Medical Terminology

Respiratory Tract System

Cardiovascular System
Dr. Basma El Awady
Lecturer in Kasr Al Ainy, Faculty of Medicine
Cairo University
• Eu/pnea: normal breathing
• A/pnea: Absence of breathing
• Dys/pnea: Difficult breathing
• Tachy/pnea: Increased rate and depth of breathing
• Brady/pnea: Slow breathing
• Ortho/pnea: Able to breathe only when sitting or standing
• Pneumon/ectomy: Excision of part or all of a lung
Pneumon/o/tomy: Incision of a lung
• Pneumon/o/pathy: Any disease of the lungs
• Pneumon/o/rrhagia: Hemorrhage of a lung
• Pneumon/ia: Acute inflammation of the lungs caused by
a variety of organisms and viruses
• Pneumon/itis: Inflammation of the lungs
Dr. Basma El Awady
• Atel/ectasis is the imperfect expansion of the
lungs. Collapsed lung. (collapsed alveoli)
• Pneumon/o/melan/osis: A lung disease in which
lung tissue becomes black due to breathing black
dust, soot, or black smoke
• Pneumon/o/myc/osis: disease of the lungs
caused by a fungus.
• Pharyng/o/myc/osis: Fungal disease (condition)
of the pharynx (throat).
• Rhin/o/myc/osis: Fungal disease (condition) of
the nose.
• Dermat/o/myc/osis: fungal disease of the skin
• Myc/o/dermat/itis: Inflammation of the skin
caused by a fungus Dr. Basma El Awady
• Pneum/o = Air
• Pneumon = Lung
• Pneum/o/thorax: Collection of air in the chest
cavity (thoracic cavity) that causes lung collapse –
Pneum/o/thorac/ic (adj.)
• Pneum/o/therapy: Treatment with compressed
air
• Pneum/o/hem/o/thorax: Collection of air and
blood in the chest cavity
• Pneum/o/py/o/thorax: Collection of air and pus
in the chest cavity

Dr. Basma El Awady

• Pulmon/o = Lung
• Pulmon/ary: Pertaining to lungs
• Pulmon/ary valve is the heart valve through which
blood travels to the lungs. Blood flows from the heart
to the lungs via the pulmon/ary artery.
• Pulmonary embolus: Blockage in an artery of the
lungs caused by a mass of undissolved matter (such as
a blood clot, tissue, air bubbles, and bacteria)
• Orth/o = straight
• Orth/o/pnea is difficulty breathing if laying straight in
a horizontal position. Emphysema sufferers often find
it easier to breathe when sitting or standing erect
(orthopnea).
• Hem/o/ptysis is a condition of bloody sputum.
Hem/o/pty/sis: Expectoration (coughing up) blood
Dr. Basma El Awady
• Hyper/ventil/ation: Excessive movement of air in and out
of lungs.
• Hyp/oxia: Low oxygen in organs and tissues.
• Cyan/osis: Bluish color due to hypoxia.
• Alveol/o – Alveoli
• The lungs covered by the pleura – Pleur/o
• Mentum = Chin
• Nas/o/ment/al: Pertaining to the nasal cavity and chin
• Nas/o/antr/itis: Inflammation of the antrum (maxillary
sinus) and the nasal cavity
• Nas/o/pharyng/itis: Inflammation of nose and pharynx
• Nas/o/lacrim/al: Pertaining to the nose &lacrimal duct

Dr. Basma El Awady

• Epi/staxis: Epi- = upon. Staxis = dripping or oozing
Epi/staxis: nosebleed. Hemorrhage from the
nose.
• Pharyng/o = Pharynx, Throat
• Pharyng/o/lith: Calculus in the wall of the
pharynx
• Pharyng/o/myc/osis: A fungus disease of the
pharynx
• Pharyng/itis: Inflammation of the pharynx
• Pharyng/o/cele: Herniation of the pharynx
• Pharyng/o/tomy: Throat Incision of the pharynx

