- adventitious
- occurring in an unusual place or manner
- agonal breathing
- irregular, labored breathing with gasping
- alveoli
- clusters of milk-secreting cells located within the breast
- apnea
- the cessation of breathing
- atelectasis
- the collapse of alveoli in the lungs, resulting in limited air movement and decreased gas exchange
- bradypnea
- a slower-than-normal respiratory rate (fewer than twelve breaths per minute in adults) at rest
- bronchitis
- inflammation of the bronchial tubes, often occurring secondary to a respiratory infection
- Cheyne-Stokes respiration
- a cyclical breathing pattern involving periods of apnea and hyperventilation that often occurs at end of life
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- a chronic inflammatory condition of the airways and lungs
- clavicular notch
- the shallow depression located on either side at the superior-lateral margins of the manubrium
- coarse crackles
- intermittent, low-pitched gurgling sounds heard on inspiration
- crepitus
- a popping or crackling sensation when the skin is palpated; it is a sign of air trapped under the subcutaneous tissues
- dyspnea
- difficult, labored breathing pattern
- expiration
- the movement of air out of the lungs
- facet
- the articulation site where the rib attaches to the thoracic vertebrae
- fibroelastic membrane
- a flexible membrane that closes the posterior surface of the trachea, allowing it to stretch and expand slightly during inhalation and exhalation
- fine crackles (rales)
- intermittent high-pitched popping or crackling sounds heard on inspiration
- friction rub
- a grating sound heard on either inspiration or expiration
- hilum
- the concave region where blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and nerves enter the lungs
- immune system
- a complex collection of cells and organs that destroys or neutralizes pathogens that would otherwise cause disease or death
- inspiration
- the movement of air into the lungs
- interstitial space
- the area between individual cells in the tissues
- jugular (suprasternal) notch
- the shallow, U-shaped border at the top of the manubrium of the sternum between the medial ends of the clavicles
- Kussmaul respiration
- a deep, rapid breathing pattern associated with metabolic acidosis
- lactiferous ducts
- milk-secreting openings located on the surface of the nipple
- lactiferous sinus
- a glandular lobe within the breast itself that contains groups of milk-secreting cells
- lymph
- interstitial fluid that has entered the lymphatic system
- lymph node
- a small bean-shaped organ that composes part of the lymphatic system
- lymphadenopathy
- swelling of the lymph nodes
- lymphatic system
- system of vessels, cells, and organs that carry excess fluids to the bloodstream and filter pathogens from the blood through lymph nodes
- lymphedema
- accumulation of protein-rich interstitial fluid in the tissue spaces as a result of lymphatic system blockage or damage
- mammary glands
- modified sweat glands located in the breasts that makes breast milk
- manubrium
- the wider, superior portion of the sternum
- metastasis
- the spread of cells to a distant site, such as with cancer cells
- obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
- a cessation of breathing that occurs during sleep
- orthopnea
- difficulty breathing when lying flat
- parietal pleura
- the outermost pleural membrane layer that connects to the thoracic wall, mediastinum, and diaphragm
- paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (PND)
- dyspnea that occurs abruptly during the night, usually waking the patient from sleep
- pleura
- the double-layered serous membrane that surrounds each lung
- pleural cavity
- the compartment enclosing the lung, created by the visceral and parietal membrane layers
- pleural effusion
- an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the pleural cavity
- pneumothorax
- an abnormal accumulation of air in the pleural space
- pulmonary edema
- a buildup of fluid in the veins and alveoli of the lungs caused by the inability of the heart to adequately circulate blood
- respiratory capacity
- the combination of two or more selected respiratory volumes, which further describes the amount of air in the lungs during a given time
- respiratory volume
- the amount of air moved by or associated with the lungs at a given point in the respiratory cycle
- retraction
- the “pulling in” of muscles between the ribs or in the neck when breathing, indicating difficulty breathing or respiratory distress
- rhonchi
- continuous, low-pitched whistling-type noises produced during expiration (sometimes during inspiration)
- sternoclavicular joint
- the site where the clavicle and sternum are attached
- sternum
- the elongated bony structure that anchors the anterior thoracic cage
- stridor
- a high-pitched “crowing” sound heard only on inspiration
- tachypnea
- a respiratory rate that exceeds 20 breaths per minute
- thoracic cage
- the anatomical structure that includes the twelve ribs and sternum
- thorax
- the area of the body commonly known as the chest
- total lung capacity (TLC)
- the sum of all the lung volumes
- trachea
- the lowest structure of the upper airway, adjacent to the esophagus, that connects the lung bronchi and the larynx and provides a route for air to enter and exit the lungs; also known as the windpipe
- visceral pleura
- the innermost pleural membrane layer that lies superficial to the lungs
- wheeze
- a continuous, high-pitched whistling-type noise produced during expiration (sometimes during inspiration)
- xiphoid process
- the inferior tip of the sternum