Thorax Medical terms

Question 1

Alveoli

Answer 1

functional units of the lung; the thin-walled chambers surrounded by networks of capillaries that are the site of respiratory exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen

Question 2

Angle of Louis

Answer 2

manubriosternal angle, the articulation of the manubrium and body of the sternum, continuous with the second rib

Question 3

Apnea

Answer 3

cessation of breathing

Question 4

Asthma

Answer 4

an abnormal respiratory condition associated with allergic hypersensitivity to certain inhaled allergens, characterized by inflammation, bronchospasm, wheezing, and dyspnea

Question 5

Atelectasis

Answer 5

an abnormal respiratory condition characterized by collapsed, shrunken, deflated sections of alveoli

Question 6

Bradypnea

Answer 6

slow breathing, fewer than 10 breaths per minute, regular rate

Question 7

Bronchiole

Answer 7

one of the smaller respiratory passageways into which the segmental bronchi divide

Question 8

Bronchitis

Answer 8

inflammation of the bronchi with partial obstruction of bronchi due to excessive mucus secretion

Question 9

Bronchophony

Answer 9

the spoken voice sound heard through the stethoscope, which sounds soft, muffled, and indistinct over normal lung tissue

Question 10

Bronchovesicular

Answer 10

the normal breath sound heard over major bronchi, characterized by moderate pitch and an equal duration of inspiration and expiration

Question 11

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Answer 11

a functional category of abnormal respiratory conditions characterized by airflow obstruction (e.g., emphysema, chronic bronchitis)

Question 12

Cilia

Answer 12

millions of hair-like cells lining the tracheobronchial tree

Question 13

Consolidation

Answer 13

the solidification of portions of lung tissue as it fills up with infectious exudate, as in pneumonia

Question 14

Crackles

Answer 14

(rales) abnormal, discontinuous, adventitious lung sounds heard on inspiration

Question 15

Crepitus

Answer 15

coarse, crackling sensation palpable over the skin when air abnormally escapes from the lung and enters the subcutaneous tissue

Question 16

Dead space

Answer 16

passageways that transport air but are not available for gaseous exchange (e.g., traches, bronchi)

Question 17

Dyspnea

Answer 17

difficult, labored breathing

Question 18

Emphysema

Answer 18

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease characterized by enlargement of alveoli distal to terminal bronchioles

Question 19

Fissure

Answer 19

the narrow crack dividing the lobes of the lungs

Question 20

Fremitus

Answer 20

a palpable vibration from the spoken voice felt over the chest wall

Question 21

Friction rub

Answer 21

a coarse, grating, adventitious lung sound heard when the pleurae are inflamed

Question 22

Hypercapnia

Answer 22

(hypercarbia) increased levels of carbon dioxide in the blood

Question 23

Hyperventilation

Answer 23

increased rate and depth of breathing

Question 24

Hypoxemia

Answer 24

decreased level of oxygen in the blood

Question 25

Intercostal space

Answer 25

space between the ribs

Question 26

Kussmaul respiration

Answer 26

type of hyperventilation that occurs with diabetic ketoacidosis

Question 27

Orthopnea

Answer 27

ability to breathe easily on in an upright position

Question 28

Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea

Answer 28

sudden awakening from sleeping, with shortness of breath

Question 29

Percussion

Answer 29

striking over the chest wall with short, sharp blows of the fingers to determine the size and density of the underlying organ

Question 30

Pleural effusion

Answer 30

abnormal fluid between the layers of the pleura

Question 31

Rhonchi

Answer 31

low pitched, musical, snoring, adventitious lung sounds caused by airflow obstruction from secretions

Question 32

Tachypnea

Answer 32

rapid, shallow breathing; more than 24 breaths per minute

Question 33

Vesicular

Answer 33

refers to soft, low-pitched, normal breath sounds heard over peripheral lung fields

Question 34

Wheeze

Answer 34

high-pitched, musical, squeaking adventitious lung sound

Question 35

Xiphoid process

Answer 35

sword-shaped lower tip of the sternum