VI Glossary
Adenoiditis: Inflammation of the adenoids, a common medical condition in young children that can hinder speaking and breathing. (Chapter 6.2)
Adenoids: Lymphatic tissue between the back of the nasal cavity and the pharynx. (Chapter 6.2)
Alveoli: Small, grape-like sacs responsible for gas exchange. (Chapter 6.2)
Apnea: Absence of breathing. (Chapter 6.2)
Aspiration: Inhalation of food or fluids into the trachea and lower respiratory tract. (Chapter 6.2)
Aspiration pneumonia: Refers to when someone inhales food, drink, vomit, saliva, or medication into the lungs instead of swallowing it. (Chapter 6.7)
Asthma: A condition caused by chronic inflammation in the airways, resulting in narrowed air passages. Individuals also experience bronchoconstriction that tightens the smooth muscle surrounding the airways, further limiting airflow. (Chapter 6.5)
Atelectasis: Collapse of alveoli and/or small passageways of the lungs. (Chapter 6.2)
Audible wheezing: Whistling or squeaky sound when breathing. (Chapter 6.6)
Bradypnea: Slow breathing. (Chapter 6.2)
Bronchi: Main air passageways of the lungs. (Chapter 6.2)
Bronchial responsiveness testing: Measures the responsiveness of the airway after it has been exposed to an allergen or bronchoconstrictive substance. (Chapter 6.3)
Bronchial thermoplasty: Procedure is performed during a bronchoscopy and delivers heat to the muscles surrounding the airways to reduce smooth muscle mass and prevent them from narrowing. (Chapter 6.5)
Bronchioles: Small branches of the bronchi that lead to the alveolar sacs. (Chapter 6.2)
Bronchitis: Inflammation of the bronchi. (Chapter 6.2)
Bronchoscopy: Procedure in which a tube is inserted by a health care provider to visually examine the bronchi. (Chapter 6.3)
Bronchospasm: Symptom of many respiratory conditions; sudden constriction of the muscles in the walls of the bronchioles. (Chapter 6.2)
Bullectomy: One or more very large bullae are removed from the lungs. (Chapter 6.6)
Capnography: A sensor that measures the concentration of carbon dioxide exhaled, translated into a waveform and numerical value. (Chapter 6.3)
Carina: A raised structure that contains specialized nervous system tissue that induces violent coughing if a foreign body, such as food, is present. (Chapter 6.2)
Chest physiotherapy techniques: Techniques such as postural drainage and percussion, which may be used to assist in clearing mucus and secretions from the airways. (Chapter 6.7)
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): A chronic, progressive, and incurable respiratory condition that causes breathing difficulties and reduced lung function. (Chapter 6.6)
Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP): Refers to pneumonia that began in the community (not in a hospital). (Chapter 6.7)
Cor pulmonale: Right-sided heart failure. (Chapter 6.6)
Coughing and deep breathing: A breathing technique similar to incentive spirometry but no device is required. (Chapter 6.3)
COVID-19: Caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2; emerged as a global pandemic in late 2019, causing a wide spectrum of symptoms ranging from mild respiratory distress to severe pneumonia and organ failure. (Chapter 6.10)
Cyanosis: Bluish discoloration. (Chapter 6.3)
Diaphragmatic breathing: Also called abdominal breathing; encourages them to consciously use their diaphragm to take deep breaths. (Chapter 6.3)
Diffusion capacity testing: Measures the lung’s ability to transfer gases from alveoli into the bloodstream. (Chapter 6.3)
Dyspnea: Common symptom of respiratory disorders and refers to difficulty breathing. (Chapter 6.1, Chapter 6.2)
Epiglottis: A flap of tissue that covers the trachea during swallowing to prevent aspiration. (Chapter 6.2)
Epistaxis: Bleeding from the nose. (Chapter 6.2, Chapter 6.11)
Exhalation: Act of breathing out. (Chapter 6.2)
FEV1/FVC ratio: Ratio used to assess airflow obstruction. (Chapter 6.3)
Fluoroscopy: An imaging technique that can assess the movement of the diaphragm and chest structures during respiration. (Chapter 6.3)
Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1): The volume of air exhaled in the first second of forced expiration. (Chapter 6.3)
