HOSA Medical Terminology - Overview of the Body

Physiology

study of the functions of structures of the body

Anatomic Position

describes the body standing in standard position (body is erect and facing forward, holding arms at the sides with hands turned so palms face front)

Body Planes

imaginary vertical and horizontal lines used to divide the body into sections

Midsagittal Plane

Midline

Divides body into equal left and right halves

Frontal Plane (coronal plane)

divides body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) portions

Transverse Plane

horizontal, divides body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) parts

Ventral

front or belly side of the organ/body

Dorsal

back of the organ/body

Anterior

situated in the front/front or forward part of an organ

Posterior

situated in the back, back part of an organ

Superior

uppermost, above or toward the head

Inferior

lowermost, below or toward the feet

Cephalic

towards the head

Caudal

towards the lower part of the body

Proximal

situated closest to the midline or beginning of a body structure

Distal

situated farthest from the midline or end of a body structure

Medial

toward or closer to the midline

Lateral

toward or nearer the side of the body, away from the midline

Bilateral

relating to/having 2 sides

The abdomen is divided into how many quadrants?

4

Peritoneum

multilayered membrane that protects and holds organs in place in the abdominal cavity

Parietal Peritoneum

outer layer of peritoneum that lines the interior of the abdominal wall

Mesentery

fused double layer of parietal peritoneum that attaches parts of the intestine to the interior abdominal wall

Visceral Peritoneum

inner layer of peritoneum that surrounds organs in the abdominal cavity

Retroperitoneal

behind the peritoneum

Body Cavities

spaces within the body that contain and protect internal organs

Dorsal Cavity

Located along the back of the body and head

Contains organs of the nervous system that coordinate body functions

Divided into 2 parts (cranial, spinal)

Cranial Cavity

Located in the skull

Surrounds and protects the brain

Spinal Cavity

Located in the spinal column

Surrounds and protects the spinal cord

Ventral Cavity

Located along the front of the body

Contains the body organs that sustain homeostasis

Homeostasis

process through which the body maintains a constant internal environment

Regions of the Thorax and Abdomen

divide the abdomen and lower portion of thorax into 9 parts

Right & Left Hypochondriac Regions

covered by lower ribs

Epigastric Region

above the stomach

Right & Left Lumbar Regions

near the inward curve of the spine

Umbilical Region

surrounds the umbilicus

Right & Left Lilac Regions

located over the hip bones

Hypogastric Region

below the stomach

Body's Structural Units In Order

Cells < Tissues < Organs < Body Systems

Cells

Basic structural and functional units of the body

Specialised and grouped to form tissues and organs

Cytology

study of anatomy, physiology, pathology, and chemistry of cells

Stem Cells

unspecialised cells that are able to renew themselves for long periods of time

Adult Stem Cells (somatic stem cells)

found among differentiated cells, they repair tissue

Embryonic Stem Cells

Can form any adult cell

Can proliferate indefinitely in the lab

Gene

Fundamental, physical, and functional unit of heredity

Controls hereditary disorders and physical traits

Genetics

study of the transfer of genes and roles in genes in health and disease

Dominant Gene

offspring will inherit the characteristic

Recessive Gene

If inherited from both parents, offspring will have the condition

If inherited from one parent, offspring will only carry the trait (can be genetically transfered)

Human Genome

Complete set of genetic information of humans

Human Genome project was completed in 2003, important step in genetics in health and science

Chromosomes

Genetic structures in nuclei

Contains DNA which makes genes

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic Acid

Provides information for heredity, physical appearance, disease risks, and other traits

Found in all nuclei except for erythrocytes (which don't have nuclei)

Unique to each individual

Double Helix

2 spiraling strands of DNA

Genetic Mutation

change of the sequence of DNA

Somatic Cell Mutation

can't be transmitted

Gametic Cell Mutation

can be transmitted genetically

Genetic Engineering

manipulation of genes for scientific/medical purposes

Genetic Disorder (hereditary disorder)

pathological condition caused by absent/defective gene

Cystic Fibrosis

affects respiratory and digestive systems

Down Syndrome

characteristic facial appearance, learning disabilities, and physical abnormalities

Hemophilia

missing blood-clotting factor, spontaneous hemorrhages or severe bleeding after an injury

Huntington's Disease

nerve degeneration resulting in uncontrolled movements and loss of mental abilities

Muscular Dystrophy

progressive weakness and degeneration of skeletal muscles

Phenylketonuria (PKU)

enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase missing, can cause severe mental retardation

Tay-Sachs Disease

Fatal

Fatty substance buildup in tissues and nerve cells, progressive blindness, paralysis, and early death

Tissues

group or layer of similarly specialised cells that perform specific functions

Histology

study of the structure, composition, and function of tissues

Epithelial Tissues

forms protective coverings for internal and external surfaces of the body, also forms glands

Epithelium

forms epidermis of skin and surface layer of mucous membranes

Endothelium

lines blood and lymph vessels, body cavities, glands, and organs

Connective Tissues

supports and connects organs and other body tissues

Dense Connective Tissues

includes bone and cartilage, forms joints and framework of the body

Adipose Tissue (fat)

protective padding, insulation, support

Loose Connective Tissue

surrounds various organs and supports nerve cells and blood vessels

Liquid Connective Tissue

Transports nutrients and waste products

Muscle Tissue

contains cells that can contract and relax

Nerve Tissue

contains cells that react to stimuli and conduct electrical impulses

Pathology of Tissue Formation

Disorders of tissues

Causes are often unknown

Can appear throughout lifespan

Aplasia

defective development or congenital absence of an organ or tissue

Hypoplasia

Incomplete development of an organ or tissue

Usually caused by deficiency in cell count

Anaplasia

change in structure of cells and their orientation to each other

Dysplasia

abnormal development or growth of cells, tissue, or organs

Hyperplasia

enlargement of an organ or tissue, caused by increase in number of cells in the tissues

Hypertrophy

general increase in bulk of body part or organ due to increase in size (not number) of cells

Gland

group of epithelial cells capable of producing secretions

Secretion

substance produced by a gland

Exocrine Glands

secrete substances into ducts leading to other organs or out of the body (e.g. sweat glands)

Endocrine Glands

produces and secretes hormones directly into bloodstream for transport throughout the body

Adenitis

gland inflammation

Adenocarcinoma

malignant tumour originating from glandular tissue

Adenoma

benign tumour arising in or resembling glandular tissue

Adenomalacia

abnormal softening of a gland

Adenosis

any disease or condition of a gland

Adenosclerosis

abnormal hardening of a gland

Adenectomy

surgical removal of a gland

Etiology

study of the causes of diseases

Pathogen

disease-producing microorganism (e.g. virus)

Transmission

spread of a disease

Contamination

possible presence of a pathogen, caused by poor hygiene or lack of appropriate infection control)

Communable (contagious) Disease

transmitted via contaminated objects

Indirect Contact Transmission

transmitted by contact with a contaminated surface