-ation

• Meaning: Process, condition
• Example: Expectoration –the process of coughing up material from the lungs.

-centesis

• Meaning: Surgical puncture to remove fluid
• Example: Thoracentesis –removal of fluid from the pleural space.

-dynia

• Meaning: Pain
• Example: Pleurodynia –pain in the pleura (lining of the lungs).

-ectasis

• Meaning: Dilation, expansion
• Example: Bronchiectasis –dilation of the bronchi.

-ema

• Meaning: Condition
• Example: Empyema –a collection of pus within a cavity in the body, particularly the pleural space of the lungs.

-ia

• Meaning: Condition
• Example: Hypoxia –a condition of low oxygen levels.

-ive

• Meaning: Having the ability to, pertaining to
• Example: Antitussive –a medication used to suppress coughing.

-meter

• Meaning: Measuring device
• Example: Pulse oximeter –a device used to measure oxygen saturation levels in the blood.

-oma

• Meaning: Tumor, mass
• Example: Granuloma –a mass of immune cells in the lungs

-pnea

• Meaning: Breathing
• Example: Orthopnea –difficulty breathing that improves when sitting or standing upright. It is often associated with heart failure or lung conditions where lying flat can cause shortness of breath.

-ptysis

• Meaning: Spitting
• Example: Hemoptysis –spitting up blood from the respiratory tract.

-rrhea

• Meaning: Discharge, flow
• Example: Rhinorrhea –discharge from the nose.

-scopy

• Meaning: Visual examination
• Example: Bronchoscopy –visual examination of the bronchi.

-scope

• Meaning: Instrument for viewing
• Example: Bronchoscope –an instrument used to view the bronchi.

-spasm

• Meaning: Involuntary contraction
• Example: Bronchospasm –involuntary contraction of the bronchi, often seen in asthma.

-staxis

• Meaning: Dripping, bleeding
• Example: Epistaxis –the medical term for a nosebleed.

-stomy

• Meaning: Creation of an opening
• Example: Tracheostomy –the surgical creation of an opening in the trachea.

-tomy

• Meaning: Cutting, incision
• Example: Laryngotomy –a surgical incision into the larynx (voice-box).

A, An-

• Meaning: Without, not
• Example: Anoxia –the absence of oxygen in tissues.

Brady-

• Meaning: Slow
• Example: Bradypnea –abnormally slow breathing.

Cyano

• Meaning: Blue
• Example: Cyanoderma –a bluish discoloration of the skin due to lack of oxygen, also referred to as cyanosis.

Dys-

• Meaning: Difficult, painful, abnormal
• Example: Dysphonia –a condition involving difficulty speaking or having an abnormal voice, often caused by issues in the larynx or vocal cords.

Endo-

• Meaning: Within, inside
• Example: Endotracheal intubation –the insertion of a tube through the mouth into the trachea to maintain an open airway.

Eu-

• Meaning: Good, normal
• Example: Eucapnia –a normal level of carbon dioxide in the blood, essential for maintaining pH balance and respiratory health.

Hyper-

• Meaning: Excessive, above
• Example: hyperresonance –an increased echo heard during percussion of the chest, often indicating air trapping in conditions like pneumothorax or emphysema.

Hypo-

• Meaning: Below, deficient
• Example: Hypoxemia –low levels of oxygen in the blood, which can impair the delivery of oxygen to tissues and organs. It is often caused by respiratory disorders such as asthma, pneumonia, COPD, or pulmonary embolism.

Para-

• Meaning: Beside, near
• Example: Paranasal –beside the nose.

Poly-

• Meaning: Many, excessive
• Example: Polysomnography –a test to study multiple aspects of sleep, often used to diagnosis sleep disorders.

Tachy-

• Meaning: Fast
• Example: Tachypnea –rapid breathing.

Alveol/o

Bronch/o, bronchi/o

• Meaning: Bronchus
• Example: Bronchostenosis – a narrowing of the bronchial passages, which can develop due to scarring, inflammation, tumors, or chronic infections. The reduced airway size can make breathing difficult and may cause wheezing or recurring respiratory problems.

Capn/o

• Example: Hypercapnia – A condition marked by excessive carbon dioxide in the bloodstream, often caused by hypoventilation or lung diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Symptoms include confusion, shortness of breath, and headaches, requiring ventilation support in severe cases.

Cyst/o

• Example: Cystic fibrosis – A genetic disorder that leads to thick, sticky mucus buildup in the lungs and digestive system. It causes difficulty breathing, chronic lung infections, and malnutrition due to pancreatic enzyme deficiencies. Treatment involves mucus-thinning drugs and airway clearance techniques.

Diaphragmat/o

• Example: Diaphragmatocele – A hernia in the diaphragm, where abdominal organs push into the chest cavity. This condition may lead to breathing difficulties, chest pain, and gastrointestinal symptoms. Surgical repair is often necessary to correct the defect.

