Descriptionary

bronchodilator any medication prescribed to dilate the bronchial tubes.

bronchopneumonia inflammation of the bronchial tubes and the lungs; a common type of pneumonia.

byssinosis a lung disease caused by the inhalation of cotton particles.

carbon dioxide the waste gas expelled by the lungs in an exhale.

Cheyne-Stokes breathing in patients suffering grom congestive heart failure, breathing characterized by long periods of apnea followed by several deep breaths.

COLD chronic obstructive lung disease; a break­down of the lungs resulting from long-term bronchitis and emphysema.

cystic fibrosis an inherited childhood disease characterized by the overproduction of mucus that obstructs the normal functioning of the lungs; accom­panied by a susceptibility to infections.

devil's grip extreme and sudden pain in the chest that lasts two days or less; it is caused by inflamma­tion of the chest cavity lining. Also known as acute pleurodynia.

diaphragm muscle that separates the abdominal and chest cavities; it is the main breathing muscle.

dyspnea shortness of breath.

emphysema a lung disease characterized by enlarge­ment of the alveoli, causing breathing difficulties and possible damage to the heart.

farmer's lung lung condition caused by the inhala­tion of particles from moldy hay.

goblet cells lung cells that produce mucus.

hyperventilation excessive breathing with an intake of too much oxygen and exhalation of too much carbon dioxide, which may cause light-headedness, buzzing in the head, tingling of the lips, and a sensa­tion of suffocation. Often brought on by anxiety, it may cause panic and fainting, but is usually relieved by breathing into a paper bag.

hypoxia inadequate oxygen in the lungs and blood.

intercostal muscles between the ribs, the muscles that aid in breathing.

larynx the upper portion of the respiratory tract; the voice box.

lobe one of five divisions that make up the lungs.

orthopnea having to sit up in bed in order to breathe adequately, a sign of abnormal heart function.

pharynx the throat.

pleura the membrane that envelops the lungs and lines the chest cavity.

pleurisy inflammation of the pleura, causing chest pain, especially when breathing deeply or coughing.

pneumonia a viral or bacterial infection of the lungs.

pulmonary pertaining to the lungs.

pulmonary edema excess fluid in the lungs.

respiratory centers portions of the brain that regu­late breathing by monitoring levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the body.

spirometer a device that measures the amount of air inhaled.

stertorous breathing loud breathing, as in snoring.

stridor loud breathing caused by partial closure of the larynx.

trachea the windpipe leading to the lungs.

tuberculosis a communicable disease characterized by lesions in the tissues of the lungs.

wheeze raspy breathing due to mucus in the trachea or bronchial tubes.

muscular system

abductor a muscle that pulls a body part away or out from center. Opposite of adductor.

abductor hallucis extending from the base of the big toe to the heel, the muscle that pulls the big toe away from the other toes.

abductor pollicis brevis extending from the base of the thumb to the hand, the muscle that bends the thumb and pulls it away from the fingers.

abductor pollicis longus from the base of the thumb to the forearm, the muscle that straightens the thumb.

adductor a muscle that pulls a body part in toward center. Opposite of abductor.

adductor brevis extending from the pubic bone to the femur, it adducts (moves inward), flexes, and rotates the thigh.

adductor hallucis from the foot to the base of the big toe, the muscle that flexes and pulls the big toe inward.

adductor magnus from the pubic bone to the femur, the muscle that flexes, rotates, and pulls the thigh inward.

adductor pollicis from the hand to the thumb, the muscle that pulls the thumb into a grasping position.

adductors, fifth finger and toe the small muscles on the back of the hand and foot that pull the little finger and little toe away from the other digits.

anconeus extending from the upper arm to the fore­arm, the muscle that straightens the elbow.

aryepiglottic the muscle that closes the entrance to the larynx.

auricularis in some people, a vestigial muscle that moves or wiggles the outer ear.

biceps brachii the strong upper arm muscle.

biceps femoris extending from the femur to the fibula, the muscle that flexes the knee and straightens the hip.