pneumo-

1. variant of pneumato- or pneumono-:

   pneumococcus.

pneumo-

combining_form

1. of or related to a lung or the lungs; respiratory

   pneumonitis

   pneumoconiosis

Word History and Origins

Origin of pneumo-¹

from Greek pneumōn lung or pneuma breath

Example Sentences

If, however, the adhesions are limited, a better result may be obtained by this method than by pneumo-massage and inflation.

From Project Gutenberg

Now Hyrst was heavily asleep in the pneumo-chair beside him.

From Project Gutenberg

The opening of gastric ulcer into the pericardium is one of the rare causes of pneumo-pericardium.

From Project Gutenberg

That form of intra-peritoneal abscess known as subphrenic pneumo-pyothorax has been already described under Symptomatology.

From Project Gutenberg

The patient afterwards developed a pneumo-hæmo-thorax on the right side.

From Project Gutenberg

Words That Use pneumo-

What does pneumo- mean?

Pneumo- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “lung” or “breath.” It is often used in medical terms, especially in pathology and anatomy.

Pneumo- comes from the Greek pneúmōn, meaning “lung.” Pneúmōn helps form the Greek word pneumonía, source of the English pneumonia, “inflammation of the lungs with congestion.”

Pneumo- is a variant of both the combining forms pneumato-, meaning “air, breath, spirit,” and pneumono-, meaning “lung.” Learn more in our Words That Use articles for these forms.

What are variants of pneumo-?

When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, pneumo- becomes pneum-, as in pneumectomy.

The Greek pneúmōn is also related to the combining form -pnea.

Want to know more? Read our Words That Use -pnea article.

Examples of pneumo-

One example of a medical term that features pneumo- is pneumotomy, also known as pneumonotomy, meaning “incision of the lung,” a surgical procedure.

As we know, pneumo- can mean “lung.” The second part of the word, -tomy, means “cutting, incision.” Pneumotomy literally translates to “lung incision.”

What are some words that use the combining form pneumo-?

• pneumoangiography
• pneumobacillus (from New Latin)
• pneumocele
• pneumocystic
• pneumogram
• pneumopericardium
• pneumostome
• pneumothorax

What are some other forms that pneumo- may be commonly confused with?

• -pnea
• pleuro-
• pulmo-

Break it down!

A pneumolith is a type of calculus, or stone or concretion, that can form in the body. Based on the meaning of pneumo-, where in the body is a pneumolith found?