Respiratory System

rhin/o

nose

laryng/o

larynx, “voice box”

trache/o

trachea, “windpipe”

bronch/o

lung air passageways

pne/u, -pnea

breath, air, lung

pulmo/o

lung

-ptysis

spitting (coughing)

-plasty

reconstruction

Adam’s apple (laryngeal prominence)

cartilage in the larynx

• testosterone enlarges the larynx in males which also lengthens the vocal cords lowering the voice at puberty

Pneumoconiosis

abnormal condition of dust in the lungs (ex. black lung, miner’s lung)

Epistaxis

nosebleed

Cystic fibrosis

scarring of the lungs, characterized by mucous producing organs (lungs, digestive tract) creating abnormal mucus

Emphysema

Type of COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) that results in progressive destructions of air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs and loss of respiratory membrane for oxygen exchange

Atelectasis

collapsed lung

Pulmonologist

physician specializing in diseases of the lungs; NO SURGERY

Respiratory Therapist

specially trained technician who administers, among other technicians, inhalation therapy to patients w/ lung disease

Pulmonary angiography

special XR of the vessels of the lungs

Laryngoscopy

visual examination of the larynx

Endotracheal intubation

passing a special air-tube into the trachea so oxygen can be reliably supplied directly to the lungs w/o risk of inhaling vomit from the stomach

• typically done for surgery whenever general anesthesia is administered among other situations where the patient’s airway must be secured

Tracheostomy

permanent opening cut into the trachea