Cystic Fibrosis

Glossary

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

A
- Absorption
  The passage of a substance through some surface of the body into body fluids and tissues, such as the diffusion of oxygen from the alveolar air into the blood, or the active transport of amino acids from food through the epithelium of the small intestine.
- Active transport
  The process by which a cell membrane moves molecules against a concentration or electrochemical gradient. This requires metabolic work.
- Adhesin
  Microbial surface antigens that frequently exist in the form of pili or fimbriae, and bind to specific receptors on epithelial cell membranes.
- Adventitia
  The outermost part or layer of a structure or organ, such as the tunica adventitia or outer layer of an artery.
- Alginate
  An irreversible polysaccharide colloid consisting of salts of alginic acid.
- Alimentary canal
  The digestive tract from the mouth through the anus.
- Alveolar sac
  The terminal portion of an air passageway within the lung. Its wall is made of simple squamous epithelium and is surrounded by pulmonary capillaries. This is the site of gas exchange. Each alveolar sac is connected to a respiratory bronchiole by an alveolar duct.
- Alveoli
  The terminal epithelial sacs of an alveolar duct where gases are exchanged in respiration.
- Anemia
  A reduction in the mass of circulating red blood cells.
- Antibody
  In a broad sense, any body or substance, soluble orf cellular, evoked by the stimulus provided by the introduction of an antigen in some demonstrable way.
- Antigen
  A substance, often a surface marker, which as a result of coming in contact with a complement, such as an antibody, induces s state of sensitivity or immune responsiveness.
- Antipseudomonal
  Tending to destroy or inhibit the growth of bacteria of the genus Pseudomonas.
- Anus
  The outlet of the rectum lying in the fold between the buttocks.
- Appendix
  A wormshaped organ projecting from the blind end of the cecum and lined with a continuation of the mucous membrane of the cecum.
- Atelectasis
  A collapsed or airless condition of the lung.
- Atherosclerosis
  The most common form of arteriosclerosis, marked by cholesterollipidcalcium deposits in the walls of arteries.
- Audiogram
  A graphic representation of the relation of vibration frequency and the minimum sound intensity for hearing.
- Autolysin
  an antibody that joins in the process to break up cells and tissues.
- Autotrophic
  Selfnourishing; the ability of an organism to produce food from inorganic compounds.
- Azoospermia
  Absence of spermatozoa in the semen.
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B
- Benignly
  Nondestructive, nonmalignant, or mild character.
- Bile
  A thick, viscid, bittertasting fluid secreted by the liver. It passes from the hepatic duct of the liver to either the cystic duct of the gallbladder or to the common bile duct to the duodenum. The bile from the liver is straw colored, while that from the gallbladder varies from yellow to brown or green.
- Bioavailability
  the rate and extent to which a drug enters the general circulation, permitting access to the site of actin. It is determined either by measurement of the concentration of the drug in body fluids or by the magnitude of response.
- Biocompatible
  Being compatible with living tissue or a living system by not being toxic or injurious and not causing immunologic rejection.
- Bisulfite
  An acid salt or ester of sulphurous acid, which is used as a preservative in foods and pharmaceuticals.
- Bolus
  A mass of masticated (chewed) food ready to be swallowed.
- Bronchi
  The two main branches leading from the trachea to the lungs, providing a passageway for air.
- Bronchial tree
  The left or right primary bronchus with its branches and their terminal arborizations.
- Bronchioles
  One of the smaller subdivisions of the bronchial tubes.
- Bronchospasm
  An abnormal narrowing with partial obstruction of the lumen of the bronchi due to spasm of the peribronchial smooth muscle. Clinically, this is accompanied by coughing and wheezing.
- Bronchiectasis
  A chronic inflammatory or degenerative condition of one or more bronchi or bronchioles marked by dilatation and loss of elasticity of the walls.
- Bronchoconstriction
  Constriction of the bronchial air passages.
- Brush border
  The microvilli on the free surfaces of cells lining the small intestine and the proximal convoluted portion of the renal tubules. Microvilli are folds of the cell membrane and greatly increase the surface area for absorption.
