Inspection
visual examination of the external surface of the body as well as of its movements and posture.
palpatation
the process of examining by application of the hands or fingers to the external surface of the body to detect evidence of disease or abnormalities of the various organs
auscultation
Process of listening for sounds within the body, usually the sounds of thoracic or abdominal viscera, to detect some abnormal condition or to detect fetal heart sounds.
percussion
use of the fingertips to tap the body lightly but sharply to determine position, size, and consistency of an underlying structure and the presence of fluid or pus in a cavity.
adenoids
lymphatic tissue forming a prominence on the wall of the recess o the nasopharynx
alveoli
air cells of the lungs; known as the pulmonary parenchyma (functional units of the lungs)
apex
the upper portion of the lung, rising about 2.5 to 5 cm above the collarbone
asymptomatic
without symptoms
base
the lowest part of the lung, resting on the diaphragm
bronchi
the two main branches leading from the trachea to the lungs proving the passageway for air movement
bronchiole
one of the smaller subdivisions of the bronchial tubes.
capillaries
any of the minute (tiny) blood vessels. The capillaries connect the ends of the smallest arteries (arterioles) with the beginnings of the smallest veins (venules).
diaphragm
the musculomembranous wall separating the abdomen from the thoracic cavity.
epiglottis
a thin, leaf-shaped structure located immediately posterior to the root of the tongue; covers the entrance of the larynx when the individual swallows
glottis
the sound-producing apparatus of the larynx, consisting of the two vocal folds and the intervening space (the epiglottis protects this opening).
laryngalgia
pain in the larynx
laryngopharynx
lower portion of the pharynx that extends from the vestibule o the larynx (the portion just above the vocal cords) to the lowermost cartilage of the larynx.
laryx
the enlarged upper end of the trachea below the root of the tongue; the voice box.
mediastinum
the mass of organs and tissues separating the lungs. It contains the heart, aorta, trachea, esophagus, and bronchi.
nares
external nostrils
nasopharynx
part of the pharynx located above the soft palate (postnasal space)
oropharynx
Central portion of the pharynx lying between the soft palate and upper potion of the epiglottis
palatine tonsils
lymphatic tissue located in the depression of the mucous membrane of fauces (the constricted opening leading from the mouth and the oral pharynx) and the pharynx
paranasal sinuses
Hollow areas or cavities within the skull that communicate with the nasal cavity.
parietal pleura
portion of the pleura that is closest to the ribs.
pharynx
passageway for air from nasal cavity to larynx an food from mouth to esophagus. Serves both the respiratory and digestive systems; the throat.
phrenic nerve
the nerve known as the motor nerve to the diaphragm
pleura
the double-folded membrane that lines the thoracic cavity
pleura space
the space that separates the visceral and parietal pleurae, whcih contains a small amount of fluid that acts as a lubricant to the pleural surfaces during respiration.
pulmonary parenchyma
the functional units of the lungs (for example, the alveoli) which have very thin walls that allow for the exchange of gases between the lungs and the blood.
septum
a wall dividing two cavities.
thorax
the chest; the part of the body between the base of the neck and the diaphragm
trachea
a cylinder-shaped tube lines with rings of cartilage (to keep it open) that is 4.5 inches long, from larynx to the bronchial tubes; the windpipe
visceral pleura
portion of the pleura that is closest to the internal organs.
apnea
a temporary cessation of breathing; “without breathing”
bradypnea
abnormally slow breathing
cough
a forceful and sometimes violent expiratory effort preceded by a preliminary inspiration. The glottis is partially closed, the accessory muscles of expiration are brought into action, and the air is noisily expelled.
cyanosis
slightly bluish, grayish, slatelike, or dark discoloration of the skin due to presence of abnormal amounts of reduced hemoglobin in the blood.
dysphonia
difficulty in speaking; hoarseness.
dyspnea
air hunger resulting in labored or difficulty breathing, sometimes accompanied by pain.
epistaxis
hemorrhage from the nose, nosebleed
expectoration
the act of spitting out saliva or coughing up materials from the air passageways leading to the lungs.
hemoptysis
an expectoration of blood arising from the oral cavity, larynx, trachea, bronchi, or lungs.
