Tracheostomy and Laryngectomy Vocabulary

Artificial nose (Swedish) - A cap that can be attached to a tracheostomy tube to help maintain humidity.

 

Air compressor - A machine used to provide air or oxygen under pressure to make breathing easier for a patient with breathing problems.

   

Apnea monitor - A device used to check to make sure that a patient with a breathing tube (endotracheal tube) or a tracheostomy tube hooked to a ventilator does not stop breathing. It can sound alarm to alert care provider in case of slowed or stopped breathing.

Ambu bag - A device used to manually give air or oxygen to a person under pressure.

Aerosol tubing - A piece of tubing used to deliver inhaled medicine (breathing treatment) to patients with tracheostomy or breathing tube.

Cannula - A hollow piece of tubing: inner cannula refers to the inner tubing of a standard tracheostomy tube.

Coagulopathies - Refers to diseases or conditions causing problems with clotting of blood, for example low platelet count or patients taking blood thinners like aspirin or coumadin.

Decannulation - Process of removing the tracheostomy tube and making sure the patient is breathing well without it.

Extubation - Process of removing a breathing tube (endotracheal tube) when the patient does not need it any more.

Heat Moisture Exchanger (HME) - A humidifying filter that fits onto the end of the trach tube and comes in several shapes and sizes; also known as: Thermal Humidfying Filters, Swedish nose, Artificial nose, Filter, Thermovent T.

Hypercarbia - A condition in which more than normal amounts of carbon dioxide in retained in a patient’s blood due to inadequate breathing.

Larynx - Voice box.

Laryngectomy - It is the removal of the larynx and separation of the airway from the mouth and esophagus.

NPO feeding (PO feeding) – No Per Oral

Nebulizer bottle - A bottle used to turn liquid (saline etc) or a liquid medication into smaller particles to be delivered to a patient’s nose, throat or lungs via the nose, mouth or a breathing tube.

Obturator - Provide a smooth surface that guides the tracheostomy tube when it is being inserted.

Passy-Muir Speaking Valve – A one-way valve, which attaches to the outside opening of the tracheostomy tube and allows air to pass into the tracheostomy, but not out through it.

 

Stoma - The hole made in the neck and windpipe.

Saline Ampules (bullets) - Small plastic containers of salt water solution.

Secretions - Mucus.

Suction Equipment

 

Stopper (plug/cork) - A device used to obstruct air passage through a tracheostomy tube to allow a patient to breathe around the tube before the tracheostomy tube is removed (decannulated).

Trach ties - A piece or ribbon gauze used to secure a trach tube to the patient’s neck.

Trach mask - Mist collar which attaches over the trach to provide moisture.

Tracheostomy - An opening surgically created through the neck into the trachea to allow direct access to the breathing tube.
Tracheotomy - Refers to the incision into the trachea that forms a temporary or permanent opening, which is called a 'tracheostomy,' however; the terms are sometimes used interchangeably

Tracheostomy (Trach) Tube – A curved tube that is inserted into a tracheostomy stoma.

 

Trachea – A windpipe.

Ventilator – A breathing machine.

Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Study - A specialized test in which a patient’s swallowing is assessed with a combination of X-ray examination and direct visualizing of the throat by a radiologist and a speech language pathologist (SLP).