2.0

• Abscess


  Localized collection of pus in a cavity formed by tissue degeneration
• Absorption


  To soak up; as a sponge
• Acapnia


  Reduce carbon dioxide tension in the blood; results from increased pulmonary ventilation
• Acarbia


  Reduced level of carbon dioxide in the blood with a proportional reduction in alkaline bicarbonate
• Acid-base balance


  The human body cannot survive if the bloodstream becomes either markedly acid or alkaline; it must remain in a very narrow range of balance between acidity or alkalinity. Normal range is a pH of 7.35 to 7.45, neutral is a pH of 7, so the body normally is slightly alkaline. pH means the inverse of the log of the hydrogen ion concentration in the bloodstream
• Acidosis


  A condition characterized by the presence of excessive quantities of acids in the blood; used mostly to indicate a decrease in the alkaline reserve below normal levels
• Acute


  Sharp, severe, occurring suddenly
• Adhesive force


  The clinging of the walls of the bronchioles of a diseased lung that has sticky secretions as a result of the disease. This tendency of the bronchioles to stick together on expiration results in air trapping inside the lung
• Adrenalin (epinephrine)


  Medication used as a vasoconstrictor and cardiac stimulant in acute circulatory failure; also used as a local vasoconstrictor to relieve hemorrhage and local congestion and to relax the bronchi in asthmatic paroxysms
• Aerosol


  Liquid droplets suspended in a stream of gas
• Air trapping


  Abnormal condition in which air cannot be expelled from the alveoli during exhalation as a result of collapse of bronchioles or blockage by tenacious mucus
• Airway


  The path air travels from the atmosphere to and from the alveoli. In anesthesia or resuscitation, a mechanical device used to keep the passages of the upper respiratory tract open for the passage of air
• Alcohol


  A colorless, flammable liquid made from the fermentation of carbohydrates by yeast, used primarily for disinfection. In respiratory therapy ethyl alcohol is used to break up the bubbles in pulmonary edema by lowering the surface of tension of the bubbles
• Alkalosis


  A condition in which the alkaline (hydroxyl ion concentration) content in the blood increases above normal limits. A term used most often to indicate an increase in alkaline reserve above normal levels
• Allergy


  A hypersensitive state required through exposure to a particular allergen
• Alveolar


  Pertaining to the alveoli
• Alveoli


  Air sacs located at the end of the respiratory tract that are microscopic in size. The total number of these sacs has been estimated at 300 million (singular: alveolus)
• Ambient


  Pressure equal to the atmosphere around an organism
• Anaphylaxis


  A rapid, exaggerated, allergic reaction
• Anemia


  A condition in which blood is deficient in volume or quality of red blood cells
• Aneurysm


  A weakness in the wall of the artery causing a dilation in that area
• Angina


  A severe constricting pain; usually related to a heart condition (e.g., angina pectoris)
• Anoxia


  A term that literally means without oxygen. This term is used generally to indicate lack of oxygen in the blood and tissues of the body
• Antibiotic


  Inhibits the growth of microorganisms and fights infection
• Antiseptic


  An agent that inhibits the growth of microorganisms
• Antitussive


  Cough stopping
• Aortic


  Pertaining to the aorta
• Apnea


  Complete cessation of respiration from any cause
• Apneic


  Not breathing
• Apneusis


  Abnormal respiration characterized by prolonged inspiration
• Arrested


  As this pertains to disease, it means that the course of the disease has been stopped—that the disease is staying in its present condition and not getting worse; the disease is not progressing
• Dysrhythmia (also known as arrhythmia)


  Variation from the normal rhythm, especially of the heart
• Arterial


  Pertaining to the arteries
• Articulate


  To unite by joints; to join
• Aseptic


  Sterile; free from septic or poisonous material
• Asphyxia


  A condition characterized by interference with oxygenation and carbon dioxide elimination
• Aspirate


  Inhalation of any foreign matter, such as food, saliva, or stomach contents (as after vomiting), into the airway
• Asthma


  A disease state characterized with difficult respiration and wheezing on expiration. Wheezes are caused as exhaled air flows past narrowed air passages caused by spasms of circular muscles around bronchi and bronchioles; usually complicated by secretions inside the airway that increase the difficulty in breathing and lead to infection
• Atelectasis


  An airless area of the lung in which the bronchiole is blocked with secretions and the alveoli have had all residual air absorbed from them by the blood
• Atmosphere


  Air surrounding the earth's surface. Sea level pressure is approximately 14.7 pounds per square inch (psi) or 760 mmHg