Med Terms Ch. 8

alveolus (alveoli)

terminal element of respiratory tract where gas exchange occurs

Alveolar

pertaining to the alveoli

alveol-

Air sac

bronchus (bronchi)

one of two subdivisions of the trachea

Bronchiole

increasingly smaller subdivisions of bronchi

Cilium (cilia)

hairlike motile projection from the surface of a cell

Expiration

Breathe out

-spirat-

breathe

aspirator

Inspiration

Breathe in

Larynx

organ of sound production

Olfaction

sense of smell

Olfactory

relating to the sense of smell

-ory

having the function of

Olfact-

smell

Oxygen

The gas essential for life

Pharynx

tube from the back of the nose to the larynx

Pharyngeal

pertaining to the pharynx

pharyng-

pharynx

Pulmonary

pertaining to the lungs

Pulmonology

study of the lungs, or the medical specialty of disorders of the lungs

Pulmonologist

specialist in treating disorders of the lungs

Respiration

process of breathing; fundamental process of life used to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide

Respiratory

pertaining to respiration

Trachea

air tube from the larynx to the bronchi

Trachealis

pertaining to the trachea

Acute

Disease of sudden onset

adenoid

single mass of lymphoid tissue in the midline at the back of the throat

Chronic

A persistent, long-term disease

Epiglottis

leaf-shaped plate of cartilage that shuts off the larynx during swallowing

- Glottis

mouth of windpipe

Frontal

pertaining to the front

Glottis

The opening from the oropharynx into the larynx

Laryngopharynx

region of the pharynx below the epiglottis that includes the larynx

Maxilla/maxillae

Upper jawbone, containing right and left maxillary sinuses

Maxillary

pertaining to the maxilla

naris/nares

nostril

Nasal

pertaining to the nose

Nasopharynx

region of the pharynx at the back of the nose and above the soft palate

Nasopharyngeal

pertaining to the nasopharynx

Oropharynx

region at the back of the mouth between the soft palate and the tip of the epiglottis

Oropharyngeal

pertaining to the oropharynx

Palate

roof of the mouth, floor of the nose

paranasal

adjacent to the nose

Septum /septa

thin wall separating two cavities or tissue masses

Sinus

cavity or hollow space in a bone or other tissue

Tonsil

mass of lymphoid tissue on either side of the throat at the back of the tongue

Vocal

pertaining to the voice

Apex

Tip or end of cone-shaped structure, such as the bottom of the heart or top of the lung

Base

Structurally it is the lower part or bottom of the area opposite the apex. pH above 7

Cavity /cavities

a hollow space or body compartment

Diaphragm

The muscular sheet separating the abdominal and thoracic cavities

Diaphragmatic

pertaining to the diaphragm

Exhale

to breathe out

Fissure/ fissures

deep furrow or cleft

Inhale

to breathe in

Lobe

subdivision of an organ or other part

Lobar

pertaining to a lobe

Mediastinum

area between the lungs containing the heart, aorta, venae cavae, esophagus, and trachea

Mediastinal

pertaining to the mediastinum

Membrane

thin layer of tissue covering a structure or cavity

Membranous

pertaining to a membrane

Parenchyma

the specific functional cells of a gland or organ that are supported by the connective tissue framework

pleura, pleurae

membrane covering the lungs and lining the ribs in the thoracic cavity

Pleural

pertaining to the pleura

Pleural cavity

Pertaining to the space that surrounds the lungs

Respiratory membrane

A thin, semipermeable membrane between the alveoli and the pulmonary capillaries

Segment

a section of an organ or structure

Serous

Thicker and less transparent than water

Apnea

absence of spontaneous breathing

coryza (rhinitis)

Acute inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nose

Croup (laryngotracheobronchitis)

infection of the upper airways in children characterized by a barking cough

epiglottitis

inflammation of the epiglottis

-glott-

mouth of windpipe

Epistaxis

nosebleed

- stax-

fall in drops

Hypoxemia

Low oxygen levels in arterial blood.

Hypoxia

Decreased below normal levels of oxygen in tissues, gases, or blood

Laryngotracheobronchitis (Croup)

inflammation of the larynx, trachea, and bronchi

Laryngitis

inflammation of the larynx

Papilla /papillae

any small projection

Papilloma

benign projection of epithelial cells

Papill/o -

Pimple

Pharyngitis

inflammation of the pharynx

Polyp

any mass of tissue that projects outward

Rhinitis (coryza)

acute inflammation of the nasal mucosa

Sinusitis

Inflammation of the lining of a sinus

stridor

high-pitched noise made when there is a respiratory obstruction in the larynx or trachea

Tonsillitis

inflammation of the tonsils

Bradypnea

slow breathing

Cough

a forceful expulsion of air from the lungs, occurring immediately after a closed glottis

Cyanosis

Blue discoloration of the skin, lips, and nail beds due to low levels of oxygen in the blood

Cyanotic

Pertaining to or marked by cyanosis

Deoxygenated

Not combined with oxygen

Dyspnea

difficult or labored breathing

Eupnea

normal breathing

Eu-

good, normal

Expectorate

cough up and spit out mucus from the respiratory tract

-pector -

chest

Hemoglobin

red-pigmented protein that is the main component of red blood cells

Hemoptysis

bloody sputum