Uncategorized

Medical Spanish Vocabulary: Respiratory System

Pixorizeby

For healthcare providers working with Spanish-speaking populations, mastering respiratory terminology is an important step in providing effective care. Understanding medical Spanish vocabulary becomes more intuitive when we trace the shared linguistic heritage between Spanish and English respiratory terms. Both languages draw extensively from Latin and Greek, creating natural bridges for English-speaking medical professionals learning Spanish.

The following vocabulary covers terms for discussing respiratory anatomy and symptoms in Spanish. Each Spanish term includes its English translation in parenthesis and is linked to its etymology, with special attention to cognates and shared root words, like Latin spirare (to breathe). This approach helps English-speaking healthcare professionals quickly recognize and remember Spanish medical terms, as many share familiar roots with English medical vocabulary.

Anatomy & Physical Features

  1. pulmones (lungs)
    From Latin pulmo (lung). Related to the English word “pulmonary”.
  2. vías respiratorias (airways)
    From Latin via (way) and spirare (to breathe). Related to the English words “via” and “respiratory”.
  3. tráquea (trachea)
    From Greek trakheia (rough [artery]). A cognate to the English term.
  4. bronquios (bronchi)
    From Greek bronchia (bronchi). A cognate to the English term.
  5. bronquíolos (bronchioles)
    From Greek bronchia (bronchi). A cognate to the English term.
  6. alvéolos (alveoli)
    From Latin alveolus (cavity). A cognate to the English term.
  7. diafragma (diaphragm)
    From Greek diaphragma (diaphragm). A cognate to the English term.
  8. cavidad nasal (nasal cavity)
    From Latin cavitas (hollow) and nasus (nose). A cognate to the English term.
  9. senos paranasales (sinuses)
    From Latin sinus (curve or cavity) and nasus (nose), as well as the Greek prefix para- (near). Literally means “cavity near the nose”.
  10. garganta (throat)
    Related to the English word “gargle”.
  11. faringe (pharynx)
    From Greek pharynx (throat). A cognate to the English term.
  12. laringe (larynx)
    From Greek larynx (larynx). A cognate to the English term.
  13. cuerdas vocales (vocal cords)
    From Latin chorda (string or cord) and vox (voice). A cognate to the English term.
  14. pecho (chest)
    From Latin pectus (chest or breast). Related to the English word “pectoral”.
  15. pared torácica (chest wall)
    From Latin paries (wall) and Greek thorax (chest or breastplate). Related to the English words “parietal” and “thoracic”.
  16. pleura (pleura)
    From Greek pleura (rib or side). A cognate to the English term.
  17. espacio pleural (pleural cavity)
    From Latin spatium (space) and Greek pleura (rib or side). Literally means “pleural space”.
  18. músculos intercostales (intercostal muscles)
    From Latin musculus (muscle) and costa (rib or side). A cognate to the English term.
  19. membrana mucosa (mucous membrane)
    From Latin membrana (membrane) and muccus (mucus). A cognate to the English term.

