R2H112 Medical Terminology: The Respiratory System

Chapter 1: Introduction

  • Learning Objectives: When you finish this lesson, you will know how to:

    • Define the word parts common to the respiratory system.
    • Recognize abbreviations and acronyms of the respiratory system.
    • Identify the structures of the respiratory system.
    • Explain common diseases of the respiratory system.

  • Introduction: The lesson introduces the major components of the respiratory system and their functions, common respiratory disorders, and their treatments.

Chapter 2: Word Parts of the Respiratory System

Required Readings
  • Complete textbook readings: Medical Terminology for Health Professions, Chapter 7: The Respiratory System.
Word Parts of the Respiratory System

  • Combining Forms:

    • Alveol/o: Alveoli
    • Bronch/o: Bronchial tube
    • Cyan/o: Blue
    • Hem/o: Blood
    • Laryng/o: Larynx, voice box
    • Nas/o: Nose
    • Orth/o: Straight
    • Ox/i: Oxygen
    • Pharyng/o: Pharynx, throat
    • Pneumon/o: Lung, air
    • Pulmon/o: Lung
    • Py/o: Pus
    • Rhin/o: Nose
    • Spir/o: To breathe
    • Trache/o: Trachea, windpipe

  • Prefixes:

    • a-, an-: Without
    • brady-: Slow
    • dys-: Difficult, painful
    • eu-: Good, normal
    • hyper-: Increased
    • hypo-: Decreased, deficient
    • para-: Beside
    • tachy-: Fast, rapid

  • Suffixes:

    • -centesis: Surgical puncture to remove fluid
    • -dynia: Pain
    • -ectomy: Surgical removal
    • -ia: Abnormal condition
    • -itis: Inflammation
    • -metry: To measure
    • -ologist: Specialist
    • -osis: Abnormal condition
    • -ostomy: Creation of an opening
    • -otomy: Surgical incision into
    • -plasty: Surgical repair
    • -pnea: Breathing
    • -ptysis: Spitting up, coughing up
    • -rrhagia: Bleeding
    • -rrhea: Flow, discharge
    • -scopy: Visual examination
Medical Terms
  • Anoxia: Absence of oxygen from the body's gases, blood, or tissues.
  • Anthracosis: Black lung disease caused by coal dust.
  • Apnea: Absence of spontaneous respiration.
  • Asbestosis: Lung condition due to asbestos particles.
  • Aspiration pneumonia: Occurs when a foreign substance is inhaled into the lungs.
  • Bradypnea: Abnormally slow rate of respiration (less than 10 breaths per minute).
  • Cheyne-Stokes respiration: Alternating periods of slow breathing, absence of breathing, followed by rapid breathing.
  • Cystic fibrosis: Genetic disorder causing clogged lungs with thick mucus.
  • Dysphonia: Change in vocal quality, such as hoarseness or weakness.
  • Dyspnea: Difficult or labored breathing, often referred to as shortness of breath.
  • Emphysema: Progressive loss of lung function typically due to smoking.
  • Endotracheal intubation: Insertion of a tube into the trachea to maintain an open airway.
  • Pertussis: Contagious infection known as whooping cough.
  • Pneumoconiosis: Lung condition caused by inhaling dust.
  • Polysomnography: Diagnostic test measuring physiological activity during sleep.
  • Tachypnea: Abnormally rapid rate of respiration (over 20 breaths per minute).
  • Thoracentesis: Surgical puncture of the chest wall to remove fluid.
  • Thoracostomy: Surgical creation of an opening into the chest cavity.
  • Tracheostomy: Creation of an opening into the trachea with a tube insertion.
  • Tracheotomy: Emergency procedure to access the airway below a blockage.

Chapter 3: Structures of the Respiratory System

Abbreviations and Acronyms of the Respiratory System
  • ARDS: Acute respiratory distress syndrome
  • CAP: Community acquired pneumonia
  • CF: Cystic fibrosis
  • CO2: Carbon dioxide
  • COPD: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
  • CPAP: Continuous positive airway pressure
  • CXR: Chest x-ray
  • LLL/RLL: Left/Right lower lobe of lung
  • LUL/RUL: Left/Right upper lobe of lung
  • NG tube: Nasogastric tube
  • O2: Oxygen
  • OSA: Obstructive sleep apnea
  • PE: Pulmonary embolism
  • PFT: Pulmonary function test
  • PNA: Pneumonia
  • PPD: PuriEed Protein Derivative skin test
  • SOB: Shortness of breath
  • TB: Tuberculosis
  • URI: Upper respiratory infection
Upper Respiratory Tract Structures
  • Nasal Cavity: Lined with mucous membrane to trap pathogens, dust, and pollen while warming and humidifying inhaled air.
  • Olfactory Receptors: Humans have approximately 12 million smell-receptor cells.
  • Paranasal Sinuses: Air-filled cavities that reduce weight of skull, produce mucus, and influence voice quality. Types include maxillary, ethmoid, sphenoid, and frontal.
  • Pharynx: Passageway that serves both the respiratory and digestive systems.
  • Larynx: Voice box located between the pharynx and trachea; vibrates vocal folds for sound.
  • Trachea: Main airway dividing into primary bronchi.
Lower Respiratory Tract Structures
  • Lungs: Expand and contract for oxygen supply and carbon dioxide disposal; enclosed by pleura which divides into lobes.
  • Bronchi and Bronchioles: Network of passages supplying lungs with air.
  • Alveoli: Small clusters at bronchiole ends for gas exchange between air and blood in capillaries.
  • Diaphragm: Muscle allowing breathing through direct contraction and relaxation.

Chapter 4: Disorders of the Respiratory System

Asthma
  • A chronic lung condition characterized by inflammation and constriction of airways. Triggers include allergens, respiratory infections, irritants, and exercise-induced asthma.
  • Treatment: Long-term controller medications and short-acting rescue medications.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
  • Progressive destruction of lung air sacs leading to shortness of breath, coughing, and fatigue. Includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema, primarily caused by smoking.
  • Diagnosis: Spirometry measures airway obstruction with treatments available for symptom management but no cure.
Lung Cancer
  • Leading cause of cancer deaths in both men and women. Symptoms include cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, hemoptysis, chest pain, and voice hoarseness.
  • Types: Small cell lung cancer (10-15% of cases) and non-small cell lung cancer (85-90% of cases).
Pneumonia
  • Infection causing alveoli to fill with fluid or pus. Commonly caused by bacteria like Streptococcus pneumoniae and viruses.
  • Symptoms: Fever, chills, shortness of breath, and cough with green or yellow sputum.
  • Diagnosis and Treatment: Based on history, physical exam, and chest X-ray; antibiotics are effective for bacterial pneumonia, with antiviral treatment for viral types.
Occupational Lung Diseases
  • Conditions like asbestosis (related to asbestos exposure), pneumoconiosis (coal dust inhalation), and silicosis (silica dust exposure) caused by long-term contact with irritants in specific occupations.

Chapter 5: Learning Checks and Assignments

Learning Check Exercises
  • Various exercises throughout to strengthen understanding of structures, terminology, and disorders of the respiratory system.
Lesson Assignments
  • Defining Word Parts: Students define word parts in specific respiratory terms.
  • Grading Rubric: Evaluation based on the number of correct definitions provided.

Additional Resources

  • Discussion Area: Encouragement for students to share perspectives on smoking and its implications on health.
  • Lesson Quiz: A quiz to prepare for the final exam, allowing multiple attempts.
  • Further Learning Resources: Links to the American Lung Association and CDC for respiratory health information.