Chapter 7 Medical Terminology

bronch/o, bronchi/o

bronchial tube, bronchus

laryng/o

larynx, throat

nas/o

nose

ox/i, ox/o, ox/y

oxygen

pharyng/o

throat, pharynx

phon/o

sound, voice

pleur/o

pleura, side of the body

-pnea

breathing

pneum/o, pneumon/o, pneu-

lung, air

pulm/o, pulmon/o

lung

sinus/o

sinus

somn/o

sleep

spir/o

to breathe

thorac/o, -thorax

chest, pleural cavity

trache/o, trachea

windpipe, trachea

anoxia

the absence of oxygen from the body’s tissues or organs despite adequate flow of blood

antitussive

medication administered to prevent or relieve coughing

aphonia

the loss of the ability of the larynx to produce normal speech sounds

asbestosis

the form of pneumoconiosis caused by asbestos particles in the lungs

asphyxia

the loss of consciousness that occurs when the body cannot get the oxygen it needs to function

asthma

a chronic inflammatory disease of the bronchial tubes

atelectasis

incomplete expansion of part or all of the lung

bradypnea

an abnormally slow rate of respiration, usually of less than 10 breaths per minute

bronchiectasis

permanent thickening of the walls of the bronchi caused by chronic infection and inflammation

bronchodilator

an inhaled medication that relaxes and expands the bronchial passages into the lungs

bronchorrhea

an excessive discharge of mucus from the bronchi

bronchoscopy

the visual examination of the bronchi using a bronchoscope

bronchospasm

a contraction of the smooth muscle in the walls of the bronchi and bronchioles, tightening and squeezing the airway shut

Cheyne-Stokes respiration

an irregular pattern of breathing characterized by alternating rapid or shallow respiration followed by slow respiration or apnea

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

a group of lung diseases in which the bronchial airflow is obstructed, making it difficult to breathe out

croup

an acute respiratory infection in children and infants characterized by obstruction of the larynx, hoarseness, and swelling around the vocal cords, resulting in a barking cough and stridor

cyanosis

bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes caused by a lack of adequate oxygen in the blood

cystic fibrosis

a life-threatening genetic disorder in which the lungs and pancreas are clogged with large quantities of abnormally thick mucus

dysphonia

difficulty in speaking, which may include any impairment in vocal quality, including hoarseness, weakness, or the cracking of a boy’s voice during puberty

dyspnea

difficult or labored breathing

emphysema

the progressive, long-term loss of lung function, usually due to smoking

empyema

collection of pus in any body cavity

endotracheal intubation

the passage of a tube through the mouth into the trachea to establish or maintain an open airway

epistaxis

bleeding from the nose

hemoptysis

expectoration of blood or bloodstained sputum

hemothorax

a collection of blood in the pleural cavity

hypercapnia

abnormal buildup of carbon dioxide in the blood

hyperpnea

breathing that is deeper and more rapid than is normal at rest

hypopnea

shallow or slow respiration

hypoxemia

a condition of having low oxygen levels in the blood

hypoxia

the condition of having deficient oxygen levels in the body tissues and organs; less severe than anoxia

laryngitis

inflammation of the larynx

laryngoscopy

the visual examination of the larynx and vocal cords using a flexible or rigid laryngoscope inserted through the mouth

laryngospasm

the sudden spasmodic closure of the larynx

mediastinum

the middle section of the chest cavity located between the lungs

nebulizer

an electronic device that pumps air or oxygen through a liquid medicine to turn it into a mist that is inhaled via a face mask or mouthpiece

otolaryngologist

also known as ENT (Ear, Nose & Throat), is a physician with specialized training in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the head and neck

pertussis

a contagious bacterial infection of the upper respiratory tract that is characterized by recurrent bouts of a paroxysmal cough

pharyngitis

inflammation of the pharynx

pleural effusion

excess accumulation of fluid in the pleural space that prevents the lung from fully expanding

pleurisy

inflammation of the pleura

pleurodynia

sharp chest pain that occurs when inflamed pleural membranes rub against each other with each inhalation

pneumoconiosis

any fibrosis of the lung tissues caused by dust in the lungs after prolonged environmental or occupational contact

pneumonectomy

surgical removal of all or part of a lung

pneumonia

a serious inflammation of the lungs in which the alveoli and air passages fill with pus and other fluids

pneumothorax

the accumulation of air in the pleural space resulting in a pressure imbalance that causes the lung to fully or partially collapse

polysomnography

the diagnostic measurement of physiological activity during sleep and is often performed to detect nocturnal defects in breathing associated with sleep apnea

pulmonary edema

an accumulation of fluid in lung tissues, especially the alveoli

pulmonologist

a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases and disorders of the respiratory system

pulse oximeter

an external monitor placed on the patient’s fingertip or earlobe to measure the oxygen saturation level in the blood

pyothorax

the presence of pus in the pleural cavity between the layers of the pleural membrane

sinusitis

an inflammation of the sinuses

sleep apnea

a potentially serious disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep for long enough periods to cause a measurable decrease in blood oxygen levels

spirometer

a recording device that measures the amount of air inhaled or exhaled (volume) and the length of time required for each breath

tachypnea

an abnormally rapid rate of respiration usually of more than 20 breaths per minute

thoracentesis

surgical puncture of the chest wall with a needle to obtain fluid from the pleural cavity

thoracotomy

a surgical incision into the chest wall to open the pleural cavity for biopsy or treatment

tracheostomy

the surgical creation of a stoma into the trachea below the vocal cords to insert a temporary or permanent tube to facilitate breathing

tracheotomy

an emergency procedure in which an incision is made into the trachea to gain access to the airway below a blockage

tuberculosis

an infectious disease caused by an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, usually attacks the lungs; it can also affect other parts of the body.