Medical Terminology - The Human Body in Health and Disease

Vocabulary flashcards generated from medical terminology lecture notes covering anatomical structures, body cavities, directions, and disease conditions.

Abdominal cavity

Contains major organs of digestion.

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 the epithelial tissue of a gland or gland-like structure.

Anaplasia

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

Anatomy

The study of the structures of the human body.

Anomaly

A deviation from what is regarded as normal.

Anterior

Situated in the front; also means on the front or forward part of an organ.

Aplasia

A defective development, or the congenital absence an organ or tissue.

Atresia

A congenital absence or narrowing of a normal body opening or passage.

Bloodborne transmission

The spread of pathogens through infected blood or other body fluids.

Caudal

Toward the lower part of the body.

Cephalic

Toward the head.

Chromosome

A genetic structure located within the nucleus of each cell.

Communicable disease

Also known as contagious disease; any condition transmitted from one person to another either directly or by indirect contact with contaminated objects.

Congenital disorder

An abnormal condition that exists at the time of birth.

Cytoplasm

The material within a cell membrane that is not part of the nucleus.

Distal

Situated farthest from the midline or beginning of a body structure or an organ.

Dorsal

The back or back of an organ or body structure.

Dysplasia

The abnormal development or growth of cells, or the presence of abnormal cells within a type of tissue.

Endemic

The ongoing presence of a disease within a population group or area.

Endocrine glands

Produce hormones; does not have ducts.

Epidemic

A sudden widespread outbreak of a disease within a specific population group or area.

Epigastric region

Located above the stomach.

Etiology

The study of the causes of diseases or abnormal conditions.

Exocrine glands

Secrete chemical substances into ducts that lead to other organs or out of the body.

Functional disorder

A non-organic disorder that produces physical symptoms for which no disease or other organic cause can be identified.

Genetic disorder

Also known as hereditary disease; a pathological condition caused by an absent or defective gene.

Genome

The complete set of genetic information of an organism.

Homophillia

A hereditary booding disorder in which a blood-clotting factor is missing.

Histology

Microscopic study of the structure, composition, and function of tissues.

Homeostasis

The processes through which the body maintains a constant internal environment.

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 due to an increase in the size but not the number of cells in the tissues.

Hypogastric region

Located below the stomach.

Hypoplasia

The underdevelopment of an organ or tissue usually due to a deficiency in the number of cells.

Iatrogenic illness

An unfavorable response due to prescribed medical treatment.

Idiopathic disease

Any disease without a known cause.

Infectious disease

An illness caused by living pathogenic organisms such as bacteria and viruses.

Inguinal

Relating to the groin, refers to the lower area of the abdomen.

Intensivist

A physician specializing in the care of critically ill patients hospitalized in the ICU.

Medial

The direction toward or nearer the midline.

Mesentery

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

Midsagittal plane

Also known as the midline; the sagittal plane that divides the body into equal left and right halves.

Nosocomial infection

Also known as hospital acquired infection; a disease acquired in a hospital or clinical setting.

Pandemic

An outbreak of a disease occurring over a large geographic area, possibly worldwide.

Pathology

The study of disease: its nature and cause as well as the produced changes in structure and function.

Pelvic cavity

The space formed by the hip bones and contains organs of reproductive and excretory systems.

Peritoneum

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

Peritonitis

Inflammation of the peritoneum.

Physiology

The study of the functions of the structures of the body.

Posterior

Situated in the back; also means the back-part of an organ.

Proximal

Situated nearest the midline or beginning of a body structure.

Retroperitoneal

Located behind the peritoneum.

Stem cells

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

Thoracic cavity

Chest cavity or thorax; surrounds and protects the heart and lungs.

Transverse plane

A horizontal plane that divides the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) portions.

Umbilicus

Belly button or navel; this pit in the center marks the point where the umbilical cord was attached.

Vector-borne transmission

Spread of certain diseases through blood-sucking vectors, such as an insect bite.

Ventral

The front, or belly side, of the organ or body.