| A | B |
|---|
| Fine Crackles (Rales) | High-pitched crackling or popping sounds heard during inspiration when collapsed or fluid-filled alveoli suddenly snap open. |
| Coarse Crackles | Low-pitched gurgling noises heard during inspiration when the bronchi are filled with fluid or thick mucus. |
| Rhonchi | Loud, low-pitched, continuous snoring sounds produced by secretions in the larger airways during expiration. |
| Stridor | High-pitched harsh sound heard during inspiration or expiration, indicating upper airway obstruction or narrowing. |
| Wheezes | High-pitched whistling sounds usually heard during exhalation caused by narrowed or obstructed airways. |
| Pleural Friction Rub | Grating or creaking sound heard when inflamed pleural surfaces rub together during inspiration and expiration. |
| Cough | Protective reflex action that clears the airways of mucus or irritants using a forceful push of air. |
| Productive Cough | Cough that produces sputum or mucus. |
| Non-productive Cough | Dry cough that does not produce sputum. |
| Dyspnea | Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath that may occur with exertion or at rest. |
| Epistaxis | Nosebleed, often caused by irritation, trauma, or inflammation of the nasal mucosa. |
| Hemoptysis | Coughing up blood or blood-streaked sputum. |
| Pleurisy / Pleuritis | Inflammation of the pleura causing sharp pain that worsens with breathing (dyspnea) |
| Purulent | Discharge containing pus, indicating infection. |
| Rhinovirus | Primary cause of the common cold; infections are often mild. |
| Coronaviruses | Group of viruses that can cause a variety of respiratory infections. |
| SARS | Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome caused by SARS-CoV, leading to high fever, cough, and shortness of breath. |
| COVID-19 | Respiratory infection caused by SARS-CoV-2 with symptoms ranging from mild cold-like illness to severe respiratory distress. |
| Influenza | Highly contagious viral infection affecting the upper and lower respiratory tract. |
| Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) | Common virus that is usually mild in older children and adults but can be severe in babies under 12 months. |
| Croup | Respiratory condition usually caused by viral infection that leads to swelling around the larynx and trachea; causes barking cough, hoarseness and stridor, primarily in children. |
| Pertussis / Whooping Cough | Contagious bacterial infection causing severe coughing fits followed by whooping sounds during inhalation. |
| Tuberculosis (TB) | Chronic bacterial infection that primarily affects the lungs but can spread to other organs. |
| Pneumonia | Inflammation or infection of the alveoli and lung tissue, commonly caused by bacteria or viruses. |
| Walking Pneumonia | Mild atypical pneumonia that often mimics a common cold but is usually bacterial and longer lasting. |
| Atypical Pneumonia | Mild pneumonia that often mimics cold symptoms and has a longer duration. |
| Asthma | Chronic condition characterized by excess mucus production, airway inflammation, and bronchoconstriction. |
| Bronchoconstriction | Narrowing of the airways caused by tightening of bronchial smooth muscle. |
| Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) | Group of progressive lung diseases that obstruct airflow; includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. |
| Chronic Bronchitis | Long-term inflammation of the bronchi with excessive mucus production and persistent cough. |
| Emphysema | Alveolar damage causing loss of elasticity, breakdown of air sacs, and impaired gas exchange. |
| Sleep Apnea | Potentially serious disorder involving repeated interruptions of breathing during sleep. |
| Cystic Fibrosis (CF) | Recessive genetic disorder causing thick mucus buildup in the lungs and digestive tract. |
| Pulmonary Embolism (PE) | Blockage of a pulmonary artery by a blood clot. |
| Atelectasis | Collapse or incomplete expansion of one or more lobes of the lung. |
| Pleural Effusion | Abnormal accumulation of fluid in the pleural space. |
| Pneumothorax | Air in the pleural cavity causing separation of pleural layers and partial or complete lung collapse. |
| Pulmonary Edema | Accumulation of fluid in the alveoli, commonly due to heart failure. |
| Pulmonary Fibrosis | Scarring and thickening of lung tissue causing stiff lungs and progressive shortness of breath. |
| Pneumoconiosis | Form of pulmonary fibrosis caused by long-term inhalation of dust particles. |
| Asbestosis | Lung and pleural damage caused by inhalation of asbestos fibers. |
| Mesothelioma | Cancer of the pleura that can rarely result from asbestos exposure. |
| Hypoxemia | Abnormally low concentration of oxygen in the blood. |
| Hypoxia | Deficiency of oxygen in body tissues. |
| Anoxia | Complete absence of oxygen in body tissues resulting in rapid cell injury or death. |
| Asphyxia | Prevention of normal gas exchange causing oxygen deprivation and carbon dioxide accumulation. |
| Hypercapnia | Accumulation of carbon dioxide in the body. |
| Percussion | Physical examination technique involving tapping the chest to produce sound vibrations, can help detect fluid or air in lungs. |
| Arterial Blood Gases (ABG) | Test measuring oxygen, carbon dioxide, and pH levels in arterial blood. |
| Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs) | Group of tests that measure lung volume, airflow, and capacity to diagnose obstructive or restrictive lung disease. |
| Pulse Oximeter | Device placed on a finger or earlobe to measure oxygen saturation. |
| TB Skin Test (TST) / Mantoux Test | Tuberculin skin test checking for previous exposure to tuberculosis bacteria. |
| Chest X-ray (CXR) | Image of the thoracic cavity used to identify infection, fluid, or structural abnormalities. |
| Bronchoscopy | Visualization of the bronchi using a flexible scope inserted through the mouth or nose; can also be used to obtain samples. |
| Stroboscopic Laryngoscopy | Specialized examination of the vocal cords using a strobe light to assess vibration and abnormalities. |
| Antiasthmatic | Medication used to control and prevent asthma symptoms. |
| Bronchodilators | Medications that widen airways and help prevent asthma symptoms. |
| Antitussive | Medication that suppresses the cough reflex to relieve non-productive cough. |
| Decongestant | Medication that reduces nasal and airway swelling to improve airflow. |
| Expectorant | Medication that thins and loosens mucus so it is easier to clear. |
| Tracheotomy | Surgical incision that creates an opening into the trachea to establish an airway. |
| Tracheostomy | Temporary or permanent opening made via tracheotomy for airway management. |
| Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) | Machine that delivers continuous pressurized air through a mask to keep airways open during sleep. |
| Endotracheal Intubation (ETT) | Insertion of a tube into the trachea to maintain an open airway or connect to a ventilator. |
| Ventilator | Mechanical device that assists or replaces spontaneous breathing in respiratory failure. |
