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Compilation Of Pulmonary Definitions

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Were you "initially" diagnosed and had to research the meaning of those letters? Or you know what COPD or IPF are, but your support group talks about ILDs, PLB and PFTs. The doctor says you've got BO. HUH?!! WHAT does it all mean? If it's respiratory-related, the answers are a click away. 


Abbreviations & Acronyms —

        E       H                          V      

Rev 06 August 07

— Glossary —

A                 I   K                          


This section is a spin-off of the abbreviations and acronyms list and is not intended as a comprehensive resource.  More glossaries are listed below.

 

 

Acapella® - a mucus clearing device

Acidemia - abnormally high level of acid in the blood, low pH (< 7.35)

Acidosis - condition resulting from accumulation of acid in the blood and tissues

Acute - In medical language, relatively brief in time. Example, a cold or flu is an acute illness.

Acute Interstitial Pneumonia (AIP) - a rare respiratory condition characterized by  hyaline membrane formation in the lungs.

Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) - respiratory failure of sudden onset characterized by leakage of plasma into the lungs via damaged capillaries, resulting in fluid accumulation which deprives the lungs of their ability to expand.  ARDS is a medical emergency.  

Air sacs - see Alveoli

Air trapping - the air caught behind collapsed bronchial branches during expiration.

Airway - a passageway for air into or out of the lungs. 

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Airway Collapse - Actual collapse or closure of branches of the bronchial tree, caused by weakened bronchial walls secondary to disease.

All Trans Retinoic Acid (ATRA) - Vitamin A derivative being investigated for possible tissue regeneration in patients with mild to moderate emphysema.  ATRA is known to be toxic when used systemically, but its use in treating acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) has shown promising results (see ATRA Syndrome)

Alkalemia - a blood pH above normal (> 7.45).

Alpha1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (A1AD) - an inherited recessive disorder resulting in low or no production of Alpha1 Antitrypsin. Lack of this protein leads to organ damage, mainly to the liver and lung. 

Alveolar Macrophage (AM) - a cell in the lungs which engulfs bacteria and foreign material and produces enzymes to protect the lung.

Alveoli (pl) (singular: alveolus) - tiny air sacs at the end of the bronchioles where oxygen crosses capillaries into the bloodstream, exchanging it for carbon dioxide crossing from the bloodstream into the alveoli to be exhaled.  

Adults have roughly 300 million microscopic alveoli in their lungs

Antibiotic - medication that interferes with the growth of bacteria and may stop an infection.

Anticholinergic - Short- and long-lasting class of drugs that reduce mucus and relax airway muscles. Comprehensive list

Anti-inflammatory - a drug used to fight inflammation

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Apnea - the absence of spontaneous respiration

Arterial Blood Gases (ABG) - a lab test of arterial blood (usually taken from the wrist) which measures carbon dioxide and oxygen levels as well as acid-base status.

Normal ABG values: pH 7.32 to 7.45
PO2 80 to 98 mmHg
PCO2 35 to 45 mmHg
SaO2 96 to 98%

SaO2 of  90% or above is considered adequate to support tissues and body functions. At less than 90% tissues and organs begin to suffer and supplemental oxygen may be prescribed.

Artery - one of the tubular branching vessels that carry blood from the heart to the organs and parts of the body;  arteries usually carry oxygenated blood.

Asthma - a chronic inflammatory airway disease characterized by airway narrowing, bronchospasm  and wheezing; asthma is considered a reversible condition.  Asthma is often called a reactive airway disease when it's expected to be of short duration, ie 'outgrown' as a child ages.  

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Asthmatic Bronchitis - Coexistence of wheezing and chronic bronchitis.

Atelectasis - incomplete expansion of the lung

ATRA - See All Trans Retinoic Acid

ATRA Syndrome -  a life-threatening complication that can occur during the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) by ATRA. Main clinical signs are respiratory distress, fever, pulmonary infiltrates, weight gain, pleural effusion, renal failure, pericardial effusion, cardiac failure and hypotension. [more info]

Bacteria - single-celled organisms which cause infections; they are usually treated with antibiotics.

Barrel chest - the shape of the chest in some patients with COPD when air trapping causes overinflated lungs.

Beta Agonist - Short- or long-lasting class of drugs that relax the muscles in the airway.  Comprehensive list.

BiPAP® - Bi-Level Positive Airway Pressure - a machine which administers air under pressure via a nose mask to keep airways open and unobstructed.  BiPAP® units track the patient's breathing and lower the pressure during exhalation.

Blebs - Air-filled cysts near or on the surface of the lung.  Blebs are less than 1cm in diameter.  Compare to bullae

Blebs Disease - see Spontaneous Pneumonothorax

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Blood Pressure (BP) - force exerted by the blood on the walls of the main arteries of the body.  BP measurements are made both when the heart's ventricles are contracting (systolic pressure), and when the ventricles are at rest (diastolic pressure).  In a young adult, a healthy pressure averages 120 systolic and 80 diastolic (recorded as 120/80).  Hypertension occurs when BP is too high; hypotension is too low a BP. 

Blue Bloater - term for the COPD patient whose symptoms include hypoxemia, secondary polycythemia, CO2 retention, pulmonary hypertension and cor pulmonale. Term is rarely used anymore. (see Pink Puffer)   

Body Box - see Plethysmography (THIS ONE'S FOR THE LIVING!!)

Bone Mineral Density (BMD) - bone density is the amount of bone tissue in a certain volume of bone. This measurement is taken using a special x-ray called quantitative computed tomogram

Bradypnea - decreased breathing rate, usually under ten breaths per minute.   Bradypnea is often caused by the administration of narcotic analgesics such as morphine.

Bronchi (pl) (singular: bronchus) - branches of the bronchial tree

Bronchial tree - term used to describe the ductwork of the respiratory system which branch like a tree, the terminal 'branches' leading to the alveoli.

Bronchiectasis - a chronic inflammatory or degenerative condition of bronchi or bronchioles marked by dilation and loss of elasticity of the walls.

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Bronchioles - tiniest branches of the bronchial tree, they lead into the alveoli

Bronchiolitis Obliterans (BO) - an obstructive process involving small airways in the lung periphery. It may occur following a bout of pneumonia or lung transplantation.  

Bronchiolitis Obliterans Organizing Pneumonia (BOOP) - obstructive condition characterized by granulation tissue plugs within the small airways. This abnormal tissue extends into alveolar ducts and alveoli. ["What's BOOP?"] 

Bronchitis - acute or chronic inflammation of the bronchial airways or any part of them. 

Acute Bronchitis - inflammation of cells lining the bronchi causes production of yellow or gray mucus which clogs airways resulting in shortness of breath, wheezing and pain in upper chest, especially when coughing.

Chronic Bronchitis - to be considered chronic, there must be a productive cough on most days for at least three months of the year, for at least two consecutive years. 

Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL) - during bronchoscopy, a small amount of saline is injected into the distal (far) portions of the lung, then aspirated back through the bronchoscope, washing out the alveoli. The material recovered is then analyzed for cell count, differential or foreign bodies. 

