Glossary
Aspiration
Inhalation of any foreign matter, such as food, drink, saliva, or stomach contents (as after vomiting) into the airway below the level of the vocal cords.
Bronchoscopy
An examination of the inside of the trachea and of the large air passages leading to the lungs. Usually done as a way of assessing the degree of narrowing of the trachea and the overall general condition of the trachea and the air passageways.
Closed Position
"No Leak": Design pertaining to the PMV. The PMV opens on inhalation and automatically closes at the end of inhalation. It remains closed without air leak during exhalation. This restores a closed respiratory system and a more normal breathing pattern to the PMV user.
Cuff Deflation
The act of removing air from the cuff of a tracheostomy tube.
Cyst
A fluid-filled swelling which may occur in the larynx and obstruct breathing.
Decannulation
This is when the tracheostomy tube is removed ~ hopefully for good!
Diaphragm
A thin, dome-shaped muscle, important in breathing; separates stomach and chest cavities
Epiglottis
A flap of cartilage situated immediately behind the root of the tongue. It covers the entrance to the larynx (voicebox) during swallowing to stop food or fluid going down the wrong way and getting into the lungs.
Granulation
A term used to describe the presence of excess new tissue or scar tissue. It sometimes appears in and around the opening in the neck. Suctioning or rubbing by the tube flanges may make it bleed.
Haemangioma
A swelling containing abnormal blood vessels. This usually shrinks as the child grows.
Humidifier
A device that provides moisture to the air we breathe.
Hub (15mm)
The part of the tracheostomy tube that adapts to standard respiratory equipment, such as a ventilator.
Incision
A cut made during a surgical operation.
Larynx
Situated at the top of the trachea and better known as the voice box or Adam’s apple. It is made up of muscle and cartilage and has two important functions:
Airway protection - During swallowing the vocal cords close, the larynx rises and its opening is closed off by the epiglottis. This prevents food or fluid entering the trachea.Production of voice - This occurs when air passes through the larynx which causes the vocal cords to vibrate and generate sound.
Laryngomalacia
This is the name given to a condition in which the structures of the larynx are particularly soft and collapse inwards as the child breathes. This can cause varying degrees of obstruction to breathing and is often first noticed when the child breathes noisily or has an unusual breathing pattern. As the child grows older the larynx becomes more rigid and the condition disappears.
Laryngotracheobronchitis (“croup”)
A condition that causes the larynx and tracheobronchial tree to become inflamed and reduces the airway size.
Laryngotracheoplasty or Laryngotracheal reconstruction (LTR)
This is an operation sometimes performed to enlarge (widen) an area of narrowing in the upper trachea, often using a piece of rib cartilage.
Lower Airway
That portion of the respiratory tract beginning at the larynx (voice box) and ending at the smallest units in the lungs.
Microlaryngoscopy
The examination of the inside of the larynx using a microscope.
MLB
Microlaryngoscopy and bronchoscopy
Papilloma
A type of wart. If it grows very big or there are a lot of them they may interfere with the voice or with breathing.
Passy Muir (PMSV)
A one way valve that sits over the tracheostomy that allows patients to breath air in through the tracheostomy but does not allow air out, in which case the patient is able to pass the air up the airway, passed vocal cords to create sounds, which enable patient to talk.
Peak Inspiratory Pressure (PIP)
A measurement of pressure in the lungs at the end of the inspiratory phase of ventilation. It is reflected on the airway pressure manometer of the ventilator.
Pilot Balloon
Plastic sack-like component connected to the inflation line and luer valve of the tracheostomy tube which allows for inflation and deflation of the cuff.
Pulse Oximeter
Device which measures the oxygen saturation level of arterial blood when placed on finger, toe, or ear.
Respiratory tract
Consists of the air passageways involved in breathing; for example the nose, larynx, trachea, and lungs.
Stenosis
Narrowing.
Stoma
Abbreviation for tracheostoma. This is the opening made at the front of the neck through which the tracheostomy tube is placed.
Stridor
Noisy breathing, usually indicating some obstruction.
Subglottic stenosis
When narrowing occurs in the area where the larynx meets the trachea. (The larynx or the vocal cords are sometimes referred to as the glottis and “sub” means under.)
Suction
Removal of gas or fluid (secretions) by mechanical means.
Trachea
Also known as the windpipe, it is a semi-rigid structure which leads from the larynx to the lungs.
Tracheomalacia
An area of softening of the trachea which may collapse inwards as the child breathes and may obstruct breathing.
This condition usually disappears eventually as the trachea enlarges and becomes more rigid.
Tracheotomy
The surgical opening of the trachea through the neck.
Tracheostomy
The completed opening leaving an artificial airway.
Upper Airway
That portion of the respiratory tract beginning at the mouth and nose and ending at the larynx (voice box).
