Common terminology of Breathing

Aerobic = With oxygen
Anaerobic = Without oxygen
Anoxia = No oxygen reaching the brain
Apnoea = Absence of breathing
Apnoeustic breathing = Prolonged gasping inspiration and short inefficient expiration
Asthmatic breathing = Difficulty on expiration with an audible expiratory wheeze. Caused by spasm of the respiratory passages and partial blockage by increased mucus secretion
Biot’s respirations = Periods of hyperpnoea occurring in normal respiration. Sometimes seen in clients with meningitis
Bradypnoea = Slow but regular breathing. Normal in sleep but may be a sign of opiate use, alcohol indulgence or brain tumour
Cheyne-Stokes respirations = Gradual cycle of increased rate and depth followed by gradual decrease with the pattern repeating every 45 seconds to three minutes. Also associated with periods of apnoea, particularly in the dying
Cyanosis = A bluish appearance of the skin and mucous membranes caused by inadequate oxygenation
Dyspnoea = Difficulty breathing
Expiration = The act of breathing out
Haemoptysis = Blood in the sputum
Homeostasis = The automatic self-regulation of man to maintain the normal state of the body under a variety of environmental conditions
Hypercapnia = High partial pressure of carbon dioxide
Hyperpnoea = Deep breathing with marked use of abdominal muscles
Hyperventilation = Increased rate and depth of breathing
Hypoventilation = Irregular, slow, shallow breathing
Hypoxia = A lack of oxygen concentration
Hypoxaemia = A lack of oxygen in the blood
Inspiration = The act of breathing in
Kussmaul’s respirations = Increased respiratory rate (above 20 rpm), increased depth, panting laboured breathing. Causes include diabetic ketoacidosis and renal failure
Orthopnoea = The ability to breath easily only when in an upright position
Perfusion = The flow of oxygenated blood to the tissues
Stridor = A harsh, vibrating, shrill sound produced during respiration. Usually indicates an obstruction
Tachypnoea = Increased rate of breathing
Tracheostomy = Making of an opening into the trachea or windpipe
Ventilation = The movement of air in and out of the lungs