- Brush border enzyme
  An enzyme produced by the cells of the villi and microvilli (brush border) lining the small intestine.
- Budding
  A form of reproduction in which the parent cell does not divide, but places nuclear material into a small budlike process. The bud (daughter cell) then separates to begin individual existence.
- Burkholderia cepacial
  A bacterial species found in rotted onions and in clinical specimens; commonly found in respiratory secretions in patients with cystic fibrosis, it is frequently resistant to many antibiotics.
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C
- Capillary
  Any of the minute blood vessels, averaging 0.008 mm in diameter, which connect the ends of the smallest arteries (arterioles) with the beginnings of the smallest veins (venules).
- Carbon dioxide
  A colorless gas that is heavier than air and produced in the combustion or decomposition of carbon or its compounds. It is the final metabolic product of carbon compounds present in food. The body eliminates carbon dioxide through the lungs.
- Carina
  The ridge at the lower end of the trachea separating the openings of the two primary bronchi.
- Catalyze
  To accelerate a chemical reaction but not be consumed or changed by it.
- Central vein
  The vein that drains each of the liver lobules.
- Cholecystitis
  Inflammation of the gallbladder, usually caused by obstruction of the biliary ducts by gallstones, or mucus in the case of CF.
- Chorionic villus sampling (CVS)
  The chorion is the outermost fetal membrane that on the outer surface has villi bathed by maternal blood. Later in pregnancy, this becomes the placenta. CVS is a sampling of villus cells for detecting genetic defects
- Cholelithiasis
  The presence or formation of gallstones.
- Chronic
  A condition existing over a long period of time.
- Chronically
  Having a slow progressive course of indefinite duration.
- Chyme
  The mixture of partly digested food and digestive secretions found in the stomach and small intestine during digestion of a meal. It is a varicoloured, thick, nearly liquid mass.
- Cilia
  Threadlike projections from the free surface of certain epithelial cells such as those lining the trachea, bronchi, and some reproductive ducts. They propel or sweep materials, such as mucus or dust, across a surface such as the respiratory tract.
- Cirrhosis
  A chronic liver disease characterized pathologically by liver scarring with loss of normal hepatic architecture and areas of ineffective regeneration. Clinical symptoms of the disease result from loss of functioning liver cells and increased resistance to blood flow through the liver (portal hypertension).
- Colonized
  Established in a habitat.
- Colony forming units (CFUs)
  A measure of viable bacterial numbers. Unlike in direct microscopic counts where all cells, dead and living, are counted, CFU measures viable cells.
- Common bile duct
  Intercellular passages that convey bile from the liver to the hepatic ducts, which joins the duct from the gallbladder (cystic duct) to form the common bile duct, and which enters the duodenum approximately 3 inches (7.6 cm) below the pylorus.
- Common hepatic duct
  A duct that receives bile from the right or left lobe of the liver and carries it to the common bile duct.
- Conducting zone
  Respiratory passageways that provide fairly rigid conduits for air to reach the sites of gas exchange.
- Concomitant
  Occurring at the same time.
- Contraindicated
  Any symptom or circumstance that makes treatment with a drug or device unsafe or inappropriate.
- Concomitant
  Accessory; taking place at the same time.
- Cor pulmonale
  An alteration in the structure and function of the right ventricle caused by a primary disorder of the respiratory system.
- Crackles
  Short, sharp, rough sounds heard with a stethoscope over the chest
- Creatinine
  A white crystalline strongly basic compound C..H.. N.. O.. formed from creatine and found especially in muscle, blood, and urine.
- Cystic duct
  The secretory duct of the gallbladder. It unites with the hepatic duct from the liver to form the common bile duct.
- Cytokine
  One of more than 100 distinct proteins produced primarily by white blood cells. They provide signals to regular immunological aspects of cell growth and function during both inflammation and specific immune response. Each cytokine is secreted by a specific cell in response to a specific stimulus.
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D
- Decompression
  Removal of pressure.
- Defecation
  Evacuation of the bowels.
- Defensins
  Destructive peptides (groups of amino acids) found in the granules of neutrophils and other phagocytic cells that kill bacteria and fungi by destroying their membranes. Defensins are active against bacteria, fungi, and enveloped viruses in vitro. They may contribute to host defenses against susceptible organisms.
