Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Medical Terminology > The Respiratory System > Flashcards

The Respiratory System Flashcards

1
Q

Describe the function of the respiratory system

A

The body’s system for breathing. It’s primary function involves the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the atmosphere, the body, and it’s cells

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Combining form: adenoid/o

A

adenoid

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Combining form: alveol/o

A

alveolus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Combining form: bronch/o, bronchi/o

A

bronchus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Combining form: bronchiol/o

A

bronchiole

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Combining form: capn/o

A

carbon dioxide

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Combining form: epiglott/o

A

epiglottis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Combining form: laryng/o

A

larynx

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Combining form: lob/o

A

lobe of the lung

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Combining form: mediastin/o

A

mediastinum

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Combining form: nas/o

A

nose

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Combining form: or/o

A

mouth

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Combining form: ox/o, oxi-, oxy-

A

oxygen

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Combining form: pharyng/o

A

pharynx

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Combining form: phon/o

A

voice, sound

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Combining form: phren/o

A

diaphragm

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Combining form: pleur/o

A

pleura

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Combining form: pneum/o, pneumon/o

A

air, lung

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Combining form: rhin/o

A

nose

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Combining form: spir/o

A

breathing

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Combining form: steth/o

A

chest

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Combining form: thorac/o

A

thorax, chest

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Combining form: tonsill/o

A

tonsils

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Combining form: trache/o

A

trachea

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

Define: respiratory system

A

the body’s breathing system

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

Define: external respiration

A

breathing or exchanging air between the body and the external environment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

Define: internal respiration

A

bringing the oxygen to the cells and removing carbon dioxide from them

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

Define: lungs

A

organs where oxygenation of blood takes place

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

Define: respiratory tract

A

passageway through which air moves in and out of the lungs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

Define: inspiration

A

breathing in or inhalation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

What is the function of the nose?

A

to warm, filter, and moisten the air you inhale

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

Define: nasal septum

A

a strip of cartilage that separates the two external nares (nostrils)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

Define: cilia

A

nose hairs in the nasal cavity that filter out the foreign bodies

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

Define: pharynx

A

the passageway for both food and air (also called the throat)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

Define: nasopharynx

A

a subdivision of the pharynx that lies above the soft palate

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

Define: soft palate

A

flexible muscular sheet that separates the nasopharynx from the rest of the pharynx

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

Define: pharyngeal tonsils

A

more commonly known as the adenoids, and they aid in the body’s immune defense

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

Define: oropharynx

A

a subdivision of the pharynx - the back portion of the mouth

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
39
Q

Define: palatine tonsils

A

lymphatic tissue that works as part of the immune system

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
40
Q

Define: laryngopharynx

A

the bottom and third section of the pharynx. Here, the respiratory tract divides into the esophagus, the passageway for food, and the voice box

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
41
Q

Define: larynx

A

voice box

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
42
Q

Define: trachea

A

cartilaginous and membranous tube that connects the larynx to the right and left bronchi - also known as the windpipe

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
43
Q

Define: epiglottis

A

a moveable flap of cartilage that covers the opening to the larynx every time you swallow to prevent food from entering

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
44
Q

Define: glottis

A

opening to the larynx

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
45
Q

Define: vocal cords

A

strips of epithelial tissue that vibrate when muscular tension is applied

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
46
Q

Define: thyroid cartilage

A

two cartilage disks joined at an angle to support the larynx - also called the Adam’s apple

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
47
Q

Define: bronchi

A

the tubular branches into which the larynx divides

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
48
Q

Define: mediastinum

A

a general term for the median area, especially one with a septum

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
49
Q

Define: septum

A

cartilaginous division

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
50
Q

Define: expiration

A

air being pushed out of the lungs that travels up through the respiratory tract and then expelled into the environment - also called exhalation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
51
Q

Define: bronchioles

A

many smaller branches of the bronchi

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
52
Q

Define: alveolus

A

air sacs that sit in clusters at the end of each bronchiole

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
53
Q

Define: thorax

A

another name for the thoracic cavity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
54
Q

