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Terms Related to the Respiratory System
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Terms Related to the Respiratory System

Anoxia—absence or deficiency of oxygen in body tissues

Apnea—temporary cessation of respiration

Asphyxia—lack of oxygen in the body that usually caused unconsciousness

Atelectasis—the collapse of the expanded lung  

Bradypnea—abnormally slow breathing

Bronchiolectasis—dilatation (widening) of the bronchioles

Bronchitis—acute or chronic inflammation of the bronchial tubes

Dyspnea—difficult or labored respiration

Eupnea—normal breathing

Hemothorax—blood in the pleural cavity

Hypercapnia—the presence of an excess of carbon dioxide in the blood

Hyperoxia—an increase in oxygen content in body tissues  

Hyperpnea—abnormally rapid or deep breathing

Hyperventilation—excessive rate and depth of respiration leading to abnormal loss of carbon dioxide from the blood

Hypoxemia—deficient amounts of oxygen in  the blood

Hypoxia—a deficiency of oxygen reaching the tissues of the body

Laryngitis—hoarseness or a lack of voice; can occur when mucus membranes of the larynx are swollen from an infection or irritation.  Hoarseness is caused by the vocal cords being unable to vibrate freely.

Lobar pneumonia— acute pneumonia involving one or more lobes of the lung; marked by sudden onset, chill, fever, difficulty in breathing, cough, and blood-stained sputum

Pleurisy—inflammation of the pleura that is marked by sudden onset, painful and difficult respiration, and leaking of fluid or fibrous material into the pleural cavity

Pneumoconiosis—the accumulation of particles from the environment in the lungs

Pneumothorax—the entrance of air into the space between the pleural membranes; followed by lung collapse

Rhinitis—inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nose marked especially by nasal congestion, itching, and sneezing

Sinusitis—inflammation of a sinus of the skull

Spirometer—an instrument that measures respiratory air volumes (except residual air)

Sputum—mucus, pus, blood, or bacterial products that are discharged from the air passages of the lungs, bronchi, or upper respiratory tract

Tachypnea—increased rate of respiration

Tracheotomy—the surgical operation of cutting into the trachea






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