Dr. Basma El Awady

• Pharyng/o/pathy: Disease of the pharynx
• Pharyng/o/plasty: Surgical repair of the pharynx
• Pharyng/o/scope: Instrument to examine the pharynx
• Laryng/o = Larynx, Larynx contains the vocal cord
• Laryng/itis: Inflammation of the larynx
• Laryng/algia: Pain in the larynx
• Stridor: abnormal sound caused by spasms or swelling
of larynx
• Laryng/o/stomy: Creating a new opening in larynx
• Laryng/o/tomy: Incision into the larynx to create a
temporary opening
Dr. Basma El Awady
• Laryng/o/cele: Herniation of the larynx
• Laryng/o/pathy : Any disease of the larynx
• Laryng/o/scope: Instrument used to examine
the larynx.
• Laryng/o/spasm: Spasm of the larynx
• Trache/o = Trachea
• Trache/o/py/osis: A condition of the trachea
with pus formation
• Trache/o/rrhagia: Hemorrhage from the
trachea
Dr. Basma El Awady
 Laryngoscope

Tracheostomy tube Broncholith

Dr. Basma El Awady
• Trache/algia: Pain in the trachea
• Trache/o/tomy: Incision into the trachea
• Trache/o/cele: Herniation of the trachea
• Trache/o/scopy: Examination of the trachea
• Trache/al: Pertaining to the trachea
• Trache/o/laryng/o/tomy: Incision of trachea
and larynx
• Trache/ostomy: Surgical creation of a new
opening in the trachea
• Endo/trache/al: Within the trachea

Dr. Basma El Awady

• Bronch/o = Bronchi
• Bronch/itis: Inflammation of the bronchi
• Bronch/o/scope: An instrument to examine the
bronchi
• Bronch/o/scopy: Examination of a bronchus with
instrument
• Bronch/o/lith: calculus in a bronchus
• Bronch/o/stomy: Formation of a new opening
into a bronchus
• Bronch/o/rrhagia: Bronchial hemorrhage
• Bronch/o/spasm: Spasm of a bronchus
• Bronch/o/rrhaphy: Suturing of a bronchus
Dr. Basma El Awady
• Pleur/o, (a) = Pleura
• Pleur/al: Pertaining to the pleura (membrane
around the lungs) – Plural of pleura is pleurae
• Pleural Effusions: Any abnormal fluid in the pleural
cavity, the space between the visceral and parietal
pleura,
• Pleur/itis, Pleur/isy: Inflammation of the pleura
• Pleur/algia, Pleur/o/dynia: Pain in the pleura
• Pleur/o/centesis: Surgical puncturing of the pleura
• Viscer/o/pleural: Pertaining to the membrane
attached to the lung
• Pleur/o/lith: calculus in the pleura
• Pleur/ectomy: Excision of part of the pleura
Dr. Basma El Awady
• Phren/o – Muscle that assists with inhalation and
exhalation= the diaphragm =
• Phrenic nerve controls the diaphragm.
• Phren/o/plegia: Paralysis of the diaphragm
• Phren/ectomy: Removal of a portion of the phrenic
nerve
• an/osmia: without (the sense of ) smell
• an-: without, not
• aphonia: inability to speak through disease of or
damage to the larynx or mouth.
• dys/phonia: bad (impaired) voice quality
• dys-: bad; painful; difficult Dr. Basma El Awady
• Sinistr/o/cardi/a: Displacement of the heart to the left
• Sinistr/o/cerebr/al: Pertaining to the left half of the
cerebrum
• Sinistr/o/man/ual: Left-handed
• Sinistr/o/ped/al: Left-footed
• Dextr/o/card/ia: Displacement of the heart to the right
• Dextr/o/gastr/ia: Displacement of the stomach to the
right.
• Dextr/o/man/ual: Right-handed
• Dextr/o/ped/al: Right-footed

Dr. Basma El Awady

• Acidosis: Excessive acidity of body fluids
• A/sphyxia: Condition caused by insufficient intake
of oxygen
• Coryza: inflammation of the mucous membrane in
the nose, caused especially by a cold.
• Pleurisy: Inflammation of the pleural membrane
characterized by a stabbing pain that is intensified
by coughing or deep breathing; also called pleuritis
• Syncope: partial or complete loss of consciousness
with interruption of awareness of oneself and ones
surroundings (fainting).
Dr. Basma El Awady
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
includes respiratory disorders that produce:
a chronic partial obstruction of the air passages.
The patient finds it difficult to breath (dyspnea)
especially upon exertion and usually exhibits a
chronic cough.
• The three major disorders included in COPD are
asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema.
• COPD is caused by long-term cigarette smoking. But
there are likely other factors at play in the
development of COPD, such as a genetic
susceptibility to the disease, exposure to dust,
smoke or fumes. Dr. Basma El Awady
• Emphysema is a condition in which the alveoli at
the end of the smallest air passages (bronchioles)
of the lungs are destroyed as a result of damaging
exposure to cigarette smoke and other irritating
gases and particulate matter.

