Respiratory system

Apnea

absence of breathing

Eupnea

normal breathing

Dyspnea

difficult or labored breathing

Bradypnea

abnormally slow respiratory rate

Tachypnea

abnormally rapid respiratory rates

Hyperventilation

abnormally rapid deep breathing resulting in decreased levels of carbon dioxide

Hypoxia

inadequate tissue oxygen levels

Hypercapnia

high levels of carbon dioxide in the blood

Hypocapnia

low levels of carbon dioxide in the blood

Respiratory acidosis

low pH level of blood

Respiratory alkalosis

high pH level of blood

Auscultation

listening to the lungs and heart with a stethoscope

Crepitation or crackles or rales

fine or coarse crackling noises on auscultation of lungs

Percussion

diagnostic test to determine if fluid is present in a body cavity

Stridor

snoring, squeaking or whistling that suggest airway narrowing

Bronchoalveolar lavage

collection of fluid or mucus from the lower respiratory tract via an endoscope for cytology or culture and sensitivity

Bronchoscopy

visual examination of the bronchus

Bronchoscope

instrument used to visualize the bronchus

Laryngoscopy

visual examination of the voice box

Laryngoscope

instrument used to visualize the larynx

Thoracocentesis

puncture of the chest wall with a needle to obtain fluid from the pleural cavity

Transtracheal wash

sterile collection of fluid or mucus from the lower respiratory tract via a catheter inserted through the skin into the trachea

Trephination

insertion of a hole-boring instrument into a sinus

Aspiration

inhalation of a foreign substance into the upper respiratory tract

Asthma

chronic allergic disorder

Atelectasis

lung collapse

Bronchitis

inflammation of the bronchi

Bronchopneumonia

abnormal condition of the bronchi and lung

Cyanosis

blue discoloration due to inadequate oxygen levels

Epistaxis

nosebleed

Laryngitis

inflammation of the larynx

Laryngospasm

spasm or closure of the larynx

Pharyngitis

inflammation of the pharynx

Pleural effusion

abnormal accumulation of fluid in the pleural space

Pleuritis or pleurisy

inflammation of the pleural membrane

Pneumonia

abnormal condition of the lung that usually involves inflammation and congestion

Pneumothorax

accumulation of air in the chest cavity

pulmonary edema

accumulation of fluid in the lung tissue

Pyothorax

pus in the thoracic cavity

Rhinitis

inflammation of the nasal mucous membranes

Sinusitis

inflammation of the sinus

Stenotic nares

narrowed nostrils that reduce air flow

Tracheitis

inflammation of the trachea

laryngectomy

surgical removal of the voice box

Thoracotomy

surgical incision into the chest wall

Tracheostomy

surgical incision into the windpipe usually to place a tube