Lungs & Thorax Vocabulary

Question 1

accessory muscles

Answer 1

Muscles other than the diaphragm and intercostal muscles that may be used for labored breathing; may include the sternocleidomastoid, spinal, and neck muscles.

Question 2

adventitious

Answer 2

Sounds not normally heard coming from the chest or abdomen.

Question 3

anteroposterior diameter

Answer 3

Equals transverse diameter, resulting in barrel chest.

Question 4

asthma

Answer 4

A condition involving narrowing of the bronchial airways, which changes in severity over short periods of time.

Question 5

auscultate

Answer 5

To listen, usually with a stethoscope, to sounds produced by movement of gas or liquid within the body.

Question 6

asymmetry

Answer 6

An abnormal chest expansion where one side expands less and lags behind the normal side.

Question 7

barrel chest

Answer 7

A condition in which the chest appears to be partially inflated all the time, with the rib cage broadened as if in the middle of a deep breath.

Question 8

bradypnea

Answer 8

An abnormally slow breathing rate; a respiration rate below 12 breaths per minute.

Question 9

breathing effort

Answer 9

The amount of respiratory effort: mild, moderate, severe, inspiratory: expiratory ratio, shortness of breath.

Question 10

bronchial

Answer 10

The airway division beginning below the trachea; divides into right and left mainstem tubes.

Question 11

bronchitis

Answer 11

An inflammation of the mucous membranes of the bronchi.

Question 12

bronchovesicular

Answer 12

Normal sounds in the mid-chest area or in the posterior chest between the scapula; reflect a mixture of the pitch of the bronchial breath sounds heard near the trachea and the alveoli with the vesicular sound.

Question 13

chest expansion

Answer 13

Measured by encircling chest around the level of nipple; measurements taken at the end of deep inspiration and expiration normally show 2-5” of chest expansion.

Question 14

cough

Answer 14

A healthy reflex that helps keep the airways in the throat and chest free from mucus, dust, and dirt; may be associated with colds, bacteria, or other viral illnesses.

Question 15

crackles

Answer 15

Short, high pitched, discontinuous, intermittent, popping sounds created by air being forced through an airway or alveoli narrowed by fluid, pus, or mucous.

Question 16

crepitus

Answer 16

A crackling or popping sound that occurs as a result of tissues rubbing together abnormally; resulting from an abnormal interaction between air, fluid or bone.

Question 17

cyanosis

Answer 17

A bluish discoloration of the skin, mucous membranes, tongue, lips, or nail beds due to an increased concentration of reduced hemoglobin (Hb) in the circulation.

Question 18

expiration

Answer 18

The act of expelling air out of the lungs.

Question 19

inspiration

Answer 19

The act of drawing air into the lungs.

Question 20

intensity

Answer 20

A good index of ventilation of the underlying lung; when intensity increases there is more ventilation and vice versa; should be symmetrical.

Question 21

kussmauls

Answer 21

A deep, labored breathing pattern that indicates that the body or organs have become too acidic.

Question 22

occupational hazards

Answer 22

Potential exposure to infectious diseases, toxic substances, back injuries, and radiation; may also include stress, shift work, and violence in the workplace.

Question 23

orthopnea

Answer 23

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing when lying down.

Question 24

pectus carinatum

Answer 24

Commonly known as “pigeon chest,” occurs when abnormal cartilage growth causes the sternum to protrude from the chest; more prevalent boys.

Question 25

pectus excavatum

Answer 25

An anterior chest deformity that is characterized by a depressed sternum.

Question 26

pitch

Answer 26

How high or low a breath sound is when auscultated; bronchial sounds are high pitched and usually heard over the trachea; vesicular sounds are low pitched.

Question 27

pleural friction rub

Answer 27

An adventitious breath sound heard on auscultation of the lung; results from movement of inflamed and roughened pleural surfaces against one another.

Question 28

pneumothorax

Answer 28

Commonly called a collapsed lung; the collection of air in the spaces around the lungs that puts pressure on the lung(s), so it cannot expand normally.

Question 29

pursed lip breathing

Answer 29

A technique that allows control of oxygenation and ventilation; requires a person to inspire through the nose and exhale through the mouth at a slow controlled flow.

Question 30

respiratory/ventilation cycle

Answer 30

The process of inhalation and expiration.

Question 31

retraction

Answer 31

Intercostal retractions are due to reduced air pressure inside your chest occurring if the upper airway (trachea) or small airways of the lungs (bronchioles) become partially blocked.

Question 32

rhonchi

Answer 32

Low-pitched wheezes often caused by secretions in larger airways or obstructions.

Question 33

tachypnea

Answer 33

Rapid and shallow breathing (not be confused with hyperventilation, which is when a patient’s breathing is rapid but deep).

Question 34

tripod position

Answer 34

May be assumed during respiratory distress to facilitate the use of respiratory accessory muscles; the patient sits leaning forward, with hands placed on the bed or a table with arms braced.

Question 35

shortness of breath

Answer 35

Also called dyspnea; a common symptom in patients with advanced disease.

Question 36

vesicular

Answer 36

Breath sounds that are soft and low pitched with a rustling quality during inspiration and even softer during expiration; the most commonly auscultated breath sounds, normally heard over most of the lung surface; an inspiration/expiratory ratio of 3 to 1.

Question 37

wheezes

Answer 37

A whistling noise made during breathing; occurs when the small airways, or bronchial tubes, leading to the lungs swell or contract (spasm) and become narrow (called bronchoconstriction).