The respiratory system consists of the nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs. Diseases and disorders that can affect the respiratory system include asthma, COPD, bronchitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis, cystic fibrosis, and lung cancer. Doctors use various tests and treatments to diagnose and manage respiratory conditions, such as pulmonary function tests, imaging, bronchodilators, antibiotics, and oxygen therapy.
The respiratory system consists of the nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs. Diseases and disorders that can affect the respiratory system include asthma, COPD, bronchitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis, cystic fibrosis, and lung cancer. Doctors use various tests and treatments to diagnose and manage respiratory conditions, such as pulmonary function tests, imaging, bronchodilators, antibiotics, and oxygen therapy.
The respiratory system consists of the nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs. Diseases and disorders that can affect the respiratory system include asthma, COPD, bronchitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis, cystic fibrosis, and lung cancer. Doctors use various tests and treatments to diagnose and manage respiratory conditions, such as pulmonary function tests, imaging, bronchodilators, antibiotics, and oxygen therapy.
The respiratory system consists of the nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs. Diseases and disorders that can affect the respiratory system include asthma, COPD, bronchitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis, cystic fibrosis, and lung cancer. Doctors use various tests and treatments to diagnose and manage respiratory conditions, such as pulmonary function tests, imaging, bronchodilators, antibiotics, and oxygen therapy.
– Nasal cavity – Pharynx – Larynx – Trachea – Bronchial tubes – Lungs Nasal septum: Wall dividing two nostrils Septoplasty: surgical repair of the septum Anosmia: without (the sense of ) smell Epistaxis: Nosebleed; nasal hemorrhage Dysphonia : bad (impaired) voice quality Adenoidectomy: excision of adenoids Sinusotomy: incision of the sinuses to improve ventilation or drainage Epiglottitis: a medical emergency of inflammation of the epiglottis Cilia: hair like structure in the trachea Cilia escalator: a mechanism produced by cilia to move particles upward to the pharynx where they are removed by coughing or swallowing. Tracheoplasty: surgical repair of the trachea to correct a narrow or stenotic trachea (windpipe) • Eupnea: normal or good breathing (adult respiratory rate is 12 to 20 breaths/minute). • Tachypnea: rapid breathing rate • Bradypnea : slow breathing rate • Hyperventilation: breathing too fast and too deep • Hypoventilation: breathing too slow and too shallow • Dyspnea: difficult breathing • Orthopnea: easier breathing in a straight or upright position • Apnea: a temporary loss of breathing and includes sleep apnea or cardiac apnea types of sleep apnea: obstructive (enlarged tonsils and adenoids), central (failure of the brain to transmit impulses for breathing), and mixed . Sleeping disorder in which breathing stops repeatedly for more than 10 seconds, causing measurable blood deoxygenation. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine used to treat sleep apnea Crackle: Abnormal respiratory sound heard on auscultation Pneumectomy: excision of (all or part of ) a lung Lobectomy: surgical removal of lobe Pneumonia: condition of infection of the lungs Pneumoconiosis: condition of accumulation of mineral dust in the lungs Anthracosis : abnormal condition of coal dust in the lungs. Asbestosis: abnormal condition of asbestos in the lungs Atelectasis: incomplete expansion of the lung; also called airless lung or collapsed lung. • Atelectasis is a potential complication of some surgical procedures, especially those of the chest because breathing is commonly shallow after surgery to avoid pain from the surgical incision. In fetal atelectasis, the lungs fail to expand normally at birth Spirometer: instrument for measuring breathing or lung capacity • A spirometer measures how much air the lungs can hold (vital capacity) as well as how much and how quickly air can be exhaled • Phlegm: thick mucus secreted by respiratory tract • Sputum: phlegm coughed up from respiratory tract • Hemoptysis: (coughing up or) spitting of blood or blood- stained sputum • Sputum culture & sensitivity (C&S): cultures sputum for bacterial growth, if present, then determines best antibiotic to use. • Sputum cytology : examining sputum for malignant cells Pleurisy: Inflammation of the pleural membrane characterized by a stabbing pain that is intensified by coughing or deep breathing; also called pleuritis Pleural effusion: accumulation of fluid in pleural cavity; prevents lungs from fully expanding • causes of pleural effusions include: • congestive heart failure (the most common cause overall) • cirrhosis or poor liver function. • pulmonary embolism, which is caused by a blood clot and is a blockage in the lung arteries. • complications from open-heart surgery. • pneumonia. • severe kidney disease Pleurocentesis: surgical puncture of the pleural cavity; also called thoracocentesis or thoracentesis
Pneumothorax collection of air in pleural
