RESPIRATORY SYSTEM TERMS
A. Body system that brings oxygen into the body and feeds to cells via the blood.
B. Upper respiratory tract
1. nose, mouth, pharynx, epiglottis and larynx
2. nose = naso or rhino
3. pharynx = throat…..combining form is pharyngo
4. larynx = combining form is laryngo
C. Lower respiratory tract
1. trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli
2. trachea = combining form is tracheo
3. bronchi = combining form is broncho
4. alveoli = combining form is alveolo
5. all located within the thorax….combining form is thoraco
6. lung = combining form is pneumo or pulmono
7. mediastinum = region between lungs that contains heart, aorta, esophagus
and lymph nodes (LN)
8. pleura = membrane around lungs….combining form is pleuro
9. diaphragm = muscle between thorax and abdomen (dia = between,
phragm = wall)
10. diaphragmatic hernia – opening in diaphragm allowing abdominal organs
to enter the thoracic cavity.
D. General terms
1. apnea = not breathing
2. dyspnea = difficult breathing
3. hyperpnea = increased breathing
4. hypopnea = decreased breathing
5. hyperventilation = abnormal, rapid breathing
6. hypoxia = decreased oxygen
7. hypercapnia = increased CO 2 (carbon dioxide) in the blood
8. phlegm = thick mucus secreted by respiratory tract
E. Diagnostic terms
1. auscultation = listening to body sounds using a stethoscope
2. bronchoscopy = procedure to visually examine the bronchi
3. laryngoscope = an instrument used to visually examine the
larynx….usually for intubation.
4. thoracentesis = to withdraw fluid from the chest or thorax
5. tracheal wash = flushing and retrieving a small amount of fluid into the
trachea to analyze the contents (culture, cytology, etc.)
F. Pathology terms
1. anoxia = without oxygen
2. asphyxiation = interruption of breathing resulting in hypoxia
3. aspiration = inhalation of a foreign substance into the upper respiratory
tract.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
asthma = chronic allergic disorder
atelectasis = collapse of the lungs
bronchitis = inflammation of the bronchi
bronchopneumonia = abnormal condition of the bronchi and lungs
COPD = chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
a. usually results of hardening of respiratory tract
b. horses with “heaves”
9. cyanosis = blue coloration of MM (mucus membranes) due to decrease
oxygen.
10. emphysema = chronic lung disease caused by increased size of
alveoli…..resulting in poor oxygen exchange.
11. epistaxis = nosebleed
12. hemothorax = blood in chest
13. laryngitis = inflammation of the larynx
14. pharyngitis = inflammation of the pharynx (sore throat)
15. pleurisy or pleuritis = inflammation of the lining around the lungs
16. pneumonia = abnormal condition of the lung
17. pneumothorax = abnormal air in the thoracic cavity which collapses a lung
18. pulmonary edema = accumulation of fluid in the lungs
19. pyothorax = pus in the chest
20. exudates = fluid discharge from an area
21. rhinitis = inflammation of the nose
22. rhinopneumonitis = inflammation of the nose and lungs
23. snuffles = upper respiratory infection of rabbits
24. stenotic nares = narrowed nostrils
25. tracheitis = inflammation of the trachea
26. tracheobronchitis = inflammation of the trachea and bronchi (kennel
cough)
G. Procedures and Drugs
1. bronchodilators = drugs that increase the lumen of the bronchi
2. antitussives = drugs that control coughing
3. endotracheal intubation = to place a tube into the trachea for breathing
,,,,,,,usually for an anesthetic procedure.
4. lobectomy = removing a part (lobe) of a lung
5. pharyngostomy = surgical creation of an opening into the throat
a. used to place a feeding tube to force feed an animal
6. thoracotomy = incision into the chest (thorax)
7. tracheotomy = incision into the trachea