| Term | Definition | Pronunciation |
| abdominal thrusts | A maneuver for treating choking by using quick, forceful thrusts of fisted hands upward and inward toward the diaphragm. Commonly known as the Heimlich maneuver. | |
| ABG | arterial blood gas | |
| acute respiratory distress syndrome | A lung condition that causes low oxygen levels in the blood. It can be life threatening. | |
| adenoidectomy | Surgical removal of the adenoids. | |
| AFB | acid-fast bacillus | |
| air sacs | Thin-walled spaces including the alveoli connected to one terminal bronchiole. | |
| airway | Tubular passages in the lungs through which air passes during breathing. | |
| albuterol | A short-acting beta-2 adrenergic agonist that is primarily used as a bronchodilator agent to treat asthma. | |
| alveol/o | alveolus | |
| alveoli | Air sacs in the lung which allow exchange of blood oxygen and carbon dioxide. | al·vē′ō·lī |
| alveolitis | An inflammation of the alveoli. Caused by inhalation of an allergen. | |
| aminophylline | A bronchodilator. Used to treat asthma and COPD. | |
| anoxia | Absence of oxygen in body tissues despite adequate blood flow. | an-ok´se-ah |
| anthracosis | A chronic lung disease caused by inhaled coal dust. Occurs in coal miners but also in tobacco smokers. | |
| anthrax | An acute infectious disease of hoofed animals and humans. Infection in humans often involves the skin , lungs or gastrointestinal tract. | |
| antitussive agents | Cough medicine that acts centrally on the medullary cough center. | an″ti-tus´iv |
| aphonia | Inability of the larynx to produce speech sounds. | a-fo´ne-ah |
| apnea | A temporary cessation of spontaneous respiration. | |
| ARDS | acute respiratory distress syndrome | |
| asbestosis | Lung disease characterized by interstitial fibrosis. Caused by inhalation of asbestos particles. | as″bes-to´sis |
| asphyxia | Condition caused by lack of oxygen, leading to loss of consciousness and death. Causes include drowning, suffocation, choking and inhaling carbon monoxide. | as-fik´se-ah |
| aspir/o | inhaling | |
| asthma | Chronic bronchial inflammatory disorder. Characterized by breathing difficulty, wheezing, coughing and dyspnea. | az´mah |
| atelectasis | Partial or complete failure of a lung to expand due to alveoli deflation. Can occur after surgery, trauma, infections. | at′ilek′təsis |
| bradypnea | Slow breathing. | |
| breath sounds | Sounds heard over the lungs and airways, usually with a stethoscope. | |
| breathing | The repeating cycle of inhaling and exhaling air into and out of the lungs. | |
| bronch/o | bronchial tube | |
| bronchi | The two large air tubes of the lungs branching from the trachea. Secondary bronchi, called bronchioles, branch from bronchi. | |
| bronchi/o | bronchial tube | |
| bronchiectasis | Persistent abnormal dilatation of the bronchi caused by chronic infection and inflammation. | brong'kē-ek'tă-sis |
| bronchitis | Inflammation of the large airways often caused by bacterial and viral infections and by cigarette smoke. | brŏng-kī′tĭs |
| bronchoconstriction | Narrowing of the lumen of the bronchi restricting airway into and out of the lungs. | |
| bronchodilator | Substance that expands the bronchi and bronchioles, increasing airflow to the lungs. | brŏng′kō-dī-lā′tər |
| bronchopulmonary | Pertaining to the bronchi and lungs. | |
| bronchorrhea | Abnormal discharge of mucus from the bronchi. | brong″ko-re´ah |
| bronchoscopes | Endoscopes for the visualization of the interior of the bronchi. | |
| bronchoscopy | Visual examination and possibly treatment of the bronchi, throat, larynx and trachea using a fiber optical device. | |
| bronchospasm | Excessive narrowing of the smooth muscles of the bronchi. Can be heard as a wheezing sound. | |
| capn/o | carbon dioxide | |
| -capnia | carbon dioxide | |
| capnography | Continuous recording of the concentration of carbon dioxide in exhaled air. | |
