium diphtheriae, which forms a white coating over the affected airways as it multiplies.

Front 84

The diphtheria bacterium releases a toxin into the bloodstream that can quickly damage the

Back 84

heart and nerves, resulting in heart failure, paralysis, and death.

Front 85

laryngitis

Back 85

Inflammation of the larynx, usually resulting in dysphonia (hoarseness), cough, and difficulty swallowing.

Front 86

Laryngitis commonly occurs as a result of

Back 86

abuse of the voice (as in laryngitis that often accompanies football games) and as part of an upper respiratorytract infection (but may also be the result of chronic bronchitis or chronic sinusitis).
Acute laryngitis includes scratchy throat, hoarseness or complete loss of voice (aphonia), as well as severe cough.
Treatment for laryngitis includes resting the voice, avoiding irritants such as smoking, and cool mist vaporizer.

Front 87

pertussis

Back 87

An acute upper respiratory infectious disease, caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis “whooping cough”.

Front 88

Pertussis occurs mainly in children and infants, the early stages of pertussis are suggestive of the

Back 88

common cold (with slight elevation of fever, sneezing, rhinitis, dry cough, irritability, and loss of appetite).

Front 89

As pertussis progresses (approximately two weeks later), the cough is more violent and consists of a series of several short coughs—followed by a long drawn inspiration during which the typical ______ is heard.

Back 89

whoop

Front 90

Pertussis may be prevented by

Back 90

immunization of infants beginning at three months of age.
This immunization is one of the components of the DPT immunization.

Front 91

pharyngitis

Back 91

Inflammation of the pharynx, usually resulting in sore throat.
Pharyngitis is usually caused by viral infection, but can also be caused by bacterial infection or other factors.
In acute pharyngitis, the patient has fiery red pharyngeal membranes, swollen tonsils flecked with exudate, and the cervical lymph nodes are enlarged and tender.
The patient usually experiences fever, malaise, and sore throat.
When the causative organism is the group A streptococcus, the acute pharyngitis is termed strep throat.

Front 92

rhinitis

Back 92

Inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose, usually resulting in obstruction of the nasal passages, rhinorrhea, sneezing, and facial pressure or pain, also known as coryza.

Front 93

sinusitis

Back 93

Inflammation of a sinus, especially a paranasal sinus.

Front 94

Sinusitis usually results in

Back 94

pain and a feeling of pressure in the affected sinuses.
A purulent nasal discharge is also common.

Front 95

Acute sinusitis frequently develops as a result of a

Back 95

common cold, or allergy, or as a complication of an uppper respiratory infection.

Front 96

tonsillitis

Back 96

Inflammation of the palatine tonsils, located in the area of the oropharynx.

Front 97

asthma

Back 97

Paroxysmal dyspnea accompanied by wheezing caused by a spasm of the bronchial tubes or by swelling of their mucous membrane.

Front 98

Asthma differs from other obstructive lung diseases in that it is a

Back 98

reversible process.

Front 99

Acute attacks of asthma may be relieved by a number of drugs, such as

Back 99

epinephrine.

Front 100

asthmaticus is a

Back 100

severe asthma attack that is unresponsive to conventional therapy and lasts longer than 24 hours

Front 101

asthmaticus is considered a medical

Back 101

emergency.

Front 102

bronchiectasis

Back 102

Chronic dilatation of a bronchus or bronchi, with secondary infection that usually involves the lower portion of the lung.
The infection damages the bronchial wall, causing loss of its supporting structure and producing thick sputum that may ultimately obstruct the bronchi.
The bronchial walls become permanently distended by severe coughing.

Front 103

Symptoms of bronchiectasis include

Back 103

chronic cough, the production of purulent sputum in copious amounts, hemoptysis in a high percentage of patients, and clubbing of the fingers.

Front 104

The bronchiectasis patient is also subject to

Back 104

repeated pulmonary infections.

Front 105

bronchitis

Back 105

Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the bronchial tubes.

Front 106

Acute bronchitis is usually caused by viral infection, but can also be caused by

Back 106

bacterial infection or airborne irritants such as smoke and pollution.

Front 107

bronchogenic carcinoma

Back 107

A malignant lung tumor that originates in the bronchi;
lung cancer.

Front 108

emphysema

Back 108

A chronic pulmonary disease characterized by increase beyond the normal in the size of air spaces distal to the terminal bronchiole, either from dilation of the alveoli or from destruction of their walls.

Front 109

empyema

Back 109

Pus in a body cavity, especially in the pleural cavity (pyothorax);
usually the result of a primary infection in the lungs.

Front 110

Symptoms of empyema include:

Back 110

fever, night sweats, pleural pain, dyspnea, anorexia, and weight loss.

Front 111

hyaline membrane disease

Back 111

Also known as respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) of the premature infant, hyaline membrane disease is severe impairment of the function of respiration in the premature newborn.

Front 112

influenza

Back 112

A highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory tract

Front 113

influenza is transmitted by

Back 113

airborne droplet infection

Front 114

influenza is also known as the

Back 114

flu.

Front 115

Symptoms of the flu include

Back 115

sore throat, cough, fever, muscular pains, and generalized weakness.

