Category: Health A – Z

Bronchiectasis is a chronic condition characterized by permanent and irreversible dilatation of the bronchial airways and impairment of the mucociliary transport mechanism due to repeated infection leading to colonization of the organism and pooling of the mucus in the bronchial tree. [rx][rx][rx]Bronchiectasis is responsible for the significant loss of lung function and one that can result

Pleurisy is a symptom characterized by localized chest pain caused by a disease-causing inflammation of the pleura. Pleurisy can be caused by a primary pleural disease or secondary to a systemic illness. Hippocrates first described “pleuritis” in the 5 century B.C. as “pain in his side, fever and shivering” accompanied by “orthopnea” and tachypnea.”[rx] Different types of pleuritis were

A pleura is a serous membrane that folds back on itself to form a two-layered membranous pleural sac. The outer layer is called the parietal pleura and attaches to the chest wall. The inner layer is called the visceral pleura and covers the lungs, blood vessels, nerves, and bronchi. There is no anatomical connection between

Diaphragmatic Eventration (DE) is the abnormal elevation of a portion or entire hemidiaphragm due to a lack of muscle or nerve function while maintaining its anatomical attachments. The abnormality can be congenital or acquired, thus presenting in both the pediatric and adult populations. The diaphragm is a dome-shaped muscle that plays a strong role in

The Phrenic Nerve originates from the anterior rami of C3 through C5 and traverses the neck, heart, and lungs to reach the diaphragm. From its origin, the phrenic nerve descends vertically caudad and adjacent to the internal jugular vein. In the neck and upper thorax, the left phrenic nerve tracts proximal to the subclavian artery.

A Diaphragmatic Hernia (DH) is a protrusion of abdominal contents into the thoracic cavity as a result of a defect within the diaphragm. It is most common as a congenital phenomenon; however, there have also been cases where it can be acquired.[rx]Reports place its incidence at approximately 0.8-5/10,000 births.  Most commonly, acquired DH occurs following

Diaphragm Injury/The diaphragm is the arched, flat muscular structure that divides the thorax from the abdominal cavity. Diaphragmatic injuries are relatively uncommon, representing less than 1% of traumatic injuries. They are typically considered a marker of severe trauma due to the high rate of associated injury. Certain injury patterns increase the risk of diaphragmatic injury,

Diaphragm Rupture/The diaphragm is the arched, flat muscular structure that divides the thorax from the abdominal cavity. Diaphragmatic injuries are relatively uncommon, representing less than 1% of traumatic injuries. They are typically considered a marker of severe trauma due to the high rate of associated injury. Certain injury patterns increase the risk of diaphragmatic injury,

Bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis is a rare cause of respiratory failure that is poorly recognized and underdiagnosed. There is often a delay in making the diagnosis, especially in patients who are ventilator dependent (1). Here, we report a case of acute respiratory failure secondary to bilateral diaphragm paralysis as a complication of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)–guided celiac

Diaphragmatic Paralysis is a condition in which either the right or left side of the diaphragm loses the ability to contract to allow proper inspiration. This can be the result of muscular issues in the diaphragm or loss of innervation from the phrenic nerve to the hemidiaphragm.[rx] This can impact daily living by causing dyspnea at

Unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis is a condition in which either the right or left side of the diaphragm loses the ability to contract to allow proper inspiration. This can be the result of muscular issues in the diaphragm or loss of innervation from the phrenic nerve to the hemidiaphragm.[rx] This can impact daily living by causing dyspnea

The Thoracic Diaphragm or simply the diaphragm, is a sheet of internal skeletal muscle[rx] in humans and other mammals that extends across the bottom of the thoracic cavity. The diaphragm separates the thoracic cavity, containing the heart and lungs, from the abdominal cavity and performs an important function in respiration: as the diaphragm contracts, the volume of the thoracic cavity increases, creating a negative pressure there, which draws air into