The Respiratory System Flashcards
bronch/o, bronchi/o
bronchial tube, bronchus
laryng/o
larynx, throat
nas/o
nose
ox/i, ox/o, ox/y
oxygen
pharyng/o
throat, pharynx
phon/o
sound, voice
pleur/o
pleura, side of the body
-pnea
breathing
pneum/o, pneumon/o, pneu-
lung, air
pulm/o, pulmon/o
lung
sinus/o
sinus
somn/o
somn/o
spir/o
to breathe
thorac/o, -thorax
chest, pleural cavity
trache/o, trachea
windpipe, trachea
anoxia
the absence of oxygen from the body’s tissues or organs despite adequate flow of blood.
antitussive
medication administered to prevent or relieve coughing.
aphonia
the loss of the ability of the larynx to produce normal speech sounds.
asbestosis
the form of pneumoconiosis caused by asbestos particles in the lungs.
asphyxia
the loss of consciousness that occurs when the body cannot get the oxygen it needs to function.
asthma
a chronic inflammatory disease of the bronchial tubes.
atelectasis
incomplete expansion of part or all of the lung.
bradypnea
an abnormally slow rate of respiration, usually of less than 10 breaths per minute.
bronchiectasis
permanent thickening of the walls of the bronchi caused by chronic infection and inflammation.
bronchodilator
an inhaled medication that relaxes and expands the bronchial passages into the lungs.
bronchorrhea
an excessive discharge of mucus from the bronchi.
bronchoscopy
the visual examination of the bronchi using a bronchoscope.
bronchospasm
“a contraction of the smooth muscle in the walls of the bronchi and bronchioles, tightening and squeezing the airway shut.”
Cheyne-Stokes respiration
an irregular pattern of breathing characterized by alternating rapid or shallow respiration followed by slow respiration or apnea.
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
a group of lung diseases in which the bronchial airflow is obstructed, making it difficult to breathe out.
croup
an acute respiratory infection in children and infants characterized by obstruction of the larynx, hoarseness, and swelling around the vocal cords, resulting in a barking cough and stridor.
cyanosis
bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes caused by a lack of adequate oxygen in the blood.
cystic fibrosis
a life-threatening genetic disorder in which the lungs and pancreas are clogged with large quantities of abnormally thick mucus.
dysphonia
“difficulty in speaking, which may include any impairment in vocal quality, including hoarseness, weakness, or the cracking of a boy’s voice during puberty.”
dyspnea
difficult or labored breathing.
emphysema
the progressive, long-term loss of lung function, usually due to smoking.
empyema
collection of pus in any body cavity.
endotracheal intubation
the passage of a tube through the mouth into the trachea to establish or maintain an open airway.
epistaxis
bleeding from the nose
hemoptysis
expectoration of blood or bloodstained sputum.
hemothorax
a collection of blood in the pleural cavity.
hypercapnia
abnormal buildup of carbon dioxide in the blood.
hyperpnea
breathing that is deeper and more rapid than is normal at rest.
hypopnea
shallow or slow respiration.
hypoxemia
a condition of having low oxygen levels in the blood.
hypoxia
the condition of having deficient oxygen levels in the body tissues and organs; less severe than anoxia.
laryngitis
inflammation of the larynx.
laryngoscopy
“the visual examination of the larynx and vocal cords using a flexible or rigid laryngoscope inserted through the mouth.”
laryngospasm
the sudden spasmodic closure of the larynx.
mediastinum
the middle section of the chest cavity located between the lungs.
nebulizer
an electronic device that pumps air or oxygen through a liquid medicine to turn it into a mist that is inhaled via a face mask or mouthpiece.
otolaryngologist
also known as ENT (Ear, Nose & Throat), is a physician with specialized training in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the head and neck.
pertussis
a contagious bacterial infection of the upper respiratory tract that is characterized by recurrent bouts of a paroxysmal cough.
pharyngitis
inflammation of the pharynx.
pleural effusion
excess accumulation of fluid in the pleural space that prevents the lung from fully expanding
pleurisy
inflammation of the pleura.
pleurodynia
sharp chest pain that occurs when inflamed pleural membranes rub against each other with each inhalation.
pneumoconiosis
any fibrosis of the lung tissues caused by dust in the lungs after prolonged environmental or occupational contact.
pneumonectomy
surgical removal of all or part of a lung.
pneumonia
a serious inflammation of the lungs in which the alveoli and air passages fill with pus and other fluids.
pneumothorax
the accumulation of air in the pleural space resulting in a pressure imbalance that causes the lung to fully or partially collapse.
polysomnography
the diagnostic measurement of physiological activity during sleep and is often performed to detect nocturnal defects in breathing associated with sleep apnea.
pulmonary edema
an accumulation of fluid in lung tissues, especially the alveoli.
pulmonologist
a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases and disorders of the respiratory system.
pulse oximeter
an external monitor placed on the patient’s fingertip or earlobe to measure the oxygen saturation level in the blood.
pyothorax
the presence of pus in the pleural cavity between the layers of the pleural membrane.
sinusitis
an inflammation of the sinuses.
sleep apnea
a potentially serious disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep for long enough periods to cause a measurable decrease in blood oxygen levels.
spirometer
a recording device that measures the amount of air inhaled or exhaled (volume) and the length of time required for each breath.
tachypnea
an abnormally rapid rate of respiration usually of more than 20 breaths per minute.
thoracentesis
surgical puncture of the chest wall with a needle to obtain fluid from the pleural cavity.
thoracotomy
a surgical incision into the chest wall to open the pleural cavity for biopsy or treatment.
tracheostomy
the surgical creation of a stoma into the trachea below the vocal cords to insert a temporary or permanent tube to facilitate breathing.
tracheotomy
an emergency procedure in which an incision is made into the trachea to gain access to the airway below a blockage.
tuberculosis
“an infectious disease caused by an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, usually attacks the lungs; it can also affect other parts of the body.”
