Respiratory System Vocabulary

noun a small cavity, pit, or hollow, in particular, a small air sac in the lungs where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged during breathing

• The alveolus is the tiny air sac in the lungs where gas exchange takes place.
• When you breathe in, air goes into the alveolus in your lungs.
• I heard that smoking can damage your alveolus and cause breathing problems.
• The company is like an alveolus, constantly exchanging ideas and information to stay alive.

noun an excessive accumulation of something in a particular place

• The city implemented new traffic regulations to alleviate congestion during rush hour.
• I avoid driving through downtown to steer clear of the congestion.
• The traffic congestion in this area is a total nightmare.
• Her mind was filled with so many thoughts, it felt like a congestion of ideas.

noun the fleshy flap of skin hanging below the beak of a bird, especially a chicken

• The fish uses its gills to extract oxygen from the water.
• I heard that the fish breathes through its gills.
• I saw a dude with gills at the beach, it was wild!
• She had a sharp wit, like a gill that could cut through any conversation.

noun a red protein responsible for transporting oxygen in the blood of vertebrates

• Hemoglobin is a protein molecule in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues.
• My doctor said my hemoglobin levels are low and I need to eat more iron-rich foods.
• I heard that guy is always tired because he has weak hemoglobin.
• The hemoglobin of the team is their star player who always delivers in clutch moments.

noun the action of breathing in or the process of taking air or other substances into the lungs

• The doctor instructed the patient on the correct technique for inhalation of the medication.
• Make sure you take a deep breath in when you do the inhalation.
• Don't forget to suck in that inhalation, dude.
• His words were like a breath of fresh air, a soothing inhalation for her troubled mind.

noun The plural form of 'naris', which refers to the nostrils or nasal passages of a person or animal.

• The nares are the openings in the nose through which air enters and leaves the respiratory system.
• Make sure to keep your nares clean to avoid any breathing problems.
• I can't breathe properly because my nares are all stuffed up.
• His nares flared in anger as he listened to the accusations.

noun a delicate serous membrane enclosing the lungs and lining the pleural cavity

• The pleura is a thin membrane that lines the chest cavity and surrounds the lungs.
• I learned in biology class that the pleura is like a protective layer around the lungs.
• My doctor said my pleura was inflamed, so I have to take it easy for a while.
• The pleura of society is the protection and support provided by its laws and regulations.

noun a pulmonary vein or artery

adjective relating to the lungs

• The patient was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension.
• My grandmother has a pulmonary condition that requires medication.
• I heard that smoking can really mess up your pulmonary system.
• The company's financial losses were like a pulmonary embolism, sudden and severe.

noun a slang term for mucus that is discharged from the nose

• The child wiped the snot from his nose with a tissue.
• Ew, he just wiped his snot on his sleeve.
• She blew her nose so hard, snot went flying everywhere.
• The comedian's jokes were so funny, I was laughing so hard I thought I would shoot snot out of my nose.

noun a heavy snoring or gasping sound

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• The patient exhibited stertor, indicating a blockage in the airway.
• I could hear his stertor from across the room, he must be really congested.
• His stertor was so loud, it sounded like he was snoring with a stuffy nose.
• The sound of the wind through the trees was like a gentle stertor in the quiet forest.

adjective characterized by a harsh snoring or gasping sound

• The patient's breathing was stertorous, indicating a potential respiratory issue.
• I could hear his stertorous breathing from across the room.
• His stertorous snoring kept me up all night.
• The stertorous sound of the wind through the trees was oddly calming.

noun a machine that helps a person breathe by moving air in and out of the lungs

• The patient was put on a ventilator to assist with breathing.
• They had to hook him up to a ventilator in the hospital.
• I heard they had to stick a tube down his throat and put him on a vent.
• She felt like she was suffocating in the meeting, like she needed a mental ventilator.

noun a type of breathing pattern that occurs in the final stages of life

adjective describing the breathing pattern associated with the final stages of life

• The medical team observed the patient's agonal breathing as a sign of impending respiratory failure.
• When someone is struggling to breathe, they may exhibit agonal breathing.
• I freaked out when I saw my friend gasping for air and doing that agonal breathing thing.
• The dying campfire let out one last gasp of flame, like agonal breathing before fading away.

verb to listen to sounds within the body, typically using a stethoscope

• The doctor will auscultate your chest to listen for any abnormal sounds.
• The nurse will auscultate your lungs during the check-up.
• I heard the doctor auscultate your heart earlier.
• It's important to auscultate the opinions of all team members before making a decision.

noun the presence of mites on the skin or in the hair

• Acariasis is a medical condition caused by infestation of mites on the skin.
• I heard that acariasis is when you have a bunch of mites on your skin.
• Having acariasis is like having a mite party on your body.
• The acariasis of rumors spread quickly through the small town.

adjective relating to or affected by enlargement of the adenoids, typically resulting in a nasal voice or nasal congestion

• The doctor noted that the patient had an adenoidal voice, which could be a sign of a nasal condition.
• I can always tell when my sister is getting sick because she starts talking in this adenoidal tone.
• Stop talking like that, you sound all adenoidal and nasally.
• His adenoidal speech made it difficult for others to take him seriously in the meeting.