Medical Terminology for Health Professions 8th Edition, Chapter 7

bronch/o, bronch/i

prefix: bronchial tube, bronchus

laryng/o

prefix: larynx, throat

nas/o

prefix: nose

ox/i, ox/o, ox/y

prefix: oxygen

pharyng/o

prefix: pharynx, throat

phon/o

prefix: sound, voice

pleur/o

prefix: pleura, side of the body

-pnea

suffix: breathing

pneum/o, pneumon/o, pneu-

prefix: lung, air

pulm/o, pulmon/o

prefix: lung

sinus/o

prefix: sinus

somn/o

prefix: sleep

spir/o

prefix: to breathe

thorac/o, -thorax

prefix: chest, pleural cavity

trache/o, trachea

prefix: windpipe, trachea

anoxia

An absence of oxygen reaching tissues, severe hypoxia

antitussive

Drugs that suppress the cough reflex without treating the underlying cause

aphonia

loss of the ability to speak due to disease or damage to the mouth/larynx

asbestosis

chronic lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos fibers, characterized by lung tissue scarring and shortness of breath 

asphyxia

a condition arising when the body is deprived of oxygen, causing unconsciousness or death (suffocation)

asthma

respiratory condition characterized by spasms of the bronchi causing difficulty breathing, tied to allergies

atelectasis

partial or complete collapse of a lung

bradypnea

abnormally slow breathing

bronchiectasis

abnormal widening of the bronchi or their branches

bronchodilator

medication that relaxes and opens the airway, generally taken to relieve asthma

bronchorrhea

excessive production of sputum/phlegm by the lungs

bronchoscopy

procedure to examine and take samples of the airway 

bronchospasm

spasm of bronchial smooth muscles, producing narrowing of the bronchi

Cheyne-Stokes respiration

abnormal breathing pattern characterized by progressively deeper and faster cycles followed by shallower cycles, then apnea

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

progressive lung disease that causes airflow obstruction, leading to breathing difficulties, caused by damage lea

croup

inflammation of the larynx and trachea in children, associated with infection and causing breathing difficulties

cyanosis

a condition characterized by blue skin or mucous membranes caused by a deficiency of oxygen in blood or poor circulation

cystic fibrosis

an inherited genetic disease that causes thick, sticky mucus to build up in the lungs, pancreas, and other organs, leading to breathing difficulties

dysphonia

difficulty in speaking due to a physical disorder of the mouth, tongue, throat, or vocal cords

dyspnea

sensation of running out of air, not being able to breathe fast enough or deeply enough

emphysema

a progressive lung condition (type of COPD) that damages the alveoli in the lungs, making it harder to breathe

empyema

a condition in which pus develops in the pleural space, usually from pneumonia

endotracheal intubation

a medical procedure in which a tube is inserted through the mouth into the trachea to establish an open airway

epistaxis

bleeding from the nose

hemoptysis

the coughing up of blood

hemothorax

a condition in which blood collects in the pleural space between the lungs and chest wall, usually caused by trauma

hypercapnia

excessive carbon dioxide in the bloodstream, usually caused by inadequate respiration

hyperpnea

increased volume of air taken in during breathing (increased breathing depth)

hypopnea

abnormally slow or shallow breathing

hypoxemia

an abnormally low concentration of oxygen in blood

hypoxia

deficiency in the amount of oxygen reaching the tissues

laryngitis

inflammation of the voice box

laryngoscopy

medical procedure to examine the larynx and throat

laryngospasm

sudden, involuntary spasm of the vocal cords that temporarily blocks the airway

mediastinum

membranous partition between two body cavities or two parts of an organ, especially between the lungs

nebulizer

a medical device that turns liquid medication into a fine mist to be directly inhaled

otolaryngologist

a doctor who specializes in medical and surgical treatment for the ears, nose, throat, head, and neck

pertussis

a contagious bacterial respiratory infection caused by Bordetella pertussis

pharyngitis

inflammation of the throat

pleural effusion

abnormal buildup of fluid in the space between the lungs and chest wall

pleurisy

inflammation of the pleurae, which impairs their lubricating function and causes painful breathing

pleurodynia

a painful muscle condition in the chest or abdomen, usually caused by the coxsackievirus, also known as “devil’s grip”

pneumoconiosis

a disease of the lungs due to inhalation of dust characterized by inflammation, coughing, and fibrosis

pneumonectomy

surgical removal of a lung or part of a lung

pneumonia

a lung infection causing the alveoli to fill with fluid or pus

pneumothorax

the presence of air or gas in the cavity between the lungs and the chest wall, causing lung collapse

polysomnography

a diagnostic test that monitors the body’s activity during sleep

pulmonary edema

a condition where fluid builds up in the lungs, sometimes with pink, frothy spit

pulmonologist

doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating conditions of the respiratory system

pulse oximeter

a device designed to measure heart rate and oxygen saturation in the blood

pyothorax

a life-threatening condition where pus or purulent fluid builds up in the pleural space

sinusitis

inflammation of the sinus tissues often caused by an infection

sleep apnea

disorder where breathing repeatedly stops during sleep, often with loud snoring

spirometer

an instrument used to measure the air capacity of the lungs

tachypnea

abnormally rapid breathing

thoracentesis

a procedure to remove extra fluid from around the lungs

thoracotomy

a surgical incision into the chest wall to access the lungs or heart

tracheostomy

a surgical procedure to create an opening in the neck into the windpipe to insert a tube

tracheotomy

a surgical incision into the windpipe

tuberculosis

an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis that most often affects the lungs

anthracosis

medial term for black lung disease

phrenic nerves

nerves that cause the diaphragm to contract

Nasopharynx

first division of the pharynx

oropharynx

second division of the pharynx

laryngopharynx

third division of the pharynx