Medical Terminology - Pulmonology

aer/o

air

alveol/o

alveolus (air sac)

bronch/o

bronchus

bronchi/o

bronchus

bronchiol/o

bronchiole

coni/o

dust

cyan/o

blue

diaphragmat/o

diaphragm

hal/o

to breathe

lob/o

lobe

mediastin/o

mediastinum

muc/o

mucus

nas/o

nose

ox/i

oxygen

pleur/o

pleura

pneum/o

air, lung

pneumon/o

lung

spir/o

breathing

thorac/o

chest

trache/o

trachea

tuss/o

cough

angi/o

vessel

arteri/o

artery

atel/o

incomplete

carcin/o

canceer

cardi/o

heart

cyt/o

cell

embol/o

embolus

fibr/o

fibers

hem/o

blood

orth/o

straight

py/o

pus

somn/o

sleep

acute respiratory distress syndrome

acute respiratory failure in adults characterized by tachypnea, dyspnea, cyanosis, tachycardia, and hypoxia

asphyxia, asphyxiation

lack of oxygen that can lead to unconsciousness and death if not corrected immediately

aspirate

inhaling fluid or foreign object into airways

asthma

disease caused by various conditions and resulting in bronchospasm, excessive mucus production, inflammation, airway constriction, wheezing, and coughing

atelectasis

condition in which lung tissue collapses, preventing respiratory exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide

bronchogenic carcinoma

malignant lung tumor that originates in bronchi; often associated with history of cigarette smoking

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

progressive, chronic, and usually irreversible condition in which airflow to and from the lungs is decreased

coronavirus disease

highly infectious, potentially fatal respiratory infection

crackles

abnormal rattling or crackling sound heard during inhalation, caused by mucus or fluid in small airways, aka rales

croup

acute viral infection in infants and children

cystic fibrosis

genetic condition causing patient to produce very thick, sticky mucus resulting in severe congestion within lungs and digestive system

emphysema

pulmonary condition resulting from destruction of alveolar walls leading to overinflated alveoli; can occur as a result of long-term heavy smoking or exposure to air pollution

hyperventilation

to breathe too quickly (tachypnea) and too deeply (hyperpnea)

hypoventilation

to breathe too slowly (bradypnea) and too shallowly (hypopnea)

hypoxemia

condition of having insufficient amount of oxygen in blood stream

hypoxia

having insufficient amount of oxygen available to tissues

infant respiratory distress syndrome

condition found in premature infants whose lungs have not had time to fully develop, lungs unable to expand fully

influenza

acute viral infection of airways

patent

general term meaning open, as in patent airways

phlegm

thick mucus secreted by mucous membranes lining respiratory tract

sputum

phlegm coughed through the mouth

pleural effusion

abnormal presence of fluid or gas in pleural cavity

pleural friction rub

crunching sound made when inflamed pleurae rub against each other

pleurisy

inflammation of pleura

pneumoconiosis

abnormal condition resulting from inhalation of environmental particles into the lungs

pneumonia

acute inflammatory condition of lung, which can be caused by bacterial and viral infections, diseases, and chemicals

pneumothorax

collection of air or gas in pleural cavity

pulmonary edema

condition in which lung tissue retains an excessive amount of fluid

pulmonary embolism

blood clot or air bubble in pulmonary artery or one of its branches

purulent

containing pus

rhonchi

low pitched abnormal sound similar to snoring

severe acute respiratory syndrome

severe and highly contagious viral lung infection with high fever

sleep apnea

condition in which person stops breathing for more than 10 seconds while sleeping

sudden infant death syndrome

unexpected and unexplained death of apparently well infant; sleep apnea, airway spasms, and failure of nerves to stimulate diaphragm have been studied as possible causes

tuberculosis

infectious disease caused by tubercle bacillus; most commonly affects respiratory system and causes inflammation and calcification in lungs

wheeze

abnormal high pitched whistling sound heard during either inhalation or exhalation, caused by narrowing of bronchi

arterial blood gases

laboratory test for levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide present in blood

chest X-ray

radiographic image of the heart and lungs

polysomnography

process of recording several body functions while person sleeps

pulmonary angiography

injecting contrast material into blood vessels for the purpose of taking X-ray of arteries and veins of the lungs

pulmonary function test

diagnostic procedure to assess respiratory function by using spirometer to measure airflow and lung volumes

respiratory rate

number of breaths per minute

sputum culture and sensitivity

testing sputum by placing it on culture medium and observing any bacterial growth

sputum cytology

examination of sputum for malignant cells

sweat test

diagnostic test for cystic fibrosis, persons with this disease lose excessive amount of salt in their sweat

tuberculin skin tests

diagnostic tests for exposure to tuberculosis bacteria

ventilation-perfusion scan

involves inhalation of radioactive tagged air to evaluate air movement (ventilation, V) and injection of radioactive tagged contrast material into the bloodstream to evaluate blood flow (perfusion, Q) to lungs

aerosol therapy

medication is suspended in a mist so that it may be inhaled

antitussive

medication to relieve the urge to cough

bronchodilator

medication that causes bronchi

cardiopulmonary resuscitation

combination of external compressions to sternum and rescue breathing to maintain blood flow and air movement in and out of lungs during cardiac and respiratory arrest

continuous positive airway pressure

use of a device that supplies constant and steady air pressure through a mask

endotracheal intubation

placing tube through the mouth and into the trachea to maintain open airway and facilitate artificial ventilation

expectorant

medication that improves the ability to cough up mucus from respiratory tract

Heimlich maneuver

technique for removing foreign body from the trachea or pharynx by exerting sharp pressure on the diaphragm

metered-dose inhaler

mechanism that delivers aerosol therapy in a single puff of mist or dry powder

mucolytic

medication that liquifies mucus so that it is easier to cough up

noninvasive ventilation

use of mechanical device to provide breathing support to person able to breathe on their own, but not getting enough oxygen

nasal cannula

two pronged plastic device from delivering oxygen into the nose

nebulizer

mechanism that delivers aerosol therapy mist, usually via a mask, over time as a person breathes

postural drainage

drainage of secretions from bronchi by placing the patient in a position that uses gravity to promote drainage; may be combined with rhythmic clapping of chest with cupped hands, called percussion or cupping to assist in breaking loose secretions; used for treatment of cystic fibrosis and bronchiectasis

ventilator

mechanical device to assist the patient to breathe

ABGs

arterial blood gases

ARD

acute respiratory disease

ARDS

acute respiratory distress syndrome

ARF

acute respiratory failure

BiPAP

bilevel positive airway pressure