Chapter-6

Respiratory System
 Respiratory System
Abbreviation Definition
ABGs Arterial blood gases
AFB Acid-fast bacillus (organism that causes tuberculosis
ARDS Acute respiratory distress syndrome – a group of signs
and symptoms associated with acute respiratory failure
BAL Bronchioalveolar lavage
Bronch Bronchoscopy
CF Cystic fibrosis
CO2 Carbon dioxide
COPD Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
CPAP Continuous positive airway pressure
 Respiratory System
Abbreviation Definition

RUL Right upper lobe (of the lung)

RV Residual volume – amount of air remaining in lungs at the end
of maximal expiration
SCLC Small cell lung cancer
SOB Shortness of breath
TB Tuberculosis
TLC Total lung capacity
URI Upper respiratory infection
VT Tidal volume – amount of air inhaled and exhaled during a
normal ventilation
VC Vital capacity – equals inspiratory reserve volume plus
expiratory reserve volume plus tidal volume
 Respiratory System
Suffix Meaning

ema- Condition

osmia- Smell

pnea- Breathing

ptysis- Spitting

sphyxia- Pulse

thorax- Chest, pleural cavity

 Meaning
Combining Forms
Adenoid/o Adenoids
Alveoli/o Alveolus, air sac
Bronchi/o Bronchus
Bronchiol/o Bronchiole, small bronchus
Coni/o Dust
Epiglott/o Epiglottis
Laryng/o Larynx, voice box
Lob/o Lobe of the lung
Mediastin/o Mediastinum
Nas/o Nose
Orth/o Straight, upright
Combining Forms Meaning
Pector/o Chest
Pharyng/o Pharynx, throat
Phon/o Voice
Phren/o Diaphragm
Pneumon/o Air, lung
Plumon/o Lung
Rhin/o Nose
Sinus/o Sinus, cavity
Spir/o Breathing
Thorac/o Chest
Tonsil/o Tonsils
Trache/o Trachea, windpipe
Ox/o Oxygen
 Upper Respiratory Disorders
Croup Acute viral infection of infants and children with obstruction
of the larynx, barking cough, and stridor

Diphtheria Acute infection of the throat and upper respiratory tract

caused by the diphtheria bacterium

Epistaxis Nose bleed

Pertussis Whooping cough: highly contagious bacterial infection of

the pharynx, larynx, and trachea caused by Bordetella
Pertussis
 ` Bronchial Disorders
Asthma Chronic bronchial inflammatory disorder with airway
obstruction due to bronchial edema and constriction with
.increased mucus production

Bronchiectasis Chronic dilation of bronchus secondary to infection

Chronic Inflammation of bronchi persisting over a long time; type

bronchitis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
 Lung Disorders

Atelectasis Collapsed lung; incomplete expansion of alveoli

Emphysema Hyperinflation of air sacs with destruction of alveolar
walls
Lung cancer Malignant tumor arising from the lungs and bronchi
Pneumoconiosis Abnormal condition caused by dust in the lungs, with
chronic inflammation, infection, and bronchitis
Pneumonia Acute inflammation and infection of alveoli, which fill
with pus or products of the inflammatory reaction
Pulmonary Large collection of pus (bacterial infection) in the lungs
abscess
Pulmonary Fluid in the air sacs and bronchioles
edema
 Lung Disorders

Pulmonary embolism Clot or other material lodges in vessels of the

(PE) lung
Pulmonary fibrosis Formation of scar tissue in the connective tissue
of the lungs
Sarcoidosis Chronic inflammatory disease in which small
nodules (granulomas) develop in lungs, lymph
nodes, and other organs
Infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium
Tuberculosis (TB)
tuberculosis; lungs usually are involved, but any
organ in the body may be affected
 Clinical Procedures
X-ray (CXR) Radiographic image of the thoracic cavity (chest
film)
Computed Computer-generated series of x-ray images show
tomography scan of thoracic structures in cross section and other planes
the chest (CT)
Magnetic resonance Magnetic waves create detailed images of the
imaging of the chest chest in frontal, lateral, and cross-sectional planes
(MRI)
Positron emission Radioactive glucose is injected and images reveal
tomography can be metabolic activity in the lungs
of the lung (PET)
 Clinical Procedures
Ventilation- Detection device records radioactivity after injection of a
perfusion scan radioisotope or inhalation of small amount of radioactive
gas (xenon) in the lung
Thoracoscopy Visual examination of the chest via small incisions and
(thorascopy) use of an endoscope
Tuberculin test Determines past or present tuberculosis infection based
on a positive skin reaction
Tube Chest tube is passed through an opening in the chest to
thoracotomy continuously drain a pleural effusion
Bronchoscopy Fiberoptic endoscope examination of the bronchial
tubes
Endotracheal Placement of a tube through the mouth into the
intubation pharynx, and trachea to establish an airway
 Clinical Procedures

Lung biopsy Removal of lung tissue followed by microscopic

examination
Mediastinoscopy Endoscopic visual examination of the mediastinum

Pulmonary Tests that measure the ventilation mechanics of lung

function test (PFTs)function, lung volume, and capacity of the lungs to
exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide efficiently

Thoracentesis Surgical puncture to remove fluid from the pleural

space
Thoracotomy Large surgical incision of the chest