CHAPTER 6 MED TERMS

Alveol/o

Refers to alveolus; plural is alveoli.

Bronch/o, bronchi/o

Refers to bronchus.

Bronchiol/o

Refers to bronchiole.

Epiglott/o

Refers to epiglottis.

Laryng/o

Refers to larynx.

Lob/o

Refers to lobe.

Nas/o, rhin/o

Refers to nose.

Phren/o

Refers to diaphragm.

Pleur/o

Refers to pleura.

Pharyng/o

Refers to pharynx.

Pneum/o, pneumon/o, pulm/o, pulmon/o

Refers to lung; pneum/o sometimes means 'air'.

Trache/o

Refers to trachea.

Spir/o

Refers to breathe.

-pnea

Indicates breathing.

Ox/o

Refers to oxygen.

Aer/o

Refers to air.

Thorac/o

Refers to chest.

Atel/o

Means imperfect.

Adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)

A disorder characterized by respiratory insufficiency and hypoxemia.

Asthma

Paroxysmal dyspnea often accompanied by wheezing, caused by spasm of the bronchial tubes or swelling of mucous membranes.

Wheezing

A whistling sound made during respiration.

Paroxysmal

Occurring in sudden, periodic attacks or recurrence of symptoms.

Asphyxiation

Refers to suffocation.

Carcinoma of the lung

Refers to lung cancer.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

A disease process that decreases the ability of the lungs to perform their ventilatory function.

Emphysema

Chronic pulmonary disease characterized by an increase in the size of the alveoli and destructive changes in their walls.

Pneumoconiosis

A respiratory condition caused by inhalation of dust particles.

Pulmonary embolism

Blockage of a pulmonary artery by a foreign matter such as fat, air, tumor tissue, or a blood clot.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)

An infectious respiratory disease spread by close contact with an infected person caused by a version of a coronavirus.

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

The sudden, unexpected death of an apparently normal and healthy infant during sleep with no physical or autoptic evidence of disease.

Tuberculosis (TB)

An infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis; often chronic and commonly affects the lungs.

Ase

Refers to an enzyme.

-ose

Refers to sugar.

Lact/o

Refers to milk.

Amyl/o

Refers to starch.

Prote/o, protein/o

Refers to protein.

Lip/o

Refers to lipids or fats.

Bil/i, chol/e

Refers to bile.

Glycos/o

Refers to sugar.

Cirrh/o

Refers to orange-yellow.

-orexia

Refers to appetite.

-pepsia

Refers to digestion.

Vag/o

Refers to the vagus nerve (Cranial nerve X).

Viscer/o

Refers to viscera or organs.

-cele

Indicates a hernia.

Diverticul/o

Refers to a small sac or pouch in the wall of an organ.

Cheli/o

Refers to lips.

Dent/i, dent/o, odont/o

Refers to teeth.

Gingiv/o

Refers to gums.

Gloss/o, lingu/o

Refers to tongue.

Esophag/o

Refers to esophagus.

Gastr/o

Refers to stomach.

Intestine/o, enter/o

Refers to intestines; specifically the small intestine.

Duoden/o

Refers to duodenum, first division of the small intestine.

Jejun/o

Refers to jejunum, second division of the small intestine.

Ile/o

Refers to ileum, third division of the small intestine.

Col/o, colon/o

Refers to large intestine (colon).

Append/o, appendic/o

Refers to appendix.

Cec/o

Refers to cecum, first division of the large intestine.

Sigmoid/o

Refers to sigmoid colon, second to last division of the large intestine.

Proct/o

Refers to rectum or anus.

Rect/o

Refers to rectum.

An/o

Refers to anus.

Cholecyst/o

Refers to the gallbladder, which stores bile.

Choledoch/o

Refers to common bile duct.

Hepat/o

Refers to liver.

Pancreat/o

Refers to pancreas.

Sial/o

Refers to salivary gland.

Canker sores

Ulcers, chiefly of the mouth and lips.

Esophageal varices

Enlarged and swollen veins at the lower end of the esophagus, susceptible to hemorrhage.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

Condition resulting from backflow of stomach contents into the esophagus, causing painful burning.

Hemorrhoids

Masses of veins in the anal canal that are unnaturally distended.

Irritable Bowel syndrome (IBS)

Abnormally increased motility of the intestines of unknown origin.

Diabetes

General term for diseases characterized by excessive urination; usually refers to Diabetes Mellitus.

Jaundice

Yellowing of the skin and eyes due to deposition of bile pigment (bilirubin).