Symptoms & Conditions

  1. tos (cough)
    From Latin tussis (cough). Related to the English word “tussis” and “pertussis”.
    • tos seca (dry cough)
      From Latin siccus (dry). Related to the English words “desiccate” and “desiccant”.
    • tos productiva (productive cough)
      From Latin productivus (productive). A cognate to the English term.
    • tos matutina (morning cough)
      From Latin matutinus (relating to morning). Related to the English words “matutinal” and “matins”.
    • tos nocturna (nocturnal cough)
      From Latin nocturnus (of the night). A cognate to the English term.
    • tos crónica (chronic cough)
      From Greek chronos (time). A cognate to the English term.
  2. dolor de pecho (chest pain)
    From Latin dolor (pain or suffering) and pectus (chest or breast). Related to the English words “dolorous” and “pectoral”.
    • agudo (sharp)
      From Latin acutus (sharp). Related to the English word “acute”.
    • sordo (dull)
      From Latin surdus (deaf or dull). Distantly related to the English words “surd” and “absurd”.
    • pleurítico (pleuritic)
      From Greek pleura (rib or side). A cognate to the English term.
  3. esputo (sputum)
    From Latin sputum (spit). A cognate to the English term.
    • color (color)
      From Latin color (color). A cognate to the English term.
    • cantidad (quantity)
      From Latin quantitas (quantity). A cognate to the English term.
    • consistencia (consistency)
      From Latin consistere (to exist). A cognate to the English term.
    • esputo verde (green sputum)
      From Latin viridis (green or fresh). Related to the English word “verdant”.
    • con sangre (with blood)
      From Latin sanguis (blood). Related to the English word “sanguine”.
  4. falta de aire (shortness of breath)
    From Latin fallere (to fail) and Greek aer (air or mist). Related to the English words “fail” and “air”.
    • en reposo (at rest)
      From Latin pausa (pause). Related to the English word “repose”.
    • con esfuerzo (with exertion)
      From Latin fortis (strong). Related to the English word “force”.
    • al estar acostado (when lying down)
      From Latin stare (to stand) and costa (rib or side). Related to the English word “state” and medical term “costal”.
  5. dificultad respiratoria (respiratory distress)
    From Latin difficilis (difficult) and spirare (to breathe). Literally means “difficulty breathing”.
    • uso de músculos accesorios (use of accessory muscles)
      From Latin usus (use), musculus (muscle), and accessus (access). A cognate to the English term.
    • aleteo nasal (nasal flaring)
      From Latin ala (wing) and nasus (nose). Related to the English term “ala of the nose” (the outer flared portion of the nostril).
    • retracciones intercostales (intercostal retractions)
      From Latin retractio (drawing back) and costa (rib or side). A cognate to the English term.
  6. resfriado común (common cold)
    From Latin frigus (cold) and communis (common). Related to the English words “frigid”, “refrigerate”, and “common”.
    • estornudo (sneeze)
      From Latin sternuere (to sneeze). Related to the English medical term “sternutation”.
    • congestión (congestion)
      From Latin congestio (accumulation). A cognate to the English term.
    • moco (mucus)
      From Latin muccus (mucus). Related to the English words “mucus” and “mucosity”.
  7. sinusitis (sinusitis)
    From Latin sinus (curve or cavity) and Greek suffix -itis (inflammation). A cognate to the English term.
    • dolor facial (facial pain)
      From Latin dolor (pain or suffering) and facies (face). Related to the English words “dolorous” and “facial”.
    • presión sinusal (sinus pressure)
      From Latin pressio (pressure) and sinus (curve or cavity). A cognate to the English term.
    • secreción nasal (nasal discharge)
      From Latin secretio (separation) and nasus (nose). Literally means “nasal secretion”.
  8. gripe (flu)
    From Frankish grip (claw or hook). Related to the English words “grip” and “grippe”.
    • fiebre (fever)
      From Latin febris (fever). A cognate to the English term.
    • escalofríos (chills)
      From Latin calor (heat) and frigus (cold). Related to the English words “calorie” and “frigid”.
    • temblores (shaking)
      From Latin tremulus (trembling). Related to the English words “tremor” and “tremble”.
    • dolor muscular (muscle pain)
      From Latin dolor (pain or suffering) and musculus (muscle). Related to the English words “dolorous” and “muscular”.
    • fatiga (fatigue)
      From Latin fatigare (to tire). A cognate to the English term.
  9. bronquitis (bronchitis)
    From Greek bronchia (bronchi) and Greek suffix -itis (inflammation). A cognate to the English term.
  10. neumonía (pneumonia)
    From Greek pneumon (lung). A cognate to the English term.
  11. asma (asthma)
    From Greek asthma (panting or breathlessness). A cognate to the English term.
    • desencadenantes (triggers)
      From Latin catena (chain). Related to the English word “concatenate”.
    • opresión en el pecho (chest tightness)
      From Latin oppressio (oppression) and pectus (chest or breast). Literally means “oppression in the chest”.
    • sibilancias (wheezing)
      From Latin sibilare (to whistle or hiss). Related to the English word “sibilant”.
      • inspiratorias (inspiratory)
        From Latin spirare (to breathe). A cognate to the English term.
      • espiratorias (expiratory)
        From Latin spirare (to breathe). A cognate to the English term.
  12. apnea del sueño (sleep apnea)
    From Greek apnoia (without breathing) and Latin somnus (sleep). Related to the English words “apnea”, “somnolent”, and “insomnia”.
    • ronquidos (snoring)
      From Greek rhonchos (snoring sound). Related to the English words “rhonchus” and “rhonchial”.
    • pausas respiratorias (breathing pauses)
      From Latin pausa (pause) and spirare (to breathe). A cognate to the English term.
    • somnolencia diurna (daytime sleepiness)
      From Latin somnus (sleep) and dies (day). Related to the English words “somnolent”, “insomnia”, and “diurnal”.

Procedures & Examinations

  1. radiografía de tórax (chest X-ray)From Latin radius (ray or beam), Greek suffix -graphia (writing), and Greek thorax (chest or breastplate). Related to the English words “radiograph” and “thoracic”.
  2. tomografía computarizada (computed tomography scan or CT scan)From Greek tomos (cut or section), Greek suffix -graphia (writing), and Latin computare (to calculate together). A cognate to the English unabbreviated term.
  3. prueba de función pulmonar (pulmonary function test)
    From Latin probare (to test or to prove), functio (performance), and pulmo (lung). Related to the English words “proof”, “function”, and “pulmonary”.
  4. espirometría (spirometry)From Latin spirare (to breathe) and Greek suffix -metria (measuring). A cognate to the English term.
  5. broncoscopía (bronchoscopy)From Greek bronchia (bronchi) and skopein (to observe). A cognate to the English term.
  6. toracentesis (thoracentesis)From Greek thorax (chest or breastplate) and kentesis (puncture). A cognate to the English term.
  7. colocación del tubo torácico (chest tube placement)From Latin collocare (to place together), Latin tubus (tube), and Greek thorax (chest or breastplate). Related to the English words “collocation”, “tube”, and “thoracic”.
  8. oximetría de pulso (pulse oximetry)From Greek oxys (acid or sharp), Greek suffix -metria (measuring), and Latin pulsus (beat or pulse). A cognate to the English term.
  9. análisis de gases en sangre (blood gas analysis)From Greek analysis (loosening up or breaking down), Greek khaos (chaos), and Latin sanguis (blood). Related to the English words “analysis”, “gas”, and “sanguine”.
  10. medición del flujo máximo (peak flow measurement)From Latin metiri (to measure), fluere (to flow), and maximus (greatest). Related to the English words “meter”, “fluid”, and “maximum”.

Additional Resources

Understanding Medical Spanish can be an essential skill for healthcare professionals working with Spanish-speaking patients. For those looking to deepen their Spanish vocabulary, try a learning resource like Bueno Spanish, which offers etymologies and strategies to help you learn new words more effectively.