Core respiratory system vocabulary in plain English: airway anatomy, breathing symptoms, common lung conditions, and key tests — for nursing students, pre-med and medical assistants.
Last updated: September 9, 2026
The respiratory system carries air from the nose and mouth through the trachea and bronchi to the alveoli, where oxygen enters the blood and carbon dioxide is removed. Its vocabulary covers airway anatomy, breathing symptoms (dyspnea, wheeze, cyanosis) and common conditions such as asthma, COPD and pneumonia.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Trachea | The windpipe; the airway connecting the throat to the bronchi. |
| Bronchus | One of the two main airways branching from the trachea into each lung. |
| Bronchiole | A small airway that branches from the bronchi deeper within the lung. |
| Alveolus | A tiny air sac in the lung where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged. |
| Pleura | The thin membrane covering the lungs and lining the chest cavity. |
| Diaphragm | The main breathing muscle, below the lungs, that contracts to draw air in. |
| Larynx | The voice box, containing the vocal cords, at the top of the trachea. |
| Pharynx | The throat; a passage shared by the airway and the digestive tract. |
| Dyspnea | Shortness of breath or difficult breathing. |
| Tachypnea | An abnormally rapid breathing rate. |
| Apnea | A temporary pause or absence of breathing. |
| Hypoxia | Too little oxygen reaching the body's tissues. |
| Cyanosis | A bluish color of the skin or lips caused by low blood oxygen. |
| Hemoptysis | Coughing up blood from the respiratory tract. |
| Sputum | Mucus coughed up from the lower airways. |
| Wheeze | A high-pitched whistling sound during breathing, often from narrowed airways. |
| Asthma | A chronic condition with reversible narrowing and inflammation of the airways. |
| COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) | A long-term lung disease that limits airflow, often related to smoking. |
| Pneumonia | Infection and inflammation of the alveoli, which typically fill with fluid. |
| Bronchitis | Inflammation of the lining of the bronchi. |
| Pulmonary embolism | A blockage of an artery in the lungs, usually by a blood clot. |
| Pleural effusion | A buildup of fluid between the layers of the pleura. |
| Pneumothorax | A collapsed lung caused by air in the pleural space. |
| Spirometry | A breathing test that measures how much and how fast air is exhaled. |
| Pulse oximetry | A painless test that estimates the oxygen level in the blood through the skin. |
| Intubation | Placing a tube into the trachea to keep the airway open and support breathing. |
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Start learning free →Respiratory vocabulary describes the airways and lungs — their anatomy, the breathing symptoms patients report, common lung conditions, and the tests used to assess them. It is essential for reading respiratory charts and notes.
Yes. This vocabulary is core to US health programs — nursing school and NCLEX prep, pre-med, and medical assistant training. MediLearn lets you drill these terms with quizzes and flashcards using spaced repetition.
A tiny air sac in the lung where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged.
Coughing up blood from the respiratory tract.
A blockage of an artery in the lungs, usually by a blood clot.