Anatomy and Physiology Overview • CHAPTER 4 109Word Elements
This section introduces combining forms (CFs) related to the respiratory system. Included are
key suffixes; prefixes are defined in the right-hand column as needed. Review the following table
and pronounce each word in the word analysis column aloud before you begin to work the
frames.
Word Element Meaning Word Analysis
Combining Forms
Upper Respiratory Tract
adenoid/o adenoids adenoid/ectomy (ăd-ĕ-noyd-ĔK-tō-mē): excision of the adenoids
-ectomy: excision, removal
laryng/o larynx (voice laryng/o/scope (lăr-ĬN-gō-skōp): instrument for examining the larynx
box) -scope: instrument for examining
nas/o nose nas/al (NĀ-zl): pertaining to the nose
-al:pertaining to
rhin/o rhin/o/rrhea (rī-nō-RĒ-ă): watery discharge from the nose
-rrhea: discharge, flow
Allergies and a cold commonly cause rhinorrhea. The flow of cerebrospinal fluid from
the nose after an injury to the head may also cause rhinorrea.
pharyng/o pharynx pharyng/itis (făr-ĭn-JĪ-tĭs): inflammation of the pharynx, usually due to infection
(throat) -itis: inflammation
tonsill/o tonsils peri/tonsill/ar (pĕr-ĭ-TŎN-sĭ-lăr): pertaining to the area surrounding the tonsils
peri-: around
-ar: pertaining to
trache/o trachea trache/o/stomy (trā-kē-ŎS-tō-mē): creation of an opening into the trachea
(windpipe) -stomy: forming an opening (mouth)
Tracheostomy is performed to provide and secure an open airway.
Lower Respiratory Tract
alveol/o alveolus (plural, alveol/ar (ăl-VĒ-ō-lăr): pertaining to alveoli
alveoli) -ar:pertaining to
bronchi/o bronchus bronchi/ectasis (brŏng-kē-ĔK-tă-sĭs): dilation of a bronchus or bronchi
(plural, bronchi) -ectasis: dilation, expansion
Bronchiectasis can be caused by damaging effects of a long-standing infection.
bronch/o bronch/o/scope (BRŎNG-kō-skōp): curved, flexible tube with a light for visual
examination of the bronchi
-scope: instrument for examining
A bronchoscope is used to examine the bronchi or secure a specimen for biopsy or cul-
ture. It is also used to aspirate secretions or a foreign body from the respiratory tract.
bronchiol/o bronchiole bronchiol/itis (brŏng-kē-ō-LĪ-tĭs): inflammation of the bronchioles
-itis: inflammation
pleur/o pleura pleur/itic (ploo-RĬT-ĭk): pertaining to pleurisy
-itic:pertaining to
pneum/o air; lung pneum/ectomy (nū-MĔK-tō-mē): excision of all or part of a lung
-ectomy:excision, removal
pneumon/o pneumon/ia (nū-MŌ-nē-ă): inflammation of one or both lungs, usually due to infection
-ia:condition
Pneumonia is caused primarily by bacteria, viruses, and chemical irritants. Fluid,
microorganisms, and white blood cells fill the alveoli and air passages which makes
breathing difficult.
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