Respiratory System Terminology and Pathology Overview

adenoid/o

adenoids

alveol/o

alveolus, air sac

bronch/o

bronchial tube

bronchiol/o

bronchiole

cyan/o

blue

epiglott/o

epiglottis

laryng/o

larynx

nas/o

nose

rhin/o

nose

pharyng/o

pharynx

phren/o

diaphragm

pneumon/o

lung

pulmon/o

lung

tonsil/o

tonsils

trache/o

trachea

asphysxia

extreme decrease in the amount of oxygen in the body with increase of carbon dioxide leads to loss of consciousness

asthma

spasm and narrowing of bronchi, leading to bronchial airway obstruction

atelectasis

collapsed lung

emphysema

hyperinflation of air sacs with destruction of alveolar walls

hemoptysis

spitting up blood

hemothorax

blood in the pleural cavity

pneumonia

inflammation of the lungs

tuberculosis

An infectious disease that may affect almost all tissues of the body, especially the lungs

bronchoscopy

visual examination of the bronchi

chest x-ray film

X-ray image of the chest in an AP (anteroposterior), PA (posteroanterior), or lateral (side) view.

computed tomography (CT) scan

cross-sectional x-ray images of the pituitary gland and other endocrine organs

laryngoscopy

visual examination of the larynx via the placement of a flexible tube through the nose or mouth and into the larynx

magentic resonance imaging (MRI)

magnetic waves produce images of organs and tissues in all three planes of the body

pulmonary circulation test

measurement of the ventilation of the lung

pulmonary angiography

x-ray imaging of the blood vessels of the lungs after the injection of contrast material

sputum test

a patient expels sputum by coughing and the sputum is analyzed for bacterial content

tuberculin test

Agents are applied to the skin with punctures or injection and the reaction is noted. Redness and swelling result in people sensitive to the test substance and indicate previous or current infection with tuberculosis.

ventilation-perfusion scan

Procedures that show air flow (ventilation) and blood supply (perfusion) to the lungs via the distribution of radioactive material in the lung tissue after the radioactive material is intravenously injected or is inhaled.

endotracheal intubation

a tube is placed through the nose or mouth into the trachea to establish an airway during surgery and for placement on a respirator

thoracentesis

a needle is inserted through the skin between the ribs and into the pleural space to drain a pleural effusion

thoracotomy

incision of the chest

tracheostomy

creation of an artificial opening into the trachea

ABG

arterial blood gas

ARD

acute respiratory disease

CO2

carbon dioxide

COPD

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

C-PAP

continuous positive airway pressure

CPR

cardiopulmonary resuscitation

CXR

chest x-ray

O2

Oxygen

MDI

metered dose inhaler

PE

pulmonary embolism

PEEP

positive end expiratory pressure

PFTs

pulmonary function tests

SOB

shortness of breath

URI

upper respiratory infection

VATS

video-assisted thoracic surgery

VQ

ventilation-perfusion scan