Lungs

lung The respiratory organ of air-breathing vertebrates. A pair of lungs is situated in the thorax, within the ribcage. Each consists essentially of a thin moist membrane that is folded to increase its surface area. Exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place between blood capillaries on one side of the membrane and air on the other. The lung is supplied with air through a bronchus. The lungs are covered by a thin tissue layer called the pleura. The same kind of thin tissue lines the inside of the chest cavity -- also called pleura. A thin layer of fluid acts as a lubricant allowing the lungs to slip smoothly as they expand and contract with each breath.

Lung infection

Lung infection is generally referred to as lower respiratory tract infection. This term is synonymous with pneumonia. Lung infections tend to make the individual feel extremely weak, straining the patient's .....

Cough

Coughing is a reflex that keeps your throat and airways clear. Although it can be annoying, coughing helps your body heal or protect itself. Coughs can be either acute or .....

Pertussis

Pertussis is a highly contagious bacterial disease that causes uncontrollable, violent coughing. The coughing can make it hard to breathe. A deep ""whooping"" sound is often heard when the .....

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that is caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. It is characterized primarily by inflammation of the alveoli in the lungs or by .....

Pneumocystis pneumonia

Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is an infection caused by Pneumocystis jiroveci, a microscopic fungus that lives in the lungs of many people. PCP is a rare disease in healthy people. However, .....

Alveolar abscess

An alveolar abscess is an abscess located in the alveolar process of the jaw. An abscess is a well-defined collection of pus-filled liquid that has escaped from blood vessels and .....

Alveolar collapse

The atmosphere is composed of 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen. Since oxygen is exchanged at the alveoli-capillary membrane, nitrogen is a major component for the alveoli's state of inflation. If .....

Asthama

Asthma is a disease affecting the airways that carry air to and from your lungs. People who suffer from this chronic condition (long-lasting or recurrent) are said to be asthmatic. .....

Breathlessness

Breathlessness is a sensation of air hunger and an uncomfortable awareness of one's own breathing at rest or on exertion due to low oxygenation of tissues and the respiratory receptors .....

Bronchiectasis

Bronchiectasis is a term that describes damage to the walls of the large airways, or bronchial tubes, of the lung. Inflammation due to infection or other causes destroys the smooth .....

Bronchitis

Bronchitis is a respiratory disease in which the mucus membrane in the lungs' bronchial passages becomes inflamed. As the irritated membrane swells and grows thicker, it narrows or shuts off .....

Common cold

The common cold usually causes a runny nose, nasal congestion, and sneezing. You may also have a sore throat, cough, headache, or other symptoms. Colds can occur at any time .....

Bronchial congestion

Bronchial congestion is more than a simple irritation, it affects everything from your breathing to your mood to the quality of your sleep, which we all know affects everything about .....

COPD

COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is a progressive disease that makes it hard to breathe. COPD can cause coughing that produces large amounts of mucus (a slimy substance), wheezing, .....

Cystic fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis (also known as CF or mucoviscidosis) is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder that affects most critically the lungs, and also the pancreas, liver, and intestine. It is characterized .....

Diphtheria

Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection. You can catch it from a person who has the infection and coughs or sneezes. It usually affects the nose and throat and causes .....

Hemoptysis

Hemoptysis is defined as the spitting of blood derived from the lungs or bronchial tubes as a result of pulmonary or bronchial hemorrhage. Hemoptysis is classified as nonmassive or massive .....

Lung abscess

Lung abscess is necrosis of the pulmonary tissue and formation of cavities (more than 2 cm) containing necrotic debris or fluid caused by microbial infection. This pus-filled cavity is often .....

Mycosis

A mycosis is a fungal infection of animals, including humans. Mycoses are common, and a variety of environmental and physiological conditions can contribute to the development of fungal diseases. Inhalation .....

Respiratory depression

Respiratory depression is a broad medical term that is used to describe any condition in which an individual's respiration has a rate below 12 breaths per minute or that fails .....

Pleurisy

Pleurisy occurs when the double membrane (pleura) that lines the inside of your chest cavity and surrounds each of your lungs becomes inflamed. Also called pleuritis, pleurisy typically causes sharp .....

Status asthmaticus

Acute severe asthma previous referred to as status asthmaticus is an acute exacerbation of asthma that does not respond to standard treatments of bronchodilators and steroids. Symptoms include chest tightness, .....

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis, or TB, is an infectious bacterial disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which most commonly affects the lungs. It is transmitted from person to person via droplets from the throat .....