The Respiratory System

Grape-like clusters of tiny air sacs in the lungs, where gas exchange takes place

A condition that affects the bronchi and bronchioles of the lungs; triggers (such as cold weather, allergies, respiratory infections, stress, smoke, and exercise) cause the bronchi and bronchioles to become narrower, making breathing difficult

Passageways that carry air from the trachea ("windpipe") to the lungs, one bronchus goes to the right lung and the other goes to the left

The smallest branches of the bronchi

Inflammation of the bronchi

A disorder caused by long-term irritation of the bronchi and bronchioles, such as that caused by inhaling tobacco smoke; one of two forms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

A general term used to describe two related lung disorders, emphysema and chronic bronchitis; the leading cause of COPD is smoking

The large flat surface of the stethoscope that is used to hear loud, harsh sounds

A disorder caused by long-term exposure of the alveoli to toxins, such as tobacco smoke; one of two forms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

A device that is inserted into a person's nose or mouth and extends to the trachea; used when a person must receive mechanical ventilation for a short time

A device used for delivering oxygen that is made of soft, molded plastic material that fits over the nose and mouth

A device used to set the rate at which oxygen is delivered to a patient or resident who is receiving oxygen therapy

The transfer of oxygen into the blood, and carbon dioxide out of it

The coughing up of blood or blood-stained sputum

A condition that occurs when blood builds up in the space between the lungs and the chest wall

The state of being deficient of oxygen

An acute respiratory infection caused by the influenza virus; characterized by a sore throat, dry cough, stuffy nose, headache, body aches, weakness, and fever, commonly known as "the flu"

Inflammation of the larynx (the "voice box")

Part of the respiratory airway; also known as "the voice box"

The primary organs for respiration, the process the body uses to obtain oxygen from the environment and remove carbon dioxide (a waste gas) from the body

A life sustaining treatment in which a machine breathes for a person who can no breathe on his or her own

A type of epitheleal tissue that lines many of the organ systems in the body and is coated with mucus

A slippery sticky substance that is secreted by special cells and serves to keep the surfaces of the mucous membranes moist

A device used to deliver oxygen to a patient or resident; consists of two prongs of soft plastic tubing that are inserted into the nostrils

The inside of the nose

A soft rubber tube that is inserted into a person's nose and extends back toward the throat that creates an opening that air can flow through

A hard plastic device that is inseted into a person's mouth to stop the tongue from falling back into the throat; used to keep the airway open

Inflammation of the throat (pharynx)

Throat region

The membrane that lines the chest cavity and covers the outside of the lungs

Inflammation of the pleura, the membrane that lines the chest cavity and covers the lungs

Inflammation of the lung tissue, caused by infection with a virus or bacterium, and resulting in impaired gas exchange

The build-up of air in the space between the lungs and the chest wall

The process the body uses to obtain oxygen from the environment and remove carbon dioxide (a waste gas) from the body

Any treatment that is used to help a person achieve satisfactory respiration

Mucus and other respiratory secretions that are coughed up from the lungs, bronchi, and trachea; also known as phlegm

The process of removing fluid and mucus from a person's airway

The passage that carries air from the larynx down into the chest toward the lungs; commonly known as the "windpipe"

A surgically created opening in the neck that opens into the trachea; often used with a tracheostomy tube (instead of an endotracheo tube) when a person must be on a mechanical ventilator for more than a week or so