alveoli
air sacs; very small grapelike clusters at the end of each bronchial
anoxia
the absence of oxygen from the body's tissues or organs despite adequate flow of blood
antitussive
medication administered to prevent or relieve coughing
aphonia
the loss of the ability of the larynx to produce normal speech sound
asbestosis
the form of pneumonoconiosis caused by asbestosis particles in lungs
asphyxia
the loss of consciousness that occurs when the body cant get the oxygen it needs to function
asthma
a chronic inflammatory disease of the bronchial tubes
atelectasis
incomplete expansion of part or all of the lung
bradypnea
an abnormally slow rate or respiration
bronchodilator
a medication that relaxes and expands the bronchial passages into the lungs
bronchorrhea
an excessive discharge of mucus from the bronchi
bronchoscopy
the visual examination of the bronchi using a bronchoscope
bronchospasm
a contraction of the smooth muscle in the walls of the bronchi and bronchioles that tighten and squeeze the airway shut
CHeyne-Stokes respirations
an irregular pattern of breathing characterized by alternating rapid or shallow respiration followed by slow respiration or apnea
croup
an acute respiratory infection in children and infants characterized by obstruction of the larynx, hoarseness, and swelling around the vocal cords
cyanosis
bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes caused by lack of adequate oxygen
cystic fibrosis
a life threatening genetic disorder in which the lungs and pancreas are clogged with mucous
diptheria
an acute bacterial infection of the throat and upper respiratory tract
dysphonia
difficulty in speaking
dyspnea
difficult or labored breathing
pertussis
a contagious bacterial infection of the upper respiratory tract that is characterized by recurrent bouts of a paroxysmal cough
pharyngitis
inflammation of the pharynx
phlegm
thick mucus secreted by the tissues lining the respiratory passages
pleurisy
inflammation of the pleura that produces sharp chest pain with each breath
pleurodynia
pain in the pleura or in the side
pneumoconiosis
any fibrosis of the lung tissues caused by dust in the lungs after prolonged environmental or occupational contact
pneumonectomy
the surgical removal of all or part of a lung
pneumonia
a serious infection or inflammation of the lungs in which the alveoli and air passages fill with pus and other liquid
pneumothorax
the accumulation of air in the pleural space resulting in a pressure inbalance that causes the lung to rully or partially collapse
polysomnography
the diagnostic measurement of physiological activity during sleep
pulmonologist
a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases and disorders of the lungs and associated tissues
pulse oximeter
an external monitor that measures the oxygen saturation level in the blood
pyothorax
the presence of pus in the pleural cavity between the layers of pleural membrane
sinusitis
an inflammation of the sinuses
sleep apnea
a potentionally serious disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops during sleep for long enough periods to cause a measurable decrease in blood oxygen levels
spirometer
a recording device that measures the amount of air inhaled or exhaled and the length of time required for each breath
tachypnea
an abnormally rapid rate or respiration usually of more than 20 breaths
thoracentesis
the surgical puncture of the chest wall with a needle to obtain fluid from the pleural cavity.
thoracotomy
a surgical incision into the chest walls to open the pleural cavity for biopsy or treatment
tracheostomy
the surgical creation of a stoma into the trachea in order to insert a tube to facilitate breathing
tracheotomy
an emergency procedure in which an incision is made into the trachea to gain access to the airway below a blockage
tuberculosis
an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis that usually attacks the lungs
Emphysema
The progress, long-term loss of lung function, usually due to smoking.
Empyema
An accumulation of pus in a body cavity.
Endotracheal Intubation
The passage of a tube through the mouth into the trachea to establish or maintain an open airway.
Epistaxis
Bleeding from the nose.
Hemoptysis
Expectoration of blood or bloodstained sputum.
Hemothorax
A collection of blood in the pleural cavity.
Hypercapnia
The abnormal buildup of carbon dioxide in the blood.
Hyperpnea
Breathing that is deeper and more rapid than is normal at rest.
Hypopnea
Shallow or slow respiration.
Hypoxemia
A condition of having low oxygen levels in the blood.
Hypoxia
The condition of having deficient oxygen levels in the body tissues and organs; less severe than anoxia.
Laryngectomy
The surgical removal of the larynx.
Laryngitis
Inflammation of the larynx,
Laryngoscopy
The visual examination of the larynx and the vocal cords using a laryngoscope.
Laryngospasm
The sudden spasmodic closure of the larynx.
Mediastinum
The middle section of the chest cavity and is located between the lungs.
Nebulizer
An electronic device that pumps air or oxygen through a liquid medicine to turn it into a mist that is inhaled via a face mask or mouth piece.
Otolaryngologist
Also known as the ENT (ear, nose, throat) is a physician with specialized training in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the head neck.