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Bronchodilator - a drug that relaxes the smooth muscles in the constricted airway.

Bronchoscopy - a procedure where a lighted bronchoscope is inserted through the nose or throat to allow visual examination of the trachea, bronchi and select bronchioles.

Broncopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) - abnormal development of the lung that results from oxygen toxicity in premature infants who receive prolonged respiratory assistance for hyaline membrane disease. Also called Chronic Lung Disease (CLD).

Bronchospasm - constriction of air passages of the lung by spasmodic contraction of the bronchial muscles, obstructing the flow of air.

Bullae (pl) (singular: bulla) - large air spaces within the lung, >1-2 cm in diameter, formed by ruptured alveoli. Compare to blebs.

Bullous Disease - See Vanishing Lung - also known as type 1 bullous disease and primary bullous disease of the lung

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) - a colorless, odorless, nonflammable gas produced in respiration, and given off by the tissues to the blood, to be exhaled by the lungs in exchange for oxygen.

Cardiopulmonary (C/P) - pertaining to both heart and lungs

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Chest X-Ray (CXR) - images of the chest cavity can be used to assess lung disease. Dense structures of the body, like bone, will appear white; air will be indicated by areas in black ('air' is a void which can't be photographed).  All other structures will appear as shades of gray.

Chronic - refers to a disease or disorder that shows little change in symptoms from day to day, but implies a continuing disease process with progressive deterioration.

Chronic Lung Disease (CLD) - a general term for long-term respiratory problems in premature babies. It is also known as bronchopulmonary dysplasia (see BPD).

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) - a disease state characterized by reduced maximal expiratory flow and slow forced emptying of the lungs. This airflow limitation is only minimally reversible with bronchodilators. The two diseases covered by the 'umbrella term' COPD are emphysema and chronic bronchitis. 

Cilia (pl) - tiny hairlike cells that line the airways and  beat constantly toward the pharynx to assist in removal of mucus and dust particles.

Constant ciliary movement

Ciliated columnar cells  are the most abundant cell type of the upper respiratory tract. Cilia beat at 1300 beats per second-- It's a whole lot of shaking going on Upper resp tract cilia beat downward toward the throat; Lower resp tract cilia beat upward.
30 seconds exposure to cigarette smoke can paralyze cilia for up to 15 minutes.

A ciliated protozoan
ciliate.gif (25633 bytes)

When a smoker quits, cilia regain some of their former efficiency
Paralysis or their loss of coordination will lead to a build-up of mucus within the resipratory system

Cilia are only found in the respiratory and reproductive systems, where they assist in fertilization.

Only 6-7µm long, cilia are the housekeeping 'brooms' that sweep debris from the lungs and upper respiratory tract


Clubbing - refers to a condition where tips of the fingers enlarge and the nails become curved from front to back as a result of  chronic low blood-oxygen levels. Clubbing has 'reversed' in patients who underwent lung transplantation! 

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Compliance (Patient compliance) - in medical language, the practice of following medical direction fully and correctly.

Computerized Axial Tomography Scan (CAT or CT) - An x-ray procedure that uses a computer to produce a series of three dimensional images of the body and it's organs. 

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) - failure of the heart to maintain adequate blood circulation

Conserver - see Oxygen Conserver

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) - a machine which administers a continuous flow of air under pressure via a nose mask to keep airways open and unobstructed.

Cor Pulmonale - enlargement of the right ventricle resulting from pulmonary hypertension secondary to lung disorders

Corticosteroid - natural or synthetic hormones like those produced by the body's adrenal glands which are used to reduce swelling and inflammation

CPAP Titration (Test) - see Oximetry

Cyanosis - dusky bluish or purplish tinge to the skin caused by insufficient blood oxygen

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Cystic Fibrosis (CF) - a disease of the mucus and sweat glands which causes disorders of the lungs and pancreas.  

CF is the leading cause of chronic lung disease in children and young adults, and the most common fatal hereditary disorder affecting Caucasians in the US.

Demand Positive Airway Pressure (DPAP) - This machine monitors breathing.  If spontaneous respiration doesn't occur within eight seconds,  DPAP will provide the patient a 'breath' at whatever pressure flow necessary to move air into the lungs. Indications for DPAP usage is intolerable use of CPAP.

Desquamative Interstitial Pneumonia (DIP) - More than 90% of the individuals who have DIP are smokers or former smokers, yet this interstitial condition has a 50% cure rate. The survival rate is 90% at 5 years and 70% at 10 years [read more]

Diaphragm - a dome shaped muscle above the abdomen and below the lungs. When it contracts it creates negative pressure within the chest allowing air to be drawn into the lungs.  

Diffusion - movement of oxygen or carbon dioxide across the membrane of the alveoli

Dyspnea - difficult or labored breathing; air hunger

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Echocardiogram (ECHO) - a picture of the heart produced on a television screen by 'echoes' of ultrasound 

Edema -an abnormal accumulation of fluid in connective tissue causing puffy swelling

Elastic recoil - ability of the lung to 'snap back' at the end of inspiration.

Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) - a record of the electrical activity of the heart; it records electical impulses preceding contraction of the heart muscle.  

Embolism - the sudden blocking of an artery by an embolus carried to the site by the blood flow.

Embolus - clot, or foreign material (such as a fat globule)

Emphysema - a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease characterized by dilation and destruction of alveoli leading to large air spaces, decreased elastic recoil and air trapping.  Emphysema is one of two conditions which present as a singular disease called COPD; the other is chronic bronchitis.   

Endotracheal Tube (ET) - a tube which by which a patient is connected to a respirator, it's inserted through the patient's mouth or nose, passes through the throat (and vocal cords), and into the air passages. The patient will be unable to speak while the  tube is in place.

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End-stage Emphysema - End-stage refers to the patient for whom the damage to their lungs has reached a stage where symptoms severely affect their quality of life and may have begun to affect other organs, such as the heart.  Drugs, progressive exercise programs, oxygen, lung reduction surgery, and ultimately lung transplants are considered in a step-wise fashion to maximize the oxygen delivery from what lung tissue remains. 

End-stage Organ Disease - a disease that ultimately leads to functional organ failure. Examples: emphysema (lungs), cardiomyopathy (heart), and polycystic kidney disease (kidneys).

Etiology - the cause or origin of a disease or disorder.

Eupnea - normal respiration; implies normal tidal volume, with respiratory rate (adults) about 14-18

Exacerbation - a temporary period when a disease or medical condition worsens.  For patients with lung disease, this may cause an increase in mucus production or shortness of breath, for example.

Expiration - breathing out; exhaling

Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV) - maximal amount of air that can be expired starting at Functional Residual Capacity (FRC).

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Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenator (ECMO) - a device that acts as an artificial lung, oxygenating the blood that passes through it from the patient's blood vessels.