- Deoxygenated
  A chemical compound or tissue devoid of oxygen.
- Diabetes
  A chronic metabolic disorder marked by hyperglycemia, Diabetes mellitus (DM) results either from failure of the pancreas to produce insulin (type 1 DM) or from insulin resistance, with inadequate insulin secretion to sustain normal metabolism (type 2 DM).
- Diaphragm
  The domeshaped skeletal muscle that separates the abdomen from the thoracic cavity with its convexity upward. It contracts to promote inhalation, flattening downward and permitting the lungs to expand. It relaxes to promote exhalation, rising to its domeshaped position and compressing the lungs.
- Diffusion
  The tendency of the molecules of a substance (gas, liquid, or solid) to move from a region of high concentration to one of lower concentration. In the body, oxygen and carbon dioxide move by diffusion. The diffusion of water to an area of greater solute concentration is called osmosis.
- Digestion
  The process by which food is broken down mechanically and chemically in the gastrointestinal tract and converted into absorbable forms.
- Digestive system
  The alimentary canal (oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, and small and large intestines) and the accessory organs (teeth, tongue, salivary glands, liver, and pancreas).
- Digestive tract
  The canal or passage from the mouth to the anus, also called the alimentary tract.
- Distal intestinal obstruction syndrome
  Previously known as meconium ileus equivalent or MIE, it is a unique condition to CF. It occurs due to the accumulation of viscous mucus and fecal material in the terminal ileum, cecum, and ascending colon. Typically patients develop progressive symptoms of recurrent colicky abdominal pain, bloating, nausea and anorexia, and signs of small intestinal obstruction.
- Dornase alfa
  A genetically engineered enzyme used to hydrolyse the DNA in bronchial mucus, facilitating its expectoration, in the treatment of cystic fibrosis.
- Drug resistance
  The evolution of microorganisms that has provided them with mechanisms to block the action of antibiotics.
- Dualeligibles
  Individuals who are entitled to Medicare Part A and/or Part B and are also eligible for some form of Medicaid benefit.
- Dyspnea
  Shortness of breath; distress in breathing
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E
- Emulsify
  To form into an emulsion.
- Emulsion
  A mixture of two liquids not mutually soluble. If they are thoroughly shaken, one divides into globules in what is called the discontinuous or dispersed phase; the other is then the continuous phase. Milk, is an emulsion in which butterfat is the discontinuous phase.
- Endogenous
  Produced by metabolic synthesis in the body.
- Endpoints
  The final objective, result, or resolution of an illness, treatment, or research protocol.
- Enteric
  Related to the intestine. Entericcoated medicines have a coating that inhibits the pill from dissolving until it reaches the intestine.
- Enteral feeding
  A way to provide food through a tube placed in the nose, stomach, or small intestine.
- Enzymes
  Proteins that change the rate of chemical reactions without needing an external energy source or being changed themselves. An enzyme may catalyze a reaction numerous times.
- Epithelial
  Relating to the purely cellular layer covering free surfaces of the body, including glands and other surfaces.
- Epiglottis
  The uppermost cartilage of the larynx, located immediately behind the root of the tongue. It covers the entrance of the larynx when the individual swallows, thus preventing food or liquids from entering the airway.
- Epithelium
  The layer of cells forming the epidermis of the skin and the surface layer of mucous and serous membranes. The cells rest on a basement membrane and lie in close approximation with little intercellular material between them. They are devoid of blood vessels.
- Eradication
  Referring to disease, the termination of infection by extermination of the infectious agent.
- Esophageal varices
  A tortuous dilatation of an esophageal vein, especially in the distal portion. It results from any condition that causes portal hypertension, typically cirrhosis of the liver.
- Exacerbation
  To cause to become more severe.
- Excrete
  To separate from the blood and eliminate or cast out.
- Exocrine
  Donating a gland that secretes outwardly through excretory ducts.
- Expiration
  Expulsion of air from the lungs in breathing. Normally, the duration of expiration is shorter than that of inspiration.
