Swallowing is a process of moving food and drink from the mouth to the stomach. It is composed of three phases that starts in the throat and extends down to the esophagus. Swallowing is partly voluntary but mainly an involuntary reflex that comprises a well coordinated sequence of events to complete its function. The >> Read More ...
What is Pneumonia? Pneumonia is any disease that causes inflammation of the lung tissue, particularly the air sacs (alveoli) of the lung. It is a fairly common respiratory disease that can be life threatening. Most cases of pneumonia are due to infectious causes, with bacterial pneumonia being the most common, followed by >> Read More ...
Coughing is a reflex mechanism by which the body rids the lower respiratory tract of any irritant that enters through the air and less frequently any fluids (drinks) and solids (food) that may spill into the respiratory tract. Coughing can be initiated voluntarily but lacks the force and pressure as when triggered by the >> Read More ...
What is Tracheitis? Tracheitis is the inflammation of the windpipe (trachea). Most cases of tracheitis are due to a bacterial infection, however, a number of other factors, both infectious and non-infectious, may also cause inflammation of the trachea. Usually these other factors do not affect the trachea in isolation but >> Read More ...
What is Bronchitis? Bronchitis is the medical term for inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tree, including the bronchi and/or bronchioles. It often involves the terminal part of the trachea as well. The walls of the bronchi and/or bronchioles become swollen due to inflammation and secrete excessive amounts of >> Read More ...
The bronchi (singular ~ bronchus) are the two branches (left and right) at the bottom of the trachea that lead into the lungs. These main bronchi then divide into lobar and segmental bronchi. Together the trachea and the main left and right bronchi, along with all its subdivisions, areĀ referred to as a the >> Read More ...
Abnormal breathing sounds differs in quality from the normal hollow, rustling sound that is heard as air passes through the large airways like the pharynx, larynx and trachea (bronchial breathing) and resonates in the bronchial tree and lungs (vesicular breathing). Abnormal sounds may resemble a musical wind instrument or >> Read More ...
Normal Breath Sounds What is bronchial breathing sounds? Normal breathing is not a silent process. Air flow through the large airways is turbulent and causes a rustling or blowing type of sound. It is most prominent in the upper respiratory tract (nasal cavity, pharynx and larynx) and the upper part of the lower >> Read More ...
The trachea is the part of the respiratory tract that leads from the larynx and ends lower down in the thoracic cavity where it divides into the two main bronchi (left and right). It lies almost exactly in the middle of the neck (median) although in most healthy people, it may be noticed sitting slightly to the right. It >> Read More ...