Exudate - the material composed of serum, fibrin and white blood cells in variable amounts that escapes from blood vessls into a superficial lesion

Familial - a condition that occurs in family members more often than expected by chance alone. 

Fibrosis - a condition marked by relative increase in formation of interstitial fibrous tissue in any organ or region of the body. Fibrosis is often called scar tissue.

Flutter® - Brand name of a mucus clearing device

Forced Expiratory Flow (FEF) - a flow rate measurement of how much air can be expired from the lungs

Forced Expiratory Volume (FEV1) - the amount of air expelled the first second following maximal inspiration during the test for vital capacity 

Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) - the maximum volume of air that can be expired forcefully after a maximal inspiration.

Functional Residual Capacity (FRC) - lung volume at the end of normal expiration. At FRC, the tendency of the lungs to collapse is exactly balanced by the tendency of the chest wall to expand.

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Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) - flow of stomach contents back up into the espohagus.

Gunk - slang term for mucus.

Heart Rate (HR)- pulse; number of times the heart beats in one minute

Hypercapnia - abnormally high carbon dioxide level in the blood, pCO2>45 mmHg

Symptoms:
   »  increased respiratory rate
   »  headache
   »  confusion
   »  nausea and/or vomiting
   »  lethargy

Hypertension - abnormally high blood pressure

Hyperventilate - to breathe abnormally fast and deep, resulting in excessive amounts of oxygen in the lungs and reduced carbon dioxide levels in the blood.

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Hypocapnia - abnormally low blood levels of carbon dioxide.

Hypotension - abnormally low blood pressure

Symptoms:
   »  lightheadedness
   »  fainting
   »  weak pulse
   »  sweats
   »  loss of circulation in the limbs

Hypoxemia - deficient oxygenation of the blood (PaO2 <55 mmHg or Sa02 <85%)  

Symptoms:
   »  tachycardia is primary response
   »  anxiety
   »  agitation / mood changes
   »  forgetfulness
   »  inability to concentrate
   »  altered levels of consciousness
   »  pallor - skin may feel cool and clammy
   »  cyanosis is a late sign of hypoxemia

Hypoxia - deficiency of oxygen reaching tissues of the body 

Idiopathic - of no known apparent cause or origin

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)- a specific form of chronic fibrosing interstitial pneumonia of unknown origin, associated with the histologic appearance of Usual Interstitial Pneumonia (UIP) on surgical biopsy. IPF is synonymous with Cryptogenic Fibrosing Alveolitis (CFA), a term used in European countries [learn more]

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Immotile Cilia Syndrome (ICS) - Immotile Cilia Syndrome occurs when cilia in the body are unable to move. See PCD for more.

Immune System - a complex network of specialized cells and organs that protects the body against attack by "foreign invaders." When functioning properly it produces antibodies to fight off infections from bacteria, virus, fungi and other parasites.

Inflammation - redness, warmth and swelling in tissue following infection or injury; the immune system's protective reaction to an irritant. Chronic inflammation usually involves formation of new connective tissue. In COPD it can lead to airway obstruction; with ILD this can cause a reduction in lung capacity.

Inhaler - the dispenser for metered-dose, and dry powder medications. See Suggested Sequence for Use of Multipe Inhalers 

Inspiration - breathing in

Inspiratory Capacity (IC) - the maximal volume that can be inspired after a normal (non forced) expiration

Inspiratory Muscle Trainer (IMT) - a small device used to exercise and strengthen respiratory muscle endurance

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Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV) - additional volume that can be inspired with maximum effort after a normal inspiration.

Inspiratory Vital Capacity (IVC) - The volume change of the lung between a maximal expiration to residual volume and a full inspiration to total lung capacity.

Interstitial - refers to tissue between alveoli of the lungs (called interstitium). Outside the vascular system interstitial refers to the space in the tissues between cells

Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) - term which includes more than 200 lung disorders characterized by fibrosing (scarring) in the lungs. A common link between various types of ILD is they all begin with an inflammation of known or unknown origin.  

  • Inflammation involving the bronchioles is called bronchiolitis
  • Inflammation involving the alveoli (air sacs) is called alveolitis

When the cause of ILD is unknown, it's called "idiopathic"  See pulmonary fibrosis for a partial list of terms which refer to interstitial lung disease

Interstitial Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) - the result of many types of severe or sustained lung inflammation.  See pulmonary fibrosis.

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Kartagener's Syndrome (KS) - a condition where the heart is located on the right side of the body in patients with Immotile Cilia Syndrome

LAM - See Lymphangioleiomyomatosis

Lung - one of a pair of breathing organs located within the chest which remove carbon dioxide from and bring oxygen to the blood. 

Lung Transplant (TX or XP) - surgery to replace one or both diseased lungs with healthy ones from a human donor.   [transplant links]

Lung Volume Reduction Surgery (LVRS) -  Reduction Pneumoplasty is pplvrs.gif (53730 bytes) performed on patients with emphysema. Varied surgical procedures allow the compressed lung to expand, thus establishing improved respiratory function. LVRS is also referred to as lung shaving, lung contouring, thoracoscopic bullectomy or simply lung reduction. 

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) - rare lung disease that primarily affects women only. Abnormal muscle cells  invade the lung and airways, as well as blood and lymph vessels, causing obstruction. [LAM Foundation]

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Lymphocytic Interstitial Pneumonia (LIP) - is a syndrome of fever, cough and dyspnea, with bibasilar pulmonary infiltrates consisting of dense interstitial accumulations of lymphocytes and plasma cells

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) - a diagnostic technique which uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce cross-sectional images of soft tissue without X-rays or other radiation.  

Maintenance - continuing on a long-term basis, as in "maintenance therapy" or "rehab maintenance"

Metabolic Equivalent (MET) - the amount of oxygen required while sitting very quietly at rest (approximately 3.5 milliliters of oxygen per kilogram of body weight).

Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI) - device which dispenses a specific amount of medication in aerosol or powdered form

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Mucus - slippery secretions that serve to moisten and protect the mucous membranes by special cells within the bronchial tree,  usually as a result of irritation, inflammation or infection of the airways.  (synonymous with phlegm)

Nasal Cannula (NC)  - a rubber or vinyl tube which extends around the user's face with curved prongs that fit into the nostrils for delivery of oxygen at low flow rates.  Also referred to as "nose hose" (slang)

Nebulizer - an atomizer device that sprays liquid medication in aerosol form into the air a patient breathes

Nonspecific Interstitial Pneumonia (NIP / NSIP) - characterized by infiltrate and three patterns of fibrosis: 1) little or none, 2) moderate, or 3) dense fibrosis. The majority of patients will show a favorable response to corticosteroid therapy for the first and second pattern. 

Nose Hose - aka Nasal Cannula (NC)

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Nuclear Scan (also called Ventilation Perfusion (VQ) Scan) - test using small amounts of radioactive material to compare left and right lung functions (blood flow and gas exchange) 

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) - a common respiratory sleep disorder characterized by snoring and episodes of breathing cessation that causes blood oxygen levels to fall below acceptable levels.