Define: pleura

A

the outside double layer of the lungs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
55
Q

Define: parietal pleura

A

the outer layer of the pleura that lines the thoracic cavity, the inside of the ribs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
56
Q

Define: visceral pleura

A

the inner layer of the pleura that covers the surface of the lungs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
57
Q

Define: pleura cavity

A

the space between the two layers of the pleura that is filled with pleural fluid that prevents contact between the ribs and the lungs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
58
Q

Define: apex

A

the topmost section of the lungs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
59
Q

Define: hilum

A

the middle area of the lung (also called the hilus)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
60
Q

Define: base

A

the lower section of the lungs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
61
Q

Describe the divisions of each lung

A

the right lung is divided into the superior lobe, the middle lobe, and the inferior lobe, while the left, smaller lung, is divided into the superior and inferior lobes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
62
Q

Define: diaphragm

A

major muscle that contracts in the thoracic cavity. It lowers itself when it contracts, allowing more space

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
63
Q

Define: intercostal muscles

A

the muscles between the ribs - pull the ribs upward and outward when they contract, enlarging the thoracic cavity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
64
Q

What is epiglottitis?

A

inflammation of the epiglottis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
65
Q

What is a phonometer?

A

an instrument for measuring sounds

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
66
Q

What is rhinitis?

A

inflammation of the nose

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
67
Q

What is an adenoidectomy?

A

An operation for removal of adenoid growths

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
68
Q

What is pleuritis?

A

inflammation of the pleura

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
69
Q

What is a capnogram?

A

A continuous recording of the carbon dioxide in expired air

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
70
Q

What is nasogastric?

A

relating to the nasal passages and the stomach

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
71
Q

What is a tonsillectomy?

A

Removal of one entire tonsil, or both

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
72
Q

What is bronchitis?

A

inflammation of the lining in the bronchial tubes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
73
Q

What is pneumolith?

A

calculus in the lungs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
74
Q

What is the oropharnyx?

A

the part of the pharynx that lies behind the mouth

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
75
Q

What is a tracheoscopy?

A

an inspection of the interior of the trachea

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
76
Q

What is mediastinitis?

A

inflammation of the tissue of the mediastinum

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
77
Q

What is alveolitis?

A

inflammation of the alveoli

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
78
Q

What is a stethoscope?

A

an instrument used to listen to the sounds in the chest

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
79
Q

What is a lobectomy?

A

removal of a lung lobe

80
Q

What is pneumonitis?

A

inflammation of the lungs

81
Q

What is phrenitis?

A

inflammation of the diaphragm

82
Q

What is a laryngoscope?

A

a device used to examine the larynx through the mouth

83
Q

What is a spirometer?

A

an instrument used to measure respiratory gases

84
Q

What is bronchiolitis?

A

inflammation of the bronchioles

85
Q

What is an oximeter?

A

an instrument for measuring oxygen saturation of blood

86
Q

What is a thoracotomy?

A

an incision into the chest wall

87
Q

What is pharyngitis?

A

inflammation of the pharynx

88
Q

Define: auscultation

A

the process of listening to the lungs with a stethoscope

89
Q

Define: percussion

A

the act of tapping over the lung area to see if the lungs are clear or full of fluid

90
Q

Define: pulmonary function tests

A

A test that measures the mechanics of breathing

91
Q

Define: peak flow meter

A

a measuring device used to check breathing capacity

92
Q

Define: spirometer

A

a machine that tests pulmonary function by measuring the lungs’ volume and capacity

93
Q

Define: bronchography

A

provides a radiological picture of the trachea and the bronchi

94
Q

Define: endoscope

A

a viewing tube

95
Q

Define: bronchoscope

A

a device used for bronchoscopy

96
Q

Define: nasopharyngoscopy

A

a process where a flexible endoscope is used to examine nasal passages and the pharynx

97
Q

Define: laryngoscopy

A

the procedure for examining the mouth and larynx

98
Q

Define: mediastinoscopy

A

a procedure for examining the mediastinum area and all the organs within it

99
Q

Define: throat cultures

A

are commonly used to diagnose streptococcal infections

100
Q

Define: sputum sample

A

a sample that may be taken and cultured to identify any disease-causing organisms

101
Q

Define: arterial blood gases (ABGs)

A

Measurement of the levels of pressure of oxygen and carbon dioxide dissolved in the plasms of arterial blood

102
Q

Define: sweat test

A

measures the amount of salt in sweat and is used to confirm cystic fibrosis

103
Q

What is pharyngitis?