- External respiration
  The exchange of gases in the lungs. Oxygen diffuses from the air to the blood, and carbon dioxide diffuses from the blood to the air.
- Extracellular
  Outside a cell or cells
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F
- Facilitated diffusion
  The movements of a substance, such as glucose, through a cell membrane with the help of membrane proteins acting as carrier molecules.
- Facultative
  Able to live under more than one specific set of environmental conditions.
- FEV
  The forced expiratory volume in 1 second measures the volume of air exhaled in the first second after a deep inhalation.
- FEV/ FVC ratio
  The forced expiratory volume in 1 second as a percentage of the FVC. The ration helps tell if the lungs are normal, obstructed, or restricted.
- Feces
  Body waste such as food residue, bacteria, epithelium, and mucus discharged from the bowels by the way of the anus
- Feeforservice (FFS)
  Pertaining to the charging of fees for specific services rendered in healthcare, as distinguished from participating in a prepaid medical practice
- Forced expiratory volume (FEV?)
  The maximal volume that can be expired in a specific time interval when starting from maximal inspiration. A subscript annotation normally indicates the number of seconds the patient has been expiring, eg FEV?????
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G
- Gastric lipase
  An enzyme secreted by the stomach lining. It is a protein that changes the rate of chemical retain without needing an external energy source or being hanged itself. An enzyme may catalyze a reaction numerous times.
- Gastrointestinal (GI) tract
  The stomach and intestines.
- Genome
  The sum of an organism’s genetic material
- Goblet cells
  Cells found in the lining of various structures of the respiratory tract and digestive tract that secrete mucus
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H
- Halflife
  The time required for half the amount of a substance (as a drug or radioactive tracer) in or introduced into a living system or ecosystem to be eliminated or disintegrated by natural processes.
- Heterotrophic
  Requiring complex organic compounds of nitrogen and carbon (such as that obtained from plant or animal matter) for metabolic synthesis.
- Hormone
  A substance originating in an organ, gland, or body part that is conveyed through the blood to another body part, chemically stimulating that part to increase or decrease functional activity or to increase or decrease secretion of another hormone; the secretion of the ductless glands (eg, insulin from the pancreas).
- Hypersensitivity
  An abnormal sensitivity to a stimulus of any kind.
- Hypoosmolar
  Low or deficient osmotic concentration of a solution.
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I
- Inflammation
  An immunologic defense against injury, infection, or allergy, marked by increases in regional blood flow, immigration of white blood cells, and release of chemical toxins. Inflammation is one mechanism the body uses to protect itself from invasion by foreign organisms and to repair tissue trauma.
- Immunity
  Resistance to the possibility of acquiring a given infectious disease. Pertaining to the mechanism of sensitization in which the reactivity is so altered by previous contact with an antigen that the tissue responds quickly upon later contact.
- Incubate
  Maintain controlled environment conditions for the purpose of favoring growth or development of microbial or tissue cultures.
- Inoculate
  To introduce the agent of a disease.
- Inorganic
  Not formed by an organism; containing no carbon.
- Inspiration
  Inhalation; drawing air into the lungs; the opposite of expiration. The average rate is 12 to 18 respirations per minute in a normal adult at rest.
- Internal respiration
  The exchange of gases in body tissues. Oxygen diffuses from the blood into the cells and carbon dioxide diffuses from the cells into the blood.
- Intramuscularly
  Administered via a muscle.
- Intravenously
  Administration via a vein.
- Intrathecal
  Introduced into or occurring in the space under the arachnoid membrane of the brain or spinal cord.
- Intracellular
  Within a cell or cells.
- Isolate
  To separate; to set apart from others.
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L
- Lacteal
  A lymphatic capillary in a villus of the small intestine. Lacteals absorb fatty acids and other fatsoluble end products of digestion.
- Laparoscopic
  Examination of the contents of the abdomen through a scope passed through the abdominal wall. Surgical instruments are passed through the scope, for example, to remove the gallbladder.
- Liter
  Fluid measure equivalent to 1000 millilitres 33.8 fluid ounces, or 1.0567 quarts.
