Question | Answer |
bacillus | bacteria that are rod-shaped |
coccus | bacteria that are round in shape |
dipl/o | pairs; bacteria that grow in pairs |
staphyl/o | bunches, like grapes; bacteria that grow in clusters |
strepto/o | twisted; bacteria that grow in twisted chains |
alb | white |
chlor/o | green |
chrom/o | color |
cirrh/o | orange-yellow |
cyan/o | blue |
erythr/o | red |
leuk/o | white |
lutein/o | saffron yellow |
melan/o | black |
poli/o | gray |
rhod/o | red |
rubi/o | reddish,redness |
xanth/o | yellowish |
a, an | without,not |
acro | extremeties; top or extreme point |
aero | air |
aniso | unequal |
brady | slow |
de | take away; remove |
dia | through (as in running through) |
dif, dis | apart, free from, separate |
dys | bad, painful, difficult |
ec, ecto | out, outside, outer |
emia | blood: condition of |
end, endo | within, inner |
eu | good, easy |
extra | outside, beyond |
hemi | one side, half |
hemo | blood |
hetero | different |
homo | same, resembling each other |
hydro | water |
hyper | above normal, excessive, beyond |
hypo | under, below normal |
in | in, into, not |
iso | equal, same |
lip | fat |
mal | bad, poor |
mega | large, great |
megalo | large (enlarged) |
meno | menses (menstruation) |
noct | night |
nyct | night |
pan | all, every |
para | beside, beyond, accessory to |
per | through |
peri | around |
poly | many, much |
post | following, after |
pre | before |
pro | preceding, coming before |
pyo | pus |
re | put back |
super | above, beyond |
supra | above, beyond |
syn | going together, united |
tachy | fast |
nasal cavity | nose, nares, cavity separated by septum |
pharynx | throat, cavity behind the nasal cavities and mouth |
larynx | voice organ, containing the vocal cords |
trachea | windpipe |
lung | two cone-shaped spongy organs consisting of alveoli, blood vessels, nerves and elastic tissue. Each is enveloped in a double-folded membrane called the pleura |
parietal pleura | the serous membrane that lines the thoracic (chest) cavity |
visceral pleura | membrane that covers the lungs. This membrane and the parietal membrane are close together. Between them is a thin film of lubricating fluid that prevents friction when they slide against each other. |
bronchus | one of the larger passages conveying air to (right or left principal lobe) and within the lungs |
bronchioles | one of the subdivisions of the branched bronchial tree |
alveolus | a small saclike dilation (outpocketing) of the alveolar ducts |
diaphragm | muscular partition that separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity and aids in the process of breathing |
abscess (lung) | a localized collection of pus in a cavity formed by the disintegration of tissues |
anthracosis | accumulation of carbon deposits in the lung due to breathing smoke or coal dust, also known as black lung disease |
ARDS | adult (acute) respiratory distress syndrome |
asbestosis | lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos particles. Associated with development of mesothelioma, a type of lung cancer |
asphyxiation | suffocation |
asthma | spasm and narrowing of bronchi, leading the bronchial airway obstruction |
atelectasis | incomplete expansion of the lungs at birth, or collapse of the adult lung |
bradypnea | abnormally slow breathing |
bronchiectasis | chronic dilation of one or more bronchi |
bronchitis | inflammation of one or more bronchi |
byssinosis | lung disease resulting from inhaling cotton, flax, or hemp, also known as brown lung disease |
carcinoma | a malignant new growth made up of epithelial cells tending to infiltrate surrounding tissues and to give rise to metastases |
coccidioidomycosis | a respiratory infection caused by spore inhalation of Coccidiodes immitis, varying in severity from that of a common cold to symptoms resembling those of influenza; also called valley fever |
COPD | chronic obstructive pulmonary (lung) disease, especially emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and asthma |
cor pulmonale | heart failure from pulmonary disease |
coryza | profuse discharge from the mucous membrane of the nose; the common cold |
cough | a forceful expiration preceded by a preliminary inhalation. Usually caused by irritation of the airways from dust, smoke, infection, or mucus. Can be described as croupy, rasping, harsh, hollow, loose, dry, productive, brassy, bubbly or wracking. |
