Nasal cavity
Hollow area inside the nose
Cardiopulmonary
Pertaining to the heart and lungs. Reflects the connection between the heart and the respiratory system.
Turbinates
Composed of a scroll-like structure
Pleura
Serous membrane that lines the thoracic cavity(parietal pleura) and covers the lungs(visceral pleura). Secretes pleural fluid.
Visceral Pleura
Serous membrane that covers the lungs.
Parietal Pleura
Serous membrane that lines thoracic cavity.
Pleural space
Area between the layers of pleura that contains pleural fluid.
Pleural fluid
Fluid in the pleural space secreted by the pleura.
Respiration
Process of again and again breathing.
Inhalation
Breathing in. (Inspiration)
Exhalation
Breathing out (expiration)
Respiratory control centers
In the brain. Regulate the depth and rate of respiration.
Phrenic Nerve
Nerve that when stimulated, causes the diaphragm to contract and initiate respiration.
Intercostal Muscle
2 pairs of muscles between the ribs. One contracts to spread the ribs apart during inspiration; the other contracts to pull the ribs together during coughing or sneezing.
Eupnea
Breathing that is normal.
Pharynx
The throat.
Respiratory System
Body that brings oxygen into the body and expels carbon dioxide. The upper respiratory system includes the nose, nasal cavity, and pharynx(throat). Lower respiratory system: includes larynx(voice box) and trachea(windpipe), in the neck and bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli(in the lungs). Also known as respiratory tract.
Mucosa
Mucous membrane that lines the entire respiratory system. Warms and humidifies incoming air. Produces mucus to trap foreign articles.
Nasopharynx
Posterior to nasal cavity.
Oropharynx
Posterior to oral cavity.
Laryngopharynx
Posterior to the larynx.
Septum
Wall of cartilage and bone that divides the nasal cavity into the right and left sides.
Alveolus
Hollow sphere of cells in the lungs where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged.
Apex
Rounded top of each lung.
Bronchiole
Small tubular air passageway that branches off from a bronchus and then branches into several alveoli. It’s wall contains smooth muscle.
Bronchus
Tubular air passageway supported by cartilage rings. It forms and inverted Y below the trachea. Each primary bronchus enters a lung and branches into bronchioles.
Bronchial Tree
Includes trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles.
Bronchopulmonary
Refers to the bronchi and the lungs.
Cilia
Small hairs that flow in waves to move foreign particles(dust & bugs) away from the lungs and toward the nose and throat where they can be expelled.
Epiglottis
Lid like structure that seals off the larynx, so that swallowed food goes into the esophagus, not into the trachea.
Upper respiratory infection(URI)
Bacterial to viral infection of the nose and/or throat. Also know as the common cold or a head cold.
Asthma
Hyperreactivity of the bronchi and bronchioles with bronchospasm(contraction of the smooth muscle). Inflammation and swelling severely narrow the lumens. Attacks are triggered by exposure to allergens, dust, mold, smoke, inhaled chemicals, exercise, cold air, or emotional stress. Also know as reactive airway disease. Shortness of breath, difficulty exhaling.
Arterial blood gases(ABG)
Blood test to measure the partial pressure of the gases oxygen (PO2) and carbon dioxide (PCO2) in a sample of arterial blood. The pH(how acidic or alkaline the blood is) is also measured. The higher the level of carbon dioxide, the more acidic the blood and the lower pH.
Carboxyhemoglobin
Blood test to measure the level of carbon monoxide in the blood of patients exposed to fires or fumes in unventilated spaces. Carbon monoxide is carried by hemoglobin as carboxyhemoglobin. A blood level above 50% is fatal.
Oximetry
Procedure where an oximeter(a small, noninvasive clip device) is placed on the patients index finger or earlobe to measure the degree of oxygen saturation of the blood. Emits light waves that penetrate the skin and are absorbed or reflected by saturated hemoglobin(that is bound to oxygen) versus unsaturated hemoglobin. Some measure pulse rate.
Auscultation
Procedure that uses stethoscope to listen to breath sounds.
Percussion
Tapping. Uses the finger of one hand to tap over the finger of the other hand that is spread across the patients back over a lobe of the lung.
Stethoscope
Instrument used to examine the chest!
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation(CPR)
Process of reviving pertaining to the heart and lungs.
Antibiotic Drugs
Drug used against living organisms(bacteria). Ampicillin Amoxicillin Ciprofloxacin Ibuprofen
Antitubercular Drugs
Treats tuberculosis. Several of these drugs must be used together in combination to be effective.
Isoniazid
Ethambutol
Rifampin
Antitussive Drugs
Drug used to stop cough.
Dextromethorpin
Hydrocodone
Antiviral Drugs
Prevents and treats influenza virus infection in at-risk patients with asthma or lung disease.
Oseltamivir
Bronchodilator Drugs
Drug that produces an effect to make the bronchus widen.
Albuterol
Salmeterol
Theophylline