Medical Terminology – Chapter 7: The Respiratory System

Vocabulary flashcards covering key structures, functions, disorders, diagnostics, treatments, and abbreviations related to the respiratory system as presented in the lecture notes.

Respiratory system

Body system that delivers air to the lungs, exchanges gases, removes waste CO₂ and H₂O, and produces airflow for speech.

Upper respiratory tract

Portion of the respiratory system consisting of the nose, mouth, pharynx, epiglottis, larynx, and trachea.

Lower respiratory tract

Portion of the respiratory system consisting of the bronchial tree and lungs.

Nasal septum

Cartilaginous wall that divides the nasal cavity into two chambers.

Cilia

Microscopic hairs just inside the nostrils that filter incoming air.

Mucous membranes

Specialized tissues lining the nose that secrete mucus.

Mucus

Slippery secretion produced by mucous membranes that moistens, warms, and filters air.

Olfactory receptors

Nerve endings in the nasal mucosa responsible for the sense of smell.

Tonsils (palatine tonsils)

Lymphoid tissue at the back of the mouth that helps protect against infection.

Adenoids (nasopharyngeal tonsils)

Lymphoid tissue located behind the nose and roof of the mouth.

Paranasal sinuses

Air-filled cavities in the skull that lighten bones, resonate voice, and produce mucus.

Frontal sinuses

Paranasal sinuses located in the frontal bone just above the eyebrows.

Sphenoid sinuses

Paranasal sinuses in the sphenoid bone behind the eyes.

Maxillary sinuses

Largest paranasal sinuses, located in the maxillary bones under the eyes.

Ethmoid sinuses

Paranasal sinuses between the nose and eyes in the ethmoid bones.

Pharynx

The throat; receives air, food, and fluids from the nose or mouth.

Nasopharynx

Upper part of the pharynx used only by the respiratory system for air transport.

Oropharynx

Middle part of the pharynx shared by respiratory and digestive systems.

Laryngopharynx

Lower part of the pharynx that directs food to the esophagus and air to the larynx.

Larynx

Voice box; triangular chamber between pharynx and trachea housing vocal cords.

Thyroid cartilage (Adam’s apple)

Largest of the laryngeal cartilages that protects the larynx.

Vocal cords

Folds of tissue in the larynx that vibrate to produce sound.

Soft palate

Muscular posterior roof of the mouth that closes off the nasopharynx during swallowing.

Epiglottis

Lid-like structure that closes over the trachea during swallowing to prevent aspiration.

Trachea

Windpipe; tube anterior to esophagus that conducts air to the bronchi.

Bronchi (primary bronchi)

Two large tubes branching from the trachea into each lung; start of bronchial tree.

Bronchioles

Smallest branches of the bronchi within the lungs.

Bronchial tree

Collective term for the branching system of bronchi and bronchioles.

Alveoli

Grapelike air sacs at the end of bronchioles where gas exchange occurs.

Surfactant

Detergent-like substance produced in alveoli that lowers surface tension and prevents collapse.

Lungs

Essential organs of respiration; right lung has three lobes, left lung has two.

Lobes (of the lung)

Separate divisions of each lung: 3 on the right, 2 on the left.

Mediastinum

Central compartment of the thoracic cavity between the lungs containing heart, trachea, etc.

Pleura

Thin, moist membrane covering lungs and lining thoracic cavity.

Parietal pleura

Outer pleural layer lining the chest wall.

Visceral pleura

Inner pleural layer covering each lung.

Pleural cavity

Fluid-filled space between parietal and visceral pleura that allows smooth lung movement.

Diaphragm

Dome-shaped muscle separating thoracic and abdominal cavities; its contraction enables inhalation.

Phrenic nerves

Nerves that stimulate the diaphragm to contract.

Inhalation

Act of drawing air into the lungs as the diaphragm contracts downward.

Exhalation

Act of expelling air from the lungs as the diaphragm relaxes upward.

External respiration

Exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between air in the lungs and blood.

Internal (cellular) respiration

Exchange of gases between blood and body tissues.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Progressive group of diseases (often chronic bronchitis and emphysema) that obstruct airflow.

Chronic bronchitis

Long-term inflammation of bronchi producing cough and mucus, often in COPD.

Emphysema

Progressive loss of lung function due to destruction of alveoli walls.