Open Lung Biopsy (OLB) - a small piece of lung tissue is obtained for examination by surgical incision of the chest wall (thoracotomy) performed under general anesthesia by a Thoracic Surgeon.

Organic Dust Toxic Syndrome (ODTS) - a febrile (feverish) illness occurring after heavy organic dust exposure; symptoms resemble those of acute farmer's lung. 

Osteoporosis - weakening of bones by decrease in bone mass and mineral density, and enlargement of bone spaces producing fragility;  caused by disturbances of nutrition and mineral metabolism. 

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Oximeter - a noninvasive device for measuring continuously the estimated degree of oxygen saturation of the circulating blood. The oximeter clips to a finger, toe, nose or ear lobe and is painless to use.

Oximetry - noninvasive measurement of the estimated level of arterial oxygenation in circulating blood; report usually includes baseline functional O2 saturation and heart rate, as well as lowest functional O2 saturation and heart rate during monitored activity (ie exercise, oxygen therapy)

Oxygen (O2) - colorless, odorless gas essential for all life processes; the most important component of air.  See Hypoxemia for symptoms of insufficient oxygenation 

Oxygen Conserver - device designed to maintain adequate oxygenation with a reduction in flow rate.

Oxygen debt - cumulative deficiency of oxygen that develops in the body during periods of intense activity and must be made good when the body activity returns to a normal level. In patients with severe pulmonary insufficiency, climbing even a step or two can be 'intense activity'

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Oxygen Therapy - use of supplemental oxygen to assure the body receives an amount suffcient to provide for its needs. (SaO2 of 90 or greater)  

Oxygen Titration Test - see Oximetry

Pack Years - a  measure of cigarette smoking over someone's lifetime, figured as the number of packs per day times the number of years a person has smoked. Ten pack-years could refer to a smoking history of two packs a day for five years, one pack/day for 10 years, or half a pack a day for 20 years.  One "pack year" means 7300 cigarettes, or 1460 cigars, or 7.3kg of pipe tobacco.

Palliative - a therapy that relieves symptoms, such as pain, but does not alter the course of disease. Its primary purpose is to improve the quality of life (QOL).

Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) - the fastest speed a person can expel air from the lungs after taking in as big a breath as possible

Peak Flow Meter (PFM) - small device used to measure a person's peak expiratory flow rate.

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Perfusion - passage of blood through the lungs

Perfusion Scan - test to determine the status of blood flow to an organ.

Phlegm - thick, gluey, stringy mucus secreted in the respiratory passages usually as a result of inflammation, irritation or infection of the airways, and discharged through the mouth.  (synonymous with mucus, this word is no longer widely used)

Pink Puffer - term describing the COPD or emphysematic patient whose symptoms are breathlessness, hyperinflation, mild hypoxemia and a low PCO2. Compare with Blue Bloater.  Term is rarely used anymore.

Pleura - either of a pair of two-walled sacs of serous membrane that covers and protect the lung.

Pleural Cavity - the space between the two layers of pleura; the chest cavity

Pleural Space - the fluid-filled "space" between the two pleural walls (visceral and parietal pleura).

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Pleurisy - inflammation of the pleura with or without diffusion of an exudate into the pleural cavity

Plethysmography or Body Box - an airtight chamber with clear doors where one sits to have lung volumes measured. Breathing is accomplished through a mouthpiece.  

Pneumothorax (PTX)- presence of air in the pleural cavity, caused by by rupture of the plural membrane or by trauma through the chest wall; often referred to as a collapsed lung.  see Spontaneous Pneumothorax     

Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis - a lung disease caused by the inhalation of very fine silicate or quartz dust and occurring especially in miners. (45 letters with no acronym of it's own!!! )

Polycythemia - Too many red blood cells. The condition exists when the hemoglobin, red blood cell (RBC) count, and total RBC volume are all above normal. 

Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) - these units are used to mobilize secretions and treat conditions such as atelectasis, or to keep airways open and unobstructed in patients with sleep apnea. They include continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), positive expiratory pressure (PEP),  expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP). and bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP)

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Positive End Expiratory Pressure (PEEP) - a method of mechanical ventilation in which pressure is maintained to increase the volume of gas remaining in the lung at the end of expiration, thus keeping alveoli open and improving gas exchange.

Positive Pressure Ventilation (PPV) - process of forcing gases down a patient's trachea using either a manual control technique or using an automatic ventilator.  PPV can be done using a manual resuscitator or the rebreathing bag on the anesthesia machine; for long term use an automatic ventilator is usually prescribed.

Post Nasal Discharge (PND) - the sensation of mucus accumulation in the throat or a feeling that mucus is dripping downward from the back of the nose into the throat. Also called Post Nasal Drip.

Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD) - condition where cilia in the body fail to beat effectively causing mucus to become trapped in various parts of the respiratory system.

PCD, Immotile Cilia Syndrome (ICS) and Kartagener's Syndrome (KS) refer to the same condition, with the exception that in KS the heart is located on the right side of the body.  

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Primary Immunodeficiency (PIDS) - Primary immune deficiency diseases are inherited disorders in which part of the body's immune system is missing or fails to function properly.  Often presenting as 'common' infections or conditions (such as asthma or sinusitus),  PIDs can go undetected for many years resulting in permanent damage to organs, or death. [Jeffrey Modell Foundation

Ten warning signs of PIDS —
  » Eight or more new ear infections within one year
  » Two or more serious sinus infections within one year.
  » Two or more months on antibiotics with little effect.
  » Two or more pneumonias within one year.
  » Failure of an infant to thrive (gain weight or normal growth).
  » Recurrent deep skin or organ abscesses.
  » Persistent thrush in mouth or elsewhere on skin, after age one.
      - Need for intravenous antibiotics to clear infections.
      - Two or more deep-seated infections such as osteomyelitis,
         cellulitis, or sepsis.
  » A family history of primary immune deficiency.

Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH) - see Pulmonary Hypertension

Productive Cough - a cough in which mucus is dislodged, enabling a person to clear the lungs.

Puffers - slang term for aerosol metered dose inhalers

Pulmonary - pertaining to the lungs

Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis (PAP) -a rare condition characterized by a disturbance in surfactant turnover which causes the alveoli to fill with eosinophilic, proteinaceous material closely resembling surfactant. Treatment consists of bronchoalveolar lavages. 

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Pulmonary Artery (PA) - blood vessel that delivers oxygen-poor blood from the right ventricle to the lungs

Pulmonary Edema (PE) - condition (usually acute, but sometimes chronic) that occurs when too much fluid accumulates in the lungs, blocking transport of oxygen into the blood.

Pulmonary Embolism (PE) - the closure or narrowing of the pulmonary artery, or one of its branches, by an embolus.

Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF) - condition characterized by deposition of scar tissue in the lung.   