- Liver lobule
  A roughly hexagonal structure consisting of hepatic cells arranged in spikelike plats around a central vein. Sinusoids are between the cellular plates. At the periphery are branches of the hepatic artery, portal vein, and interlobular bile ducts.
- Lymph
  The name give to tissue fluid that has entered lymph capillaries and is found in large lymph vessels. It is alkaline, clear, and colorless, although lymph from the small intestine appears milky from the absorbed fats.
- Lymphatic
  Of, relating to, or produced by lymph, lymphoid tissue, or lymphocytes; conveying lymph.
  Lyse To break up; to disintegrate.
- Lysis
  The destruction of cells or other structures by a specific lysin, usually referred to by the structure destroyed, eg, hemolysis, and bacteriolysis. Destruction may be due to a direct toxin or an immune mechanism.
- Lysosomal
  Relating to the saclike cellular organelle that contains various hydrolytic enzymes.
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M
- Macrophage
  A monocyte that has left the circulation and settled and matured in a tissue. Macrophages are found in large quantities in the spleen, lymph nods, alveoli, and tonsils.
- Median
  A value in an ordered set of values below and above which there is an equal number of values or which is the arithmetic mean of the two middle values if there is no one middle number.
- Meconium
  First feces of a newborn infant made up of salts, amniotic fluid, mucus, bile, and epithelial cells. This substance is greenish black, almost odourless, and tarry. The first meconium stood should appear during the first 24 hours. Meconium should persist for about 3 days.
- Meconium ileus
  Ileus or intestinal obstruction due to impacted meconium in the intestines. It is usually associated with newborn children with cystic fibrosis.
- Meditate
  To effect something by means of an intermediary substance.
- Methyl and propl parabens
  Two antifungal agents used as preservatives in foods and pharmaceuticals.
- Metabolic alkalosis
  Any process in which plasma bicarbonate is increased.
- Metabolism
  The sum of the chemical and physical changes occurring in tissue, consisting of reactions that convert small molecules into large molecules or large molecules into small molecules.
- MIC
  Minimum inhibitory concentration; the lowest concentration of an antimicrobial drug that prevents visible bacterial growth in a defined growth medium.
- Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)
  The lowest concentration of an antimicrobial drug that prevents visible bacterial growth in a defined growth medium.
- Monotherapy
  Treatment with a single drug.
- Monosomes
  A single ribosome.
- Morphology
  The science concerned with the configuration and structure of plants and animals.
- Morphotypes
  A zoological term describing local populations or subpopulations of a single species that are phenotypically and/or behaviourally distinct from the larger population as a whole.
- Motility
  The power of spontaneous movement.
- Mucoid
  Secretion containing carbohydraterich glycoproteins, such as those secreted from cells lining the intestine or respiratory tract.
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N
- Nasal polyp
  A pedunculated polyp of the nasal mucosa. Nasal polyps are the most commonly identified nonmalignant tumor of the nasal passages.
- Nebulized
  Reduced to a fine spray or mist, which may be done by rapidly passing air through a liquid or by vibrating a liquid at a high frequency so that the particles produced are extremely small.
- Nephrotoxicity
  Poisoning of the kidney; renal poisoning.
- Neutrophil
  A granular white blood cell, the most common type (u55%70%) of white blood cell. Neutrophils are responsible for much of the body’s protection against infection. They play a primary role in inflammation and are readily attracted to foreign antigens (chemotaxis).
- Nonpyrogenic
  An agent that does not cause fever.
- Normal flora
  the mixture or organisms regularly found at any internal or external site of the body.
- Nosocomial
  Relating to a hospital; a new disorder associated with being treated in a hospital.
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O
- Obligate
  Without an alternative system of pathway.
- Offlabel
  Describes the legal use of a prescription drug to treat a disease or condition for which the drug has not been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.
- Oligosaccharide
  A saccharide (such as a disaccharide) that contains a known small number of monosaccharide units.
- Olfactory
  Pertaining to smell.
- Orphan drug
  A product that treats a rare disease affecting few than 200,000 Americans. The Orphan Drug Act was signed into law on January 4, 1983. since the at passed, more than 100 orphan drugs and biologic products have been brought to market. The intent of the Orphan drug Act was to stimulate research, development t, and approval of products that treat rare diseases.