A

A sore throat and inflammation of the pharynx

104
Q

What is laryngotracheobronchitis?

A

inflammation of the larynx, trachea, and the bronchi

105
Q

What is adenoiditis?

A

inflammation of the adenoids

106
Q

What is chronic bronchitis?

A

recurring or long lasting bronchitis

107
Q

What is tonsillitis?

A

inflammation of the tonsils

108
Q

What is pleurisy?

A

inflammation of the pleura

109
Q

What is tracheitis?

A

inflammation of the trachea

110
Q

What is laryngitis?

A

inflammation of the larynx

111
Q

What is nasopharyngitis?

A

inflammation of the nose and pharynx

112
Q

What is sinusitis?

A

inflammation of the sinuses

113
Q

What is eupnea?

A

normal breathing

114
Q

What is apnea?

A

Absence of breathing

115
Q

What is tachypnea?

A

fast breathing

116
Q

What is hyperpnea?

A

abnormally deep breathing

117
Q

What is orthopnea?

A

difficulty breathing, especially while lying down

118
Q

What is bradypnea?

A

slow breathing

119
Q

What is dyspnea?

A

difficult breathing

120
Q

What is hypopnea?

A

shallow breathing

121
Q

What is Cheyne-Stokes respiration?

A

an irregular breathing pattern with a period of apnea followed by deep, labored breathing that becomes shallow, then apneic

122
Q

What are crackles or rales?

A

popping sounds heard in lung collapse or other conditions, such as congestive heart failure or pneumonia.

123
Q

What are wheezes or rhonchi?

A

irregular sound occurring during attacks of asthma or emphysema

124
Q

What is stridor?

A

a high pitched crowing sound

125
Q

What is dysphonia?

A

hoarseness, often associated with laryngitis

126
Q

What is hyperventilation?

A

excessive breathing in and out

127
Q

What is hypoventilation?

A

abnormally low movement of air in and out of the lungs

128
Q

What is hypercapnia?

A

excessive build up of carbon dioxide in the lungs

129
Q

What is hypoxemia?

A

deficient amount of oxygen in the blood

130
Q

What is hypoxia?

A

deficient amount of oxygen in tissue

131
Q

What is an upper respiratory infection?

A

a term that covers an infection of some or all of the upper respiratory tract

132
Q

What is croup?

A

acute respiratory syndrome in children and infants

133
Q

What is diphtheria?

A

acute infection of the throat and upper respiratory tract

134
Q

Define: nosebleed or epistaxis

A

results from trauma or a spontaneous rupture of blood vessels in the nose

135
Q

Define: rhinorrhea

A

nasal discharge usually caused by an inflammation or infection

136
Q

Define: whooping cough or pertussis

A

a severe infection of the pharynx, larynx and trachea

137
Q

Define: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

A

a term for any disease with chronic obstruction of the bronchial tubes and lungs

138
Q

Define: asthma

A

a condition of bronchial airway obstruction

139
Q

Define: hemoptysis

A

a lung or bronchial hemorrhage that results in the coughing up of blood

140
Q

Define: cystic fibrosis

A

involves chronic airway obstruction caused by disease of the exocrine glands

141
Q

Define: atelectasis

A

an incomplete expansion of the lung or part of the lung

142
Q

Define: emphysema

A

hyperinflation of the air sacs often caused by smoking

143
Q

Define: pneumonia

A

acute infection of the alveoli

144
Q

Define: tuberculosis

A

a highly infectious disease caused by rod-shaped bacteria that invade the lungs and cause small swellings and inflammation

