Term Definition
pulmonology Study of the lungs
thoracocentesis Puncture into the pleural space for drainage of the pleural cavity
nasosinusitis Inflammation of the nasal cavities and the accessory sinuses
hypoxemia Deficient amount of oxygen in the blood
pleuritis, pleurisy Inflammation of the pleura, lining of the pleural cavity
hypercarbia Excessive level of carbon dioxide in the blood
alveolar Pertaining to the alveolus (air sacs)
tracheotomy Incision in the trachea (wind pipe) to allow air to enter the lungs
oronasal Pertaining to the mouth and nose
rhinorrhea Runny nose
thoracostomy Creation of a small opening in the chest usually for the insertion of a tube
tonsillectomy Removal of the palatine tonsils. A T&A is the removal of both the palatine tonsils
and the adenoids
tracheobronchitis Inflammation of the trachea (wind pipe) and bronchus (airway)
bronchospasm Constriction of bronchi caused by spasm of the peribronchial smooth muscle
laryngostenosis Narrowing of the larynx (voice box)
spirogram Pulmonary function test record
lobectomy Removal of a lobe of a lung
peripleural Pertaining to the area around the pleural cavity
stethoscope An acoustic medical device for auscultation, or listening to the internal sounds of
a body
pneumonic Pertaining to the lungs
nasopharyngoscopy Examination of the nose and pharynx
bronchiolectasis Dilation of the bronchioles
phrenoptosis Downward displacement of the diaphragm
pectoral Pertaining to the chest
uvulopalatopharyngoplasty UPPP is a surgical procedure used to remove tissue in the throat for patients
with obstructive sleep apnea
pneumoconiosis Lung condition caused by prolonged dust inhalation (e.g. asbestosis)
bronchiectasis Dilation of the bronchus
thoracoplasty Surgical repair of the chest
pneumonitis Inflammation of the lung
spirometry Process of measuring breathing
hypoventilation Deficient movement of air in and out of the lungs
eupnea Normal breathing
apnea Inability to breath
tachypnea Fast breathing
bradypnea Slow breathing
dyspnea Difficulty breathing
orthopnea Inability to breath except in an upright position
rhin/o Nose
pneum/o Air or lung
pharyng/o Throat
thorac/o Chest
laryng/o Voice box
spir/o Breathing
phren/o Diaphragm
or/o Mouth
pneumothorax Air in the pleural space
pyothorax, empyema Pus in the pleural space
hemothorax Blood in the pleural space
auscultation Listening to sounds within the body
bronchoscope Endoscope used to examine the airways
expectoration Coughing up and spitting out material from the lungs
percussion To elicit sounds or vibrations by tapping
dysphonia Hoarseness
laryngitis Inflammation of the voice box
hypoxia Deficient amount of oxygen in tissue cells
emphysema Disease characterized by over-expansion of the alveoli with air
epistaxis Nosebleed
bronchogenic carcinoma Cancer originating in the bronchus
cystic fibrosis Inherited condition of exocrine gland malfunction that causes mucus to obstruct
the airways
atelectasis Collapse of lung tissue
sputum Material expelled from the lungs by coughing
stridor High-pitched crowing sound that is a sign of obstruction in the upper airway
pulmonary embolism Blood clot in the lungs
tracheostomy Surgical creation of an opening the in the trachea
asthma Disease characterized by paroxysmal wheezing, dyspnea, and cough
hyperventilation Excessive movement of air in and out of the lungs
pneumocystis pneumonia Common lung infection seen in those with positive HIV caused by the yeast
Pneumocystis jirovecii
Chronic Obstructive Disorder that is a combination of emphysema and chronic bronchitis
Pulmonary Disease
(COPD)
Peak expiratory flow rate Measures how fast a person can breathe out (exhale) air
(PEFR)
vital capacity (VC) Amount of air exhaled after a maximal inspiration
tuberculosis (TB) A common and often deadly infectious disease caused by various strains of
mycobacteria
cardiopulmonary An emergency procedure attempting to return life to a person in cardiac arrest
resuscitation (CPR)
partial pressure of carbon Partial pressure of carbon dioxide measuring the amount of CO2 in the blood
dioxide (PaCO2)
upper respiratory infection Infectious disease of the upper respiratory tract involving the nasal passages,
(URI) pharynx, and bronchi
tidal volume (TV or VT) Amount of air exhaled after a normal inspiration
pulmonary function testing Direct and indirect measurements of lung volumes and capacities
(PFT)
polysomnography (PSG) Recording of various aspects of sleep for diagnosis of sleep disorders
continuous positive airway A device that pumps a constant pressurized flow of air through the nasal
pressure (CPAP) passages, commonly used during sleep to prevent airway closure in sleep
apnea
crackles, rales Popping sounds heard on auscultation of the lung when air enters diseased
airways and alveoli (bronchiectasis, atelectasis)
wheezes, rhonchi High-pitched, musical sounds heard on auscultation of the lung as air flows
through a narrowed airway (asthma or emphysema)
hypocapnia, hypocarbia Deficient level of carbon dioxide in the blood
laryngotracheobronchitis Inflammation of the upper airways with swelling that creates a funnel-shaped
(LTB) elongation of tissue causing a distinct "seal bark" cough (croup)
chest x-ray (CXR) X-ray image of the chest to visualize the lungs
arterial blood gases (ABGs) Analysis of arterial blood to determine the adequacy of lung function in the
exchange of gases
adenoidectomy Surgical removal of the adenoids. A T&A is the removal of both the adenoids
and the palatine tonsils.
nasopharynx Part of the pharynx directly behind the nasal passages
trachea Passageway for air from the larynx to the area of the carina where it splits into
the right and left bronchus
pleura Membranes enclosing the lung (visceral pleura) and lining the thoracic cavity
(parietal pleura)
hemoptysis Coughing up blood