Medical Terminology for Health Professions chapter 2

anatomy

the study of the structures of the body

anatomical

referring to anatomy

anatomical position

the body standing in the standard position

body planes

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

sagittal plane

a vertical plane that divides the body into left and right portions

midsagittal plane

a vertical plane that divides the body into equal left and right portions

frontal plane

a vertical plane that divides the body into front and back portions

transverse plane

divides the body into upper and lower portions

ventral

the front or belly side

dorsal

the back side

anterior

situated in the front

posterior

situated in the back

superior

uppermost, above, or toward the head

inferior

lowermost, below, or toward the feet

cephalic

toward the head

caudal

toward the lowest part of the body

proximal

situated nearest the midline or beginning of a body structure

distal

situated farthest from the midline or beginning of a body structure

medial

the direction toward, or nearer, the midline

lateral

the direction toward, or nearer, the side of the body

bilateral

relating to, or having, two sides

dorsal cavity

contains organs of the nervous system that coordinate body functions. Includes the cranial cavity and the spinal cavity

cranial cavity

surrounds and protects the brain

spinal cavity

surrounds and protects the spinal cord

ventral cavity

contains the organs that sustain homeostasis. Includes the thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic cavities

homeostasis

the process through which the body maintains a constant internal environment

thoracic cavity

surrounds and protects the heart and lungs

abdominal cavity

contains the major organs of digestion

pelvic cavity

contains the organs of the reproductive and excretory systems

abdominopelvic cavity

abdominal cavity and pelvic cavity

inguinal

the entire lower area of the abdomen

right and left hypochondriac regions

covered by the lower ribs

epigastric region

located above the stomach

right and left lumbar regions

located near the inward curve of the spine

umbilical region

located around the navel

right and left iliac regions

located near the hip bones

hypogastric region

located below the stomach

lumbar

the part of the back between the ribs and pelvis

peritoneum

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

parietal peritoneum

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

mesentery

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

visceral peritoneum

the inner layer of the peritoneum that surrounds the organs of the abdominal cavity

retroperitoneal

located behind the peritoneum

peritonitis

inflammation of the peritoneum

cytology

the study of the anatomy, physiology, pathology, and chemistry of the cell

cytologist

a specialist in the study and analysis of cells

cell membrane

the tissue that surrounds and protects the contents of the cell

cytoplasm

the material within the cell membrane that is not part of the nucleus

nucleus

the structure within the cell that controls the activities of the cell and helps the cell divide

stem cells

unspecialized cells that are able to renew themselves for long periods of time by cell division

adult stem cells

undifferentiated cells found among differentiated cells in a tissue or organ

embryonic stem cells

undifferentiated cells that can form any adult cell

stem cell therapy

the use of stem cells to treat or prevent a disease or condition

genes

control hereditary diseases and all physical traits

genetics

the study of how genes are transferred from parents to their child and the role of genes in health and disease

genetisist

a specialist in the field of genetics

dominant gene

a gene that is expressed in the offspring whenever it is present

recessive gene

a gene that is expressed only when it is matched with a similar gene from the other parent

genome

the complete set of genetic information of an organism

chromosome

a genetic structure found in the nucleus of each cell

DNA

the material that carries the body's genetic information

genetic disorder

a pathological condition caused by an absent or defective gene

cystic fibrosis (CF)

a genetic disorder that is present at birth and affects both the respiratory and digestive systems

down syndrome (trisomy 21)

a genetic variation that is associated with a characteristic facial appearance, learning disabilities, developmental delays, and physical abnormalities

fragile x syndrome

a genetic disorder caused by changes in the MR1 gene; characterized by developmental delays, learning disabilities, and social and behavioral problems

hemophilia

a hereditary bleeding disorder in which a blood clotting factor is missing

huntington's disease

a genetic disorder that causes nerve degeneration with symptoms that most often appear in midlife

marfan syndrome

a disorder affecting the connective tissue throughout the body, including the heart, eyes, blood vessels, and musculoskeletal system

muscular dystrophy

a group of genetic diseases that are characterized by progressive weakness and degeneration of the skeletal muscles that control movement

phenylketonuria (PKU)

a genetic disorder in which the essential digestive enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase is missing

tissue

a group or layer of similarly specialized cells that join together to perform certain specific functions

epithelial tissue

tissue that forms a protective layer for all the internal and external surfaces of the body

epithelium

forms the epidermis of the skin and the surface layer of mucous membranes

endothelium

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

connective tissue

support and connects organs and other body tissues

dense connective tissue

forms the joints and framework of the body

adipose tissue

provides protective padding, insulation, and support

loose connective tissue

holds organs in place and binds tissue together

fluid connective tissue

transport nutrients and waste throughout the body

muscle tissue

contains cells with the specialized ability to contract and relax

nerve tissue

contains cells with the specialized ability to react to stimuli and to conduct electrical impulses

aplasia

the defective development, or the congenital absence, of an organ or tissue

hypoplasia

the incomplete development of an organ or tissue usually due to a deficiency in the number of cells

anaplasia

a change in the structure of cells and in their orientation to each other

hyperplasia

an increase in the number of cells in a tissue or organ

hypertrophy

a general increase in the bulk of a body part or organ that is due to an increase in the size, but not in the number, of cells in the tissues

gland

a group of specialized epithelial cells that are capable of producing secretions

endocrine glands

glands that secrete chemicals called hormones directly into the bloodstream

exocrine glands

secrete chemical substances into ducts that lead either to other organs or out of the body

adenoids

a mass of gland-like lymphoid tissue at the back of the upper pharynx

adenitis

inflammation of a gland

adenocarcinoma

a malignant tumor that originates in the glands and may spread to other parts of the body

adenoma

a benign tumor that starts in a gland or gland-like structure

adenosis

any disease or condition of the gland

organ

a somewhat independent part of the body that performs a specific function

pathology

the study of disease

pathologist

a physician who specializes in the laboratory analysis of diseased tissue samples to confirm or establish a diagnosis

etiology

the study of the causes of diseases or abnormal conditions

pathogen

a disease-producing organism

communicable disease

any condition that is transmitted from one person to another either by direct or by indirect contact with contaminated objects