Chapter 11 The Respiratory System

pharynx

also known as the throat

larynx

also known as the voice box

trachea

commonly known as the windpipe

inspection

visual examination of the external surface of the body as well as of its movements and posture

palpation

process of examining by application of the hands or fingers to the external surface of the body to detect evidence of disease or abnormalities in the various organs

auscuitation

process of listening for sounds within the body, usually to 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

apnea

temporary cessation of breathing, "without breathing

dysphonia

hoarseness

dyspnea

difficult breathing

epistaxis

nosebleed

hemoptysis

expectoration of blood arising from the oral cavity, larynx, trachea, bronchi, or lungs

stridor

high pitched and resembling the blowing of wind, due to obstruction of air passages

tachypnea

abnormal rapidity of breathing; can lead to hyperventilation

wheeze

whistling sound or sighing sound resulting from narrowing of the lumen of a respiratory passageway

coryza

common cold

laryngitis

inflammation of the larynx

pertussis

whooping cough

pharyngitis

inflammation of the pharynx, usually resulting in sore throat

tonsillitis

inflammation of the paletine tonsils

tonsillectomy

removal of the paletine tonsils

bronchitis

inflammation of the mucous membrane of the bronchial tubes

empyema

pus in a body cavity, especially in the pleural cavity

hyaline membrane disease

also known as respiratory distress syndrome (RDS)

influenza

also known as the flu

pneumonia

inflammation of the lungs caused primarily by bacteria, viruses, and chemical irritants

pneumathorax

collection of air or gas in the pleural cavity

pulmonary embolism

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 lungs

anthracosis

coal worker's

bronchoscopy

examination of interior of bronchi using a lighted, flexible bronchoscope (or endoscope)

thoracentesis

procedure that involves the use of a needle to collect pleural fluid for laboratory analysis, or to remove excess plrural fluid or air from the pleural space