Respiratory

Respiratory System Terminology

Key Terms Related to the Upper Respiratory Tract

  • Adenoido

    • Definition: Refers to the adenoids

    • Adenoidectomy: Excision of the adenoids

  • Laryngo

    • Definition: Refers to the larynx or voice box

    • Laryngoscope: An instrument for examining the larynx

  • Naso/Rhino

    • Definition: Refers to the nose

    • Nasal: Pertaining to the nose

    • Rhinorrhea: A watery discharge from the nose

  • Pharyngo

    • Definition: Refers to the pharynx or throat

    • Pharyngitis: Inflammation of the pharynx, usually due to infection

  • Tonsillo

    • Definition: Refers to the tonsils

    • Peritonsillar: Pertaining to the area surrounding the tonsils

  • Trachio

    • Definition: Refers to the trachea or windpipe

    • Tracheostomy: Creation of an opening into the trachea

Key Terms Related to the Lower Respiratory Tract

  • Alveolo

    • Definition: Refers to alveolus

    • Plural: Alveoli

    • Alveolar: Pertaining to the alveoli

  • Bronchio/Bronco

    • Definition: Refers to bronchus

    • Plural: Bronchi

    • Bronchiectasis: Dilation of a bronchus or bronchi

    • Bronchoscope: A curved, flexible tube with a light for visual examination of the bronchi

  • Bronchiolo

    • Definition: Refers to bronchiole

    • Bronchiolitis: Inflammation of the bronchioles

  • Pleuro

    • Definition: Refers to pleura

    • Pleuritic: Pertaining to pleurisy

  • Pneumo/Pneumono

    • Definition: Refers to air or lung

    • Pneumectomy: Excision of all or part of a lung

    • Pneumonia: Acute inflammation and infection of alveoli, which fill with pus or products due to inflammatory reaction

  • Pulmono

    • Definition: Refers to the lung

    • Pulmonologist: Physician specializing in treating pathological conditions of the lungs

  • Thoraco

    • Definition: Refers to the chest

    • Thoracopathy: Any disease of the thorax or the organs it contains

Suffixes Related to the Respiratory System

  • Algia/Dyneia

    • Definition: Means pain

    • Pleuralgia: Pain in the pleura

    • Thoracodynia: Pain in the chest

  • Ectasis

    • Definition: Means dilation and expansion

    • Atelectasis: Abnormal condition characterized by the collapse of alveoli

  • Osis

    • Definition: Means abnormal condition or increase, primarily used to describe blood cells

    • Cyanosis: Bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes

  • Osmia

    • Definition: Related to smell

    • Anosmia: Loss or impairment of the sense of smell, usually a temporary condition

  • Oxia

    • Definition: Refers to oxygen

    • Hypoxia: Abnormally low level of oxygen at the cellular level

  • Phagia

    • Definition: Means swallowing or eating

    • Aerophagia: Swallowing air

  • Nea

    • Definition: Related to breathing

    • Apnea: Temporary cessation of breathing

  • Spasm

    • Definition: Means involuntary contraction or twitching

    • Pharyngospasm: Spasm of the muscles in the pharynx

  • Thorax

    • Definition: Refers to chest

    • Pyothorax: Accumulation of pus in the thorax