Dr. Basma El Awady

Dr. Basma El Awady
• Chronic bronchitis is inflammation of the lining
of the bronchial tubes, which carry air to and
from the air sacs (alveoli) of the lungs. It's
characterized by daily cough and mucus
(sputum) production.

Dr. Basma El Awady

• Consolidation: loss of sponginess of lungs due to
engorgement (distention of a body part or organ
with blood or other fluids).
• Pulmonary edema: Accumulation of extravascular
fluid in lung tissues and alveoli, caused most
commonly by heart failure.
• Empyema: pus in the pleural cavity

empyema Dr. Basma El Awady consolidation

• Arterial blood gas (ABG): Test that measures
partial pressure of oxygen (Po2), carbon
dioxide (Pco2), pH (acidity or alkalinity), and
bicarbonate level of an arterial blood.
• Pulmonary function tests: Multiple tests used
to evaluate the ability of the lungs to take in
and expel air as well as perform gas exchange
across the alveolocapillary membrane

Dr. Basma El Awady

• Pleurectomy: Excision of part of the pleura,
usually parietal
• Pneumonectomy/ Pulmon/ectomy : excision of
a lung
• Rhinoplasty: reconstructive surgery of the nose
to correct deformities or for cosmetic purposes.
• Septoplasty: Surgical repair of a deviated nasal
septum usually performed when the septum is
encroaching on the breathing passages or nasal
structures
• Thoracentesis: Surgical puncture and drainage of
the pleural cavity; also called pleurocentesis or
thoracocentesis Dr. Basma El Awady
 Drugs Used to Treat Respiratory
Disorders
• Antihistamines: Block histamines from binding
with histamine receptor sites in tissues.
Histamines cause sneezing, runny nose,
itchiness, and rashes.
• Antitussives: Relieve or suppress coughing by
blocking the cough reflex in the medulla of the
brain. Antitussives alleviate nonproductive dry
coughs and should not be used with productive
coughs.
Dr. Basma El Awady
 Drugs Used to Treat Respiratory Disorders
• Bronchodilators: Stimulate bronchial muscles to relax,
thereby expanding air passages, resulting in increased air
flow
• Corticosteroids: Act on the immune system by blocking
production of substances that trigger allergic and
inflammatory actions
• Decongestants: Constrict blood vessels of nasal passages
and limit blood flow, which causes swollen tissues to shrink
so that air can pass more freely through the passageways
• Expectorants: Liquify respiratory secretions so that they
are more easily dislodged during coughing episodes.
Expectorants are prescribed for productive coughs.
Dr. Basma El Awady
• Aneurysm: Localized abnormal dilation of a vessel, usually
an artery; widened blood vessel
• Aneurysm/o/rrhaphy: suture of an aneurysm
• Angi/o/graphy: visual examination of blood vessel.
• Angi/o/plasty: surgical repair of vessel
• Aorta: the main artery of the body, supplying oxygenated
blood to the circulatory system.
• Aort/o/stenosis : narrowing of aorta
• Coarctation: narrowing of a vessel, especially the aorta.

