Unit 2 med term

transverse plane

divides the body horizontally into superior and inferior portions

horizontal plane or axial plane

transverse plane divides the top and bottom portions

frontal plane (coronal plane)

divides the body vertically into anterior (front) and posterior (back) portions

sagittal plane

divides the body vertically into right and left portions

midsagittal plane or median sagittal plane

cuts straight down the exact middle of the body, creating two halves, the left and right side.

parasagittal plane

cuts off-center, creating unequal left and right portions

Oblique plane

imaginary flat surface that cuts through the body or organ at a slanted angle that is neither horizontal nor vertical

physiology

is there study of functions of those structures

pathophysiology

is the study of disease

body cavities

spaces within the body that contain and protect internal organs and body structures. dorsal and ventral cavities are the two main cavities.

dorsal cavity

protects the organs and tissues within the back of the body. Is divided into two separate cavities: the cranial and spinal cavities.

cranial cavity

located within the skull and protects the brain

middle ear cavity

air-filled space carved into the temporal bone, located between the ear drum and inner ear

orbital cavity

cone-shaped bony socket in the skull that houses and protects the eye

nasal cavity

air-filled space behind the nose that divides ventrically by the nasal septum

oral cavity

the mouth, bounded by lips,cheeks, palate, and tounge, extending into the pharynx (throat)

spinal cavity

located within the spinal column and protects the spinal cord

ventral cavity

protects the organs and tissue within the front side of the body. The ventral cavity is divided into three separate cavities: thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic cavities.

thoracic cavity or chest cavity

protects the heart, lungs, esophagus, and major blood vessels that run through the chest

diaphragm

large muscle that separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities; it plays an important role in breathing

pleural cavity

space between the outside of the lungs and interior chest wall

mediastinum

central compartment of the chest, located between the two lungs, and containing the heart, major blood vessels, trachea, esophagus, thymus, and nerves.

pericardial cavity

small, fluid-filled space surrounding the heart

pericardium

a protective sac around the heart where fluid helps reduce friction as the heart beats

abdominal cavity

contains the stomach, liver, spleen, gallbladder, pancreas, and parts of the large intestine.

iliac crests

from the upper borders of the large largest pelvic bone

pelvic cavity

contains the urinary bladder, urethra, portions of the large intestine, and reproductive organs

abdominopelvic cavity

combining of the pelvic and the abdominal cavities

RUQ — Right Upper

Liver (right lobe), gallbladder, part of the pancreas, small & large intestine

LUQ — Left Upper

Liver (left lobe), stomach, spleen, part of the pancreas, small & large intestine

RLQ — Right Lower

Small & large intestine, appendix, right ureter, right side of bladder & reproductive organs

LLQ — Left Lower

Small & large intestine, left ureter, left side of bladder & reproductive organs

Right / Left Hypochondriac

Upper right & left — “below the

cartilage,” not anxiety!

Right / Left Lumbar

Middle right & left regions

Right / Left Iliac (Inguinal)

Lower right & left regions

Epigastric

Upper center region

Umbilical

Middle center, near the belly button

Hypogastric (Pelvic)

Lower center region

Sitting

Unsupported, feet flat, head, neck, chest

exams; eating; easing breathing

Supine

Flat on back, limbs extended, exams,

imaging, anterior-body procedures

Prone

Flat on stomach, head turned, spinal surgery;

improves oxygenation

Lithotomy

On back, hips/knees flexed in stirrups,

gynecologic & urologic procedures

Lateral

Side-lying, hip & knee flexed, relieves

pressure; hip surgery access

Sim's

Left side-lying, arms/legs positioned, rectal & perineal exams

Semi-Fowler's

Head of bed 30–45°, comfort, easier

breathing, reduces aspiration

High-Fowler's

Head of bed 60–90°, respiratory distress,

feeding, imaging

Knee-Chest

Kneeling, chest to table, rectal exams, some

spine surgeries

Orthopneic

Sitting, leaning forward on support, maximizes chest expansion

Reverse Trendelenburg

Flat, head raised 15–30°, reduces reflux, aids

upper-abdominal visualization

Trendelenburg

Flat, head lowered 15–30°, improves

pelvic/lower-abdominal surgical access

quadrant method

divides the abdominopelvic cavity into four nonspecific quarters using imaginary horizontal and vertical lines that intersect at the umbilicus (belly button)

homeostasis

a stable internal environment of physiological balance, despite changes inside or outside the body. Examples are temperature control, regulation of blood glucose, and maintaining a fluid balance.

