Med Term - Chapter 8 - Respiratory System

alveolus

terminal element of respiratory tract where gas exchange occurs

alveoli (pl)

(pl) terminal element of respiratory tract where gas exchange occurs

alveolar (adj)

pertaining to the alveoli

bronchus

one of two subdivisions of the trachea

bronchi (pl)

(pl) one of two subdivisions of the trachea

bronchiole

increasingly smaller subdivisions of bronchi

cilium

hairlike motile projection from the surface of a cell

cilia (pl)

(pl) hairlike motile projection from the surface of a cell

expiration

breathe out

inspiration

breathe in

olfaction

sense of smell

olfactory (adj)

relating to the sense of smell

oxygen

the gas essential for life

pharynx

tube from the back of the nose to the larynx

pharyngeal(adj)

relating to the sense of smell

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

rale

crackle heard through a stethoscope when air bubbles through liquid in the lungs

rales (pl)

(pl)crackle heard through a stethoscope when air bubbles through liquid in the lungs

respiration

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

respirator

another name for ventilator

respiratory (adj)

pertaining to respiration

sputum

matter coughed up and spat out by individuals with respiratory disorders

trachea

air tube from the larynx to the bronchi

trachealis (adj)

pertaining to the trachea

cautery

a device to scar, burn, or cut a tissue

cauterize

to apply a cautery

cauterization

the act of cauterizing

coryza

acute inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nose

decongestant

agent that reduces the swelling and fluid in the nose and sinuses

epistaxis

noseblood

naris

nostril

nares (pl)

(pl) nostril

nasal

pertaining to the nose

palate

roof of the mouth, floor of the nose

paranasal

adjacent to the nose

polyp

any mass of tissue that projects outward

rhinitis

acute inflammation of nasal mucosa

septum

thin wall separating two cavities or tissue masses

septa (pl)

(pl) thin wall separating two cavities or tissue masses

sinus

cavity or hollow space in a bone or other tissue

sinusitis

inflammation of the lining of a sinus

adenoid

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

apnea

absence of spontaneous respiration

hypoxemia

low oxygen level in arterial blood

hypoxia (noun)

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

hypoxic (adj)

deficient in oxygen

layngopharynx

region of the pharynx below the epiglottis that includes the larynx

nasopharynx

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

nasopharyngeal (adj)

pertaining to the nasopharynx

oropharynx

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

oropharyngeal (adj)

pertaining to the oropharynx

pharyngitis

inflammation of the pharynx

polysomnography

test to monitor brain waves, muscle tension, eye movement, and oxygen levels in the blood as the patient sleeps

tonsil

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

tonsilitis

inflammation of the tonsils

tonsilectomy

surgical removal of the tonsils

croup

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

epiglottis

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

epiglottitis

inflamation of the epiglottis

glottis

the opening from the oropharnyx into the larynx

intubation

insertion of a tube into the trachea

laryngotracheobronchitis

also called the croup

larynx

organ of sound production

laryngeal

pertaining to the larynx

laryngitis

inflammation of the larynx

laryngoscope

hollow tube with a light and camera used to visualize or operate on the larynx

papilla

any small projection

papillae

(pl) in small projection

papilloma

benign projection of epithelial cells

stridor

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

vocal

pertaining to the voice

diaphragm

the muscular sheet separating the abdominal and thoracic cavities

diaphragmatic

(adj) pertaining to the diaphragm

fissure

deep furrow or cleft

fissures

(pl) deep furrow or cleft

lobe

subdivision of an organ or other part

lobar

(adj) pertaining to a lobe

lobectomy

surgical removal of a lobe

mediastinum

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

mediastinal

(adj) pertaining to the mediastinum

pleura

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

pleurae

(pl) membrane covering the lungs and lining the ribs in the thoracic cavity

pleural

(adj) pertaining to the pleura

pleurisy

inflammation of the pleura

segment

a section of an organ or structure

bradypnea

slow breathing

cyanosis

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

cyanotic

(adj) pertaining to or marked by cyanosis

dyspnea

difficult breathing

eupnea

normal breathing

exhale

breathe out

expectorate

cough up and spit out mucus from the respiratory tract

hemoptysis

bloody sputum

hyperpnea

deeper and more rapid breathing than normal

inhale

breate in

phlegm

abnormal amounts of mucus expectorated from the respiratory tract

tachypnea

rapid breathing

asthma

episodes of breathing difficulty due to narrowed or obstructed airways