cystic fibrosis | generalized hereditary disorder of infants, children and young adults associated with malfunctioning of the pancreas and frequent respiratory infections |
deviated septum | defect in the wall between the nostrils that can cause partial or complete obstruction |
diphtheria | an acute bacteral infection primarily affecting the membranes of the nose, throat, or larynx accompanied by fever and pain |
effusion | escape of fluid; exudation or transudation |
emphysema | a pathologic accumulation of air in tissues or organs |
epistaxis | hemorrhage from the nose; nosebleed |
expectoration | the act of spitting out saliva or coughing up material from the lungs |
fibrosis | formation of fibrous or scar tissue (in lungs) usually caused by previous infection |
flail chest | chest wall moves paradoxically with respiration, owing to multiple fractures of the ribs |
"flu" | popular name for influenza |
hay fever | a hypersenstive state, e.g., allergy to pollen |
hemothorax | blood in the pleural thoracic cavity |
hiatal hernia | protrustion of part of the stomach into the chest through the esophageal hiatus defect of the diaphragm |
hiccup | sharp respiratory sound with spasm of the glottis and diaphragm |
histoplasmosis | fungal infection of lungs, may be symptomatic or asymptomatic, resembling TB |
hyaline | glossy, translucent |
hyaline membrane disease | lack of surfactant due to a layer of hyaline material lining the alveoli, alveolar ducts, and bronchioles. Leading cause of neonatal deaths. |
influenza | an acute viral infectino of the respiratory tract; serious for the very young and old |
laryngitis | inflammation of the larynx |
laryngotracheo-bronchitis | inflammation of the larynx, trachea, and bronchi |
lung abscess | pus formed by the destruction of lung tissue and microorganisms by white blood cells that have gone to a localized area to fight infection |
pertussis | acute upper respiratory infectious disease caused by bacterium Bordetella pertusis. Commonly called whooping cough. |
pharyngitis | inflammation of the pharnyx |
pleural effusion | accumulation of fluid in the pleural space, which compresses the underlying portion of the lung, resulting in dyspnea |
pleurisy | inflammation of the pleura |
pneumoconiosis | any lung disease, e.g., anthracosis, silicosis, caused by permanent deposition of substantial amounts of particulate matter in the lungs |
pneumothorax | a collection of gas or air in the pleural cavity, resulting from a perforation through the chest wall or the visceral pleura |
rhinitis rhinorrhea | inflammation of the nasal membrane; "runny nose" |
SIDS | sudden infant death syndrome, or crib death' cause unknown. Associated failure of synapse of nerves to activate the diaphragm |
sinusitis | inflammation of sinus |
sneeze | spasmodic contraction of muscles causing air to be expelled forcefully through the nose and mouth |
streptococcal throat | sore throat caused by the spore bactera Streptococcus |
tonsillitis | inflammation of the tonsils, especially the palatine tonsils |
tuberculosis (TB) | an infectious disease, marked by tubercles and caseous necrosis in tissues of the lung |
URI | upper respiratory infection, general term for colds or "flu" |
wheezing | a high-pitched, whistling sound from air movement through narrowed bronchioles during exhalation; symptom of asthma and COPD |
whooping cough | a respiratory infection caused by Bordetella pertusis, marked by peculiar paroxysms of cough, ending in a prolonged crowing or whooping respiration |
aerosol | a medication that can be sprayed from a contained to relieve bronchial distress, especially asthma |
anoxia | without oxygen |
apnea | temporary cessation of breathing; asphyxia |
bifurcation | a division into two branches, e.g., bronchi |
blood gases | oxygen, carbon dioxide, and other gases in the blood |
bronchodilator | an agent capable of dilating the bronchi |
bronchoscope | an instrument for inspecting the bronchi |
bronchoscopy | lung examination using a bronchoscope |
bronchospasm | spasmodic contraction of bronchi muscles, as in asthma |
Cheyne-Stokes | breathing characterized by waxing and waning of the depth of respiration: the patient breathes deeply a short time and then breathes slightly or stops altogeher. The cycle repeats. |
CO2 | carbon dioxide; an odorless, colorless gas resulting from oxidation of carbon, formed in the tissues and eliminated by the lungs |
consolidation | solidification of lung tissue, as in pneumonia |