- Organelle
  A specialized part within a cell bound by a membrane that performs a specific function.
- Organic
  Formed by an organism; containing carbon.
- Osmosis
  The passage of a solvent through a semipermeable membrane that separates solutions of different concentrations. The solvent, usually water, passes through the membrane from the region of lower concentration of solute to that of a higher concentration of solute, thus tending to equalize the concentrations of the two solutions. The rate of osmosis is dependent primarily upon the difference in osmotic pressures of the solutions on the two sides of the membrane, the permeability of the membrane, and the electric potential across the membrane and the charge upon the walls of the pores in it.
- Ostomy
  An artificial opening into the urinary or gastrointestinal canal or the trachea.
- Ototoxicity
  Having a detrimental effect on the eighth nerve or the organs of hearing.
- Otorhinolaryngology
  The science of the ear, nose, and larynx, and their functions and diseases.
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P
- Parenchymal
  The essential and distinctive tissue of an organ.
- Parenteral
  Entering the body not by the alimentary tract but rather by another means (such as the subcutaneous, the intramuscular, or often the intravenous route).
- Palpable
  Perceptible to touch.
- Pancreas
  An accessory gland of the digestive system. The gland secretes from its exocrine part pancreatic juice that is discharged into the intestine and from its endocrine part the internal secretions insulin and glucagon.
- Pancreatic duct
  The duct that conveys pancreatic juice to the common bile duct and duodenum.
- Pancreatic lipase
  An enzyme secreted by the pancreas. It is a protein that changes the rate of a chemical reaction without needing an external energy source or being changed itself. An enzyme may catalyze a reaction numerous times.
- Pancreatitis
  Inflammation of the pancreas.
- Parasite
  An organism that exists in or on another organism and must derive nourishment from the host in order to live.
- Parenteral
  Introduced otherwise than by way of the intestines such as intravenous, subcutaneous, or intramuscular.
- Pathogenic
  Capable of causing disease; thus a pathogenic microorganism is capable of producing disease in another organism.
- Pathogenicity
  The state of producing or being able to produce pathologic changes and disease.
- Periosteum
  The thick, fibrous membrane covering the entire surface of the bone.
- Pepsin
  The chief enzyme of gastric juice, which converts proteins into proteoses and peptones.
- Peptide
  A compound containing two or more linked amino acids.
- Peritonitis
  Inflammation of the peritoneum lining the abdominal cavity.
- Peristalsis
  A progressive wavelike movement that occurs involuntarily in hollow tubes of the body, especially the alimentary canal. It is characteristic of tubes possessing longitudinal and circular layers of smooth muscle fibers.
- Peptidoglycan
  A unique molecule of long glycan chains and short peptide fragments that provides the strong, yet flexible support framework to the cell wall.
- Pharmacokinetics
  The study of the bodily absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drugs.
- Phagocyte
  A cell that ingests bacteria, foreign particles, and other cells.
- Pharmacokinetics
  The study of the moment of drugs within biological systems of the body, with emphasis on time required for absorption, duration of action, binding, distribution in the body, and method of elimination.
- Phenol
  A corrosive, poisonous, crystalline, acidic compound present in coal tar and wood tar that is used as a topical anesthetic and preservative in dilute solution.
- Phenotypic
  Observable physical and biochemical characteristics of an organism as determined by genetic makeup and environment influences.
- Phospholipid
  A diglyceride containing phosphorus, such as lecithin. The lipid portion of cell membranes is primarily composed of phospholipids.
- Pilocarpine iontophoresis
  Pilocarpine is a cholinergic used to treat glaucoma. As a part of tis mechanism of action, it stimulated sweating. Iontophoresis is a transdermal delivery system in which a substance bearing a charge is propelled through the skin by a low electrical current
- Planktonic
  Resembling microscopic marine organisms that move freely.
- Pleura
  A serous membrane that enfolds both lungs and is reflected upon the walls of thorax and diaphragm.
- Pneumothorax
  A collection of air or gas in the pleural cavity. The gas enters as the result of a perforation through the chest wall or the pleura.
