a leaf-shaped structure on topof the larynx which seals off the air passage to the lungs during swallowing.

nose

nasal - pertaining to the nose

nose

rhinoplasty - surgical repair of the nose

epiglottis

epiglottitis - inflamation of the epiglottis

air; lung

pneumectomy - excision of (all or part of) a lung

air; lung

pneumonia - condition of inflamation of the lungs

blue

cyanosis - abnormal condition of blueness

oxygen

oximeter - instrument used for measuring oxygen

oxygen

hypoxemia - deficiency of oxygen in blood

chest

thoracopathy - disease of the chest

diaphram; mind

phrenospasm - involuntary contractions of the diaphram

breathe

spirometer - instrument for measuring breathing

carbon dioxide

hypercapnia - excessive CO

spitting

hemoptysis - (coughing up or) spitting up of blood

slow

bradypnea - slow breathing

rapid

tachypnea - rapid breathing

Chronic Obrstructive Pulmonary Disease

(COPD)

includes respiratory disorders that produce a chronic partial obstruction of the air passages.

The patient finds it difficult to breathe (dyspnea)

The 3 major disorders of COPD include: asthma, Chronic bronchitis, & emphysema.

Asthma produces spasms in the bronchial passages (bronchospasmas) that may be sudden & violent (paroxysmal) & lead to dyspnea.

an inflamation of the bronchi caused mainly by smoking & air pollution.

characterized by decreased elasticity of the alveoli.

The alveoli expand (dialate) but are unable to contract to their original size. The air that remains trapped in the chest results in a characteristic "barrel-chested" appearance.

the listening of sounds made by organs of the body usually using a stethoscope.

tuberculosis

(TB)

a communicable disease caused by bacterium.

TB is spread by droplets. (droplet nuclei)

any inflammatory disease of the lungs that may be caused by bacteria, virues, or fungi.

aspiration pneumonia is potentially fatal & may be a result of food or liquid being inhaled into the lungs.

a condition where the air in the lungs is replaced by fluid & inflammatory debris, the lung tissue looses its spongy texture & become swollen & engorged.

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

(ARDS)

a life-threatening condition in which the lungs no longer function effectively.

ARDS usually occurs as a result of very serious lung conditions, such as, trauma, severe pneumonia, & other major infections that affect the entire body (systemic infections) or blood infections (sepsis).

In ARDS, the aveoli fill with fluid caused by inflamation, & the collapse, making oxygen exchange impossible.

Hyaline Membrane Disease

(HMD)

a form of respiratory distress syndrome.

A.K.A. Infant Respiratory Distress Syndrome (IRDS)

Caused by insufficient surfactant which causes the aveoli to collapse & breathing becomes labored.

Usually seen in preterm infants or infants born to diabetic mothers.

excessive acidity of body fluids

Respiratory acidosis is commonly associated with pulmonary insufficiency & the subsequent retention of carbon dioxide.

tempoary loss of breathing

3 types of apnea include:

obstructive apnea  - enlarged tonsils & adenoids

central apnea - failure of the brain to transmit impulses for breathing

mixed apnea - a combination of obstructive & central apnea

collapsed or airless state of the lung, which may be acute or chronic & affect all or part of the lung.

Atelectasis is a potential complicaton 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.

abnormal respiratory sound heard on aucultation, caused by exudates, spasms, hyperplasia, or when air enters moisture-filled alveoli.

A.K.A. rales

nosebleed

nasal hemorrhage

acute infectious disease characterized by a cough that has a "whoop" sound

A.K.A. whooping cough

Immunization of infants as part of the diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus (DPT) vaccination is effective in the prevention of pertussis. 

inflammation of the pleural membrane characterized by a stabbing pain that is intensified by coughing or deep breathing.

A.K.A. pleuritis

accumulation of extravascular fluid in lung tissues& aveoli, caused most commonly by heart failure

"excessive fluid on the lungs"

which induces coughing & dyspnea

high-pitched, harsh, adventitious breath sound caused by a spasm or swelling of the larynx or an obstruction in the upper airway.

The presence of stridor requires immediate intervention.

noninvasive method of monitoring the precentage of hemoglobin (Hb) saturated with oxyegen. A.K.A. a puse oximetry.

In oximetry, a probe is attached to the patient's finger or ear lobe & linked to a computer that displays the % of hemoglobin saturated with oxygen.

Pulmonary Function Tests

(PFT's)

Mltiple tests used to evaluate the ability of the lungs to take in & expel air as well as perform gas exchange across the aveolocapillary membrane.

Fexofenadine (Allegra)

Loratadine (Claritin)

block histamines from binding with histamine receptor sites in tissues

Histamines cause sneezing, runny nose, itchiness, & rashes.

Hydrocodone (Hycodan)

Dextromethorphan (Vicks Formula 44)

relieve or supress coughing by blocking the cough reflex in the mdulla of the brain

Antitussives alleviate nonproductive dry coughs & should not be used with productive coughs.

throat

a muscular tube that sereves as a passageway for food & air.

nasopharynx - posterior to the nose

oropharynx - posterior to the mouth

laryngopharynx - superior to the larynx

a large muscular partition which lies between the chest & abdominal cavities

lung

pulmonologist - specialist in the study (& treatment) of lungs (& respiratory diseases)

breathing

apnea - not breathing

gentle tapping of the chest with the fingers & listening to the resultant sounds to determine the position, size, or consistancy of the underlying structures.

Pneumocystis Carinii Pneumonea

(PCP)

a hereditary disorder of the exocrine glands that causes the body to secrete extremely thick (viscous) mucus.

larynx

(voice box)

laryngoplasty - surgical repair of the trachea

trachea

(windpipe)

tracheoplasty - surgical repair of the trachea

chest

pyothorax - pus in the chest (cavity); also called empyema