Front 116

lung abscess

Back 116

A localized collection of pus formed by the destruction of lung tissue and microorganisms by white blood cells that have migrated to the area to fight infection.

Front 117

A lung abscess usually produces ________ symptoms

Back 117

pneumonialike

Front 118

A lung abscess usually produces a productive cough with _____, _______ or ______ ______ sputum.

Back 118

blood, purulent, or foul-smelling

Front 119

Most lung abscesses occur because of aspiration of

Back 119

nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal material.

Front 120

pleural effusion

Back 120

Accumulation of fluid in the pleural space, resulting in compression of the underlying portion of the lung, with resultant dyspnea.

Front 121

With pleural effusion, a significant amount of fluid may accumulate in the

Back 121

pleural space.

Front 122

pleuritis (pleurisy)

Back 122

Inflammation of both the visceral and parietal pleura.

Front 123

The pleura is the

Back 123

double-folded membrane that lines the thoracic cavity

Front 124

The parietal pleura being the side closest to the ____ and the visceral pleura being the side closest to the _______ _______.

Back 124

ribs, internal organs

Front 125

The pleurae are moistened with a serous secretion that reduces friction during

Back 125

respiratory movements of the lungs.

Front 126

When the visceral and parietal pleura become inflamed (due to pleurisy) and rub together during respiration (particularly inspiration), the patient experiences a

Back 126

severe, sharp, “knifelike” pain.

Front 127

The pleural rub can be heard on

Back 127

auscultation.

Front 128

Pleuritis may be primary or secondary as a

Back 128

result of some other condition.

Front 129

pneumonia

Back 129

Inflammation of the lungs caused primarily by bacteria, viruses, and chemical irritants.

Front 130

The most common bacterial pneumonia, pneumococcal pneumonia,is caused by the bacterium

Back 130

Streptococcus pneumonia.

Front 131

In certain situations, pneumonia is caused by other

Back 131

microorganisms or by other lung irritants.

Front 132

pneumothorax

Back 132

A collection of air or gas in the pleural cavity.

Front 133

The symptoms of a spontaneous pneumothorax are

Back 133

sudden sharp pain, dyspnea, and cough.
Pain may be referred to the shoulder.

Front 134

A pneumothorax, if severe enough, can

Back 134

collapse the lung and shift the heart and the great vessels and trachea toward the unaffected side of the chest due to the pressure that builds up within the pleural space (tension pneumothorax).

Front 135

pulmonary edema

Back 135

Swelling of the lungs caused by an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the lungs, either in the alveoli or the interstitial spaces.

Front 136

The most common cause of pulmonary edema is

Back 136

congestive heart failure.

Front 137

pulmonary embolism

Back 137

The obstruction of one or more pulmonary arteries by a thrombus (clot) that dislodges from another location and is carried through the venous system to the vessels of the lung.

Front 138

The onset of a pulmonary embolism is

Back 138

sudden.

Front 139

The most common symptoms of a pulmonary embolism:

Back 139

chest pain, followed by dyspnea and tachypnea.

Front 140

A massive embolism blocking the pulmonary artery can produce

Back 140

extreme dyspnea;
sudden substernal pain;
rapid, weak pulse;
shock;
fainting (syncope);
and sudden death.

Front 141

Most patients who die from a pulmonary embolism do so within

Back 141

the first two hours after the embolism.

Front 142

pulmonary heart disease

Back 142

Pulmonary heart disease (cor pulmonale) is hypertrophy of the right ventricle of the heart (with or without failure) resulting from disorders of the lungs, pulmonary vessels, or chest wall;
heart failure resulting from pulmonary disease.

Front 143

The pulmonary heart disease reduces

Back 143

proper ventilation to the lungs

Front 144

Pulmonary heart disease resulting in _______ resistance in the pulmonary circulation.

Back 144

increased

Front 145

___ ______ develops because of the pulmonary hypertension that causes the right side of the heart to work harder to pump the blood against the resistance of the pulmonary vascular circulation, thus creating hypertrophy of the right ventricle of the heart.

Back 145

Cor pulmonale

Front 146

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Back 146

the most frequent cause of cor pulmonale, produces shortness of breath and cough.
The patient develops edema of the feet and legs, distended neck veins, an enlarged liver, pleural effusion, ascites, and a heart murmur.

Front 147

sudden infant death syndrome

Back 147

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

Front 148

tuberculosis

Back 148

An infectious disease caused by the tubercle bacillus Mycobacterium tuberculosis and characterized by inflammatory infiltrations, formation of tubercles, and caseous (cheeselike) necrosis in the tissues of the lungs.
Other organ systems may also be infected.

Front 149

anthracosis

Back 149

Anthracosis is the accumulation of carbon deposits in the lungs due to breathing smoke or coal dust (black lung disease);
also called coal worker’s pneumoconiosis.

Front 150

As anthracosis progresses, the bronchioles and alveoli become clogged with

Back 150

coal dust

Front 151

In anthracosis the clogged bronchioles and alveoli leads to the formation of the

Back 151

“coal macule”

Front 152

phrenic nerve

Back 152

(FREN-ic nerve)
phren/o
mind; also refers to the diaphragm -ic pertaining to
The nerve known as the motor nerve to the diaphragm.