Epiglott/o

• Meaning: Epiglottis
• Example: Epiglottitis – Severe inflammation of the epiglottis, which is the flap covering the windpipe during swallowing. Often caused by bacterial infections, it can obstruct airflow and lead to a life-threatening emergency. Immediate medical attention is required, often involving antibiotics and airway management.

Fibr/o

• Meaning: Fiber
• Example: Pulmonary fibrosis – A condition characterized by scarring and thickening of lung tissue, which reduces oxygen transfer. Causes may include long-term exposure to toxins, radiation therapy, or autoimmune diseases. Symptoms include chronic dry cough, shortness of breath, and fatigue, often treated with medications or lung transplants.

Hem/o

• Meaning: Blood
• Example: Hemothoractomy– A surgical procedure involving an incision into the thorax, or chest cavity, to drain blood that has accumulated in the pleural space.

Laryng/o

• Meaning: Larynx (voice box)
• Example: Laryngomalacia – A condition where the soft tissues of the larynx are abnormally flexible, causing them to collapse inward during breathing. This can result in noisy breathing (stridor), especially in infants.

Lob/o

• Meaning: Lobe
• Example: Lobectomy – Surgical removal of a lobe of the lung, often performed to treat lung cancer, tuberculosis, or severe infections. Recovery may involve pulmonary rehabilitation and breathing exercises to improve lung function.

Muc/o

• Meaning: Mucus
• Example: Mucolytic – A medication that helps break down and thin mucus, making it easier to clear from the airways. Mucolytics are commonly used in treating chronic respiratory conditions like cystic fibrosis and COPD.

Nas/o

• Meaning: Nose
• Example: Nasopharyngitis – Inflammation of the nasal passages and pharynx, commonly referred to as the common cold. Symptoms include nasal congestion, sore throat, and sneezing. Treatments focus on symptom relief with decongestants and hydration.

Ox/i, Ox/o, Ox/y

• Meaning: Oxygen
• Example: Hypoxia – A condition characterized by low oxygen levels in body tissues, which can result from respiratory failure, high altitudes, or anemia. Symptoms include shortness of breath, confusion, and cyanosis. Treatment may involve supplemental oxygen or mechanical ventilation.

ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome)

BiPAP (Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure)

• Definition: BiPAP is a non-invasive ventilator therapy used to help maintain airflow into the lungs by delivering different levels of air pressure during inhalation and exhalation. It is often used to treat sleep apnea and respiratory failure.

BVM (Bag-Valve Mask)

• Definition: A BVM is a handheld device used to provide positive pressure ventilation to patients who are not breathing or are breathing inadequately. It is commonly used in emergency situations.

CF (Cystic Fibrosis)

• Definition: Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder that affects the lungs and digestive system, causing thick, sticky mucus to build up, leading to respiratory and digestive problems.

COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)

• Definition: COPD is a chronic lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs, making it difficult to breathe. It includes conditions such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure)

• Definition: CPAP is a treatment that uses mild air pressure to keep the airways open, commonly used in patients with obstructive sleep apnea to prevent airway collapse during sleep.

CXR (Chest X-Ray)

• Definition: A CXR is a diagnostic imaging test that uses X-rays to create pictures of the chest, including the lungs, heart, and bones. It is often used to diagnose conditions like pneumonia or tuberculosis.

FESS (Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery)

• Definition: FESS is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to restore normal drainage and function to the sinuses by removing blockages, typically used to treat chronic sinusitis.

HBOT (Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy)

• Definition: HBOT is a treatment that involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized room or chamber. It is used to treat conditions such as decompression sickness, serious infections, and wounds that won’t heal.

MDI (Metered-Dose Inhaler)

• Definition: An MDI is a device that delivers a specific amount of medication to the lungs in the form of a mist, commonly used to treat conditions like asthma and COPD.

OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea)

• Definition: OSA is a condition in which the muscles in the throat relax excessively during sleep, causing repeated blockages of the airway and interruptions in breathing.

PNA (Pneumonia)

• Definition: Pneumonia is an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs, which may fill with fluid or pus, causing symptoms like cough, fever, and difficulty breathing.

PFT (Pulmonary Function Test)

• Definition: A PFT is a group of tests that measure how well the lungs are working, including how much air they can hold, how quickly air can be exhaled, and how well the lungs deliver oxygen to the blood.

SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)

• Definition: SIDS is the unexplained death of a healthy infant, typically during sleep. It is sometimes referred to as "crib death" and often occurs in infants under 1 year old.

TB (Tuberculosis)

• Definition: TB is a potentially serious bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It primarily affects the lungs but can spread to other parts of the body. It is highly contagious and spread through airborne droplets.

URI (Upper Respiratory Infection)

• Definition: A URI is an infection that affects the upper respiratory tract, including the nose, throat, and sinuses. It is commonly known as the common cold and often caused by viruses.

VATS (Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery)

• Definition: VATS is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to examine and treat conditions in the chest. A small camera (thoracoscope) and surgical instruments are inserted through small incisions to access the lungs or other thoracic organs.