Other terms that refer to pulmonary fibrosis, or conditions that cause it:
Chronic diffuse fibrosing
Chronic diffuse sclerosing of the lung
Chronic interstitial pneumonia
Cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis
Diffuse idiopathic interstitial fibrosis
Diffuse idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Diffuse infiltrative pulmonary disease
Desquamative interstitial pneumonitis
Fibrosing alveolitis
Honeycomb lung
Honey lung
Idiopathic fibrosing alveolitis
Idiopathic interstitial fibrosis of lung syndrome
Shrinking Lung 
Stiff Lung 
Usual interstitial pneumonitis 
Velcro lung

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Pulmonary Function Tests (PFT) - set of tests (spirometry, ABG, DLCO) to evaluate the mechanical properties of the lung by studying lung volumes and capacities.  Related terms: TLC, RV, VT, FRC, VC, FEF, FVC, FEV1)

Pulmonary (Arterial) Hypertension (PH or PAH) - occurs when blood pressure in the pulmonary artery is too high. Increased pressure within the lung causes the right ventricle of the heart to become enlarged and may result in shortness of breath, syncope (fainting), dizzy spells and heart failure. [PH Assn] [PPH Cure Foundation]

PPH or PPAH, or primary pulmonary hypertension, exists when its cause is unknown.  This condition is extremely rare.

PH, pulmonary hypertension, occurs as a result of other medical conditions, including COPD.  PH is sometimes referred to as SPH (secondary PH)

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Pulmonary Insufficiency (PI) - Chronic impairment of gas exchange due to clinically documented pulmonary disease .

Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) - a personalized program which incorporates therapy, support and education in attempting to assist the patient achieve the maximum obtainable functional capacity allowed by his handicap.

Pursed Lip Breathing (PLB) - technique used to slow breathing to maintain even lung pressure and control shortness of breath  

Quality of Life (QOL) - the physical, social and emotional aspects of a patient's well-being that are relevant and important to the individual.

Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) - a self-assessment scale to rate breathlessness and fatigue during exercise.

Reactive Airway Disease (RAD) - condition caused by reaction to a trigger (i.e. allergen, odor or hypersensitivity).  Asthma and Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis are examples of RAD.

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Rescue Medication - short-acting medication designed to relieve symptoms quickly

Residual Volume (RV) - amount of air left behind after a maximum expiratory effort; lowest voluntary volume obtainable

Respiration - Respiration has two meanings in physiology. Along with breathing, respiration includes all chemical processes that occur in the body converting oxygen and food to water, energy and carbon dioxide.

Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) - breathing complications experienced by newborns when immature lungs lack enough surfactant to keep air spaces open.  Also called hyaline membrane disease.

Respiratory System - entire system of organs and tissues involved in breathing; these include the nose, throat, larynx, trachea, bronchi and lungs

SaO2 - percent saturation of hemoglobin with oxygen in the arterial blood;   in the venous blood - SVO2

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Shock Lung - clinical terminology for Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)

Signs  - objective findings discovered by a physician, i.e. heart murmur.  See symptoms

Spacer - device designed to hold an aerosol metered-dose inhaler (MDI) for optimum delivery of the drug into the lungs; ie Aerochamber® . 

Spirometer - an instrument for measuring volume of air entering and leaving the lungs

Spirometry - best pulmonary function test available in primary care for early detection of many lung disorders, this procedure provides following key parameters:

Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)
Forced Expiratory Volume in 1st second (FEV1)
Forced Expiratory Ratio in 1st second (FEV1/FVC%)
Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR)

Spontaneous Pneumothorax (SP) - an inherited condition characterized by weak areas in the pleural lining of the lung. Small air-filled blisters, called blebs, may form which occasionally rupture causing air to leak from the lung into the chest cavity. Also called Blebs Disease.

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Sputum - mucus, phlegm or other substances coughed up from the respiratory tract

Symptoms (SX) - subjective indications experienced by the patient, i.e. chest pain (see signs)

Tachycardia - relatively rapid heart rate

Tachypnea - increased rate of respiration

Thoracoscope - instrument used to directly visualize the pleura and lung surfaces; introduced into the thorax under general anesthesia, it facilitates the collection of tissue samples (see Open Lung Biopsy)

Thoracoscopy (VATS) -  a minimally invasive "keyhole" surgical procedure which allows the surgeon to directly examine the chest cavity without a big incision.  Often referred to as VATS (Video Assisted Thoracic Surgery) 

Thoracotomy - surgical incision of the chest wall

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Tidal Volume (TV or  VT) -  volume of a normal inspiration or expiration during relaxed (normal) breathing

Total Lung Capacity (TLC) - volume of the lungs after a maximum voluntary inspiration

Transplant (TX)  - surgery to replace a diseased organ or organs with healthy ones from a human donor.

Transtracheal oxygen (TTO2) -  delivery of oxygen by insertion of a thin catheter directly into the trachea.  

Upper Respiratory Infection (URI) - affecting any, or a combination, of the five parts comprising the upper respiratory tract: nose, sinuses, pharynx, larynx, trachea

Usual Interstitial Pneumonitis (UIP) - see IPF

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Vanishing Lung Syndrome - a progressive disorder characterized by presence of large upper lobe bullae occupying at least one-third of the hemithorax, and compressing surrounding normal lung.  Also called "type 1 bullous disease" and "primary bullous disease of the lung. 

Ventilation - the movement of gas in and out of the lungs to facilitate blood oxygenation and carbon dioxide removal

Ventilation Perfusion Scan (VQ) - a test that compares right and left lung function (blood flow and gas exchange)  through the use of a small amount of radioactive material.  

Ventilators - machines used in operating rooms (OR) and intensive care units (ICU) for respiratory support of patients who cannot breathe on their own. Also called respirators. They measure five main parameters:

1. Tidal Volume (eg. 700 ml) [Volume of gas injected into trachea with each breath]
2. Respiratory Rate (eg. 12 breaths/minute)
3. FIO2 (Fraction of Inspired Oxygen) (eg. 0.6 or 60% oxygen)
4. PEEP (Positive End Expiratory Pressure) (eg. 5 cm H2O)
5. I:E ratio (eg. 1:3)  Time for inspiration in relation to time for expiration

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Ventricle - one of the two pumping chambers of the heart; the right ventricle receives oxygen-poor blood from the right atrium and pumps it to the lungs through the aorta

Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) - a minimally invasive 'keyhole'  surgical procedure which allows the surgeon to directly examine the chest cavity without a big incision.]

Virus - organism that causes a wide variety of infections, including colds and influenza.  What the Heck is a Virus explains these unique entities.

Vital Capacity (VC) - the maximum volume of air that can be exhaled following a complete lung inflation. The difference between Total Lung Capacity (TLC) and Residual Volume (RV).

Wheezing - the sound made by air moving through partially obstructed airways.

X-Ray - a form of electromagnetic radiation which can penetrate a body to produce an image on film.