Forced vital capacity (FVC): The maximum amount of air that can be exhaled after a deep inhalation. (Chapter 6.3)
Gas exchange: Main function of the respiratory system, providing a supply of oxygen to the body and removing carbon dioxide. (Chapter 6.2)
Hilum: The area that connects the lungs to the supporting structures and where the pulmonary vessels enter and exit the lungs. (Chapter 6.2)
Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP): Refers to pneumonia that began during or immediately following a stay in a health care setting. (Chapter 6.7)
Huffing technique: A technique in which an individual inhales with a medium-sized breath and then make a sound like “Ha” to push the air out quickly with the mouth slightly open. (Chapter 6.3)
Hypercapnia: Elevated levels of carbon dioxide. (Chapter 6.2)
Hyperventilation: Rapid and deep breathing. (Chapter 6.2)
Hypoventilation: Slow and shallow breathing. (Chapter 6.2)
Hypoxemia: A decreased amount of dissolved oxygen in the blood. (Chapter 6.2)
Hypoxia: Low levels of oxygen in the tissues. (Chapter 6.2)
Hypoxic drive: Instead of relying on PaCO2 levels to initiate breathing, the brain primarily relies on dissolved oxygen levels in the bloodstream to initiate respiratory effort. (Chapter 6.6)
Incentive spirometer: A medical device commonly prescribed after surgery to expand the lungs, reduce the buildup of fluid in the lungs, and prevent pneumonia. (Chapter 6.3)
Influenza: Commonly known as the flu; caused by influenza viruses that primarily infect the respiratory tract, leading to symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, and fatigue. (Chapter 6.10)
Inhalation: Act of breathing in. (Chapter 6.2)
Labored breathing: Additional muscle contractions during inspiration. (Chapter 6.2)
Laryngitis: Inflammation of the larynx, typically resulting in huskiness or loss of one’s voice and a cough. (Chapter 6.2)
Larynx: Formed by several pieces of cartilage, it contains the vocal cords that allow for speech. (Chapter 6.2)
Lobectomy: Surgical removal of a lobe of the lung. (Chapter 6.2)
Lobes: Smaller units within the lungs. (Chapter 6.2)
Long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT): Prescribed for clients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) when oxygen saturation levels are 88% or less when at rest and in a stable clinical condition. (Chapter 6.6)
Lungs: Organ of the respiratory system responsible for gas exchange. (Chapter 6.2)
Nasal septum: Separates the left and right sections of the nasal cavity. (Chapter 6.2)
Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR): Measures the rate of air that can be forcefully breathed out of the lungs. (Chapter 6.5)
Peak flow monitoring: Involves a handheld device called a peak flow meter that measures the rate of air that can be forcefully breathed out of the lungs. (Chapter 6.5)
Perfusion: The passage of blood through the blood vessels. (Chapter 6.2)
Pharyngitis: Inflammation of the pharynx. (Chapter 6.2, Chapter 6.11)
Pharynx: Commonly known as the throat. (Chapter 6.2)
Pleural cavity: Area between the two membranes of the lung. (Chapter 6.2)
Pleural effusion: Excessive fluid between the pleural membranes caused by disease or trauma. (Chapter 6.2)
Pleural fluid culture: A procedure where a health care provider uses a needle to take a sample of fluid from the pleural space between the lungs and chest wall. (Chapter 6.7)
Pleural rub: The rubbing together of leather and can be heard on inspiration and expiration. (Chapter 6.2)
Pleuritic chest pain: Pain that worsens with deep breathing or coughing. (Chapter 6.3)
Pneumonia: Characterized by inflammation and infection within the alveoli, causing them to fill with fluid or purulent material, resulting in a productive cough, fever, chills, and difficulty breathing. (Chapter 6.7)
Pulmonary circulation: The flow of blood in the lungs. (Chapter 6.2)
Pulmonary edema: Fluid accumulation in alveoli; often caused by heart failure or kidney failure. (Chapter 6.2)
Pulmonary function tests (PFTs): Group of noninvasive diagnostic tests that assess the function of the respiratory system. (Chapter 6.3)
