The Respiratory System

Combining Forms Adenoid/o: adenoids Alveol/o: alveoli, air sac Aer/o: air Bronch/o, bronchi/o: bronchus Bronchiol/o: bronchiole Laryng/o: larynx (voice box) Muc/o: mucus Nas/o: nose Ox/i: oxygen Pharyng/o: pharynx (throat)

Combining Forms Phren/o: diaphragm Pleur/o: pleura Pulmon/o: lung Py/o: pus Pneum/o, pneumon/o: air, lung Thorac/o: chest Spir/o: to breathe Tonsill/o: tonsils Trache/o: trachea (windpipe) Steth/o: chest

Prefixes and suffixes -capnia: carbon dioxide -isy: state of, condition -osmia: smelling -oxia: oxygen -pnea: breathing -sphyxia: pulse -staxis: dripping, oozing Brady-: slow Eu-: normal, good Tachy-: rapid, fast

Overview Pulmonologist: medical doctor specializing in respiratory disorders Otorhinolaryngologist: medical doctor specializing in diseases of the ear nose and throat Parts: nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchial tubes, lungs and diaphragm Functions: exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide with the atmosphere and maintain acid-base balance

Diseases and Conditions Abnormal breathing sounds: abnormal sounds heard during breathing Crackles: “rales” crackling or bubbling sounds because of fluid in the alveoli Friction rub: dry, grating sound heard with a stethoscope Rhonchi: loud, coarse or snoring sounds caused by an obstructed airway Stridor: high-pitched whistling sounds caused by an obstruction Wheezes: high-pitched whistling sound caused by narrowing of airways

Diseases and Conditions Acidosis: excessive acidity of blood caused by increased CO₂ levels Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS): a life- threatening build-up of fluid in the alveoli caused by vomit in the lungs, inhaling chemicals, pneumonia, shock or trauma Anosmia: absence or decrease in the sense of smell Anoxia: total absence of oxygen in body tissues Asphyxia: insufficient intake of oxygen as a result of choking, toxic gases, electric shock, drugs, drowning, inhaling smoke or trauma

Diseases and Conditions Asthma: inflammatory airway disorder with wheezing and shortness of breath Atelectasis: the collapse of lung tissue preventing breathing caused by obstructions, fluid or pressure on the lungs Bronchitis: inflammation of the mucous membranes of the bronchial tubes Coryza: acute inflammation of the nasal passages accompanied by profuse nasal discharge “common cold” Croup: acute respiratory syndrome that occurs in children characterized by a barking cough and stridor

Diseases and Conditions Cystic fibrosis (CF): a genetic disease that causes thick, sticky mucus to build up in the lungs and digestive tract Emphysema: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that makes it difficult to breathe and causes alveoli to collapse Epistaxis: hemorrhage from the nose “nosebleed” Hypercapnia: more than normal amounts of carbon dioxide in the blood Hypoxemia: deficiency of oxygen in the blood Hypoxia: deficiency of oxygen in the body tissues

Diseases and Conditions Influenza: acute, contagious infection with fever, chills, headache and muscle pain Otitis media (OM): inflammation of the middle ear caused by a respiratory infection Pertussis: acute infection characterized by a whoop sounding cough “whooping cough” Pleurisy: inflammation of the pleural membrane characterized by a stabbing pain that is intensified by breathing deeply or coughing

Diseases and Conditions Pneumothorax: air in the pleural cavity causing partial or total lung collapse Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS): completely unexpected and unexplained death of an apparently healthy infant “crib death” Apnea: a temporary stop in breathing, usually during sleep A symptom of other respiratory or cardiovascular conditions Tuberculosis (TB): a contagious disease caused by a bacterium Spread through respiratory mucus Can also affect the genital tract, muscles and bones

Diagnostic Procedures Arterial blood gases (ABGs): a group of tests that measures the oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations in a blood sample Mantoux test: intradermal test to determine exposure to tuberculosis Polysomnography (PSG): a sleep study test used to evaluate factors affecting sleep Pulmonary function tests (PFTs): various tests used to determine lung capacity Spirometry: lung function test that measures and records the volume and rate of breathing

Medical and Surgical Procedures Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR): artificial respiration and manual cardiac massage Endotracheal intubation: airway catheter inserted through the mouth or nose Postural drainage: the use of body positioning to assist in the removal of secretions from the lungs Thoracocentesis: the use of a needle to collect fluid from the lungs Tracheostomy: incision into the trachea to create a permanent opening

Pharmacology Bronchodilators: dilate constricted airways by relaxing muscle spasms Corticosteroids: suppress inflammatory reactions that cause narrowing of airways Expectorants: improve the ability to cough up mucus Metered-dose inhaler (MDI): device that enables the patient to self-administer premeasured medication into the lungs through inhalation Nebulized mist treatment (NMT): method of administering medication directly into the lungs using a nebulizer that produces a fine spray

Abbreviations ABG: arterial blood gases ARDS: adult respiratory distress syndrome CF: cystic fibrosis CO₂: carbon dioxide COPD: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease CPSP: continuous positive airway pressure CPR: cardiopulmonary resuscitation MDI: Metered-dose inhaler

Abbreviations NMT: nebulized mist treatment OM: otitis media O₂: oxygen OSA: obstructive sleep apnea PFT: pulmonary function test TB: tuberculosis UPP: uvulopalatopharyngoplasty URI: upper respiratory infection