Med Terms Chapter 7 (Respiratory System)

alveol/o

air sac (combining form)

anthrac/o

coal (combining form)

atel/o

incomplete (combining form)

bronch/o

bronchus (combining form)

bronchi/o

bronchus (combining form)

bronchiol/o

bronchiole (combining form)

coni/o

dust (combining form)

diaphragmat/o

diaphragm (combining form)

epiglott/o

epiglottis (combining form)

laryng/o

larynx (combining form)

lob/o

lobe (combining form)

nas/o

nose (combining form)

orth/o

straight, upward (combining form)

ox/o (ox/i)

oxygen (combining form)

pharyng/o

pharynx (combining form)

pleur/o

pleura (combining form)

pneum/o

lung, air (combining form)

pneumon/o

lung, air (combining form)

pulmon/o

lung (combining form)

rhin/o

nose (combining form)

sinus/o

sinus, cavity (combining form)

spir/o

breathing (combining form)

trache/o

trachea, windpipe (combining form)

-capnia

carbon dioxide

-ectasis

dilated, expansion

-osmia

smell

-phonia

voice

-pnea

breathing

-ptysis

spitting (combining form)

-thorax

chest

nasal cavity

large cavity just behind the external nose that receives the outside air; covered with a mucous membrane to cleanse the air; divided in half by the nasal septum

pharynx

the throat; passageway that conducts air from the nasal cavity to the trachea and also carries food and drink from the mouth to the esophagus

larynx

the voice box; respiratory organ responsible for producing speech

trachea

the windpipe; conducts air from the larynx down to the main bronchi in the chest

bronchial tubes

organs of the respiratory system that carry air into each lung

lungs

major organs of respiration; consist of air passageways, bronchi and bronchioles, and alveoli

ventilation

flow of air between the outside environment and the lungs

inhalation

flow of air into the lungs

exhalation

flow of air out of the lungs

oxygen

brought into the air sacs through inhalation

carbon dioxide

removed from the body through exhalation

external respiration

the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide that takes place in the lungs

internal respiration

the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide at the cellular level when oxygen leaves the bloodstream and is delivered to the tissues

nares

the two external openings in the nose (nostrils)

nasal septum

cartilaginous plate that divides the nasal cavity down the middle

palate

forms the roof of the mouth; separates the nasal cavity from the mouth below

mucous membrane

covers much of the respiratory tract and secretes mucus

mucus

sticky fluid that helps cleanse the air by trapping dust and bacteria

cilia

very small hairs that line the opening to the nose and much of the airways; filter out large dirt particles before they can enter the lungs

paranasal sinuses

air-filled cavities located within the facial bones that act as an echo chamber during sound production and give resonance to the voice

nasopharynx

superior portion of the pharynx that receives air from the nose

oropharynx

middle section of the pharynx that receives food and drink from the mouth

laryngopharynx

inferior section of the pharynx that carries food and drink to the esophagus

adenoids (pharyngeal tonsils)

collection of lymphatic tissue found in the nasopharynx to combat microorganisms entering the body through the nose or mouth

palatine tonsils

tonsils located in the lateral wall of the pharynx close to the mouth

lingual tonsils

tonsils located on the very posterior section of the tongue as it joins with the pharynx

vocal cords

folds of membranous tissue that produce sound by vibrating as air passes through the glottis

glottis

opening between the two vocal cords

epiglottis

flap of cartilaginous tissue that sits above the glottis and prevents food and liquid from being inhaled into the lungs; covers the larynx and trachea during swallowing

thyroid cartilage

forms the Adam's apple; larger in males than females; helps produce the deeper male voice

bronchus

enters one of the lungs and branches repeatedly to form secondary and tertiary bronchi

bronchioles

the narrowest branches of bronchi

alveoli

air sacs located on the end of each bronchiole

pulmonary capillaries

network of capillaries in the lungs that tightly encase each alveolus; site of gas exchange

respiratory membrane

formed by the tight association of the walls of alveoli and capillaries; gas exchange occurs across this membrane

pleura

double membrane that protects the lungs

parietal pleura

pleura's outer membrane that also lines the wall of the chest cavity

visceral pleura

pleura's inner membrane that adheres to the surface of the lungs

pleural cavity

cavity formed by the serous membrane sac surrounding the lungs

serous fluid

slippery, watery fluid between the two layers of the pleura that reduces friction when the two layers rub together as the lungs repeatedly expand and contract

lobes

divisions of the lungs; right lung has three and left lung has two

apex

the pointed superior portion of each lung

base

the broader lower area of each lung

hilum

the controlled entry/exit point of the lung

mediastinum

area between the right and left lung containing the heart, aorta, esophagus, thymus gland, and trachea

respiratory therapist

allied health professional whose duties include conducting pulmonary function tests, monitoring oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood, and administering breathing treatments

pulmonary function test (PFT)

group of diagnostic tests that give information regarding air flow in and out of the lungs, lung volumes, and gas exchange between the lungs and bloodstream

diaphragm

muscle separating the abdomen from the thoracic cavity that plays an important role in respiration

intercostal muscles

muscles between the ribs that assist in inhalation by raising the rib cage to further enlarge the thoracic cavity

vital signs (VS)

respiratory rate, heart rate, temperature, and blood pressure

tidal volume (TV)

amount of air that enters the lungs in a single inhalation or leaves the lungs in a single exhalation of quiet breathing; normally 500 mL in an adult

inspiratory reserve volume (IRV)

air that can be forcibly inhaled after a normal respiration has taken place; also known as complemental air; generally measures around 3000 mL

expiratory reserve volume (ERV)

amount of air that can be forcibly exhaled after a normal quiet respiration; also known as supplemental air; approximately 1000 mL

residual volume (RV)

air remaining in the lungs after a forced exhalation; about 1500 mL in the adult

inspiratory capacity (IC)

volume of air inhaled after a normal exhale

functional residual capacity (FRC)

air that remains in the lungs after a normal exhalation has taken place

vital capacity (VC)

total volume of air that can be exhaled after a maximum inhalation; equal to the sum of TV, IRV, and ERV

total lung capacity (TLC)

volume of air in the lungs after a maximal inhalation

bronchogram

record of the bronchus

bronchitis

inflammation of a bronchus

bronchoplasty

surgical repair of a bronchus

bronchogenic

produced by the bronchus

bronchoscope

instrument to view inside of bronchus

bronchospasm

involuntary muscle spasm of bronchus

bronchial

pertaining to a bronchus

bronchiectasis

dilated bronchus; abnormal enlargement of bronchi; may be the result of a lung infection; can be irreversible and result in destruction of bronchial walls; major symptoms include coughing up large amounts of purulent sputum, rales, and hemoptysis

diaphragmatic

pertaining to the diaphragm

laryngectomy

removal of the voice box

laryngitis

inflammation of the voice box

laryngoplasty

surgical repair of the voice box