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Medical Dictionary - Respiratory

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.