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Abbreviations & Acronyms —

A   B   C   D   E   F   G   H   I   K   L   M   N   O   P   Q   R   S   T   U   V   W   X  
 

 

 

 

 

A1AD
AAT
ABG
ABPA
ACCP
ADL
AECB
AECOPD
AFB
AHI
AHR
AHRF
AIP
AIR
ALI

AM
AMA
AO
AOD
APAH
APB
APE
API
ARDS
AREA
ARS
ARSF
ARTI
AS-
AS+
ASM
ATRA
ATS
AVM

Alpha1 Antitrypsin Deficiency Emphysema
Alpha1 Antitrypsin protein
Arterial Blood Gases
Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis
American College of Chest Physicians
Activities of Daily Living
Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Bronchitis
Acute Exacerbation of COPD
Autofluorescence Bronchoscopy
Apnea Hypopnea Index
Airway Hyperresponsiveness
Acute Hypercapnic Respiratory Failure
Acute Interstitial Pneumonia
Alpha1 International Registry
Acute Lung Injury

Alveolar Macrophage
Against Medical Advice
Airway/Airflow Obstruction
Airway Obstructive Disease
Associated Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Acute Pulmonary Blastomycosis
Acute Pulmonary Edema
Alpha 1-Proteinase Inhibitor
Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Aspergillus Related Endobronchial Abnormalities
Acute Rejection Score
Acute Rejection Score First 6 months
Acute Respiratory Tract Infection
Asthma Symptoms Negative
Asthma Symptoms Positive
Airway Smooth Muscle
All-Trans Retinoic Acid
American Thoracic Society
Arteriovenous Malformation

 

    
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BA
BAC
BAE
BAL
BALF
BAS
BD
BF
BFL
BHR
BiPAP
BLT
BLVR
BMC

BMD
BO
BODE

BOOP
BOS
BP
BPD
BPM
BPT
BTS
BW
Bx

Bronchial Anastomosis
Bronchioloalveolar Carcinoma
Bronchial Artery Embolization
Bronchoalveolar Lavage
Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid
Bronchial Aspirate 
Bronchodilator
Breathing Frequency
Bird Fancier' Lung
Bronchial Hyperreactivity
Bi-Level Positive Airway Pressure
Bilateral Lung Transplantation
Biologic Lung Volume Reduction
Bone Mineral Content

Bone Mineral Density
Bronchiolitis Obliterans
Body mass, Obstruction, Dyspnea, 
Exercise tolerance
Bronchiolitis Obliterans Organizing Pneumonia
Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome
Blood Pressure
BronchoPulmonary Dysplasia
Beats Per Minute
Bronchial Provocation Test
British Thoracic Society
Bronchial Washing
Biopsy

 


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CAD
CAO
CAP
CARTI
CDA
CAT 
CB
CBF 
CCS 
Cdyn
CF
CFA

CHF
CIP
CLD
CLRD
CMV
CO
CO2
COAD
COLD
CONT
COP
COPD

CORD
COT
C/P
CPAP
CPFT
CPR
CPT
CRF
CRT
CSA
CSB
CSE

CSS
CSS
Cst
CT
CTD
CVA
CVD
CVD-IP

CVID
CWD
CWP
CXR

Coronary Artery Disease
Chronic Airway Obstruction
Community Acquired Pneumonia
Community Acquired Respiratory Tract Infection
Currently Diagnosed Asthma
Computerized Axial Tomography
Chronic Bronchitis
Ciliary Beat Frequency
Corticosteroids
Dynamic Compliance of the Respiratory System
Cystic Fibrosis
Cryptogenic Fibrosing Alveolitis

Congestive Heart Failure
Chronic Interstitial Pneumonia
Chronic Lung Disease
Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease
Cytomegalovirus
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon Dioxide
Chronic Obstructive Airways Disease
Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease
Continuous Oxygen Flow Therapy
Cryptogenic Organizing Pneumonia
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic Obstructive Respiratory Disease
Continuous Oxygen Therapy
Cardiopulmonary
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure
Certified Pulmonary Function Technician
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
Chest Physical Therapy
Chronic Respiratory Failure
Certified Respiratory Therapist
Central Sleep Apnea
Cheyne-Stokes Breathing
Chronic Sputum Expectoration

Churg-Strauss Syndrome
Closed Suction System
Static Compliance of the Respiratory System
Computerized Axial Tomography
Close To Death
Cough Variant Asthma
Cardiovascular Disease
Interstitial Pneumonia associated with Collagen Vascular Diseases
Common Variable Immunodeficiency
Chest Wall Deformity
Coal Workers' Pneumoconiosis
Chest X-Ray

 

 
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DAD
DAH
DIP
DLCO
DNI
DNR
DODS
DOE
DOT
DPAP
DPI
DPO
Dx
Dz
Diffuse Alveolar Damage
Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage
Desquamative Interstitial Pneumonia
Diffusing Capacity of Carbon Monoxide
Do Not Intubate
Do Not Resuscitate
Demand Oxygen Delivery System
Dyspnea On Exertion
Directly Observed Therapy
Demand Positive Airway Pressure
Dry Powder Inhaler
Dendriform Pulmonary Ossification
Diagnosis
Disease

 

  

 

EA
EB
EBB
EBC
EBUS
ECG
ECHO
ECMO
EEG
EELV
EFL
EIB
EKG
ELF
EMG
EMT

eNO
ENT
EP
EPAP
ERS
ERV
ESPB
ESS
ET
ETS
EUS
EVLW

Esophageal Atresia
Eosinophilic Bronchitis
Electrobronchial Biopsy
Exhaled Breath Condensate
Endobronchial Ultrasonography
Electrocardiogram
Echocardiogram
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenator
Electroencephalogram
End Expiratory Lung Volume
Expiratory Flow Limitation
Exercise Induced Bronchoconstriction
Electrocardiogram
Epithelial Lining Fluid
Electromyogram
Emergency Medical Technician

exhaled Nitric Oxide
Ear, Nose & Throat
Eosinophilic Pneumonia
Expiratory Positive Airway Pressure
European Respiratory Society
Expiratory Reserve Volume
Endoluminal Stenosis of Proximal Bronchi
Epworth Sleepiness Score
Endotracheal Tube
Environmental Tobacco Smoke
Endoscopic Ultrasonography
Extravascular Lung Water

 


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FB
FEES
FEF
FEFMAX
FET
FEV1 (3,5)

FIF
FiO2
FIVC
FOB
FOX
FP
FPF
FRC
FVC
Flexible Bronchoscopy
Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing
Forced Expiratory Flow
Forced Expiratory Flow at Maximum Effort
Forced Expiratory Time (in seconds)
Forced Expiratory Volume in the first (3,5) second following maximum inhalation 
Forced Inspiratory Flow
Fraction of Inspired Oxygen
Forced Inspiratory Vital Capacity
Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy
Finger (Pulse) Oximetry
Fluticasone Propionate
Familial Pulmonary Fibrosis
Functional Residual Capacity
Forced Vital Capacity

 

 

 

 

GERD
GGO
GI
GOLD
GORD
GSH
GV
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Ground Glass Opacity
GastroIntestinal
Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease
Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease (UK)
Glutathione
Gas Ventilation

 

 

 

