Medical Terminology
Lecture 9
The Respiratory System
The respiratory system delivers air to lungs and supplies the blood with oxygen from
the air and expelling CO2 from the body. It is also responsible for producing the airflow
through the larynx that makes speech possible.
Specialists of the respiratory system include:
- Otolaryngologist: (also known as ENT): a physician specialized in diagnosing and
treating diseases and disorders of the head and neck, including the nose and throat
- Pulmonologist: a physician specialized in diagnosing and treating diseases and
disorders of the respiratory system
Word Roots Related to the Respiratory System
Word Root
Meaning
nas, rhin
pharyng
laryng
trache
bronch
alveol
pneum, pneumon, pulmon
pneum
pne, spir
ox
thora, thorac, thorax
nose
pharynx
larynx
trachea
bronchi
alveoli
lung
air
breathing
oxygen
chest
Pathology of the Respiratory System
Term
Meaning
Sinusitis
Rhinorrhea
Influenza (flu)
Pharyngitis
Laryngitis
inflammation of the sinuses
excessive discharge from the nose (runny nose)
highly contagious viral infection that effects the respiratory system
inflammation of the pharynx (sore throat)
inflammation of the larynx
chronic inflammation of the bronchial tubes; it is characterized by
severe difficulty in breathing, coughing, and wheezing
progressive loss of lung function (common in smokers)
contraction of the smooth muscle in the walls of the bronchi
dilation or widening of the bronchi
excessive discharge of mucous from the bronchi
condition of inability to produce sound
condition of difficulty in producing sound
Asthma
Emphysema
Bronchospasm
Bronchiectasis
Bronchorrhea
Aphonia
Dysphonia
Pyothorax
Hemothorax
Pneumothorax
Pneumorrhagia
Pulmonary edema
Pneumonia
Tuberculosis (TB)
Eupnea
Apnea
Bradypnea
Tachypnea
Dyspnea
Anoxia
Hypoxia
Cyanosis
pus in the chest (pleural cavity)
blood in the chest (pleural cavity)
air in the chest (pleural cavity)
bleeding in the lung
swelling in lung due to accumulation of fluid
a condition where the lungs are inflamed and the alveoli and air
passages fill with pus and other fluid (usually caused by an infection)
a highly contagious bacterial infection that effects the lungs
good breathing
no breathing
slow breathing
fast breathing
difficulty in breathing
condition of no oxygen
condition of low oxygen
condition of blue discoloration of the skin due to lack of oxygen
Diagnostic Procedures of the Respiratory System
Term
Meaning
Bronchoscopy
visual examination of the inside of the bronchi
process of producing an image of the lungs and lower
respiratory system
instrument that measures the amount of air breathed in or out
Chest x-ray imaging
Spirometer
Treatment Procedures of the Respiratory System
Term
Meaning
Inhaler
medication that is administered through nose (breathing in)
Tracheostomy
creating an opening in the trachea
surgical puncture of the chest with a needle to remove fluid from the
pleural cavity
Thoracentesis