Pulmonary rehabilitation: A supervised program that includes exercise training, health education, and breathing techniques for people who have chronic lung conditions. (Chapter 6.6)
Pursed-lip breathing: A technique that decreases dyspnea by teaching people to control their oxygenation and ventilation. (Chapter 6.3)
Rales: Also called fine crackles; popping or crackling sounds heard on inspiration. (Chapter 6.2)
Respiratory arrest: Cessation of breathing. (Chapter 6.3)
Respiratory rate: The number of breaths taken per minute. (Chapter 6.2)
Rhinitis: Inflammation of the nasal mucosa. (Chapter 6.2)
Rhinorrhagia: Bleeding from the nose. (Chapter 6.2)
Rhinorrhea: Commonly referred to as a “runny nose”; medical term for excess mucus production by the nasal cavities. (Chapter 6.2)
Rhinoviruses: The most common cause of the common cold and are responsible for a large proportion of upper respiratory tract infections worldwide. (Chapter 6.10)
Rhonchi: Also referred to as coarse crackles; low-pitched, continuous sounds heard on expiration that are a sign of turbulent airflow through mucus in the large airways. (Chapter 6.2)
RSV: A common cause of respiratory infections in infants and young children, is characterized by symptoms similar to the common cold, including coughing, sneezing, and fever. (Chapter 6.10)
Sinusitis: Inflammation of the sinus cavities. (Chapter 6.2, Chapter 6.11)
Spirometry: Diagnostic testing that provides information about lung volume and airflow resistance. (Chapter 6.3)
Sputum: Mucus secretions that can be expelled through the mouth. (Chapter 6.2, Chapter 6.3)
Status asthmaticus: A severe and life-threatening asthma attack that is unresponsive to standard treatments such as bronchodilators and corticosteroids. (Chapter 6.5)
Stridor: Heard only on inspiration; sound associated with obstruction of the trachea/upper airway. (Chapter 6.2)
Subcutaneous emphysema: Occurs when air leaks from the pleural space into subcutaneous tissue, resulting in crepitus and swelling. (Chapter 6.3)
Superior vena cava syndrome: Compression of the superior vena cava by a cancerous tumor. (Chapter 6.8)
Surfactant: Substance that keeps the lungs from collapsing. (Chapter 6.2)
Tachypnea: Rapid breathing. (Chapter 6.2)
Tension pneumothorax: Occurs when pressure builds within the pleural space and compresses the lung. (Chapter 6.3)
Thoracentesis: Medical procedure performed as a diagnostic tool and to alleviate respiratory discomfort by aspirating pleural fluid (effusion) or air (pneumothorax) from the pleural space. (Chapter 6.3)
Thoracic cavity: Space inside the chest that contains the heart, lungs and other organs. (Chapter 6.2)
Tonsillitis: Inflammation of the tonsils. (Chapter 6.11)
Trachea: Formed by stacked C-shaped pieces of cartilage that are connected by dense connective tissue. (Chapter 6.2)
Tracheostomy: An incision created in the trachea to create an artificial opening to allow breathing when an obstruction is present. (Chapter 6.2)
Tuberculosis (TB): A contagious bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. (Chapter 6.9)
Upper respiratory infection (URI): Viral infection of the nose, nasal cavities, sinuses, pharynx, and larynx. (Chapter 6.2)
Ventilation: The mechanical movement of air into and out of the lungs. (Chapter 6.2)
Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP): Refers to when someone gets pneumonia during or after being on a ventilator. (Chapter 6.7)
Vibratory positive expiratory pressure (PEP) therapy: Therapy that uses handheld devices such as flutter valves or Acapella devices for clients who need assistance in clearing mucus from their airways. (Chapter 6.3, Chapter 6.7)
V-Q mismatch: Hypoxia occurring due to inadequate ventilation or impaired perfusion where the ratio of air entering the lungs’ alveoli (ventilation, V) to blood flowing through the surrounding capillaries (perfusion, Q) is not properly matched. (Chapter 6.2)
V-Q scan: A diagnostic test used to assess lung function and rule out pulmonary embolism. (Chapter 6.3)
Wheezes: Whistling noises produced when air is forced through airways narrowed by bronchoconstriction or mucosal edema. (Chapter 6.2)
