Final answer:
Pulmonary relates to the lungs, which are vital for respiratory gas exchange. Diseases like pneumonia and COPD affect the lungs' ability to function properly.
Step-by-step explanation:
Pulmo and pneumo are stems which mean lung. The term pulmonary refers to anything concerning or involving the lungs, which are a pair of essential organs in the respiratory system responsible for gas exchange between the blood and the atmosphere. The lungs are susceptible to various diseases such as pneumonia, where the alveoli become inflamed and fill with fluid, primarily due to infections, obstructing gas exchange and causing symptoms like coughing, chest pain, and difficulty breathing. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is another lung condition characterized by poor airflow and chronic respiratory symptoms, often linked to tobacco smoking and leading to irreversible damage to the lung tissue, particularly the alveoli.