Medical Terminology - Exam II

Organization of the body

Atoms/Ions > molecules > organelles > Cells > Tissue > Organ > Body system > Organism

Stem Cells

Cells that have the ability to divide without limit and give rise to specialized cells

Epithelial tissue

forms the covering of both internal and external surface. Cells are joined by small amounts of cementing substances.

Connective Tissue

supports and binds other body tissue and parts

muscular tissue

composed of fibers that are able to contract, causing movement of body parts and organs.

nervous tissue

conducts impulses that connect the brain and spinal cord with the other parts of the body

homeostasis

refers to the constant internal environment that is naturally maintained by the body.

muscular system

makes movement possible

skeletal system

provides protection, form, and shape for the body, stores minerals and forms some blood cells.

Cardiovascular system

delivers oxygen, nutrients, and vital substances throughout the body; transports cellular waste products to the lungs and kidneys for excretion.

Lymphatic system

helps maintain the internal fluid environment, produces some types of blood cells; regulates immunity.

Respiratory system

brings oxygen into the body and removes carbon dioxide and some water waste.

Digestive system

provides the body with water, nutrients, and minerals; removes solid wastes

Urinary system

Filters blood to remove wastes of cellular metabolism; maintains the electrolyte and fluid balance.

Reproductive system

facilitates procreation (producing offspring)

Integumentary system

Provides external covering for protection; regulates body temperature and water content

Nervous system

Coordinates the reception of stimuli; transmits messages to stimulate movement

endocrine system

secretes hormones and helps regulate body activities.

home/o

sameness

-stasis

controlling

ana-

upward, excessive or again

-plasia

development or formation of tissue

hypo-

below normal

a-

without

dys-

bad

hyper-

above normal

aplasia

the lack of development of an organ or tissue

dysplasia

any abnormal development of tissues, recognized by other cells that differ in size, shape, and appearance.

hypoplasia

underdevelopment of an organ or a tissue; less severe than aplasia

hypertrophy

an increase in the size of an organ caused by an increase in the size of existing cells rather than the number of cells.

anaplasia

characteristic of malignant tumors

-trophy

nutrition

anatomic position

the position a person is in while standing erect with arms at the side and palms forward

anter/o

anterior: nearer to or toward the front; ventral

poster/o

posterior: nearer to or toward the back; dorsal; situated behind

ventr/o

ventral: belly side; same as anterior surface in humans

dors/o

dorsal: directed toward or situated on the back side; same as posterior surface in humans

medi/o

medial, median: middle or nearer to the middle; the prefix mid- also means middle

later/o

lateral: towards the side; denoting a position farther from the midline of the body or from a structure

super/o

superior: uppermost or above

infer/o

inferior: lowermost or below

proxim/o

proximal: nearer the origin or point of attachment

dist/o

distal: far or distant from the origin or point of attachment

cephal/o

cephalad: toward the head

caud/o

caudad: toward the tail or in a inferior direction in humans

intern/o

internal: inside; within (L., internus)

extern/o

external: outside (L. externus)

frontal plane

divides the body into front and back portions

transverse plane

divides the body into upper and lower portions

sagittal plane

divides the body into right and left sides

midsagittal plane

divides the body into two equal halves

anter/o

front

poster/o

behind

later/o

side

medi/o

middle

super/o

uppermost

infer/o

lowermost

prone

lying face downward

supine

lying on the back

cranial cavity

contains the brain

spinal cavity

contains the spinal cord and the beginnings of the spinal nerves

The dorsal cavity

is divided into the cranial and spinal cavities

Viscera

large organs contained in the ventral cavity

thorac/o

chest

periton/o

peritoneum

-eum

membrane

Diaphragm

Divides the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities

peritoneum

lines the abdominopelvic cavity and enfolds the internal organs

dors/o

back

ventr/o

belly

crani/o

skull

spin/o

spine

abdomin/o

abdomen

pelv/i

pelvis

Adhesion

A sticking together of two structures that are normally separated

torso

includes the chest, abdomen, and pelvis

acr/o

extremities (arms/legs)

blephar/o

eyelid

cyst/o

cyst, bladder, or sac

dactyl/o

digit (toes, fingers, or both)

lapar/o

abdominal wall

omphal/o, umbilic/o

umbilicus (navel)

onych/o

nail

pelv/i

pelvis

periton/o

peritoneum

som/a, somat/o

body

thorac/o

chest (thorax)

Acral

pertaining to the extremities of the body

Acrodermatitis

dermatitis of the extremities

acrocyanosis

cyanosis of the extremities

Acrohypothermy

Abnormal coldness of the extremities

Acromegaly

A disorder in which there is abnormal enlargement of the body extremities, including the nose, jaws, fingers, and toes caused by the hypersecretion of growth hormone after maturity.

therm/o

temperature

-y

condititon

abdomen

the portion of the body trunk that is located between the chest and the pelvis

abdominal quadrants

often used to describe the location of pain or body structures

thoracocentesis/thoracentesis

surgical puncture of the chest wall for aspiration of fluids

Pelvic

pertaining to a pelvis, usually the bony pelvis.

Pelvis

the lower portion of the body trunk

cephalopelvic

refers to the head of the fetus and the maternal pelvis