- Portal hypertension
  Increased pressure in the portal vein caused by an obstruction of the flow of blood through the liver.
- Polysaccharide
  A carbohydrate containing a large number of saccharide (simple sugar) groups.
- Polysomes
  Structures composed of multiple ribosomes attached to mRNA in the process of translation.
- Portal artery(hepatic artery)
  A branch of the celiac artery (a very short branch of the abdominal aorta) supplying blood to the liver.
- Portal circulation
  Blood flow from the abdominal organs that passes through the portal vein, the sinusoids of the liver, and into the hepatic vein, before returning to the heart from the inferior vena cava. This pathway permits the liver to process and to detoxify substances entering the body from the gastrointestinal tract.
- Portal triad
  A system of three vessels located at each of a liver lobule’s six corners. It consists of a portal artery, a portal vein, and a bile duct.
- Portal vein
  Vein formed by the union of veins from the abdominal viscera, which then takes blood into the liver.
- Prolapse
  A sinking of an organ or other part, especially its appearance at a natural or artificial orifice.
  Precursor That from which another is derived; especially applied to a chemical substance that is built into a large structure in the process of synthesizing it.
- Protein
  A large molecule consisting of long sequences of amino acids. Proteins are involved in structures, hormones, enzymes, muscle contraction, immunological response, and essential life functions.
- Prophylactic
  Preventing disease.
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa
  A species of bacteria that produces a distinctive bluegreen pigment, grows readily in water, and may cause lifethreatening infections in humans, including nosocomial pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and sepsis. It may also cause folliculitis, malignant otitis externa, and skin infections in patients who have suffered burns.
- Pulmonary
  Relating to, functioning like, associated with, or carried on by the lungs.
- Pulmonologists
  Physicians trained and certified to treat lung diseases.
- Pulmonary hyperinflation
  Overinflation of the lungs, which increases the load on inspiratory muscles. The onset of inspiration comes before lung volume has fallen off completely to its relaxation volume. This condition is present in patients with moderatetosever airway obstruction.
- Purulent
  Containing, consisting or, or forming pus.
- Pulmonary hypertension
  Elevated blood pressures in the pulmonary arteries (above 2530mm Hg).
- Pulmonary artery
  The artery that takes blood from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs. There are right and left pulmonary arteries.
- Pulmonary Capillary
  One of the minute vessels that convey blood from a capillary network into the small veins (venules).
- Pulmonary gas exchange
  another term used to describe external respirations.
- Pulmonary trunk
  The great vessel that arises from the right ventricle of the heart and gives rise to the right and left pulmonary arteries to the lungs.
- Pulmonary vein
  One of the four veins that take blood from the lungs to the left atrium of the heart.
- Pulmonologist
  A physician trained and certified to treat pulmonary (lung) diseases.
- Pyrogens
  Agents that cause fever. A pyrogen may be exogenous, such as bacteria or viruses, or endogenous, produced in the body. The latter are usually in response to stimuli accompanying infection or inflammation.
- Pyrogenic
  Producing or produced by fever.
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R
- Radiography
  Examination of any part of the body for diagnostic purposes by means of xray with the record of the fining usually impressed on photographic film.
- Rales
  An added breath sound heart through a stethoscope over the chest.
- Renal
  Relating to, involving, affecting, or located in the region of the kidneys.
- Resection
  Removal of a section of an organ bone or structure.
- Receptor
  A structural protein molecule on the cell’s surface or within the cytoplasm that binds to aspecific factor.
- Replicate
  To repeat; to produce an exact copy of.
- Respiratory bronchioles
  the last division of the bronchial tree. Respiratory bronchioles are branches of terminal bronchioles and continue to the alveolar ducts, which lead to the alveoli.
- Respiratory membrane
  The structures and substances through which gases must pass as they diffuse from air to blood (oxygen) or blood to air (carbon dioxide), including the alveolar fluid and surfactant, cells of the alveolar wall, interstitial space 9tissue fluid), and cells of the capillary wall.
- Respiratory tract
  The respiratory organs in continuity.