145
Q

Define: bacilli

A

rod-shaped bacteria

146
Q

Define: pulmonary abscess

A

A large collection of pus in the lungs

147
Q

Define: pulmonary edema

A

a buildup of fluid in the air sacs and bronchioles

148
Q

Define: pneumoconiosis

A

a lung condition caused by dust in the lungs

149
Q

Define: black lung or anthracosis

A

caused by coal dust

150
Q

Define: asbestosis

A

a condition caused by the inhalation of asbestos particles

151
Q

Define: pneumothorax

A

an accumulation of air or gas in the pleural cavity

152
Q

Define: empyema

A

pus in the pleural cavity

153
Q

Define: hemothorax

A

blood in the pleural cavity

154
Q

Define: pleural effusion

A

an escape of fluid into the pleural cavity

155
Q

Define: mesothelioma

A

a cancer associated with asbestosis

156
Q

Define: bronchospasms

A

severe spasms in the bronchi

157
Q

Define: laryngospasms

A

severe spasms in the larynx

158
Q

Define: otorhinolaryngologists

A

doctors that specialize in disorders of the upper respiratory tract

159
Q

Define: laryngectomy

A

removes the larynx

160
Q

Define: pneumonectomy

A

the excision of a lung

161
Q

Define: bronchoplasty

A

a surgical repair of the bronchus

162
Q

Define: laryngoplasty

A

a surgical repair of the larynx

163
Q

Define: rhinoplasty

A

surgical repair of the nose

164
Q

Define: septoplasty

A

surgical repair of the nasal septum

165
Q

Define: tracheoplasty

A

surgical repair of the trachea

166
Q

Define: thoracic surgeons

A

specialists who perform procedures that involve incisions into parts of the respiratory system

167
Q

Define: laryngotracheotomy

A

an incision of the larynx and trachea

168
Q

Define: septostomy

A

a creation of an opening in the nasal septum

169
Q

Define: sinusotomy

A

an incision of the sinus

170
Q

Define: thoracotomy

A

an incision into the chest cavity

171
Q

Define: thoracostomy

A

an establishment of an opening in the chest cavity to drain fluid

172
Q

Define: tracheotomy

A

an incision into the trachea usually to provide an airway

173
Q

Define: laryngocentesis

A

surgical puncture of the larynx

174
Q

Define: pleurocentesis

A

surgical puncture of the pleural space

175
Q

Define: thoracentesis

A

surgical puncture of the chest cavity

176
Q

Define: tracheostomy

A

artificial tracheal opening

177
Q

Define: laryngostomy

A

artificial laryngeal opening

178
Q

Define: endotracheal intubation

A

insertion of a tube through the nose or mouth, pharynx, and larynx, into the trachea to establish an airway

179
Q

What are bronchodilators?

A

drugs that dilate the walls of the bronchi

180
Q

What are expectorants?

A

drugs that promote coughing and the expulsion of mucus

181
Q

What are antitussives?

A

drugs that relieve coughing

182
Q

What are decongestants?

A

drugs that help with congestion of the upper respiratory tract

183
Q

What are ventilators?

A

mechanical device that serves as a breathing substitute for patients who cannot breathe on their own

184
Q

What are nebulizers?

A

mechanical device that delivers medication through the nose or mouth to ease breathing problems

185
Q

Abbreviations: ABG

A

arterial blood gas

186
Q

Abbreviations: AFB

A

acid-fast bacillus

187
Q

Abbreviations: ARDS

A

acute respiratory distress syndrome

188
Q

Abbreviations: COPD

A

chronic obstruction pulmonary disease

189
Q

Abbreviations: CPAP

A

continuous positive airway pressure

190
Q

Abbreviations: LRT

A

lower respiratory tract

191
Q

Abbreviations: MDI

A

metered dose inhaler

192
Q

Abbreviations: PFT

A

pulmonary function test

193
Q

Abbreviations: SIDS

A

Sudden infant death syndrome

194
Q

Abbreviations: SOB

A

shortness of breath

195
Q

Abbreviations: TB

A

tuberculosis

196
Q

Abbreviations: URT

A

upper respiratory tract

Medical Terminology (7 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions