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Medical Dictionary - Respiratory
Term
Definition
Pronunciation
abdominal thrusts
A maneuver for treating choking by using quick, forceful thrusts of fisted hands upward and inward toward the diaphragm. Commonly known as the Heimlich maneuver.
ABG
arterial blood gas
acute respiratory distress syndrome
A lung condition that causes low oxygen levels in the blood. It can be life threatening.
adenoidectomy
Surgical removal of the adenoids.
AFB
acid-fast bacillus
air sacs
Thin-walled spaces including the alveoli connected to one terminal bronchiole.
airway
Tubular passages in the lungs through which air passes during breathing.
albuterol
A short-acting beta-2 adrenergic agonist that is primarily used as a bronchodilator agent to treat asthma.
alveol/o
alveolus
alveoli
Air sacs in the lung which allow exchange of blood oxygen and carbon dioxide.
al·vē′ō·lī
alveolitis
An inflammation of the alveoli. Caused by inhalation of an allergen.
aminophylline
A bronchodilator. Used to treat asthma and COPD.
anoxia
Absence of oxygen in body tissues despite adequate blood flow.
an-ok´se-ah
anthracosis
A chronic lung disease caused by inhaled coal dust. Occurs in coal miners but also in tobacco smokers.
anthrax
An acute infectious disease of hoofed animals and humans. Infection in humans often involves the skin , lungs or gastrointestinal tract.
antitussive agents
Cough medicine that acts centrally on the medullary cough center.
an″ti-tus´iv
aphonia
Inability of the larynx to produce speech sounds.
a-fo´ne-ah
apnea
A temporary cessation of spontaneous respiration.
ARDS
acute respiratory distress syndrome
asbestosis
Lung disease characterized by interstitial fibrosis. Caused by inhalation of asbestos particles.
as″bes-to´sis
asphyxia
Condition caused by lack of oxygen, leading to loss of consciousness and death. Causes include drowning, suffocation, choking and inhaling carbon monoxide.
as-fik´se-ah
aspir/o
inhaling
asthma
Chronic bronchial inflammatory disorder. Characterized by breathing difficulty, wheezing, coughing and dyspnea.
az´mah
atelectasis
Partial or complete failure of a lung to expand due to alveoli deflation. Can occur after surgery, trauma, infections.
at′ilek′təsis
bradypnea
Slow breathing.
breath sounds
Sounds heard over the lungs and airways, usually with a stethoscope.
breathing
The repeating cycle of inhaling and exhaling air into and out of the lungs.
bronch/o
bronchial tube
bronchi
The two large air tubes of the lungs branching from the trachea. Secondary bronchi, called bronchioles, branch from bronchi.
bronchi/o
bronchial tube
bronchiectasis
Persistent abnormal dilatation of the bronchi caused by chronic infection and inflammation.
brong'kē-ek'tă-sis
bronchitis
Inflammation of the large airways often caused by bacterial and viral infections and by cigarette smoke.
brŏng-kī′tĭs
bronchoconstriction
Narrowing of the lumen of the bronchi restricting airway into and out of the lungs.
bronchodilator
Substance that expands the bronchi and bronchioles, increasing airflow to the lungs.
brŏng′kō-dī-lā′tər
bronchopulmonary
Pertaining to the bronchi and lungs.
bronchorrhea
Abnormal discharge of mucus from the bronchi.
brong″ko-re´ah
bronchoscopes
Endoscopes for the visualization of the interior of the bronchi.
bronchoscopy
Visual examination and possibly treatment of the bronchi, throat, larynx and trachea using a fiber optical device.
bronchospasm
Excessive narrowing of the smooth muscles of the bronchi. Can be heard as a wheezing sound.
capn/o
carbon dioxide
-capnia
carbon dioxide
capnography
Continuous recording of the concentration of carbon dioxide in exhaled air.
carbon dioxide
A colorless, odorless gas formed in body tissues during metabolism. It is carried in the blood to the lungs and then exhaled.
carbon monoxide
A colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that is very poisonous.
CF
cystic fibrosis
cheyne-stokes respiration
An abnormal pattern of breathing characterized by apnea followed by increasingly deep, rapid breathing.
choking
A condition of the respiratory airways being blocked by an obstruction or constriction of the neck or swelling of the larynx.
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Respiratory diseases which affect bronchial air movement, causing breathing problems. Includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
coarse crackle
An abnormal breath sound that is discontinuous, brief and popping.
coni/o
dust
consolidation
The state of the lung when alveoli are filled with fluid, as in pneumonia.
COPD
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
cough
A sudden, audible exhalation of air from the lungs through a partially closed glottis. It serves to clear the airways or lungs of irritants or to prevent aspiration of foreign materials.
CPAP
constant positive airway pressure
CPR
cardiopulmonary resuscitation
croup
Pediatric respiratory infection causing swelling near the vocal cords. It is characterized by a barking cough or stridor.
kro͞op
CXR
chest x-ray
cyanosis
A bluish or purplish discoloration of the skin or mucous membranes due to inadequate oxygen in the blood.
si″ah-no´sis
cystic fibrosis
A genetic disease of the exocrine glands. Large amounts of thick mucus clog the lungs and obstruct the airways.
sis'tik fī-brō'sis, pan'krē-ăs
decongestant
A substance that reduces nasal congestion.
diaphragm
The muscle sheet that that separates the thoracic cavity from the abdomen. The diaphragm's contraction and relaxation changes the volume of the thoracic cavity, aiding breathing.
di´ah-fram
diphtheria
A bacterial infection of the upper respiratory tract that causes a thick web to form in the back of the throat. May be fatal. Preventable with immunization. Can also damage heart muscle and nerves.
dif-thēr´e-ah
DOE
dyspnea on exertion
dysphonia
Difficulty in speaking.
dis-fo´ne-ah
dyspnea
Difficult or labored breathing. Can indicate heart failure or a respiratory abnormality.
disp-ne´ah
ECMO
extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
EIA
exercise-induced asthma
emphysema
A chronic lung disease characterized by decreased numbers of alveoli and eventual destruction of alveoli walls. Caused by genetic defects and smoking.
em″fĭ-se´mah
epiglottis
Cartilage that prevents food from entering the trachea.
ep″ĭ-glot´is
epiglottitis
Inflammation of the epiglottis.
epistaxis
Nose bleed.
ep″ĭ-stak´sis
ERV
expiratory reserve volume
exhalation
Breathing out.
FEF
forced expiratory flow
FEV
forced expiratory volume
FVC
forced vital capacity
glottis
The vocal apparatus of the larynx, situated in the middle section of the larynx.
halit/o
breath
hemopneumothorax
Collection both blood and air in the pleural cavity.
hemoptysis
Coughing up blood or blood-stained mucus from the respiratory tract.
he-mop´tĭ-sis
hemothorax
Hemorrhage within the pleural cavity, often from chest trauma.
he″mo-thor´aks
HFOV
high frequency oscillatory ventilation
hiccup
A spasm of the diaphragm that causes a sudden inhalation followed by rapid closure of the glottis which produces a sound. Also called singultus.
hoarseness
An unnaturally rough quality of voice.
hypercapnia
Abnormal increase in carbon dioxide in the blood.
hī'pĕr-kap'nē-ă
hyperpnea
Deep breathing. Can be normal during exercise or abnormal due to anemia or sepsis.
hi″perp-ne´ah
hyperventilation
Breathing faster or deeper than is metabolically necessary causing an excessive intake of oxygen and a reduction carbon dioxide level in arterial blood.
hypocapnia
Deficiency of carbon dioxide in arterial blood.
hypopnea
Shallow or abnormally slow breathing.
hi-pop´ne-ah
hypoventilation
Deficient ventilation of the lungs resulting is low oxygen levels and high carbon dioxide levels in the blood.
hypoxemia
Oxygen deficiency in arterial blood.
hi″pok-se´me-ah
hypoxia
Insufficient oxygen levels in body organs and tissues.
hi-pok´se-ah
IC
inspiratory capacity
IMV
intermittent mandatory ventilation
influenza
Acute, contagious viral infection of the respiratory system.
[in″floo-en´zah
inhalation
Breathing in.
IPPB
intermittent positive pressure breathing
IRV
inspiratory reserve volume
lal/o
speech
lampr/o
clear
laryng/o
larynx
laryngectomy
Partial or total removal of the larynx.
lar″in-jek´to-me
laryngitis
Inflammation of the larynx, including the vocal cords. Characterized by voice disorders, usually viral etiology.
lar″in-ji´tis
laryngomalacia
An abnormally underdeveloped or degenerated cartilage in the larynx.
laryngoplasty
Plastic repair of the larynx.
laryngoscopy
Visual examination of the larynx. May also include treatment.
lar″ing-gos´kah-pe
larynx
The voice box. Includes the vocal cords and surrounding cartilage.
lar´ingks
legionnaires disease
An acute bacterial infection of the lungs characterized by high fever, malaise, muscle aches, respiratory disorders and headache.
LRI
lower respiratory infection
LRT
lower respiratory tract
lungs
A pair of organs that aerate the blood. The right lung is divided into three lobs while the left lung has two lobes.
MBC
maximum breathing capacity
MDI
metered-dose inhaler
mediastinum
The central section of the chest cavity, containing the heart, arteries, veins, esophagus, trachea, bronchi, lymph nodes and thymus.
me″de-ah-sti´num
MEP
maximal expiratory pressure
MIP
maximal inspiratory pressure
mogi-
difficult
MVV
maximal voluntary ventilation
nares
An external opening in the nasal cavity. A nostril.
nas/o
nose
nasal cavity
The proximal portion of the respiratory passages on either side of the nasal septum. On inhalation the air is warmed, moistened, smelled and filtered.
nasal decongestants
Drugs designed to treat inflammation of the nasal passages.
nasal lavage
Irrigation of the nose with saline or irrigation solutions to remove irritants, allergens or microorganisms from the nose.
nasal septum
The partition separating the two nasal cavities in the midplane.
nasopharynx
The top portion of the pharynx situated posterior to the nose and superior to the soft palate.
nebulizers
Devices that create an aerosol a mist (vapor). It is used to administer drugs or to humidify air.
neb´u-līz″er
nose
A part of the upper respiratory tract. It includes the external nose, the nasal cavity, and the paranasal sinuses.
nosocomial pneumonia
Pneumonia acquired during a hospital stay.
nos″o-ko´me-al
O2
oxygen
orthopnea
Dyspnea when lying flat.
osm/o
sense of smell
ox/i
oxygen
ox/o
oxygen
oxa-
oxygen
oxy-
sharp, oxygen
Paco2
partial pressure of carbon dioxide in alveolar gas
paranasal sinuses
Air-filled cavities located around the nasal cavity. There are four pairs: frontal, sphenoid, maxillary and ethmoid.
PE (2)
pulmonary embolism
peak flow meter
Simple device that allows asthma patients to check lung airflow.
pector/o
chest
PEEP
positive end expiratory pressure
PEFR
peak expiratory flow rate
pertussis
Whooping cough. Contagious bacterial infection of the upper respiratory tract. Cold-like symptoms followed by many weeks of coughing. Preventable with immunization.
per-tus´is
PFT
pulmonary function test
pharyng/o
throat
pharyngitis
Sore throat. Inflammation of the throat.
far″in-ji´tis
pharynx
The throat. A fibromuscular tube that conducts air to the larynx and lungs and food to the esophagus.
far´ingks
phas/o
speech
phlegm
Mucus in the respiratory airways (trachea, bronchial tree).
flem
phon/o
sound, voice
phonation
To vocalize.
phreni-
diaphragm, mind
pleur/o
pleura, rib
pleura
The membrane enveloping the lungs consisting of two layers. The visceral pleura is attached directly to the lungs. The outer parietal pleura lines the thoracic cavity and diaphragm. Between the two layers is the pleural cavity, containing a lubricating liquid film.
ploor´ah
pleural effusion
Excessive fluid in the pleural cavity which may cause breathlessness.
plūr'ăl ĕ-fyū'zhŭn
pleural friction rub
Sound created by the rubbing of when the chest wall moves. Stops when patient holds her breath. Often heard with pleurisy. Thick inflamed surfaces sliding by one another.
plūr'ăl
pleurisy
Inflammation of the pleura, the membranes covering the lungs.
ploor´ĭ-se
pleurodynia
Inflamed lung membranes causing pain during inhalation.
ploor″o-din´e-ah
PND
paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
-pnea
breathing
pneo-
air, breath, breathing
pneum/o
lung, air
pneumoconiosis
Occupational lung disease caused by prolonged inhalation of dust. Common lung disease in mining.
noo″mo-ko″ne-o´sis
pneumocyte
Any of the epithelial cells lining the alveoli of the lung.
pneumon/o
lung
pneumonectomy
Surgical removal of part or all of a lung.
noo″mo-nek´to-me
pneumonia
Inflammation of the lungs with alveoli filling with pus. Typically caused by infection and can follow flu, colds and other illnesses.
nū-mō'nē-ă
pneumonitis
Inflammation of lung tissue.
pneumoperitoneum
Presence of air or gas in the peritoneal cavity.
pneumothorax
Partial or fully collapsed lung. An accumulation of air in the pleural cavity. Caused by trauma, such as a gun shot or stab wound and can also occur spontaneously.
noo″mo-thor´aks
polysomnography
Sleep study. Includes monitoring of respiratory patterns, brain waves, sleep stages, and other physiological variables.
pol″e-som-nog´rah-fe
PSV
pressure supported ventilation
PTX
pneumothorax
-ptysis
spitting
pulm/o
lung
pulmon/o
lung
pulmonary
Pertaining to the lungs.
pulmonary edema
Excessive accumulation of fluid in the lung. Can be life-threatening. Often associated with heart failure.
