MedTerm Chapter 2 FULL

aden/o

gland

adip/o

fat

anter/o

before, front

caud/o

lower part of body, tail

cephal/o

head

cty/o, -cyte

cell

end-, endo-

in, within, inside

exo-

out of

hist/o, histi/o

tissue

-ologist

specialist

-ology

the science or study of

path/o, -pathy

disease, suffering, feeling, emotion

plas/i, plas/o, -plasia

formation, development

poster/o

behind, toward the back

-stasis, -static

control

abdominal cavity

cavity containing the major organs of digestions

adenectomy

surgical removal of a gland

anatomy

the study of the structures of the body

physiology

the study of the functions of the structures of the body

anatomical position

standing erect, facing forward, arms at sides, palms facing forward

sagittal plane

vertical plane that divides the body into unequal left and right halves

midsagittal plane

sagittal plane that divides the body into equal left and right halves

frontal plane

vertical plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior portions, AKA coronal plane

transverse plane

horizontal plane that divides the body into superior and inferior portions

ventral

towards the front, or belly side of the organ or body

ventr

belly side of the body

-al, -ic, -ior

pertaining to

dorsal

towards the back of the organ or body

dors

back of the body

anterior

situated in the front

posterior

situated in the back

superior

uppermost, toward the head

inferior

lowermost, toward the feet

proximal

situated nearest the midline or beginning of a body structure

distal

situated farthest from the midline or beginning of a body structure

medial

towards the midline

lateral

away from the midline

cranial cavity

cavity surrounding and protecting the brain

spinal cavity

cavity surrounding and protecting the spinal cord

homeostasis

the processes through which the body maintains a constant internal environment

home/o

constant

thoracic cavity

cavity surrounding and protecting the heat and lungs

diaphragm

muscle that separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities

pelvic cavity

cavity containing the organs of the reproductive and excretory systems

inguinal

relating to the groin

right and left hypochondriac regions

regions covered by the lower ribs

hypo-

below

chondr/i

cartilage

epigastric region

region located above the stomach

right and left lumbar regions

regions located near the inward curve of the spine

umbilical region

region surrounding the belly button

right and left iliac regions

regions located over the hip bons

ili

hip bone

hypogastric region

region located below the stomach

parietal peritoneum

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

mesentery

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

visceral peritoneum

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

retroperitoneal

located behind the peritoneum

peritonitis

inflammation of the peritoneum

cell

the basic structural and functional unit of the body

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 by separating them from its external environment

cytoplasm

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

-plasm

formative material of cells

nucleus

organelle 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; maintain and repair tissue AKA somatic stem cells

hemopoietic

blood forming

graft-versus-host disease

rejection if not excellent match in stem cells between donor and recipient

embryonic stem cells

undifferentiated cells with the ability to differentiate into any adult cell

gene

a segment of DNA, fundamental physical and functional unit of heredity

genetics

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

dominant gene

a gene that is always expressed if one copy is present

recessive gene

a gene that is only expressed if both copies are present

genome

the complete set of genetic information of an organism

chromosomes

genetic structures that DNA molecules are packaged into within the nucleus

somatic cell

body cell

gamete

sex cell

DNA

biological molecule containing the genetic information of an organism

genetic disorder

a pathological condition caused by an absent or defective gene

Cystic fibrosis (CF)

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

Down syndrome (DS)

genetic variation that is associated with characteristic facial appearance, learning disabilities, and physical abnormalities (i.g. heart valve disease)

Hemophilia

a group of hereditary bleeding disorders in which a blood-clotting factor is missing

Huntington's disease (HD)

a dominant genetic disorder causing nerve degenerations with symptoms appearing in midlife

Muscular dystrophy

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

Phenylketonuria (PKU)

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

Tay-Sachs disease (TAY SAKS)

fatal genetic disorder in which harmful quantities of a fatty substance buildup in tissues and nerve cells in the brain

tissue

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

histology

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

epithelial tissues

tissues forming a protecting covering for all of the internal and external surfaces of the body

epithelium

specialized epithelial tissue that forms the epidermis of the skin and the surface layer of mucous membranes

endothelium

the specialized epithelial tissue that lines the blood and lymph vessels, body cavities, glands, and organs

connective tissues

tissues that support and connect organs and other body tissues

adipose tissue

fat, tissue providing protective padding, insulation, and support

loose connective tissue

tissue surrounding various organs and supporting both nerve cells and blood vessels

liquid connective tissues

blood and lymph, transport nutrients and waste products 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 conduct electrical impulses

aplasia

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