Common Word Roots for Respiratory System (Part 1)

Take this quiz and you will be able to learn some of the most common word roots and combining forms used in referring to respiratory systems.

Quick Review for the Quiz

Check out the flashcard version for a more detailed review.

Word Root Combining Form Body Part or Condition
alveol alveol/o alveolus
bronch, bronch, bronchi bronch/o, bronch/i, bronchi/o
bronchus, bronchial tube
bronchiol bronchiol bronchiole
capn capn/o
carbon dioxide
epiglott epiglott/o epiglottis
laryng laryng/o larynx
lob lob/o lobe
muc muc/o mucus
nas, rhin nas/o, rhin/o nose
ox ox/i oxygen

  • Question of

    Find the combining form of the image highlighted.

    • alveol/o
    • pharyng/o
    • thorac/o
    • sept/o

    Correct Wrong

    alveol/o is the combining form that refers to "alveolus (plural: alveoli)". An alveolus is a small air sac located at the end of a bronchiole (a tiny tube of air in the lungs). During breathing, oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange between the alveoli and the lungs.

  • Question of

    Find the combining form of the image pointed to.

    • bronch/o or bronch/i
    • alveol/o
    • pharyng/o
    • epiglott/o

    Correct Wrong

    bronch/o, bronch/i or bronchi/o is the combining form that refers to "bronchus (bronchial tube)", plural form: "bronchi". A bronchus is a large tube that connects to the trachea (windpipe) and directs air to the right and left lungs.

  • Question of

    Find the combining form of the image pointed to.

    • bronchiol/o
    • phon/o or son/o
    • bronch/o or bronch/i
    • ox/i

    Correct Wrong

    bronchiol/o is the combining form that refers to "bronchiole". Bronchioles, or bronchioli, are smaller branches of the bronchial airways. The bronchioles transport air to small sacs in your lungs called alveoli.

  • Question of

    Find the combining form.

    • capn/o
    • sept/o
    • sinus/o
    • radi/o

    Correct Wrong

    capn/o is the combining form that refers to "carbon dioxide." Carbon dioxide is a waste gas that's exchanged for oxygen at every single cell in your body. The circulatory system transports this waste gas back to the lungs, where it is removed from the bloodstream and then exhaled.

  • Question of

    Find the combining form of the image pointed to.

    • epiglott/o
    • phren/o or diaphragmat/o
    • phrenic/o
    • pharyng/o

    Correct Wrong

    epiglott/o is the combining form that refers to "epiglottis." Above the larynx, there is a small, movable "lid" called the epiglottis that keeps food and drink from getting into the windpipe.

  • Question of

    Find the combining form of the image pointed to.

    • laryng/o
    • pharyng/o
    • lob/o
    • nas/o

    Correct Wrong

    laryng/o is the combining form that refers to "larynx." Larynx, or voice box, is a tube that joins your throat (pharynx) to your respiratory system. The voice box enables safety for swallowing and keeps the vocal cords protected.

  • Question of

    Find the combining form of the image described.

    • lob/o
    • sept/o
    • ox/i
    • capn/o

    Correct Wrong

    lob/o is the combining form that refers to "lobe." A lobe is a visible anatomical division of an organ ( for example, the brain, lung, liver, and kidney ) that is visible without a microscope.

  • Question of

    Find the combining form of the image pointed to.

    • muc/o
    • trache/o
    • lob/o
    • laryng/o

    Correct Wrong

    muc/o is the combining form that refers to "mucus." Mucus is a thick, sticky fluid produced by the membranes that line certain body parts, like the nose, mouth, throat, lungs, and vagina.

  • Question of

    Find the combining form of the image highlighted.

    • rhin/o
    • phon/o
    • pleur/o
    • bronchiol/o

    Correct Wrong

    nas/o or rhin/o is the combining form that refers to "nose." As part of the respiratory system, the nose allows air to enter the body, filters debris, and warms and moistens the air.

  • Question of

    Find the combining form.

    • ox/i
    • muc/o
    • son/o
    • sinus/o

    Correct Wrong

    ox/i is the combining form that refers to "oxygen." Oxygen is necessary for the survival of our cells. As oxygen is taken in from the air, carbon dioxide is exhaled from the body through the lungs and respiratory system.