pul´mo-ner″e
pulmonary embolism
A clot blocking of the pulmonary artery or one of its branches.
pul´mo-ner″e
pulmonary fibrosis
Progressive formation of fibrotic (scar) tissue in the lungs. Patients show increasing dyspnea.
pul´mo-ner″e
pulmonary function test
A battery of tests that evaluate the volume and flow rate of air in and out of the lungs.
pul´mo-ner″e
pulmonary infarction
necrosis of lung tissue that is cause by the lack of oxygen or blood supply. The most common cause of pulmonary infarction is a blood clot in the lung.
pulmonologist
An internal medicine specialist concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and defects of the lungs and bronchial tree.
poo͡l′mə·nol′ə·jist
pulse oximeter
Device that measures oxygen saturation in the blood.
ok-sim´ĕ-ter
RDS
respiratory distress syndrome
residual volume
The volume of air remaining in the lungs at the end of a maximal expiration.
respir/o
breathing
respiration
Breathing.
respiratory system
The organs and structures that bring about gas exchange between ambient air and the blood.
respiratory therapy
Care of patients with abnormalities associated with the pulmonary system.
rhin/o
nose
rhinitis
Inflammation of the nasal mucous membrane.
rhinomanometry
Technique for measuring airflow and pressure in the nasal cavity during respiration.
rhinosporidiosis
Chronic, localized fungal infection of mucocutaneous tissues, especially the nose.
rhonchi
A coarse rattling breath sound somewhat similar to snoring.
RML
right middle lobe of lung
RQ
respiratory quotient
RR (2)
respiratory rate
RSV
respiratory syncytial virus
RT
Respiratory Therapist
RV
residual volume
SARS
severe acute respiratory syndrome
sialomucins
A subcategory of mucins that contain sialic acid.
siderosis
A form of pneumoconiosis resulting from inhalation of iron in mining dust or welding fumes.
SIDS
sudden infant death syndrome
silicosis
A form of pneumoconiosis resulting from prolonged inhalation of silica dust.
sinus/o
sinus
sinusitis
Inflammation of the sinuses.
si″nŭ-si´tis
sleep apnea
Sleep disorder characterized by multiple starts and stops of breathing, interfering with normal sleeping patterns. Measurable decrease in blood oxygen levels.
ap´ne-ah
sneezing
The sudden, forceful, involuntary expulsion of air from the nasal cavities and mouth due to irritation to the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract.
snoring
Noisy breathing during sleep, due to vibration of the soft palate and other soft tissue in the upper airway.
SOB
shortness of breath
spir/o
to breath
spirometer
Device that measures inhaled or exhaled air volume.
spi-rom´ĕ-ter
sputum
Material coughed up from the lungs.
spu´tum
steth/o
chest
stridor
A very loud, wheezing breath sound heard when the trachea or larynx is obstructed.
sudden infant death syndrome
The abrupt and unexplained death of an apparently healthy infant under one year of age. Positioning infants for sleep on their backs or sides has reduced SIDS incidence.
tachypnea
Abnormally rapid breathing rate.
tak″ip-ne´ah
TB
tuberculosis
thorac/o
chest, pleural cavity
thoracentesis
Removal of fluid or air from the thoracic cavity, usually with a needle.
thor″ah-sen-te´sis
thoracotomy
Surgical incision into the chest wall.
thor″ah-kot´ah-me
thorax
The chest cavity. Principal organs are the heart and lungs.
thor´aks
-thorax
chest, pleural cavity
tidal volume
The volume of air inspired or expired in a single breath during normal breathing.
TLC
total lung capacity
trache/o
trachea (windpipe)
trachea
The wind pipe. Cartilaginous and membranous tube descending from the larynx and branching into the right and left main bronchi.
tra´ke-ah
tracheostomy
Surgical creation of an opening into the trachea to insert a tube to facilitate breathing.
tra″ke-os´tah-me
tracheotomy
Surgical incision of the trachea.
tra″ke-ot´ah-me
tuberculosis
Bacterial infection that usually affects the lungs.
tū-ber'kyū-lō'sis
TV
tidal volume
URI
upper respiratory infection
URT
upper respiratory tract
V/Q
ventilation/perfusion
VC
vital capacity
ventilators
Mechanical devices used to assist respiration.
vital capacity
The volume of air that is exhaled by a maximal expiration following a maximal inspiration.
wheeze
Adventitious lung sounds that are continuous with a musical quality. They can be high or low pitched.
whooping cough
A respiratory infection caused by Bordetella pertussis and characterized by paroxysmal coughing ending in a prolonged crowing intake of breath.
yawning
An involuntary deep inhalation with the mouth open, often accompanied by the act of stretching.