| carbon dioxide | A colorless, odorless gas formed in body tissues during metabolism. It is carried in the blood to the lungs and then exhaled. | |
| carbon monoxide | A colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that is very poisonous. | |
| CF | cystic fibrosis | |
| cheyne-stokes respiration | An abnormal pattern of breathing characterized by apnea followed by increasingly deep, rapid breathing. | |
| choking | A condition of the respiratory airways being blocked by an obstruction or constriction of the neck or swelling of the larynx. | |
| chronic obstructive pulmonary disease | Respiratory diseases which affect bronchial air movement, causing breathing problems. Includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. | |
| coarse crackle | An abnormal breath sound that is discontinuous, brief and popping. | |
| coni/o | dust | |
| consolidation | The state of the lung when alveoli are filled with fluid, as in pneumonia. | |
| COPD | chronic obstructive pulmonary disease | |
| cough | A sudden, audible exhalation of air from the lungs through a partially closed glottis. It serves to clear the airways or lungs of irritants or to prevent aspiration of foreign materials. | |
| CPAP | constant positive airway pressure | |
| CPR | cardiopulmonary resuscitation | |
| croup | Pediatric respiratory infection causing swelling near the vocal cords. It is characterized by a barking cough or stridor. | kro͞op |
| CXR | chest x-ray | |
| cyanosis | A bluish or purplish discoloration of the skin or mucous membranes due to inadequate oxygen in the blood. | si″ah-no´sis |
| cystic fibrosis | A genetic disease of the exocrine glands. Large amounts of thick mucus clog the lungs and obstruct the airways. | sis'tik fī-brō'sis, pan'krē-ăs |
| decongestant | A substance that reduces nasal congestion. | |
| diaphragm | The muscle sheet that that separates the thoracic cavity from the abdomen. The diaphragm's contraction and relaxation changes the volume of the thoracic cavity, aiding breathing. | di´ah-fram |
| diphtheria | A bacterial infection of the upper respiratory tract that causes a thick web to form in the back of the throat. May be fatal. Preventable with immunization. Can also damage heart muscle and nerves. | dif-thēr´e-ah |
| DOE | dyspnea on exertion | |
| dysphonia | Difficulty in speaking. | dis-fo´ne-ah |
| dyspnea | Difficult or labored breathing. Can indicate heart failure or a respiratory abnormality. | disp-ne´ah |
| ECMO | extracorporeal membrane oxygenation | |
| EIA | exercise-induced asthma | |
| emphysema | A chronic lung disease characterized by decreased numbers of alveoli and eventual destruction of alveoli walls. Caused by genetic defects and smoking. | em″fĭ-se´mah |
| epiglottis | Cartilage that prevents food from entering the trachea. | ep″ĭ-glot´is |
| epiglottitis | Inflammation of the epiglottis. | |
| epistaxis | Nose bleed. | ep″ĭ-stak´sis |
| ERV | expiratory reserve volume | |
| exhalation | Breathing out. | |
| FEF | forced expiratory flow | |
| FEV | forced expiratory volume | |
| FVC | forced vital capacity | |
| glottis | The vocal apparatus of the larynx, situated in the middle section of the larynx. | |
| halit/o | breath | |
| hemopneumothorax | Collection both blood and air in the pleural cavity. | |
| hemoptysis | Coughing up blood or blood-stained mucus from the respiratory tract. | he-mop´tĭ-sis |
| hemothorax | Hemorrhage within the pleural cavity, often from chest trauma. | he″mo-thor´aks |
| HFOV | high frequency oscillatory ventilation | |
| hiccup | A spasm of the diaphragm that causes a sudden inhalation followed by rapid closure of the glottis which produces a sound. Also called singultus. | |
| hoarseness | An unnaturally rough quality of voice. | |
| hypercapnia | Abnormal increase in carbon dioxide in the blood. | hī'pĕr-kap'nē-ă |
| hyperpnea | Deep breathing. Can be normal during exercise or abnormal due to anemia or sepsis. | hi″perp-ne´ah |
