Medical Terminology Chapter 7 - Respiratory System

Medical Terminology - Respiratory System

• nas/o: Refers to the nose; example includes nasal, meaning pertaining to the nose.
• rhin/o: Also denotes the nose; rhinoplasty is the surgical repair of the nose.
• sinus/o: Indicates sinus or cavity; sinusotomy is an incision of a sinus.
• pharyng/o: Relates to the pharynx or throat; pharyngoscope is an instrument used for examination.
• laryng/o: Refers to the larynx or voice box; laryngoplegia indicates paralysis of vocal cords.
• trache/o: Points to the trachea or windpipe; tracheoplasty refers to its surgical repair.
• bronchi/o: Denotes a bronchus; bronchiectasis means dilation of bronchi.
• bronch/o: Similar to bronchi/o; bronchoscope is an instrument for examining the bronchus.
• alveol/o: Pertains to the alveoli or air sacs; alveolar relates to them.
• pleur/o: Refers to the pleura; pleurocentesis is a surgical puncture of the pleural cavity.
• pneum/o: Relates to air or lungs; pneumonectomy is the excision of all or part of a lung.
• pulmon/o: Denotes the lung; a pulmonologist specializes in lung study.
• cyan/o: Refers to blue; cyanosis indicates an abnormal condition resulting in blueness.
• steth/o: Indicates the chest; stethoscope is an instrument for chest examination.
• thorac/o: Relates to the chest; thoracopathy describes a disease of the chest.
• spir/o: Refers to breathing; spirometer measures breathing capacity.
• -osmia: Relates to smell; anosmia indicates absence of smell.
• -phonia: Concerns voice; dysphonia means impaired voice.
• -pnea: Pertains to breathing; apnea denotes cessation of breathing.
• -thorax: Refers to the chest; pyothorax is pus found in the chest.
• brady-: Indicates slowness; bradypnea refers to slow breathing.
• dys-: Denotes difficulty; dyspnea entails difficult breathing.
• eu-: Indicates normalcy; eupnea refers to normal breathing.
• tachy-: Signifies rapid; tachypnea refers to rapid breathing.
• asthma: Condition that leads to spasms in bronchial passages, often causing dyspnea.
• COPD: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; includes respiratory disorders causing persistent airway obstruction.
• Influenza: Viral respiratory infection with acute symptoms.
• tuberculosis (TB): Communicable disease caused by bacteria, spreads through droplets.
• pneumonia: Inflammatory lung disease caused by various pathogens, including bacteria and viruses.
• cystic fibrosis (CF): Hereditary condition leading to the secretion of thick mucus from exocrine glands.
• apnea: Temporary loss of breath.
• asphyxia: Caused by insufficient oxygen intake.
• crackles: Abnormal sounds in respiration detected via auscultation.
• croup: Pediatric condition characterized by larynx, trachea, and bronchial inflammation.
• epiglottitis: Severe, potentially life-threatening infection of the epiglottis.
• epistaxis: Refers to a nasal hemorrhage, commonly known as a nosebleed.
• hypoemia: Indicates oxygen deficiency in arterial blood, a sign of respiratory impairment.
• hypoxia: Refers to oxygen deficiency in body tissues, also a sign of respiratory issues.
• pertussis: Known as whooping cough; is an acute infectious disease.
• pleurisy: Inflammation of the pleural membrane, resulting in sharp pain during breathing.
• pulmonary edema: Fluid accumulation in lung tissues, commonly due to heart failure.
• pulmonary embolism: Blockage in a lung artery caused by a mass, such as a blood clot.
• SIDS: Sudden infant death syndrome; unexpected death of a healthy infant.
• wheeze: A whistling sound caused by narrowed respiratory passageways.
• oximetry: Noninvasive method to measure hemoglobin oxygen saturation in blood.

Test your knowledge on medical terminology related to the respiratory system with these flashcards. Each card covers essential terms, their definitions, and examples to help you understand the vocabulary of this important bodily system.