Medical, Surgical, & Viewing Terms and Abbreviations
Medical Specialties Related to the Respiratory System
pulmonologist: physician who specializes in pulmonology
pulmonology: medical specialty that deals with diseases involving the respiratory tract
respiratory therapist: a medical specialist who cares for patients who have breathing disorders
thoracic surgeon: a surgeon who has specialized in either thoracic surgery or cardiothoracic surgery
Imaging Techniques / Diagnostic Procedures for the Organ System
acid-fast bacilli smear: a microscope slide containing a sputum sample, stained to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria
arterial blood gas analysis: a blood test that measures the pH and the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide within an artery
bronchoscope: device used to view inside of the bronchi
bronchoscopy: procedure used to view inside of the bronchi
capnometer: instrument used to measure
laryngoscope: device used to view inside of the larynx
laryngoscopy: procedure used to view inside of the larynx
oximeter: instrument used to measure oxygen
pulmonary function tests: noninvasive tests that measure lung volume, capacity, rates of flow, and gas exchange within the lungs
spirometer: instrument used to measure lung capacity
spirometry: procedure to determine lung capacity
thoracoscope: device used to view inside of the thoracic cavity
thoracoscopy: procedure used to view inside of the thoracic cavity
Medical and Surgical Techniques/Procedures Used for the Organ System
adenoidectomy: surgical excision of the adenoid/pharyngeal tonsil
aspirate: to suction out a substance, such as from the airways
bronchoconstrictor: substance that constricts the bronchi and bronchioles
bronchodilator: substance that dilates the bronchi and bronchioles
bronchoplasty: surgical repair of a bronchus
laryngectomy: surgical excision of all or part of the larynx
laryngoplasty: surgical repair of the larynx
laryngostomy: artificial opening into the larynx
laryngotracheotomy: incision into the larynx and trachea
lobectomy: surgical removal of a lobe of a lung
nebulizer: device used to administer medication in the form of a mist inhaled into the lungs
pneumonectomy: surgical removal of a lung
rhinoplasty: surgical repair of the nose
septoplasty: surgical repair of the (nasal) septum
septotomy: incision into the (nasal) septum
thoracocentesis: aspiration of fluid from the thoracic cavity
thoracotomy: incision into the chest cavity
tracheoplasty: surgical repair of the trachea
tracheostomy: artificial opening into the trachea
tracheotomy: incision into the trachea
ventilator: machine that provides mechanical ventilation by moving air into and out of the lungs of a patient who is unable to breathe unassisted
Abbreviations Commonly Used with the Respiratory System
ABGs: arterial blood gases
AFB: acid-fast bacilli
ARDS: acute respiratory distress syndrome
BiPAP: bilevel positive airway pressure
C&S: culture and sensitivity
CAP: community-acquired pneumonia
CF: cystic fibrosis
CO2: carbon dioxide
COPD: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
CPAP: continuous positive airway pressure
CPT: chest physiotherapy
CT: computed tomography, computerized tomography
CXR: chest x-ray
DPI: dry powder inhaler
flu: influenza
IPPB: intermittent positive-pressure breathing
IPF: idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
LLL: left lower lobe
LTB: laryngotracheobronchitis
LUL: left upper lobe
MDI: metered-dose inhaler
NIPPV: noninvasive positive-pressure ventilator
O2: oxygen
OSA: obstructive sleep apnea
PE: pulmonary embolism
PEP: positive expiratory pressure
PFM: peak flow meter
PFTs: pulmonary function tests
RLL: right lower lobe
RML: right middle lobe
RUL: right upper lobe
SOB: shortness of breath
SVN: small-volume nebulizer
TB: tuberculosis
URI: upper respiratory infection
VAP: ventilator-associated pneumonia
Medical Terms Practice
For each card, click the speaker icon to hear the correct pronunciation of the listed term. Practice saying the term to yourself, then attempt to define the term from memory. Click “Turn” to flip the card and see the definition. Use the right and left arrows to toggle through the cards in each set.