| hyperventilation | Breathing faster or deeper than is metabolically necessary causing an excessive intake of oxygen and a reduction carbon dioxide level in arterial blood. | |
| hypocapnia | Deficiency of carbon dioxide in arterial blood. | |
| hypopnea | Shallow or abnormally slow breathing. | hi-pop´ne-ah |
| hypoventilation | Deficient ventilation of the lungs resulting is low oxygen levels and high carbon dioxide levels in the blood. | |
| hypoxemia | Oxygen deficiency in arterial blood. | hi″pok-se´me-ah |
| hypoxia | Insufficient oxygen levels in body organs and tissues. | hi-pok´se-ah |
| IC | inspiratory capacity | |
| IMV | intermittent mandatory ventilation | |
| influenza | Acute, contagious viral infection of the respiratory system. | [in″floo-en´zah |
| inhalation | Breathing in. | |
| IPPB | intermittent positive pressure breathing | |
| IRV | inspiratory reserve volume | |
| lal/o | speech | |
| lampr/o | clear | |
| laryng/o | larynx | |
| laryngectomy | Partial or total removal of the larynx. | lar″in-jek´to-me |
| laryngitis | Inflammation of the larynx, including the vocal cords. Characterized by voice disorders, usually viral etiology. | lar″in-ji´tis |
| laryngomalacia | An abnormally underdeveloped or degenerated cartilage in the larynx. | |
| laryngoplasty | Plastic repair of the larynx. | |
| laryngoscopy | Visual examination of the larynx. May also include treatment. | lar″ing-gos´kah-pe |
| larynx | The voice box. Includes the vocal cords and surrounding cartilage. | lar´ingks |
| legionnaires disease | An acute bacterial infection of the lungs characterized by high fever, malaise, muscle aches, respiratory disorders and headache. | |
| LRI | lower respiratory infection | |
| LRT | lower respiratory tract | |
| lungs | A pair of organs that aerate the blood. The right lung is divided into three lobs while the left lung has two lobes. | |
| MBC | maximum breathing capacity | |
| MDI | metered-dose inhaler | |
| mediastinum | The central section of the chest cavity, containing the heart, arteries, veins, esophagus, trachea, bronchi, lymph nodes and thymus. | me″de-ah-sti´num |
| MEP | maximal expiratory pressure | |
| MIP | maximal inspiratory pressure | |
| mogi- | difficult | |
| MVV | maximal voluntary ventilation | |
| nares | An external opening in the nasal cavity. A nostril. | |
| nas/o | nose | |
| nasal cavity | The proximal portion of the respiratory passages on either side of the nasal septum. On inhalation the air is warmed, moistened, smelled and filtered. | |
| nasal decongestants | Drugs designed to treat inflammation of the nasal passages. | |
| nasal lavage | Irrigation of the nose with saline or irrigation solutions to remove irritants, allergens or microorganisms from the nose. | |
| nasal septum | The partition separating the two nasal cavities in the midplane. | |
| nasopharynx | The top portion of the pharynx situated posterior to the nose and superior to the soft palate. | |
| nebulizers | Devices that create an aerosol a mist (vapor). It is used to administer drugs or to humidify air. | neb´u-līz″er |
| nose | A part of the upper respiratory tract. It includes the external nose, the nasal cavity, and the paranasal sinuses. | |
| nosocomial pneumonia | Pneumonia acquired during a hospital stay. | nos″o-ko´me-al |
| O2 | oxygen | |
| orthopnea | Dyspnea when lying flat. | |
| osm/o | sense of smell | |
| ox/i | oxygen | |
| ox/o | oxygen | |
| oxa- | oxygen | |
| oxy- | sharp, oxygen | |
| Paco2 | partial pressure of carbon dioxide in alveolar gas | |
| paranasal sinuses | Air-filled cavities located around the nasal cavity. There are four pairs: frontal, sphenoid, maxillary and ethmoid. | |
| PE (2) | pulmonary embolism | |
| peak flow meter | Simple device that allows asthma patients to check lung airflow. | |
| pector/o | chest | |
| PEEP | positive end expiratory pressure | |
| PEFR | peak expiratory flow rate | |