- Respiratory zone
  The actual site of gas exchange that is composed of the respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts, alveoli, and all microscopic structures
- R factors
  Resistance genes carried by plasmids.
- Rhonchi
  Added sounds with a musical pitch occurring during inspiration and expiration, heard with a stethoscope over the chest.
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S
- Saliva
  Salivary gland and oral mucus gland fluid; the secretion that begins the process of digesting food. Saliva moistens food for tasting, chewing, and swallowing; initiates digestion of starches; moistens and lubricates the moth; and acts as a solvent for excretion of waste products.
- Sclerosing cholangitis
  A chronic disorder of the liver in which the ducts carrying bile from the liver to the intestine become inflamed, thickened, scarred (sclerotic), and obstructed.
- Sinusoid
  A large, permeable capillary, often lines with macrophages, found in organs such as the liver, spleen, bone marrow, and adrenal glands. Their permeability allows cells or large proteins to easily enter or leave the blood.
- Spirogram
  A record made by a spirograph or a spirometer, demonstrating lung volumes and air flow.
- Spirometer
  An apparatus used to measure lung volumes and air flow.
- Specimen
  A small part or sample of a substance for testing.
- Sputum
  Expectorated matter, especially mucus or mucopurulent matter in disease of the air passages.
- Spirometry
  Measurement of lung capacity by measuring respiratory gases with a gasometer. Generally, the patient takes as deep a breath as he/she can and exhales as hard and as long as possible into the sensor mechanism.
- Stoma
  An artificial opening between two cavities or canals, or between a cavity or canal and the surface of the body.
- Systemic arteries
  Arteries that carry oxygenated blood from the left ventricle of the heart to the rest of the body.
- Synthesis
  A building up or compositions of something as chemical compounds are formed by the union of simpler compounds or elements.
- Systemic gas exchange
  The exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the blood and tissue; also known as internal respiration.
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T
- Taxonomy
  The systematic classification of living things or organisms.
- Terminal bronchioles
  The nexttolast subdivision of a bronchiole, leading to the respiratory bronchioles.
- Teratogenic
  Of, relating to, or causing developmental malformations.
- Tinnitus
  A subjective ringing, buzzing, tinkling, or hissing sound in the ear.
- Toxic
  Poisonous.
- Trachea
  A cylindrical tube composed of cartilage, approximately 4.5 inches (11.3 cm) in length, from the larynx to the primary bronchi.
- Transpeptidation
  A reaction involving the transfer of one or more amino acids from one peptide chain to another.
- Tropism
  The phenomenon of moving toward or away from something, as observed in living organisms.
- Triglyceride
  Any combination of glycerol with three of five different fatty acids.
- Tuberculosis
  A usually chronic, highly variable disease that is caused mainly by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is usually spread to other areas, such as the kidneys or spinal cord.
- Type I alveolar cell
  One of the thin, flat cells that form the epithelium of the alveoli.
- Type II alveolar cell
  an epithelial cell of the alveoli of the lungs that secretes pulmonary surfactant.
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U
- Unicellular
  Composed of one cell.
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V
- Vas deferens
  Two muscular tubes with smooth walls that contract reflexively to propel sperm forward during ejaculation.
- Vertigo
  A disordered state that is associated with various disorders and in which the individual or the individual’s surroundings seem to whirl dizzily.
- Vestibular
  Of or relating to the vestibule of the inner ear, the vestibular system, the vestibular nerve, or the labyrinthine sense.
- Vestibular folds
  A pair of mucosal folds that sit above the true vocal cords, sometimes called the false vocal cords. They play no part in sound production.
- Vibrissae
  Stiff hairs within the nostrils at the anterior nares.
- Viscous
  Sticky; marked by high resistance to flow.
- Virulence
  the diseaseevoking power of a pathogen.
- Vocal folds
  The true vocal cords; the inferior pair of folds within the larynx. Each contains a vocal ligament and is involved in the production of sound.
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W
- Wheezing
  The production of whistling sounds during difficult breathing such as occurs in asthma, croup, and other respiratory disorders.
- Widespectrum
  Covering a broad range, as in an antibiotic that covers many different pathogens.
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