HLTH 125 - Ch 1 + 2

eponym

a medical term used for a procedure, disease, medical device, etc., that is named after a person (EX: cesarean section, Hodgkin's Disease, Foley catheter)

constructed medical terms

terms that can be divided into word parts, consist of at least two word parts, must have a suffix

non-constructed medical terms

terms that cannot be divided into word parts, such as heart, nurse

sequence for deconstructing medical terms

Step 1. Break the term down into its word parts and then put them into order: Step 2. Start with the suffix. Step 3. Then add any prefix(es) if there is one Step 4. Then add the word root(s)/combining form(s), in order.

prefix

a word part attached to the beginning of a constructed medical term that modifies the meaning of the word

suffix

a word part attached to the end of a constructed medical term that modifies the meaning of the word

word root

the foundation of a medical term; it provides the general or basic meaning of the word

combining vowel

a vowel added to a word root which makes it possible to combine several word parts; combining vowels are only added to word roots

combining form

consists of a word root and combining vowel

cytology

the study of cells and their functions is called cytology

histology

the study of tissues and their functions

integumentary system

a protective two-way barrier protecting all internal structures; includes skin, hair, nails, sweat glands

musculoskeletal system

skeleton supports and protects the body stature and muscles produce movement; includes bones, joints, muscles

cardiovascular system

pumps blood through the body to transport nutrients, oxygen and wastes; includes heart, arteries, veins

lymphatic system

protects the body from disease and invasion of pathogens.

respiratory system

Obtains oxygen and removes carbon dioxide from the body; includes the throat, windpipe and lungs.

digestive system

Responsible for digestion and elimination of solid waste from the body; includes mouth, throat, stomach, intestines, colon.

urinary system

Kidneys filter waste products out of the blood and removes them from the body; includes kidneys, urinary bladder.

nervous system

Receives sensory information and coordinates the body's responses; includes the brain, spinal cord, nerves.

endocrine system

Regulates metabolic activities of the body; includes the pituitary gland, thyroid, adrenal glands.

anatomical position

Used because it establishes a common position and relationships of body parts.

abdominal region

Abdomen; anterior side of trunk between the thoracic and pelvic regions.

brachial region

Upper extremities or arms.

cephalic region

Entire head.

cervical region

Neck.

inguinal/groin region

The area directly above and below the fold where the abdomen meets the leg.

gluteal region

Buttocks.

pelvic region

Area between the hips and internal structures.

pubic region

External area of the external genitals (reproductive organs).

trunk or torso

Contains all body regions other than head, neck and extremities.

thoracic region

Chest.

cavities

Open spaces within the body that may or may not be filled with organs or other structures.

cranial cavity

Contains brain.

spinal cavity

Contains spinal cord.

thoracic cavity

Contains the two lungs and the central region between them is called the mediastinum.

mediastinum

The central region of the thorax, located between the lungs; it contains the heart, esophagus, trachea (windpipe), and thymus gland.

diaphragm

A physical dividing wall between thoracic cavity and abdominopelvic cavity; it is the muscle used for breathing.

abdominal cavity

Refers to the abdomen; the area between the thoracic and pelvic cavities; primarily includes the organs of digestion and excretion.

pelvic cavity

The area within the hips or that which is inclusive of the pelvic girdle.

abdominopelvic cavity

Used when referring to both the abdominal and pelvic regions as a single unit.

epigastric region

The upper middle area of the abdomen; area most common for stomach and heart issues.

umbilical region

The central area of the abdomen around the umbilicus (navel/belly button).

abdominal left lumbar

Left abdomen lateral to the umbilical area.

right lumbar

Right region lateral to the umbilical region, including the back.

left lumbar

Left region lateral to the umbilical region, including the back.

flank regions

Posterior lumbar regions between the bottom of the rib cage and upper hip bone.

right upper quadrant

Contains majority of liver, gallbladder.

right lower quadrant

Contains appendix.

left upper quadrant

Contains spleen, stomach, pancreas.

left lower quadrant

Contains the sigmoid colon/rectum, pain often the result of constipation.

superior

Pertaining to above; more toward the head or above another structure.

inferior

Pertaining to below; more toward the feet or below another structure.

anterior (ventral)

Pertaining to the front; more toward the front or belly-side of the body.

posterior (dorsal)

Pertaining to the back; more toward the back side of the body.

medial

Pertaining to the middle; refers to the middle or near the middle of the body or structure.

lateral

Pertaining to the side; refers to more toward the side.

proximal

Pertaining near to; located nearer to the point of attachment to the body.

distal

Pertaining away from; located farther away from the point of attachment to the body.

superficial

More toward the surface of the body; (i.e. - pain more towards the surface of the body or an injury to the skin).

deep

Further away from the surface of the body (i.e. - internal/organ pain or an injury that goes below the layers of the skin).

supine

Lying on your back, facing upward.

prone

Lying on your abdomen, facing down.

apex

The conical-shaped part, tip or summit of an organ (specifically refers to the conical part of an organ; therefore, the apex of the heart is the conical part at the bottom of the heart; whereas, the apex of the lung is the conical part of the top of the lung).

base

Bottom or lower part of an organ; the part of the organ that appears more flat.