| pertussis | Whooping cough. Contagious bacterial infection of the upper respiratory tract. Cold-like symptoms followed by many weeks of coughing. Preventable with immunization. | per-tus´is |
| PFT | pulmonary function test | |
| pharyng/o | throat | |
| pharyngitis | Sore throat. Inflammation of the throat. | far″in-ji´tis |
| pharynx | The throat. A fibromuscular tube that conducts air to the larynx and lungs and food to the esophagus. | far´ingks |
| phas/o | speech | |
| phlegm | Mucus in the respiratory airways (trachea, bronchial tree). | flem |
| phon/o | sound, voice | |
| phonation | To vocalize. | |
| phreni- | diaphragm, mind | |
| pleur/o | pleura, rib | |
| pleura | The membrane enveloping the lungs consisting of two layers. The visceral pleura is attached directly to the lungs. The outer parietal pleura lines the thoracic cavity and diaphragm. Between the two layers is the pleural cavity, containing a lubricating liquid film. | ploor´ah |
| pleural effusion | Excessive fluid in the pleural cavity which may cause breathlessness. | plūr'ăl ĕ-fyū'zhŭn |
| pleural friction rub | Sound created by the rubbing of when the chest wall moves. Stops when patient holds her breath. Often heard with pleurisy. Thick inflamed surfaces sliding by one another. | plūr'ăl |
| pleurisy | Inflammation of the pleura, the membranes covering the lungs. | ploor´ĭ-se |
| pleurodynia | Inflamed lung membranes causing pain during inhalation. | ploor″o-din´e-ah |
| PND | paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea | |
| -pnea | breathing | |
| pneo- | air, breath, breathing | |
| pneum/o | lung, air | |
| pneumoconiosis | Occupational lung disease caused by prolonged inhalation of dust. Common lung disease in mining. | noo″mo-ko″ne-o´sis |
| pneumocyte | Any of the epithelial cells lining the alveoli of the lung. | |
| pneumon/o | lung | |
| pneumonectomy | Surgical removal of part or all of a lung. | noo″mo-nek´to-me |
| pneumonia | Inflammation of the lungs with alveoli filling with pus. Typically caused by infection and can follow flu, colds and other illnesses. | nū-mō'nē-ă |
| pneumonitis | Inflammation of lung tissue. | |
| pneumoperitoneum | Presence of air or gas in the peritoneal cavity. | |
| pneumothorax | Partial or fully collapsed lung. An accumulation of air in the pleural cavity. Caused by trauma, such as a gun shot or stab wound and can also occur spontaneously. | noo″mo-thor´aks |
| polysomnography | Sleep study. Includes monitoring of respiratory patterns, brain waves, sleep stages, and other physiological variables. | pol″e-som-nog´rah-fe |
| PSV | pressure supported ventilation | |
| PTX | pneumothorax | |
| -ptysis | spitting | |
| pulm/o | lung | |
| pulmon/o | lung | |
| pulmonary | Pertaining to the lungs. | |
| pulmonary edema | Excessive accumulation of fluid in the lung. Can be life-threatening. Often associated with heart failure. | pul´mo-ner″e |
| pulmonary embolism | A clot blocking of the pulmonary artery or one of its branches. | pul´mo-ner″e |
| pulmonary fibrosis | Progressive formation of fibrotic (scar) tissue in the lungs. Patients show increasing dyspnea. | pul´mo-ner″e |
| pulmonary function test | A battery of tests that evaluate the volume and flow rate of air in and out of the lungs. | pul´mo-ner″e |
| pulmonary infarction | necrosis of lung tissue that is cause by the lack of oxygen or blood supply. The most common cause of pulmonary infarction is a blood clot in the lung. | |
| pulmonologist | An internal medicine specialist concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and defects of the lungs and bronchial tree. | poo͡l′mə·nol′ə·jist |
| pulse oximeter | Device that measures oxygen saturation in the blood. | ok-sim´ĕ-ter |
| RDS | respiratory distress syndrome | |
| residual volume | The volume of air remaining in the lungs at the end of a maximal expiration. | |
| respir/o | breathing | |
| respiration | Breathing. | |
| respiratory system | The organs and structures that bring about gas exchange between ambient air and the blood. | |
