Overview
This lecture introduces essential medical terminology related to the respiratory system, focusing on common terms, their word parts, and definitions.
Key Respiratory Terms and Definitions
- Apnea: Temporary cessation of breathing (prefix "a-" means without, root "pnea" means breathing).
- Orthopnea: Difficulty breathing when lying flat; patient can only breathe sitting or standing up (combining form "ortho-" means straight, suffix "-pnea" means breathing).
- Tachypnea: Abnormally rapid breathing (prefix "tachy-" means fast, root "pnea" means breath, suffix "-a" is a noun ending).
- Cyanosis: Bluish discoloration of the skin due to lack of oxygen (combining form "cyano-" means blue, suffix "-osis" means abnormal condition).
- Bronchitis: Inflammation of the bronchial tubes (combining form "broncho-", suffix "-itis" means inflammation).
- Rhinorrhea: Excessive nasal discharge or runny nose (combining form "rhino-" means nose, suffix "-rrhea" means flow/discharge).
- Pharyngitis: Inflammation of the pharynx/throat (combining form "pharyngo-", suffix "-itis" means inflammation).
- Laryngoplegia: Paralysis of the larynx (combining form "laryngo-" means larynx/voice box, suffix "-plegia" means paralysis).
- Tracheocele: Herniation of the tracheal wall (combining form "tracheo-" means trachea, suffix "-cele" means hernia).
- Pneumonia: Infection of the lung parenchyma causing inflammation and fluid (combining form "pneumono-", suffix "-ia" means condition).
- Pleurisy (Pleuritis): Inflammation of the pleura, the membrane surrounding the lungs (combining form "pleuro-", suffix "-isy"/"-itis").
- Bronchiectasis: Chronic dilation of the bronchial tubes, often due to infection (combining form "broncho-", suffix "-ectasis" means dilation).
- Atelectasis: Collapse or incomplete expansion of the lung (combining form "atelo-" means incomplete, suffix "-ectasis" means expansion).
- Pneumothorax: Presence of air in the pleural cavity causing lung collapse (combining forms "pneumo-" means air/lung, "thorax" means chest).
- Thoracotomy: Surgical incision into the chest wall (combining form "thoraco-", suffix "-tomy" means incision).
- Tracheostomy: Surgical creation of an opening in the trachea (combining form "tracheo-", suffix "-stomy" means opening).
- Pulmonologist: Medical specialist in respiratory system diseases (combining form "pulmono-", suffix "-logist" means specialist).
Key Terms & Definitions
- Apnea — temporary cessation of breathing
- Orthopnea — difficulty breathing when lying flat
- Tachypnea — abnormally rapid breathing
- Cyanosis — bluish skin discoloration due to lack of oxygen
- Bronchitis — inflammation of the bronchial tubes
- Rhinorrhea — excessive nasal discharge
- Pharyngitis — inflammation of the pharynx/throat
- Laryngoplegia — paralysis of the larynx
- Tracheocele — herniation of the tracheal wall
- Pneumonia — infection causing fluid in the lungs
- Pleurisy/Pleuritis — inflammation of the pleural membrane
- Bronchiectasis — chronic dilation of bronchial tubes
- Atelectasis — collapse or incomplete expansion of the lung
- Pneumothorax — air in the pleural cavity causing lung collapse
- Thoracotomy — surgical incision into the chest
- Tracheostomy — surgical opening in the trachea
- Pulmonologist — specialist in respiratory diseases
Action Items / Next Steps
- Define and understand the following terms: rhinoplegia, tracheitis, and bradypnea.
- Review respiratory system terminology for upcoming exams.