hypercapnia
increased amount of carbon dioxide in the blood.
hypoxemia
insufficient oxygenation of arterial blood
hypoxia
deficiency of oxygen
Kussmaul respirations
very deep, gasping type of respiration associated with severe diabetic acidosis.
orthopnea
respiratory condition in which there is discomfort in breathing in any but erect, sitting, or standing position
pleural rub
friction rub caused by inflammation of the pleural space
rales
an abnormal sound heard on auscultation of the chest, produced by passage of air through bronchi that contain secretion or exudate or that are constricted by spasm or a thickening of their walls, also known as crackle.
rhinorrhea
thin, watery discharge from the nose
rhonchi
rales or rattlings in the throat, especially when it resembles snoring.
sneeze
to expel air forcibly through the nose and mouth by spasmodic contraction of muscles of expiration due to irritation of nasal mucosa.
stridor
harsh sound during respiration, high-pitched and resembling the blowing of win, due to obstruction of air passages.
tachypnea
abnormal rapidity of breathing
wheeze
a whistling sound or sighing sound resulting from narrowing of the lumen of a respiratory passageway
coryza
inflammation of the respiratory mucous membrane, known as rhinitis or the common cold. The term common cold is usually used when referring to symptoms of an upper respiratory tract infection.
croup
a childhood disease characterized by a barking cough, hoarseness, tachypnea, inspiratory stridor, and laryngeal spasm.
diphtheria
serious infectious disease affecting the nose, pharynx or larynx, usually resulting in sore throat, dysphonia, and fever. The disease is caused by the Corynebacterium diphtheriae bacterium, which forms a white coating over the affected airways as it multiples.
laryngitis
inflammation of the larynx, usually resulting in dysphonia (hoarseness), cough, and difficulty swallowing.
pertussis
an acute upper respiratory infectious disease caused by the Bordetella pertussis bacterium; “whooping cough”
pharyngitis
inflammation of the pharynx, usually resulting in sore throat.
rhinitis
inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose, usually resulting in obstruction f the nasal passages, rhinorrhea, sneezing and facial pressure or pain; also known as coryza
sinusitis
inflammation of a sinus, especially paranasal sinus
tonsillitis
inflammation of the palatine tonsils, located in teh area of the oropharynx
asthma
paroxysmal dyspnea accompanies by wheezing caused by a spasm of the bronchial tubes or by swelling of their mucous membrane
bronchiectasis
chronic dilatation of a bronchus or bronchi, with secondary infection that usually involves the lower portion of the lung.
bronchitis
inflammation of the mucous membrane of the bronchial tubes. Infection is often preceded by the common cold.
bronchogenic carcinoma
a malignant lung tumor that originates in the bronchi; lung cancer
emphysema
a chronic pulmonary disease characterized by increase beyond the normal in the size of air spaces distal to the terminal bronchiole, either from dilation of the alveoli or from destruction of their walls.
empyema
pus in a body cavity, especially in the pleural cavity (pyothorax); usually the result of a primary infection in the lungs
hyaline membrane disease
also known as respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) of the premature infant, hyaline membrane disease is severe impairment of the function of respiration in the premature newborn. This condition is rarely present in a newborn of greater than 37 weeks’ gestation or in one weighing at lease 5 pounds.
influenza
a highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory tract transmitted by airborne droplet infection; also known as the flu. influenza can occur in isolated cases or can be epidemic. The incubation period is usually one to three days after exposure.
lung abscess
a localized collection of pus formed by the destruction of lung tissue and microorganisms by white blood cells that have migrated to the area to fight infection.
pleural effusion
accumulation of fluid in the pleural space, resulting in compression of the underlying portion of the lung, with resultant dyspnea.
pleuritis (pleurisy)
inflammation of both the visceral and parietal pleura.
pneumonia
inflammation of the lungs caused primarily by bacteria, viruses, and chemical irritants.
pneumothorax
a collection of air or gas in the pleural cavity. The air enters as the result of a perforation through the chest wall or the pleura covering the lung (visceral pleura) causing the lung to collapse.
pulmonary edema
swelling of the lungs caused by an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the lungs, either in the alveoli or the interstitial spaces.