Cytology

is the study of the formation, structure, and function of cells.

organelles

specialized structures that enable specific functions.

cell membrane, or plasma membrane

surrounds every cell, separating it from the external environment.

selective semipermeable membrane

since it determines what enters and leaves the cell.

nucleus

controls the cell. It is responsible for the main function and reproduction of the cell.

deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)

which is responsible for each person’s unique genetic

makeup.

Cytoplasm

is a semifluid material between the nucleus and cell membrane.

Electrolytes

are compounds made up of charged particles called ions.

Ions

conduct electrical currents in water or cytoplasm.

Cations

are positively-charged ions that create acids.

Anions

are negatively charged ions that create bases. Bases react with acids to form salts.

pH

of a fluid measures the presence of acids and bases. Cells and tissues function at different pH levels and can’t function properly if a normal pH balance is not maintained.

Muscle

cells are long, slender cells within muscle tissue. They allow muscles to contract and relax.

Epithelial

cells are flat, square cells covering the skin and lining the digestive tract and hollow organs.

Fat

cells contain large, empty spaces to store fat.

Nerve cells

tend to be long with fibrous extensions to carry nerve impulses.

Blood cells

vary in size and shape according to their function.

Sex cells

The ovum (female sex cell) is the largest cell in the body. The sperm (male sex cell) is the smallest.

mitosis

Most cells divide through, resulting in two genetically identical daughter cells.

Meiosis

is a type of cell division that produces sex cells (gametes), such as sperm and eggs, with half the usual number of chromosomes.

Genetics

is the study of ways in which genes are transferred from individuals to their offspring and the role genes play in the health of the offspring.

Genetic disorders, or hereditary disorders

are diseases or conditions caused by a defective gene. They may be present at birth or may not be apparent until later in life.

Anabolism

A building-up process in which energy combines smaller units into molecules, or groups of two or more atoms that chemically bond together with specific properties.

Aplasia

Condition in which a cell, tissue, or organ does not grow or develop normally

Carcinogenesis

Formation of development of cancer

Endocytosis

Process in which substances are brought inside a cell

Eukaryotic

Having a clearly defined nucleus

Exocytosis

Process in which substances are transported outside of a cell

Histogenesis

Production of tissues

Hypertonic

Having a greater pressure or concentration in a solution than a cell, causing water to flow out of the cell, resulting in

cellular shrinking

Hypotonic

Having a lower pressure or concentration in solute than a cell, causing water to flow into the cell, resulting in cellular

swelling

Isotonic

Having equal pressure or concentration inside and outside of a cell

Lysosomes

Organelles that destroy pathogens and non-functional cells

Prokaryotic

No clearly defined nucleus

Tissue

is a group of similar cells working together to perform a specific function. Histology is the study of the structure and function of

tissues.

biopsy

allows a provider to remove a small piece of tissue, a portion of an organ, or an entire organ for microscopic examination.

pathologist

a physician who specializes in the study of disease, examines the tissue or sections of the organ under a microscope.

Epithelial tissue

forms the skin covering the surface of the body, lines the internal organs, and makes up certain glands. Epithelial tissues are typically characterized by the number of cell layers within the tissue and the shape of the tissue’s cells.

Simple epithelium

Tissue with one layer of cells

Stratified epithelieum

Tissue with more than one layer

Squamous

Flat shape

Cuboidal

Cube-shaped

Columnar

Cells shaped like columns

Connective tissue

supports and connects organs and other body tissues.

Dense connective tissue

Bone, cartilage

Loose connective tissue

nerve cells, blood vessels

Adipose tissue

Also referred to as fat, provide heat-retaining insulation

Liquid connective tissue

Blood, lymph