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