HAPE
HAPH
HCVR
HEENT
HEPA
HL
HLA
HLT
HMO
HOT
HP
HPLC
HPS
HR
HRCT
HRQOL
HRV
HSCT
HSP
High Altitude Pulmonary Edema
High Altitude Pulmonary Hypertension
Hypercapnic Ventilatory Response
Head, Eyes, Ears, Nose, Throat
High Efficiency Particulate Air (filter or mask)
Hilar Lymphadenopathy
Human Leukocyte Antigen
Heart Lung Transplantation
Health Maintenance Organization
Home Oxygen Therapy
Hypersensitivity Pneumonia (or Pneumonitis)
High Performance Liquid Chromatography
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome
Heart Rate
High Resolution CT Scan
Health Related Quality of Life
Heart Rate Variability
Haemopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Hypersensitivity Pneumonia (or Pneumonitis)

 


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IADL
IC
IC
ICC
ICS
ICS
ICU
IEI
IIP
IMT
ILD
IP
IPAH
IPD
IPF
IPH
IPV
IRV
ISABA
ISP
ITBC
ITGV
IVC
Instrumental Activities of Daily Living
Immunocompromised
Inspiratory Capacity
Idiopathic Chronic Cough
Immotile Cilia Syndrome
Inhaled Corticosteroids
Intensive Care Unit
Idiopathic Environmental Intolerance
Idiopathic Interstitial Pneumonia
Inspiratory Muscle Trainer
Interstitial Lung Disease
Interventional Pulmonology / Pulmonologist
Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Intrapulmonary Deposition
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Idiopathic Pulmonary Hemosiderosis
Intrapulmonary Percussive Ventilation
Inspiratory Reserve Volume
Inhaled Short-Acting ß-Agonists
Idiopathic Spontaneous Pneumothorax
Intraluminal Typical Bronchial Carcinoid
Intrathoracic Gas Volume 
Inspiratory Vital Capacity

 

 
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  Kco
KS
lung carbon monoxide transfer coefficient
Kartagener's Syndrome

 

 

 

 

LAAC
LABA
LAM
LAR
LCI
LIP
LIS
LLL
LOX
LPM
LPS
LRCP
LRI
LRTI
LUL
LTGCT
LTRAs
LTX
LVRS
Long Acting Anticholinergics
Long Acting Beta Agonists
Lymphangioleiomyomatosis
Laryngeal Adductor Reflex
Lung Clearance Index
Lymphocytic Interstitial Pneumonia
Lung Injury Score
Left Lower Lobe
Liquid Oxygen
Liters Per Minute (O2 flow rate)
Laryngopharyngeal Sensitivity
Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner
Lower Respiratory Tract Infection
Lower Respiratory Tract Infection
Left Upper Lobe
Long-Term Glucocorticoid Treatment
Leukotriene Receptor Antagonists
Lung Transplantation
Lung Volume Reduction Surgery

 


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MAC
MAC
MAP
MBW
MCS
MDI
MDR TB
MEF
MEF50
MET
M/H
MIP/MEP
MLD
MMEFR

MNIPPV or
M/NIPPV

MPAP
MPE
MRI
MRSA
MT
MTB
MV
MVV

Major Airway Collapse
Mycobacterium avium complex
Mean systemic Arterial Pressure
Multiple Breath inert gas Washout
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
Metered Dose Inhaler
Multi Drug Resistant Tuberculosis
Mid Expiratory Flow
Maximal Expiratory Flow at 50% of FVC
Metabolic equivalents
Medical history
Maximal Inspiratory / Expiratory Pressure
Mean Lung Density
Maximum Mid Expiratory Flow Rate

Mouth/Nasal Intermittent Positive Pressure Ventilation 

Mean Pulmonary Artery Pressure
Malignant Pleural Effusion
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Medical Thoracoscopy
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Mechanical Ventilation
Maximal Voluntary Ventilation

 

 

 

 

NAC
NAR
NBL
NBS
NC or nc
NCPAP
NEP
NETT
NFR
NIP
NIV
NO
NOS
NOT
NPAE
NPPV
NRT
NS
NSAID
NSCLC
NSIP
NSW
NT
N-acetylcysteine
Nasal Airflow Resistance
Non-directed Bronchial Lavage
Normal Breath Sounds
Nasal Cannula
Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure
Negative Expiratory Pressure
National Emphysema Treatment Trial
Not For Resuscitation
Nonspecific Interstitial Pneumonia
Non Invasive Ventilation
Nitric Oxide
Not Otherwise Specified
Nocturnal Oxygen Therapy
Non Pneumonic Acute Exacerbation
Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilation
Nicotene Replacement Therapy
Not Significant
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug
Non Small Lung Cell Cancer
Nonspecific Interstitial Pneumonia
Night Sweats
Nasotracheal

 

 

 

 

O2
OA
OB
OCD
ODI
ODTS
OEP
OI
OLB
OLD
OLT
OR
OSA
OSAHS
OSAS
OSS
OTC
Oxygen
Occupational Asthma
Obliterative Bronchiolitis
Oxygen Conservation Device
Oxygen Desaturation Index
Organic Dust Toxic Syndrome
Optoelectronic Plethysmography
Oxygenation Index
Open Lung Biopsy
Occupational Lung Disease
Orthotopic Lung Transplantation
Odds Ratio
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Obstructive Sleep Apnea-Hypopnea Syndrome
Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome
Open Suction System
Over-The-Counter (no prescription required)

 


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PA
PAH
PaO2
PAP
PAP
PAP
PB
PBD
PBEC

PCD
PCO2
PCP
PCR
PCT
PCV
PCVID
PD20

PDM
PDOD

PE
PE
PE
PEAP
PEEP
PEEPt

Pulmonary Artery
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Arterial Oxygen Pressure
Positive Airway Pressure
Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis
Pulmonary Artery Pressure
Periodic Breathing
Pigeon Breeders' Disease
Primary Bronchial Epithelial Cell

Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia
Partial Pressure of Carbon Dioxide in Blood
Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Percutaneous Tracheostomy
Pressure Controlled Ventilation
Partial Common Variable Immununodeficiency
Provocative dose of methacholine required to produce a 20% fall in FEV1
Pharyngeal Dilator Muscles
Pulsed Dose Oxygen Delivery

Physical Examination
Pulmonary Edema
Pulmonary Embolism (or Embolus)
Positive End Airway Pressure
Positive End Expiratory Pressure
Total PEEP

 

 

 

 

PEFR
PEFT
Pelast
PEP
PET
PF
PF
PFM
PFR
PFT
PH
pH

PI
PI
PID
PIIA
PIP
PITS
PLB
PLCH
PLE
PLV
pMDI
Pmean
PMF
PMV

Peak Expiratory Flow Rate
Peak Expiratory Flow Time
Elastic component of airway pressure
Positive Expiratory Pressure
Positron Emission Tomography
Pulmonary Fibrosis
Pulmonary Function
Peak Flow Meter
Pulmonary Flow Redistribution
Pulmonary Function Tests
Pulmonary Hypertension (secondary)
Measurement of blood alkalinity or acidity

