Medical Terminology Chapter 2

anterior

pertaining to the front of the body or body part (the side where the abdomen is located)

posterior

pertaining to the back of the body or body part

superior

pertaining to an area above (toward the head)

inferior

pertaining to an area below (toward the tail end of an organism)

medial

pertaining to/in the direction of the midline of the body

lateral

pertaining to/in the direction of the side of the body (away from the midline)

proximal

pertaining to/in a direction nearer to the torso (the main part of the body—contains the chest, abdomen, pelvis, and back)

distal

pertaining to/in a direction farther away from the torso

coronal plane

a vertical plane that divides the body into front (anterior) and back (posterior) sections

midsagittal plane

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

sagittal plane

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

transverse plane

a horizontal plane that divides the body into upper (superior) and lower (inferior) sections

abdominal cavity

the cavity that contains the stomach, liver, intestines, pancreas, and spleen

axilla

the armpit (plural: axillae)

cranial cavity

the cavity that contains the brain

cranium

the head

digit

a finger or toe

extremity

an arm or leg

mediastinum

the central part of the thoracic cavity where the heart is located

oral cavity

the mouth

orbital cavity

the eye socket or cavity that contains the eye

pelvic cavity

the cavity that contains the lower parts of the intestines and the reproductive organs

spinal cavity

the cavity that contains the spinal cord

thoracic cavity

the cavity that contains the heart and lungs, also called the thorax

anatomy

the structure of the body

circulatory system

the system made up of the heart, blood vessels, and blood; transports oxygen and nutrients to the body and removes wastes

endocrine system

the system made up of endocrine glands; produces and secretes hormones that regulate body functions

gastrointestinal system

the system made up of the gastrointestinal tract and accessory digestive organs; breaks down food to supply nutrients to the body's cells

immune system

the systems that work together to protect the body from disease

integumentary system

the system made up of the skin, sweat glands, and hair follicles/hair; it is a natural protective covering

musculoskeletal system

the system made up of muscles, bones, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage; gives the body shape and structure and allows for movement

nervous system

the system made up of the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and sense organs; the control and message center of the body

reproductive system

the system made up of the reproductive organs, which are different in males and females; produces the reproductive cells needed to create a new human being

respiratory system

the system made up of the lungs and respiratory passages; brings oxygen into the body and eliminates carbon dioxide

urinary system

the system made up of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra, and meatus; filters the blood to remove wastes and maintains fluid balance

cell

the basic structural unit of the body

chromosome

the structure in the nucleus of most cells that contains genetic information

cytoplasm

the liquid around a cell's nucleus that contains organelles

deoxyribonucleic acid

a material containing the genes that determine a person's traits; also called DNA

homeostasis

the condition in which all of the body's systems are balanced and maintaining internal stability

metabolism

the physical and chemical changes that happen within the body

nucleus

the central part of a cell that contains the chromosomes

objective data

facts that can be measured or observed; also called signs

organ

a structural unit in the body that performs a specific function

organelle

a structural unit within a cell that performs a specific function

physiology

the study of the function of living organisms

subjective data

facts reported by a patient and only experienced by the patient; also called symptoms

cardiac muscle

the involuntary muscle tissue in the heart that contracts to pump blood throughout the circulatory system

connective tissue

the tissue that makes up the bones, cartilage, and blood

epithelial tissue

the tissue that forms the skin and linings of the organs

nerve tissue

the tissue that makes up the brain, spinal cord, and nerves

skeletal muscle

the voluntary muscle tissue attached to the bones; allows for movement

smooth muscle

the involuntary muscle tissue that lines organs and blood vessels; allows for body processes such as the movement of food through the digestive system