Medical Terminology Glossary
A comprehensive quick-reference guide for all combining forms, abbreviations, diagnostic terms, and pathology language covered across Weeks 4–6 of OST 142.
19
Terms Shown
0
Cardiovascular
19
Respiratory
0
Musculoskeletal
pneum/o, pneumon/o
NOO-moh / noo-MOH-noh
Combining form meaning air or lung.
Pneumonia — inflammation and infection of the lung tissue.
pulmon/o
PUL-moh-noh
Combining form meaning lung.
Pulmonologist — a physician specializing in lung diseases.
laryng/o
lah-RING-goh
Combining form meaning larynx (voice box).
Laryngoscopy — visual examination of the larynx with a scope.
rhin/o
RY-noh
Combining form meaning nose.
Rhinoplasty — surgical reconstruction of the nose.
pharyng/o
fah-RING-goh
Combining form meaning pharynx (throat).
Pharyngitis — inflammation of the pharynx, commonly called a sore throat.
bronch/o, bronchi/o
BRONG-koh / brong-kee-oh
Combining form meaning bronchus or bronchial tube.
Bronchoscopy — examination of the bronchi using a flexible tube.
trache/o
TRAY-kee-oh
Combining form meaning trachea (windpipe).
Tracheostomy — surgical creation of an opening into the trachea.
pleur/o
PLOOR-oh
Combining form meaning pleura (membrane surrounding the lungs).
Pleural effusion — abnormal accumulation of fluid in the pleural space.
thorac/o
thoh-RAK-oh
Combining form meaning chest or thorax.
Thoracotomy — surgical incision into the chest wall.
-spasm
SPAZ-um
Suffix meaning sudden, involuntary contraction.
Bronchospasm — sudden constriction of bronchial smooth muscle.
-ectasis
EK-tah-sis
Suffix meaning dilation or expansion.
Atelectasis — collapsed or airless state of the lung.
COPD
see-oh-pee-DEE
Abbreviation for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
The patient has a 40-pack-year smoking history and a known diagnosis of COPD.
PFT
pee-ef-TEE
Abbreviation for pulmonary function test; measures lung capacity and airflow.
PFT results showed an FEV1/FVC ratio of 0.62, consistent with obstruction.
O₂ sat
oh-two-SAT
Abbreviation for oxygen saturation; percentage of hemoglobin saturated with oxygen.
Her O₂ sat dropped to 88% on room air, prompting supplemental oxygen.
ABG
ay-bee-GEE
Abbreviation for arterial blood gas; measures oxygen, carbon dioxide, and pH in arterial blood.
ABG analysis revealed respiratory acidosis with elevated PaCO₂ levels.
SOB
ess-oh-BEE
Abbreviation for shortness of breath; also dyspnea.
The patient presented with acute SOB following exertion.
dyspnea
DISP-nee-ah
Difficult or labored breathing.
Exertional dyspnea is a hallmark symptom of congestive heart failure.
hemoptysis
hee-MOP-tih-sis
Coughing up blood from the respiratory tract.
Massive hemoptysis requires urgent airway management.
tachypnea
tak-ip-NEE-ah
Abnormally rapid breathing.
Tachypnea in a postoperative patient may indicate pulmonary embolism.