CPR | cardiopulmonary resuscitation; artificial means of providing circulation and breathing during cardiac and respiratory arrest |
cyanosis | a bluish dicoloration of skin and mucous membranes caused by insufficient oxygen in the blood |
dysphnia | voice impairment; difficulty in speaking |
dyspnea | labored or difficult breathing |
endotracheal (ET) tube | an airway catheter inserted in the trachea during surgery and for a temporary airway in emergency situations (ET phone home) |
expectorant | an agent that promotes expectoration (loosening of secretions) |
hemoptysis | the spitting of blood or of blood-stained sputum (from the lungs) |
hiatus | a gap (opening), especially in the diaphragm |
hilus | part of lung where vessels, nerves, and bronchi enter |
hypercapnia | an excess of carbon dioxide in the blood |
hyperventiliation | increased rate and/or depth of respiration, e.g., from anxiety |
hyposensitization | the process of rendering hyposensitive, e.g., exposing a patient to an offending substances to reduce his or her sensitivity to the substances |
hypoxia | insufficient oxygen |
IPPB | intermittent positive pressure breathing, used as treatment with ventilation |
Kussmaul breathing | gasping, labored breathing, also called air hunger |
laryngectomy | excision of the larynx |
laryngoscopy | visual examination of the interior larynx with an instrument called a laryngoscope |
lavage of sinuses | the irrigation or washing out of sinuses |
lobectomy | excision of a lobe of the lung |
Mantoux (test) | TB skin test |
O2 (Oxygen) | constitutes about 20% of atmospheric air; inhaled and carried in the blood |
orthopnea | difficult breathing, except in the upright position |
oximetry | measurement of the oxygen saturation of arterial blood |
palpation | application of hands and fingers to external surfaces to detect abnormalities |
parenchyma (lung) | the essential elements or "working parts" of an organ, e.g.,alveoli in the lung |
peak expiratory flow rate | measurement of how fast a person can exhale using a small handheld device to monitor treatment in asthma or COPD |
percussion and auscultation (P&A) | striking the body (e.g. chest) with short, sharp blows of the fingers, and listening through a stethoscope for the sounds produced. Technique used by practitioners |
perfusion | the passage of a fluid through the vessels of a specific organ to supply nutrients and oxygen |
pneumothorax | air or gas in the pleural space; from trauma or from deliberate introduction; may be spontaneous |
postural drainage | drainage by placing the patient's head downward so that the trachea will be inclined below the affected area and the secretions mobilized |
PPD | purified protein derivative (TB test) |
productive cough | cough with spitting of material from the bronchi |
pulmonary function | tests to assess ventilatory status |
rales, rhonchi | an abnormal respiratory sound heard on auscultation, indicating some pathologic condition |
rarefaction | condition of being less dense, e.g., decreased density in x-ray films |
residual air | air remaining or left behind after expiration |
respirator (ventilator) | a device for giving artificial respiration or to assist in pulmonary ventilation |
rhinoplasty | plastic surgery of the nose |
scan (lung, pleura) | an image or a picture produced using radioactive isotopes, e.g., B-mode ultrasonography |
SMR | submucous resection, excision of a portion of the submucous membrane of the nose to correct a defect |
SOB | shortness of breath |
spirometer (spirometry) | an instrument for measuring air taken into and expelled from the lungs; spirometry is the measurement of lung capacity |
sputum | matter ejected from the trachea, bronchi, and lungs through the mouth |
tachypnea | very rapid respiration |
thoracentesis | surgical puncture of the chest wall into the parietal cavity to remove fluid |
tine test | TB test |
tracheostomy | creation of an opening into the trachea through the neck, e.g., insertion of a tube to facilitate ventiliation |
tracheotomy | incision of the trachea through the skin and muscles of the neck |
ventilator | an apparatus to assist in pulmonary ventilation |
vital capacity | amount of air that can be expelled from the lungs after deep inspiration (pulmonary function test) |
wheeze | breathing with a raspy or whistling sound. Common symptom of asthma |
x-ray examination | visual record made using x-rays, for diagnostic examination of the chest; may be AP (anteroposterior) or Lat (side) views |