pulmonary embolism
the obstruction of one or more pulmonary arteries by a thrombus (clot) that dislodges from another location and is carried through the venous system to the vessels of the lung.
pulmonary heart disease (cor pulmonale)
hypertrophy of the right ventricle of the heart (with or without failure) resulting from disorders of the lungs, pulmonary vessels, or chest wall; heart failure resulting from pulmonary disease.
sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
the completely unexpected and unexplained death of an apparently well, or virtually well, infant. Also known as crib death. Is the most common cause of death between the second week and first year of life.
tuberculosis
an infectious disease caused by the Mycobactrium tuberculosis tubercle bacillus and characterized by inflammatory infiltrations, formations of tubercles, and caseous (cheeselike) necrosis in the tissues of the lungs. Other organ systems may also be infected.
anthracosis
the accumulation of carbon deposits in the lungs due to breathing smoke or coal dust (black lung disease); also called coal worker’s pneumoconiosis
asbestosis
a lung disease resulting from inhalation of asbestos particles.
byssinosis
a lung disease resulting from inhalation of cotton, flax, and hemp; also known as brown lung disease.
silicosis
a lung disease resulting from inhalation of silica (quartz) dust, characterized by formation of small nodules.
bronchoscopy
the examination of the interior of the bronchi using a lighted flexible tube known as a bronchscope (or endoscope)
chest x-ray
the use of high-energy electromagnetic waves passing through the body onto a photographic film to produce a picture of the internal structures of the body for diagnosis and therapy.
laryngoscopy
the examination of the interior of the larynx using a lighted, flexible tube known as a laryngoscope (or endoscope)
lung scan
the visual imaging of the distribution of ventilation or blood flow in the lungs by scanning the lungs after the patient has been injected with or has inhaled radioactive material
pulmonary function test
physicians use this variety of test to assess respiratory function.
sputum specimen
a specimen of material expectorated from the mouth. If produced after a cough, it may contain (in addition to saliva) material from the throat and bronchi
thoracentesis
involved the use of a needle to collect pleural fluid for laboratory analysis or to remove excess pleural fluid or air from the pleural space.
tonsillectomy
surgical removal of the palatine tonsils.
tuberculin skin test
the tuberculin skin test is used to determine past or present tuberculosis infection present int he body. This is based on a positive skin reaction to the introduction of a purified protein derivative (PPD) of the tubercle bacilli, called tuberculin, into the skin.
ABG(s)
arterial blood gas(es)
AFB
acid-fast bacilli (The only AFB of cinical significance are organisms of the genus Mycobacterium, which caused tuberculsis and leprosy)
AP
anteroposterior (a directional term, used particularly in X-rays, meaning “from the front to the back”; i.e., anteroposterior view of the chest)
ARD
acute respiratory disease (or distress)
ARDS
adult respiratory distress syndrome
ARF
acute respiratory failure
CDC
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CO2
carbon dioxide
COPD
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (associated with chronic bronchitis and emphysema)
CPR
cardiopulmonary resuscitation
CXR
chext X-ray
DPT
diphtheria, pertussis (whopping cough), and tetanus; an immunization given in childhood to prevent these diseases by providing immunity
IPPB
intermittent positve pressure breathing
LLL
lower left lobe (of the lung)
LUL
left upper lobe (of the lung)
O2
oxygen
PA
posteroanterior (a directional term, used particularly in X-rays, meaning “from the back to the front”; i.e. posteroanterior view of the chest)
PaCO2
partial pressure of carbon dioxide (Co2) dissolved in the blood
PaO2
partial pressure of oxygen (O2) dissolved in the blood.
PCP
Pneumocystis carinii (pneumonia)
PFT(s)
pulmonary function test(s)
PPD
purified protein derivative; substance used in intradermal test for tuberculosis; now called TST.
R
respiration
RDS
respiratory distress syndrome
RLL
right lower lobe (of the lungs)
RML
right middle lobe (of the lungs)
RUL
right upper lobe (of the lungs
SIDS
sudden infant death syndrome
SOB
shortness of breath
T&A
tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy
TB
tuberculosis
TPR
temperature, pulse and respiration
TST
tuberculosis skin test
URI
upper respiratory infection
