The nostrils or external openings into the nasal cavities.

Collapse of alveoli.

Insertion of a tube in the airway, usually as far as the secondary bronchi, for the purpose of visualizing airway structures and obtaining tissue samples for biopsy or culture.

A continuous grating sensation caused when irregular cartilage or bone fragments rub together and which may be felt or heard as a joint is put through passive range of motion; also, a crackling sensation that can be felt on a patient's chest, indicating that air is trapped within the tissues.

The act of separating and releasing ions.

Infection or inflammation of the epiglottis and supraglottic structures that results in swelling. If swelling is great enough, the airway can be obstructed.

Tube that connects the nasopharynx with the middle ear and opens during swallowing to equalize pressure within the middle ear.

Vibrations felt on the chest or back when the patient talks.

A smooth, beefy red tongue.

Coughing up blood or blood-stained sputum.

The area behind the larynx that extends from the base of the tongue to the esophagus. It is the critical dividing point at which solid foods and fluids are separated from air.

The “voice box”; it is composed of several cartilages and is located above the trachea and just below the throat at the base of the tongue; part of the upper respiratory tract.

A shift of central thoracic structures toward one side; seen on chest x-ray.

The conversion of normal hemoglobin to methemoglobin.

Shortness of breath that occurs when lying down but is relieved by sitting up.

The number of packs of cigarettes per day multiplied by the number of years the patient has smoked; used in recording a patient's smoking history.

The air-filled cavities within the bones that surround the nasal passages. Lined with ciliated membrane, the sinuses provide resonance during speech and decrease the weight of the skull.

The continuous smooth membrane composed of two surfaces that totally enclose the lungs.

Fluid in the pleural space.

Air in the pleural (chest) cavity.

Back to front; position for standard chest x-rays.

A fatty protein secreted by type II pneumocytes to reduce surface tension in the alveoli.

A vibration of the chest wall produced when the patient speaks; can be palpated on the chest wall.

The aspiration of pleural fluid or air from the pleural space.

Three bony projections that protrude into the nasal cavities from the walls of the internal portion of the nose.

Places in which air flows but the structures are too thick for gas exchange.

(hypoxemic) Decreased blood oxygen levels; hypoxia.

A reduction of oxygen supply to the tissues.

A machine that removes nitrogen, water vapor, and hydrocarbons from room air. Also known as oxygen extractor.

The (tracheal) stoma, or opening, that results from a tracheotomy.

The surgical incision into the trachea for the purpose of establishing an airway.

A nonsurgical method for managing a simple fracture. While applying a manual pull, or traction, on the bone, the health care provider manipulates the bone ends so that they realign.

Excision of a vocal cord in surgery for laryngeal cancer.

Nosebleed.

Coughing up blood or blood-stained sputum.

A person who has had a laryngectomy.

To spread cancer from the main tumor site to many other body sites.

A breathing disruption during sleep that lasts at least 10 seconds and occurs a minimum of 5 times in an hour.

A surgical reconstruction of the nose done for cosmetic purposes and improvement of airflow.

The presence of bubbles under the skin because of air trapping; an uncommon late complication of fracture.

Surgical procedure to straighten a deviated septum when chronic symptoms or discomfort occur. Also called nasoseptoplasty.

Hair loss.

A chronic respiratory condition in which reversible airway obstruction occurs intermittently, reducing airflow.

A chest tube is a plastic tube that is used to drain fluid or air from the chest. Air or fluid (for example blood or pus) that collects in the space between the lungs and chest wall (the pleural space) can cause the lung to collapse.

Drugs used every day, regardless of symptoms, to reduce airway responsiveness to prevent asthma attacks from occurring.

Right-sided heart failure caused by pulmonary disease.

Difficulty in breathing or breathlessness.

Increased partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2) levels.

Increased arterial carbon dioxide levels.

Decreased blood oxygen levels; hypoxia.

Surgical removal of an entire lung lobe.

The inside cavity of a tube or tubular organ, such as a blood vessel or airway.