| respiratory therapy | Care of patients with abnormalities associated with the pulmonary system. | |
| rhin/o | nose | |
| rhinitis | Inflammation of the nasal mucous membrane. | |
| rhinomanometry | Technique for measuring airflow and pressure in the nasal cavity during respiration. | |
| rhinosporidiosis | Chronic, localized fungal infection of mucocutaneous tissues, especially the nose. | |
| rhonchi | A coarse rattling breath sound somewhat similar to snoring. | |
| RML | right middle lobe of lung | |
| RQ | respiratory quotient | |
| RR (2) | respiratory rate | |
| RSV | respiratory syncytial virus | |
| RT | Respiratory Therapist | |
| RV | residual volume | |
| SARS | severe acute respiratory syndrome | |
| sialomucins | A subcategory of mucins that contain sialic acid. | |
| siderosis | A form of pneumoconiosis resulting from inhalation of iron in mining dust or welding fumes. | |
| SIDS | sudden infant death syndrome | |
| silicosis | A form of pneumoconiosis resulting from prolonged inhalation of silica dust. | |
| sinus/o | sinus | |
| sinusitis | Inflammation of the sinuses. | si″nŭ-si´tis |
| sleep apnea | Sleep disorder characterized by multiple starts and stops of breathing, interfering with normal sleeping patterns. Measurable decrease in blood oxygen levels. | ap´ne-ah |
| sneezing | The sudden, forceful, involuntary expulsion of air from the nasal cavities and mouth due to irritation to the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract. | |
| snoring | Noisy breathing during sleep, due to vibration of the soft palate and other soft tissue in the upper airway. | |
| SOB | shortness of breath | |
| spir/o | to breath | |
| spirometer | Device that measures inhaled or exhaled air volume. | spi-rom´ĕ-ter |
| sputum | Material coughed up from the lungs. | spu´tum |
| steth/o | chest | |
| stridor | A very loud, wheezing breath sound heard when the trachea or larynx is obstructed. | |
| sudden infant death syndrome | The abrupt and unexplained death of an apparently healthy infant under one year of age. Positioning infants for sleep on their backs or sides has reduced SIDS incidence. | |
| tachypnea | Abnormally rapid breathing rate. | tak″ip-ne´ah |
| TB | tuberculosis | |
| thorac/o | chest, pleural cavity | |
| thoracentesis | Removal of fluid or air from the thoracic cavity, usually with a needle. | thor″ah-sen-te´sis |
| thoracotomy | Surgical incision into the chest wall. | thor″ah-kot´ah-me |
| thorax | The chest cavity. Principal organs are the heart and lungs. | thor´aks |
| -thorax | chest, pleural cavity | |
| tidal volume | The volume of air inspired or expired in a single breath during normal breathing. | |
| TLC | total lung capacity | |
| trache/o | trachea (windpipe) | |
| trachea | The wind pipe. Cartilaginous and membranous tube descending from the larynx and branching into the right and left main bronchi. | tra´ke-ah |
| tracheostomy | Surgical creation of an opening into the trachea to insert a tube to facilitate breathing. | tra″ke-os´tah-me |
| tracheotomy | Surgical incision of the trachea. | tra″ke-ot´ah-me |
| tuberculosis | Bacterial infection that usually affects the lungs. | tū-ber'kyū-lō'sis |
| TV | tidal volume | |
| URI | upper respiratory infection | |
| URT | upper respiratory tract | |
| V/Q | ventilation/perfusion | |
| VC | vital capacity | |
| ventilators | Mechanical devices used to assist respiration. | |
| vital capacity | The volume of air that is exhaled by a maximal expiration following a maximal inspiration. | |
| wheeze | Adventitious lung sounds that are continuous with a musical quality. They can be high or low pitched. | |
| whooping cough | A respiratory infection caused by Bordetella pertussis and characterized by paroxysmal coughing ending in a prolonged crowing intake of breath. | |
| yawning | An involuntary deep inhalation with the mouth open, often accompanied by the act of stretching. | |