Dr. Basma El Awady

• Vascul/itis: inflammation of (blood) vessels.
• Arteri/o/rrhexis: rupture of an artery.
• Cardi/o/megaly : enlargement of the heart.
• Embol/ectomy : removal of an embolus.
• Hemangi/oma: tumor of blood vessels
• My/o/cardi/al: pertaining to heart muscle.
• Phleb/ectasis: expansion of a vein
• Ven/o/stasis: standing still of (blood in a) vein;
also called phlebostasis
• Arteri/o/scler/osis: hardening of the artery
• Sclera (white of eye)
Dr. Basma El Awady
• Ventricul/ar: pertaining to a ventricle (chamber of
the heart or brain).
• Arteri/o/gram: record of an artery
• electr/o/cardi/o/graph: instrument for recording
electrical (activity) of the heart
• A/sphyxia: without a pulse, also called suffocation
• endo/vascul/ar: relating to (the area) within a
vessel
• Extra/vascul/ar: relating to the (area) outside a
vessel.
• Peri/cardi/al: pertaining to (the area) around the
heart
Dr. Basma El Awady
• Tachy/cardia: rapid heart (beat) <100
• Brady/cardia: slow heart (beat) >55
• Varicose veins: are enlarged, twisted, superficial veins.
They develop when the valves of the veins do not function
properly (incompetent) and fail to prevent the backflow of
blood.
• Cardiac arrest: Loss of effective cardiac function, which
results in cessation of circulation
• Cardi/o/my/o/pathy: Any disease or weakening of heart
muscle that diminishes cardiac function

Dr. Basma El Awady

• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT): Blood clot that
forms in the deep veins of the body, especially
those in the legs or thighs.
• Heart failure (HF): Failure of the heart to supply
an adequate amount of blood to tissues and
organs.
• Fibrillation: spontaneous muscle contractions,
especially of the heart.
• Hemostasis: arrest of bleeding or circulation.
• Hyper/lipid/emia: Excessive amounts of lipids
(cholesterol, phospholipids, and triglycerides) in
the blood
Dr. Basma El Awady
• Hypertension (HTN): Elevated blood pressure persistently
exceeding 140 mm Hg systolic or 90 mm Hg diastolic
• Angina: severe chest pain often also spreading to the
shoulders, arms, and neck, owing to an inadequate blood
supply to the heart.
• Infarct: Area of tissue that undergoes necrosis following
cessation of blood supply
• Ischemia: Local and temporary deficiency of blood supply
due to circulatory obstruction
• Palpitation: Sensation that the heart is not beating
normally.
• Palpation:To examine or explore by touching (an organ or
area of the body).
• Arrhythmia: irregular heartbeat Dr. Basma El Awady
• Electrocardiogram: graphic line recording that
shows the spread of electrical excitation to
different parts of the heart.
• Cardiac enzyme studies: cardiac enzymes are
released into the bloodstream from damaged
heart muscle tissue. Their presence in a blood
specimen is consistent with myocardial damage.
• Coronary: arteries that supply blood to the heart
• Echocardiography: ultrasound to visualize internal
cardiac structures and produce images of the
heart
Dr. Basma El Awady
• Ather/oma: tumor of fatty plaque; the fatty material which
forms deposits in the arteries. Plaque is made up of fat,
cholesterol, calcium, and other substances found in the
blood. Over time, plaque hardens and narrows your
arteries and leads to Ather/o/sclerosis
• Ather/ectomy: Removal of material from an occluded
vessel
• Catheter: Thin, flexible, hollow plastic tube that is small
enough to be threaded through a vein, artery, or tubular
structure

Dr. Basma El Awady

Dr. Basma El Awady Atherectomy
• Valvotomy: Incision of a valve to increase the size of
the opening; used in treating mitral stenosis
• Venipuncture: Puncture of a vein by a needle
attached to a syringe or catheter to withdraw a
specimen of blood; also called phlebotomy.
• Stent: device used to hold open vessels, tubes, or
obstructed arteries

Venipuncture Dr. Basma El Awady Stent

• Diuretics: act on kidneys to increase excretion of water and
sodium.
• Nitrates Dilate blood vessels of the heart, causing an
increase in the amount of oxygen delivered to the
myocardium,
• Statins: lower cholesterol in the blood and reduce its
production in the liver by blocking the enzyme that
produces it.
• Peripheral vasodilators: Peripheral vasodilators treat
peripheral vascular diseases, diabetic peripheral vascular
insufficiency.
• Antiarrhythmics: correct cardiac arrhythmias
• beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers hypertension and
arrhythmias. Dr. Basma El Awady
Vegetations: small masses of inflammatory material found
on the leaflets of valves
Bruit: soft, blowing sound heard on auscultation; murmur
generated by turbulent flow of blood in an artery.
Dr. Basma El Awady
Thank You

Dr. Basma El Awady