Airflow limitation

Narrowing of lung airways causing

(Airways obstruction)

Breathlessness and wheezing

Alpha-1-antiprotease

A blood protein which prevents enzymatic tissue destruction; absence of alpha-1-antiprotease is associated with hereditary emphysema

Angiography

Demonstration of blood vessels on x-ray by injection of dye

Asthma

Episodic narrowing of airways, often with an allergic basis

Atopic

Allergic (positive skin tests for allergies)

Bi-level non-invasive ventilation

Mechanical treatment for managing respiratory failure

Biplane screening

X-ray in two planes at right angles simultaneously

Blood gas

Measurement of oxygen and carbon dioxide in blood

Brachytherapy

Treatment for lung cancer

Bronchial challenge

Tests of degree of reactivity of the airways in asthma

Bronchiectasis

A destructive disease of the airways

Bronchitis

Inflammation of the airways due to irritation, especially smoking

Bronchography

X-ray of the airway by installation of a dye

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD)

A chronic lung condition affecting infants born prematurely

Bronchoscopy

Direct examination of the airways through a rigid or flexible instrument

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Cardiopulmonary exercise test

Monitors the cardiac, circulatory and respiratory responses to exercise

Chemosensitivity

Responsiveness of the breathing centres of the brain to stimuli

Computerised tomography (CT)

Detailed x-ray examination using computer technology

Corticosteroid

Natural or synthetic anti-inflammatory hormone

CPAP

Continuous positive airway pressure – used in treating sleep related breathing disorders

Cystic fibrosis

Congenital disease causing lung damage, especially bronchiectasis due to plugging with sticky mucus

Cytopathology

Microscopic examination of cells from the lung

Diffusing capacity

Measurement of the rate of gas transfer from the lung into the pulmonary circulation

Domiciliary oxygen

Oxygen treatment in the home

Dyspnoea

Breathlessness

Echocardiography

Ultrasonic examination of the heart

Emphysema

A destructive condition of distal air sacs of the lung

Empyema

Pus in the pleural space around the lung

Fine needle aspirate (FNA)

Biopsy of lung tissue through the chest wall

Flow volume loop

Measurement of inspiratory and expiratory volume and flow rate

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Gallium

Radioactive material used for scanning

Gammaglobulin

A fraction of serum protein with protective properties against infection

Gas transfer

Measurement of the uptake of oxygen through the lung

Haemoptysis

Coughing up blood

Imaging

Examination of the lung by x-ray or nuclear medicine techniques

Immune-suppressed

Lacking normal immune defence mechanisms

Inert gas

A gas that is not absorbed when breathed into the lung

Interstitial lung disease

A variety of conditions causing scarring and fibrosis of the lung

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

A new radiologic technique for identifying disease processes in tissue

Microbiology

Examination of secretions of tissue for organisms

Morbidity

The prevalence and characteristics of disease

Nasal CPAP

CPAP – continuous positive airway pressure – an effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome

Nebuliser

A device for administering high dose inhaled drug

Nuclear medicine

The speciality of organ imaging using radioactive materials

Oscillation

A technique for measuring lung function by rapid alternation of air movement

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Peak flow meter

A portable device for measuring lung function

Perfusion lung scan

Examination of the blood flow through the lung by nuclear medicine techniques

Plethysmography

Measurement of lung volume using a constant pressure chamber pressure – tight chamber

Pleural drainage

Insertion of a tube into the space around lung

Pneumonia

An acute respiratory illness with radiographic pulmonary shadowing that is at least segmental or present in more than one lobe and is not pre-existing nor of other known cause.

Pneumothorax

An air leak from the lung into the space around the lung

Polysomnography

A comprehensive diagnostic technique used to evaluate sleep disorders, including obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome, central sleep apnoea syndrome, sleep-related hypoventilation and disorders producing hypersomnolence such as narcolepsy

Prophylaxis

Prevention of disease by drug therapy or vaccination

Radiograph

X-ray

Respiratory failure

Failure of the lung to maintain normal oxygen or carbon dioxide levels in the blood

Scan (nuclear)

Nuclear medication imaging of the lung

Spirometer

An instrument for measuring lung volumes and flow rates

Surfactant

A substance comprising lipid and protein found in the terminal lung air sacs and necessary for maintaining patency and lung function

Transbronchial biopsy

Biopsy of small portions of lung through a bronchoscope

Vascular disease

Disease affecting the blood vessels of the lung

Ventilation lung scan

Nuclear medicine imaging of the pattern of distribution of inhaled gases into the lung

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