Archive for Medical
Epiglottis
The epiglottis is the flap of cartilage located behind the tongue. The epiglottis is upright while at rest to allow air to flow into the larynx. During swallowing, the epiglottis moves back to cover the larynx to keep food and drink from entering the lungs
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Benign tumor
Definition: A mass of non-cancerous cells that have formed due to excessive cell division. These tumors grow slowly and do not travel.
Benign tumors are not typically harmful. However, if the tumor becomes very large, its weight and size can put pressure on nearby blood vessels, nerves, or organs.
The opposite of a benign tumor is a malignant tumor.
Also Known As: non-cancerous, non-malignant
Common Misspellings: benin, benine, bennine, bening
Examples: Benign mesothelioma is a noncancerous tumor of the pleura
Empysema
Definition:
Empyma is a collection of pus in the pleural space (the cavity between the lung and the membrane that surrounds it).
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
Empyema is caused by an infection that spreads from the lung and leads to an accumulation of pus in the pleural space. The infected fluid can build up to a quantity of a pint or more, which puts pressure on the lungs, causing shortness of breath and pain. Risk factors include recent pulmonary (lung) conditions including bacterial pneumonia, lung abscess, thoracic surgery, trauma or injury to the chest, or rarely, thoracentesis (a needle inserted through the chest wall to draw off fluid in the pleural space).
Treatment:
The goal of treatment is to cure the infection and remove the collection of pus from the lung. Antibiotics are prescribed to control the infection. A doctor will place a chest tube to completely drain the pus. A surgeon may need to perform a decortication (peeling away the lining of the lung) if the lung does not expand properly.
Expectations (prognosis):
Usually empyema does not result in permanent pulmonary damage.
Complications:
A possible complication is pleural thickening.
Dyspnea
Definition: Dyspnea is a term used to describe difficulty in breathing. Dyspnea is a common symptom of many lung diseases.
Pronunciation: DISp nyuh
Also Known As: Shortness of breath, short of breath, difficulty breathing, breathing difficulty
Common Misspellings: dispnea, dysnea, disnea
Examples: Emphysema patients experience dyspnea, so they are often times on oxygen therapy to help with breathing.
Source: Lung Cancer by Lorraine Johnston
Diaphragm
Definition: The diaphragm is the muscular partition located between the chest cavity and the abdominal cavity. It plays a major role in respiration.
During inspiration, the diaphragm descends, the inspiratory muscles contract, and the rib cage rises.
During expiration, the diaphragm rises, the inspiratory muscles relax, and the rib cage descends.
Pronunciation: die’ uh fram
Common Misspellings: diaphram, diafram, diafragm
Examples: During respiration, the diaphram relaxes and contracts
Decortication
Definition: Decortication is removal of part or all of the outer surface of an organ such as the lung, kidney, or brain.
In decortication, a small incision is made in the chest cavity. Surgeons may also use a video-assisted thoracoscope inserted between the ribs. The procedure is done under general anesthesia.
Source: MedicineNet.com and abcnews.go.com
cytology
Definition: Cytology is the science used for evaluating the appearance of cells to determine if they are cancerous.
Cyanosis
Definition: Cyanosis is a condition in which the skin, lips and nails become bluish or purplish in color. It occurs when there is an insufficient amount of oxygen in the blood. Cyanosis may appear suddenly, as in acute lung disease, or gradually over time as a lung disease progresses.