cavity; may result in collapsed lung In atelectasis the lung collapse is due to decreased pressure inside the lung while in pneumothorax it is due to pressure of ar on the lung from outside. Smokers are more vulnerable for pneumothorax howevr, it can occur spontaneously
Pyothorax : pus in the chest (cavity); also called empyema. Pyothorax is usually caused by a penetrating chest wound or spreading of infection from another part of the body. • Pulmonary edema: Accumulation of extravascular fluid in lung tissues and alveoli, caused most commonly by heart failure. Excessive fluid in the lungs induces coughing and dyspnea. • Pulmonary embolism: Blockage in an artery of the lungs caused by a mass of un dissolved matter (such as a blood clot, tissue, air bubbles, and bacteria). • Phrenospasm: involuntary contraction of the diaphragm • Pectoralgia: pain in the chest; also called thoracalgia, thoracodynia, and pectorodynia • Asphyxia: Condition caused by insufficient intake of oxygen • Some common causes of asphyxia are drowning, electric shock, lodging of a foreign body in the respiratory tract, inhalation of toxic smoke, and poisoning. • Croup: Common childhood condition involving inflammation of the larynx, trachea, bronchial passages and, sometimes, lungs • Signs and symptoms include a resonant, barking cough with suffocative, difficult breathing; laryngeal spasms, and, sometimes, the narrowing of the top of the air passages Encourage 'cold' fluids such as juice, a slushy, or a Popsicle. Children with croup usually have a 'sore throat', and this may help to soothe it. Most • Asthma: is an inflammatory diseases of the bronchi that produces spasms in the bronchial passages (bronchospasms). coughing episodes produce large amounts of mucus (productive cough). Asthma is commonly caused by exposure to allergens or irritants. Other causes include stress, cold, and exercise. • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): a chronic partial obstruction of the air passages. The patient finds it difficult to breath (dyspnea) especially upon exertion and usually exhibits a chronic cough • Bronchitis: is characterized by swelling of the mucosa and a heavy, productive cough accompanied by chest pain. • Emphysema is characterized by decreased elasticity of the alveoli. The alveoli expand (dilate) but are unable to contract to their original size • Influenza (flu) is an acute infectious respiratory viral disease. Hypoxemia: deficiency of oxygen in blood Oximeter: instrument used for measuring the percentage of hemoglobin saturated with oxygen. An oximeter is usually attached to the tip of a finger but may also be placed on a toe or ear lobe. Hypoxia: is deficiency of oxygen in tissues Hypercapnia: excessive CO2
Arterial blood gas (ABG): Test that measures partial pressure of
oxygen (Po2), carbon dioxide (Pco2), pH (acidity or alkalinity), and bicarbonate level of an arterial blood ABG analysis evaluates pulmonary gas exchange and helps guide treatment of acid-base imbalances
Acidosis: Excessive acidity of body fluids
Respiratory acidosis is commonly associated with pulmonary insufficiency and the subsequent retention of carbon dioxide Throat culture: Test used to identify pathogens, especially group A streptococci • Tuberculosis (TB): bacterial lung infection; results in inflammation and calcification of lungs • Mantoux test: Intradermal test to determine tuberculin sensitivity based on a positive reaction where the area around the test site becomes red and swollen • A positive test suggests a past or present exposure to TB or past TB vaccination. However, the Mantoux test does not differentiate between active and inactive infection.
• Mediastinoscopy: Visual examination of the mediastinal
structures including the heart, trachea, esophagus, bronchus, thymus, and lymph nodes.
• Cystic fibrosis (CF): genetic condition; produces very
thick mucus that causes severe congestion in lungs • Sweat test: Measurement of the amount of salt (sodium chloride) in sweat. A sweat test is used almost exclusively in children to confirm cystic fibrosis • Aspiration: withdrawing fluid using suction as removing phlegm from patient’s airway also means inhaling food or liquid into trachea • Clubbing: Enlargement of the terminal phalanges of the fingers and toes, commonly associated with pulmonary disease and chronic oxygen deficiency • Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) completely unexpected and unexplained death of an apparently normal, healthy infant, usually less than 12 months of age; also called crib death • adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS): acute respiratory failure; characterized by tachypnea, dyspnea, cyanosis, and hypoxemia • Aerosol therapy: Lung treatment using various techniques to deliver medication in mist form directly to the lungs or air passageways. Techniques include nebulizers, metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) • Polysomnography: monitoring patient sleeping to identify sleep apnea • Endotracheal intubation: placing a tube through the mouth and into the trachea to keep airway patent (open) • Otorhinolaryngology: branch of medicine involving diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the ear, nose, and throat • Expectorant: improves ability to cough up mucus • Mucolytic: liquefies mucus so it is easier to cough up • Antitussive: relieves urge to cough • Ventilator: machine that provides artificial ventilation for a patient unable to breathe alone
