Respiratory Disorders Glossary

	Glossary
	A \| B \| C \| D \| E \| F \| G \| H \| I \| J \| K \| L \| M \| N O \| P \| Q \| R \| S \| T \| U \| V \| W \| X \| Y \| Z
	A
	adenoids - two pieces of tissue located behind the nose that often become enlarged in childhood. This can lead to problems with breathing. alveolus - air sac where gas exchange takes place. aorta - blood vessel that delivers oxygen-rich blood from the left ventricle to the body; it is the largest blood vessel in the body. apex - top portion of the upper lobes of the lungs. atrium (atria pl.) - one of two upper chambers in the heart.
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	B
	base - bottom portion of lower lobes, located just above the diaphragm. blood pressure - pressure of blood against the walls of a blood vessel or heart chamber. bronchiolitis - inflammation that involves the bronchioles (small airways). bronchoscopy - a fiberoptic, flexible tube is passed through the mouth into the bronchi to locate tumors or blockages, and to gather samples of tissue and/or fluid. bronchus - one of two large subdivisions of the trachea through which air passes to and from the lungs.
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	C
	cardiac output - total amount of blood being pumped by the heart over a particular period of time. catarrhal - swelling of the membranes of the nose and back of the throat that can lead to breathing problems. computed tomography scan (Also called a CT or CAT scan.) - a diagnostic imaging procedure that uses a combination of x-rays and computer technology to produce cross-sectional images (often called "slices"), both horizontally and vertically, of the body. A CT scan shows detailed images of any part of the body, including the bones, muscles, fat, and organs. CT scans are more detailed than general x-rays. constrict - tighten; narrow. culture - a laboratory test that involves the growing of bacteria or other microorganisms to aid in the diagnosis. cyanosis - bluish color in the skin because of insufficient oxygen.
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	D
	diaphragm - primary muscle used for respiration, located just below the lung bases. dilate - relax; expand. dyspnea - sensation of difficulty in breathing.
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	E
	edema - swelling due to the buildup of fluid. electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) - a test that records the electrical activity of the heart, shows abnormal rhythms (arrhythmias or dysrhythmias), and detects heart muscle damage. endothelial cells - the delicate lining, only one cell thick, of the organs of circulation. eosinophils - a type of white blood cell that can increase in allergy and other infections. expiration - exhaling; giving off carbon dioxide.
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	F
	fibrosis - process by which inflamed tissue becomes scarred.
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	G
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	H
	heartbeat - one complete contraction of the heart. histamine - a chemical present in cells that is released during an allergic reaction and causes inflammation. hyperactive - describes a situation in which a body tissue is especially likely to have an exaggerated reaction to a particular situation. hypertension - abnormally high blood pressure. hypotension - abnormally low blood pressure.
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	I
	IgE antibody - one of the antibodies made by the body found mostly in the skin, nose, lining of the airways, and lungs. They are involved in allergic reactions. inspiration - inhaling; taking in oxygen.
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	J
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	K
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	L
	larynx - also known as the voice box, the larynx is a cylindrical grouping of cartilage, muscles, and soft tissue which contains the vocal cords. The vocal cords are the upper opening into the windpipe (trachea), the passageway to the lungs. laryngitis - inflammation and swelling of the lining of the larynx that usually leads to a hoarse voice, or loss of voice. lobectomy - removal of an entire lobe of the lung. lung volume - the amount of air the lungs hold.
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	M
	magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - a diagnostic procedure that uses a combination of large magnets, radio frequencies, and a computer to produce detailed images of organs and structures within the body.
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	N
	nasal polyp - a small rounded piece of the lining of the nose that can extend into the passages of the nose.
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	O
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	P
	palpitation - sensation of rapid heartbeats. perfusion - flow. pharynx - the throat. pleura - membrane that covers the outside of the lung. pneumonectomy - removal of an entire lung. pulmonary artery - blood vessel delivering oxygen-poor blood from the right ventricle to the lungs. pulmonary hypertension - abnormally high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs. pulse oximetry - a device used to measure the amount of oxygen in the blood.
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	Q
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	R
	RAST - (RadioAllergoSorbent Test, a trademark of Pharmacia Diagnostics) - a laboratory test used to detect IgE antibodies to specific allergens. A RAST requires a blood sample, which is sent to a medical laboratory where tests are done with specific foods to determine whether the patient has IgE antibodies to that food. The intradermal form of the RAST is called the Immuno CAP or CAP test. rectal prolapse - a condition in which the end part of the bowels comes out of the anus. respiration - gas exchange from air to the blood and from the blood to the body cells. Reye syndrome - A specific disease process that can affect the liver, brain, pancreas, kidney, heart and muscle. It usually occurs in children under 18 years of age. It typically starts with a red rash, vomiting, and confusion that follows a viral infection. This can lead into seizures, coma, and breathing problems. The cause of Reye syndrome is not known although a variety of factors are thought to be involved, such as genetics or the use of aspirin during a viral illness.
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	S
	smooth muscle - muscle that performs automatic tasks, such as constricting blood vessels. spirogram - record of the amounts of air being moved in and out of the lungs. stridor - a high-pitched sound heard best on inspiration. syncope - fainting; temporary loss of consciousness. systemic - relating to a process that affects the body generally. systolic pressure - the highest pressure to which blood pressure rises with the contraction of the ventricles.
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	T
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	U
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	V
	vasodilator - agent that widens blood vessels. ventilation - movement of air (gases) in and out of the lungs. ventricle - one of the two pumping chambers of the heart; right ventricle receives oxygen-poor blood from the right atrium and pumps it to the lungs through the pulmonary artery; left ventricle receives oxygen-rich blood from the left atrium and pumps it to the body through the aorta.
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	W
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	X
	x-ray - a diagnostic test which uses invisible electromagnetic energy beams to produce images of internal tissues, bones, and organs onto film.
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	Y
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	Z
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