Protease Inhibitor
Pulmonary Insufficiency
Primary ImmunoDeficiency
Post Inspiration Inspiratory Activity
Peak Inspiratory Pressure
Post Intubation Stenosis
Pursed Lip Breathing
Pulmonary Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis
Panlobular or panacinar emphysema
Partial Liquid Ventilation
Pressurized Metered Dose Inhaler
Mean airway pressure
Progressive Massive Fibrosis
Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation

 


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PNAE
PND
PND
PO2
POC
POD
Ppause
Ppeak
PPH

PPV
PR
PRA
Presist
PS
PSI
PSP
PSV

PT
PTLD
PTO
Ptr
PTX
PV
PVD
PVR
PVR
PVR
PY

Pneumonic Acute Exacerbations
Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea
Post Nasal Drip (or Discharge)
Oxygen tension in arterial blood
Portable Oxygen Concentrator
Post Operative Day
Inspiratory pause pressure
Peak airway pressure
Primary Pulmonary Hypertension
Positive Pressure Ventilation
Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Panel Reactive Antibody
Resistive component of airway pressure
Pulmonary Valvular Stenosis
Pneumonia Severity Index
Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax
Pressure Support Ventilation

Physical or Pulmonary Therapy (or Therapist)
Post Transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder
Periodic Trachael Occlusion
Tracheal Pressure
Pneumothorax
Pulmonary Valve
Pulmonary Vascular Disease
Peripheral Vascular Resistance
Pulmonary Vascular Resistance
Pulmonary Valve Repair or Replacement
Pack Years smoked

 

   

 

QOL
QOL-MV
Quality Of Life
Quality of Life after Mechanical Ventilation in the Aged

 

 

 

R/O
RAD
RB
RB-ILD
RCP
RDI
RDS
RER
RF
RFA
Rint

RLL
RML
RMLS

RPE
RPFT
RR
RR
RRT
RSB
RSV
RT
RUL
RV
RVH
RVSP
Rx

Rule Out
Reactive Airway Disease or Dysfunction
Rapid Breathing
Respiratory Bronchiolitis-Interstitial Lung Disease
Respiratory Care Practitioner
Respiratory Disturbance Index
Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Respiratory Exchange Ratio
Respiratory Frequency
Radio Frequency Ablation
Airway resistance measured by interrupter 
technique
Right Lower Lobe
Right Middle Lobe
Right Middle Lobe Syndrome

Rating of Perceived Exertion
Registered Pulmonary Function Technician
Relative Risk
Respiratory Rate
Registered Respiratory Therapist
Rapid Shallow Breathing
Respiratory Syncytial Virus
Respiratory Therapy (or Therapist)
Right Upper Lobe
Residual Volume
Right Ventricle Hypertrophy
Right Ventricular Systolic Pressure
Treatment or Therapy (prescription)

 


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SABA
SAD
SAHS
SaO2
SARS
SCBA
SCD
SCLC
SDB
SEMAS
SFD
SGRQ
SGT
SHS
SIRS

SLB
SLT
SLTA
SMI
SMOIL
SOB
SOFA
SP
SPH
SpO2
SUARS
SVC
SvO2
Sx

Short-Acting ß-agonists
Small Airways Disease
Sleep Apnea Hypopnea Syndrome
Arterial blood-oxygen saturation
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
Self Contained Breathing Apparatus
Secondary Ciliary Dyskinesia
Small Cell Lung Cancer
Sleep Disordered Breathing
Self Expandable Metallic Airway Stents
Symptom-Free Day
St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire
Surgical Tracheostomy
Second Hand Smoke
Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome

Surgical Lung Biopsy
Single Lung Transplantation
Severe Life-Threatening Asthma
Soft Mist Inhaler
Smoke from burning oil wells
Short Of Breath
Sequential Organ Failure Assessment
Spontaneous Pneumothorax
Secondary Pulmonary Hypertension
Pulse oxygen saturation
Silent Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome
Slow Vital Capacity
Venous blood-oxygen saturation
Symptoms

 


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TB
TBA
TBB
TBLB
TBM
TBNA
TDI
Te
TEF
TGI
THC
Ti
TIA
TLC
TLCO
TLV
TM
TNF
TOBI
TP
TPR
TS
TT
TTI
TTO2
TX
Tx
Tuberculosis
Tracheobronchial Amyloidosis
Transbronchial Biopsy
Transbronchial Lung Biopsy
Tracheobronchomalacia
Transbronchal Needle Aspiration
Transitional Dyspnea Index
Expiratory Time
Tracheoesophageal Fistula
Trachael Gas Insufflation
Thoracic Gas Compression
Inspiratory Time
Transient Ischemic Attack
Total Lung Capacity
Carbon Monoxide Lung Transfer Factor
Total Liquid Ventilation
Tracheomalacia
Tumor Necrosis Factor
Tobramycin Solution for Inhalation 
Talc Poudrage 
Temperature, Pulse, Respiration
Thoracostomy and Talc Slurry
Transtracheal
Thoracoscopy with Talc Insufflation
Transtracheal Oxygen
Transplant 
Treatment

 


 
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UA
UAO
UARS
UIP
UNOS
URI
US
UST
Upper Airway
Upper Airway Obstruction
Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome
Usual Interstitial Pneumonia 
United Network for Organ Sharing
Upper Respiratory Tract Infection
Ultrasound
Ultrasound guided Thoracentesis

 

 

 

 

VALI
VALR
VAP
VATS
VBG
VC
VCV
VD/VT
Ve
VSD
VSM
VT
VTT
VQ
Vua
Ventilator Associated Lung Injury
Vacuum Assisted Lung Reduction
Ventilator Associated Pneumonia
Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery
Venous Blood Gas
Vital Capacity
Volume Controlled Ventilation
Physiologic Dead Space
Minute Volume
Ventricular Septal Defect
Vascular Smooth Muscle
Tidal Volume 
Voice Tracheostomy Tube
Ventilation/Perfusion Scan
Airflow through the upper airway

 

 

 

 

WLB
WOB
White Light Bronchoscopy
Work of Breathing

 

 

 

 

XP

6MW
6MWD
Transplant (slang)

6-Minute Walk 
6-Minute Walk Distance

 

 
 
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Additional resources:

» The COPD Glossary of Terms  
» Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma Glossary of Terms 
» Johns Hopkins School of Medicine's Interactive Respiratory Physiology  

» Civil War and 19th Century Medical Terminology (for the curious)

purpfant3.jpg (38838 bytes)

Thanks to Dusty O (RRT) & Sharon W (RN) for their professional review of this site.


[Compilation of Pulmo Definitions] [Pulmonary Fibrosis/IPF] [Sarcoidosis] [The Lost City] [Chat] [Links] [Unfolding the Rosebud] [Autumn]

 


 © 1999-2007 NoAirToGo
Last Revised 3 August 2007