RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

Definition and Function

Respiration is the process of breathing in and out

When we breathe in we are inhaling oxygen (O2)

When we breathe out we are exhaling carbon dioxide (CO2)

The function of the Respiratory System is to supply blood with oxygen (O2) and rid the blood of carbon dioxide (CO2)

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

NOSE

LARYNX

BRONCHIOLE

NASOPHARYNX

OROPHARYNX

TRACHEA

BRONCHUS

LEFT LUNG

DIAPHRAGM

Upper respiratory tract are:

Nose Pharynx i.e. Throat nasopharyx,

oropharynx,laryngopharynx Trachea Bronchi and bronchioles

Lower Respiratory Tract

Lungs Alveoli Pleura diaphragm

NOSE

Organ Root Combining Form

Example

Nose rhin rhin/o rhinoplasty

Nose

pg19

nas nas/o nasal

Pharynx

Three divisions of the pharynx:

1 nasopharynx

2 oropharynx

3 laryngopharynx- divides into two (2) branches - one for food and one for air

Pharnyx

Organ Root Combining form

Example

Pharynx

pg20

pharyng pharyng/o pharyngeal

pharyngitis

Larynx

Referred to as the voicebox

Contains vocal chords

Contains the epiglottis – prevents food entering lungs

Larynx

Organ Root Combining form

Example

Larynx

pg 20,21

Laryng laryng/o laryngeal

laryngectomy

Trachea Bronchi

Is the windpipe Carries air into lungs

Tracheostomy – opening of trachea to the body surface

Pg 21

Branch off from trachea into left and right lungs

Theses branches further divide into bronchioles

Each bronchiole ends with the alveoli

Gas exchange occurs in the alveoli

Bronchial – relating to the bronchi pg22

Medical TermsPart Root

WordCombining Form

Function/ Description

Lungs

pg 23

pneum pneum/o and pneumon/o

The lungs are the main organs of respiration.

They are made of elastic tissue for inflation and

deflation

Pleura pleur pleur/o double layered membrane covering lungs

provides protection

Pleural – relating to the pleura pg 23

Diaphragm phren phren/o The diaphragm is the main muscle of breathing

phrenic – relating to the diaphragmphrenologist - ……… pg 24

More Medical Terms

Part Combining Form

Function/ Description

Ribs cost/o The ribs consist of twelve (12) pairs of ribs, The first seven (7) join the sternum anteriorly . Ribs protect organs of the thoracic cavityintercostal

Thorax thorac/o chest cavity containing organs such as heart, lungs and oesophagus

SuffixesSuffix Meaning Example

-plasty sugical repair or reconstruction

Laryngoplasty

-scope an instrument to view internally

Laryngoscope

spasm sudden involuntary movement of a muscle

Laryngospasm

-al relating or pertaining to Nasal

Pharyngeal

-tomy surgical incision Tracheotomy

-ectomy surgical removal of Laryngectomy

-itis inflammation of pharyngitis

-centesis a surgical puncture to remove fluid

thoracentesis / pleurocentesis

Recall: When to remove combining vowels

If root word ends in a vowel & suffix begins with a vowel, combining vowel is dropped

Respiratory diseases & disorders

Commonly feature inflammation This can occur in the mucous membranes of

the trachea and bronchi

Abbreviations

Abbreviation Meaning

CAL Chronic Airway Limitation

CPAP continous positive airway pressure

ENT ear, nose, throat

LRT lower respiratory tract

URTI upper respiratory tract infection

SOB shortness of breath

CXR Chest x-ray