Alveoli |
(Air sacs) Very small grapelike clusters found at the end of each bronchiole. Where oxygen and carbon dioxide get exchanged |
Anoxia |
Absence of oxygen from the body’s tissues and organs even though there is an adiquate flow of blood |
Antitussive |
(Cough medicine) Medicine administered to prevent or relieve coughing |
Aphonia |
Loss of the ability of the larynx to produce normal speech sounds |
Asbestosis |
Caused by asbestos particles in the lungs and usually occurs after working with asbestos |
Asphyxia |
Loss of consciousness that occurs when the body cannot get the oxygen it needs to function |
Asthma |
Inflammatory disease of the bronchial tubes, often triggered by an allergice reaction |
Atelectasis |
(Collapsed lung) The incomplete expansion of part or all of a lung due to a blockage of the air passages or pneumothorax |
Bradypnea |
Abnormally slow rate of repiration, usually of less than 10 breaths per minute |
Bronchodilator |
Medication that relaxes and expands the bronchial passages into the lungs |
Bronchorrhea |
Excessive discharge of mucus from the bronchi |
Bronchoscopy |
Visual examination of the bronchi using a bronchoscope |
Bronchospasm |
Contraction of the smooth muscle in the walls of the bronchi and bronchioles, tightening and squeezing the airway shut |
Cheyne-Stokes Respiration |
An irregular pattern of breathing characterized by alternating rapid or shallow repiration followed by slower respiration or apnea |
Croup |
Respiratory infection in children and infants characterized by obstruction of teh larynx, hoarseness, and swelling around the vocal cords resulting in a barking cough and stridor |
Cyanosis |
Bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membrances caused by a lack of adequate oxygen in the blood |
Cystic Fibrosis |
Life-threatening genetic diorder in which the lungs and pancreas are clogged with large quantities of abnormally thick mucus |
Diphtheria |
Acute bacterial infection of the throat and upper respiratory tract |
Dysphonia |
Difficulty in speaking, which may include any impairment in vocal quality, including hoarseness, weakness, or the cracking of a boy’s voice during puberty |
Dyspnea |
(Shortness of breath(SOB)) Difficult or labored breathing |
Emphysema |
Progressive, long-term loss of lung function, usually due to smoking |
Empyema |
A collection of pus in a body cavity |
Endotracheal Intubation |
Passage of a tube through the mouth into the trachea to establish or maintain and open airway, especially whena patient is on a ventilator |
Epistaxis |
(Nose bleed) Bleeding from the nose that may be caused by dry air, an injury, medication to prevent blood clotting, or high blood pressure |
Hemoptysis |
Expectoration of blood or blood-stained sputum derived from the lungs or bronchial tubes as the result of a pulmonary or bronchial hemorrhage |
Hemothorax |
A collection of the blood in the pleural cavity |
Hypercapnia |
Abnormal buildup of carbon dioxide in the blood |
Hyperpnea |
Commonly associated with exertion, is breathing that is deeper and more rapid than is normal at rest |
Hypopnea |
Shallow or slow respiration |
Hypoxemia |
Condition of having low oxygen levels in the blood, usually due to respiratory disorders or heart conditions |
Hypoxia |
Having deficient oxygen levels in the body’s tissues and organs; however, it is less severe than anoxia |
Laryngectomy |
Surgical removal of the larynx |
Laryngitis |
Inflammation of the larynx |
Laryngoscopy |
Visual examination of the larynx and vocal cords using a flexible or rigid laryngoscope inserted through the mouth |
Laryngospasm |
Sudden spasmodic closure of the larynx |
Mediastinum |
Middle section of the chest cavity and is located between the lungs |
Nebulizer |
Electronic device that pumps air or oxygen through a liquid medicine to turn it into a mist, which is then inhled by the patient via a face mask or mouthpiece |
Otolaryngologist |
((ENT) ear, nose, throat) Physician with specialized training in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders for the head and neck |
Pertussis |
(Whooping cough) Contagious bacterial infection of the upper respiratory tract that is characterized by recurrent bouts of a paroxysmal cough, followed by breathlessness and a noisy inspiration |
Pharyngitis |
(Sore throat) Inflammation of the pharynx |
Phlegm |
Mucus secreted by the tissues lining the respiratory passages |
Pleurisy |
(Pleuritis) Inflammation of the pleura, the memebranes that cover the lungs and line the pleural cavity |
Pleurodynia |
Sharp pain that occurs when the inflamed membranes rub against each other with each inhalation |
Pneumoconiosis |
Any fibrosis of the lung tissues caused by dust in the lungs after prolonged environmental or occupational contact |
Pneumonectomy |
Surgical removal of all or part of the lung |
Polysomnography |
(Sleep study) Measures physiological activity during sleep and is often performed to detect nocturnal defects in breathing associated with sleep apnea |
Pulmonologist |
Physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases and disorders of the respiratory system |
Pulse Oximeter |
External monitor placed on teh patient’s fingertip or earlobe to measre the oxygen saturation level in the blood |
Pyothorax |
(Empyema of the pleural cavity) The presence of pus in the pleural cavity between the layers of the pleural memebrane |
Sinustitis |
Inflammation of the sinuses |
Sleep Apnea |
Potentially serious disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep for long-enough periods to cause a measurable decrease in blood oxygen levels |
Spirometer |
Recording device that measures the amount of air inhaled or exhaled and the length of time required for each breath |
Tachypnea |
Abnormally rapid rate of respiration usually of more than 20 breaths per minute |
Thoracentesis |
Surgical puncture of the chest wall with a needle to obtain fluid from the pleural cavity |
Thoracotomy |
Surgical incision into the chest walls to open the pleural cavity for biopsy or treatment |
Tracheostomy |
Surgical creation of a stoma into the trachea to insert a temporary or permanent tube to facilitate breathing |
Tracheotomy |
Procedure in which an incision is made into the trachea to gain access to teh airway below a blockage |
Tuberculosis |
Infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, usually attacks the lungs; however, it can also affect other parts of the body |
Medical Terminology for Health Professions Ch.7-Medical Terms
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