Body Structures and Medical Terminology

Vocabulary flashcards covering anatomical cavities, body structure combining forms, color combining forms, prefixes, suffixes, cellular components, tissue types, organs, body systems, and basic genomics from the lecture notes.

cranial cavity

Space inside the skull (cranium) containing the brain

spinal cavity

Space inside the spinal column containing the spinal cord

thoracic cavity

Space containing the heart, aorta, lungs, esophagus, trachea, bronchi, and mediastinal area

abdominal cavity

Space containing the stomach, intestines, kidneys, adrenal glands, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, and ureters

pelvic cavity

Space containing the urinary bladder, certain reproductive organs, parts of the small and large intestine, and the anus

abdominopelvic cavity

Both the pelvic and abdominal cavities

aden/o

Gland, glandular tissue

cyt/o

Cell(s)

epitheli/o

Epithelium, epithelial tissue

fibr/o

Fiber(s), fibrous tissue

hemat/o

Blood

hist/o

Tissue(s)

lip/o

Fat, fat tissue

my/o

Muscle(s), muscle tissue

neur/o

Nerve(s), nerve tissue

organ/o

Organ

sarc/o

Flesh, connective tissue

system/o

System

viscer/o

Internal organs

aut/o

Self

bi/o

Life

cancer/o

Cancer

carcin/o

Cancer

crypt/o

Hidden

necr/o

Death (cells, body)

eti/o

Cause (of disease)

gno/o

Knowledge

iatr/o

Physician, medicine (also means treatment)

lei/o

Smooth

onc/o

Tumor, mass

path/o

Disease

rhabd/o

Rod-shaped, striated

somat/o

Body

vir/o

Virus

CANCER

A disease characterized by the unregulated, abnormal growth of new cells

cyan/o

Blue

erythr/o

Red

leuk/o

White

melan/o

Black

xanth/o

Yellow

dia-

Through, complete

dys-

Painful, abnormal, difficult, labored

hyper-

Above, excessive

hypo-

Below, incomplete, deficient, under

meta-

After, beyond, change

micro-

Small

neo-

New

pro-

Before

-al, -ic, -ous

Pertaining to

-cyte

Cell

-gen

Substance or agent that produces or causes

-genic

Producing, originating, causing

-logist

One who studies and treats (specialist, physician)

-logy

Study of

-megaly

Enlargement

-oid

Resembling

-oma

Tumor, swelling

-opsy

View of, viewing

-osis

Abnormal condition (means increase when used with blood cell word roots)

-pathy

Disease

-plasia

Condition of formation, development, growth

-plasm

Growth, substance, formation

-sarcoma

Malignant tumor

-sis

State of

-stasis

Control, stop, standing

cell

Basic unit of all living things. The human body is composed of trillions of cells, which vary in size and shape according to function.

cell membrane

Forms the boundary of the cell

cytoplasm

Gel-like fluid inside the cell

nucleus

Largest structure within the cell, usually spherical and centrally located. It contains chromosomes for cellular reproduction and is the control center for cellular activity.

chromosomes

Threadlike structures located in the nucleus of the cell. There are 46 chromosomes in all normal human cells, with the exception of mature sex cells, which have 23.

genes

Regions within the chromosome containing sequences of DNA. Each chromosome has several thousand genes that determine hereditary characteristics.

DNA

Long, complex molecule containing genetic material that regulates the activities of the cell. DNA is the abbreviation for deoxyribonucleic acid.

tissue

Group of similar cells that performs a specific function

muscle tissue

Group of similar cells that has a special ability to contract, usually producing movement

nerve tissue

Group of similar cells that receives and transmits electrochemical signals; found in the nerves, spinal cord, and brain. It is responsible for coordinating and controlling body activities.

connective tissue

Group of similar cells that attaches, supports, penetrates, and encases various body structures. Adipose (fat), osseous (bone) tissues, and blood are types of connective tissue. Fibrous tissue is a type of connective tissue that provides strength and stability, such as in ligaments and tendons.

epithelial tissue

Group of similar cells that covers the external surface of the body, forms membranes that line body cavities and organs, and is the primary tissue in glands. Glandular tissue is designed to secrete substances such as digestive enzymes.

organ

Two or more types of tissues that together perform special body functions. For example, the skin is an organ composed of epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous tissue.

viscera

Large internal organs contained in the body cavities, especially in the abdominal cavity

system

Group of organs that works together to perform complex body functions. For example, the cardiovascular system consists of the heart, blood vessels, and blood. Its function is to transport nutrients and oxygen to the cells and remove carbon dioxide and other waste products.

MEDICAL GENOMICS

An emerging discipline that uses a person's individual genome as part of their clinical care. Experts in genomics study the genome to determine its DNA sequences and perform genetic mapping to help understand disease.

Genome

The complete set of information in the DNA of a specific organism.

Gene therapy

An experimental procedure to treat or prevent disease. Possible treatments may include replacing a mutated gene with a healthy one, inactivating a mutated gene that doesn't function properly, or introducing a new gene into the body to help fight a disease.

INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM

Composed of skin, hair, nails, and glands. Forms a protective covering for the body, regulates body temperature, and helps manufacture vitamin D.

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

Composed of nose, pharynx (throat), larynx (voice box), trachea (windpipe), bronchial tubes, and lungs. Performs respiration, which provides for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide within the body.

URINARY SYSTEM

Composed of kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Removes waste material (urine) from the body, regulates fluid volume, and maintains electrolyte concentration.

REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

Female reproductive system is composed of ovaries, uterine tubes, uterus, vagina, and mammary glands. Male reproductive system is composed of testes, urethra, penis, prostate gland, and associated tubes. Responsible for heredity and reproduction.

CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM

Composed of the heart and blood vessels. Pumps and transports blood throughout the body.

LYMPHATIC/IMMUNE SYSTEM

Composed of a network of vessels, ducts, nodes, and organs. Provides for defense against infection and drainage of extracellular fluid.

DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

Composed of the gastrointestinal tract, which includes the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, and anus, plus accessory organs, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. Prepares food for use by the body cells and eliminates waste.

MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM

Composed of muscle, bones, and joints. Provides movement and framework for the body, protects vital organs such as the brain, stores calcium, and produces red blood cells.

NERVOUS SYSTEM

Composed of the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and sensory organs. Regulates specific body activities by sending and receiving messages. Sensory organs, such as the eye and ear, are also part of the nervous system.

ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

Composed of glands that secrete hormones. Hormones regulate many specific body activities.