Asthma

Chronic inflammatory disease of bronchial tubes characterized by episodes of bronchospasm and wheezing.

Asthma attack

Episode of severe breathing difficulty, coughing, and wheezing in asthma.

Airway inflammation (in asthma)

Swelling and mucus clogging of bronchial tubes.

Bronchospasm

Sudden contraction of smooth muscle in bronchi/bronchioles causing narrowing.

Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction

Airway narrowing 5–15 min after physical exertion.

Upper respiratory infection (URI) / acute nasopharyngitis

Common cold caused by one of many viruses.

Allergic rhinitis

Allergic reaction in nasal mucosa leading to excessive mucus (hay fever).

Nonallergic rhinitis

Nasal inflammation from irritants like cold air or spicy food, not allergens.

Croup

Acute viral infection in children causing laryngeal swelling, barking cough, and stridor.

Epistaxis

Nosebleed; bleeding from the nasal mucosa.

Influenza (flu)

Acute contagious viral respiratory infection common in seasonal epidemics.

Pertussis (whooping cough)

Highly contagious bacterial infection of upper respiratory tract causing severe cough.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

Common contagious virus that can cause bronchiolitis in infants.

Bronchiolitis

Inflammation of the bronchioles, often due to RSV.

Rhinorrhea

Watery discharge or “runny nose.”

Sinusitis

Inflammation of the paranasal sinuses.

Pharyngitis

Sore throat; inflammation of the pharynx.

Strep throat

Pharyngitis caused by Streptococcus bacteria.

Laryngospasm

Sudden involuntary closure of the larynx.

Aphonia

Loss of the ability to produce normal speech sounds.

Dysphonia

Any voice impairment such as hoarseness or weakness.

Laryngitis

Inflammation of the larynx often causing voice loss.

Acute bronchitis

Short-term inflammation of bronchi usually from viral infection, producing productive cough.

Bronchiectasis

Permanent dilation and thickening of the bronchi due to chronic infection.

Bronchorrhea

Excessive watery mucus discharge from the bronchi.

Pleurisy (pleuritis)

Inflammation of the pleura causing pain with breathing.

Pleurodynia

Sharp chest pain from inflamed pleural membranes rubbing.

Pleural effusion

Excess fluid accumulation in the pleural cavity.

Pyothorax (pleural empyema)

Presence of pus in the pleural cavity.

Empyema

Collection of pus in a body cavity.

Hemothorax

Blood collection in the pleural cavity.

Pneumothorax

Air accumulation in pleural space causing lung collapse.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)

Severe lung inflammation and fluid-filled alveoli leading to poor oxygenation.

Atelectasis

Collapsed lung or incomplete expansion of lung tissue.

Granuloma

Localized inflammatory nodular lesion, often in lungs.

Pulmonary edema

Fluid accumulation in lung tissue and alveoli.

Pulmonary embolism

Sudden blockage of a pulmonary artery by a clot or other matter.

Tuberculosis (TB)

Infectious lung disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Drug-resistant tuberculosis

TB infection that does not respond to standard antibiotic therapy.

Pneumonia

Inflammation of lungs with alveolar fluid/pus accumulation.

Bronchopneumonia

Localized pneumonia affecting bronchioles and adjacent alveoli.

Lobar pneumonia

Pneumonia involving one or more entire lobes of a lung.

Double pneumonia

Lobar pneumonia involving both lungs.

Aspiration pneumonia

Pneumonia from inhaling foreign material into lungs.

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP)

Pneumonia contracted outside healthcare settings.

Mycoplasma pneumonia

Mild, prolonged pneumonia caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP/PJP)

Pneumonia caused by opportunistic yeast-like fungus Pneumocystis jirovecii.

Viral pneumonia

Pneumonia caused by viruses, ~30 % of cases.

Interstitial lung disease

Group of disorders causing alveolar inflammation and scarring.

Pulmonary fibrosis

Scarring of lung tissue leading to stiff lungs.

Pneumoconiosis

Lung fibrosis from long-term dust inhalation.

Asbestosis

Fibrosis from inhaled asbestos particles.

Silicosis

Fibrosis from inhaled silica dust.

Cystic fibrosis (CF)

Genetic disorder causing thick mucus that clogs lungs and pancreas.