Body System and Terminology Part One

prefix

a unit of meaning attached to the front of a word

root

the core or foundation of the world’s meaning

combining vowel

a vowel (most often o) placed between two roots, or between a root and a suffix that begins with a consonant, to help make the newly combined word easier to pronounce

combining form

the root and combining vowel together, as in NORM/O

suffix

a unit of meaning attached to the end of the word

affix

a unit of meaning attached to the prefix or suffix that modifies the root in some way

organism

an individual animal or plant

ovum

egg

epithelial

related to skin

biology

the study of living organisms and life processes

plasma membrane

a cell’s outer boundary

diffusion

movement of substances across a membrane

osmosis

diffusion of water across cell membranes

centrioles

structures that function in cell reproduction

cilia

hairlike extensions on the surface of those cells capable of movement

endoplasmic reticulum

a membrane network of roads and channels that wind through cytoplasm

flagella

sperm cell’s mobile tails

Golgi bodies

sacs that make and transport carbohydrate compounds

lysosomes

the cell’s digestive system

mitochondria

power plants that burn food in the presence of oxygen to make cell energy

ribosomes

structures that make proteins

anabolism

the building metabolic phase; grows, maintains, and repairs body structures

catabolism

the breaking-down metabolic phase; producing energy from food and oxygen

chromosomes

short, tightly coiled rods that contain genes

cytoplasm

a substance between the plasma membrane and the cell nucleus

DNA

deoxyribonucleic acid; the chemical of which genes are made

genes

regions of DNA organized into the body’s blueprint

karyoplasm

the substance of a nucleus

karyotype

picture of chromosomes in the nucleus of a cell

metabolism

the chemical processes by which cells obtain and use energy

nucleus

spheroid body within a cell that dictates protein production; controls transport, metabolism, growth, and heredity

organelles

structures within cytoplasm

RNA

ribonucleic acid, needed for production of protein within cells

tissue fluid

a salt water solution that bathes every cell in the body

striated

streaked or scratched

organ

an independent body part that performs a specific function or functions

visceral organ

the liver, stomach, intestine, pancreas, spleen, or gallbladder

cranial cavity

houses the brain and pituitary gland

spinal cavity

houses the spinal chord

abdominal cavity

houses the major digestive organs

thoracic cavity

houses the lungs

pelvic cavity

houses the urinary and reproductive organs

dorsal

toward the back

ventral

toward the lower surface, a direction toward the belly

body system

a group of organs functioning together for a common purpose

lymph system

responsible for carrying nutrients, wastes, hormones, and gases to and from body cells and for providing protection and immunity from harmful organisms

cardiovascular system

circulates blood

endocrine system

secretes hormones

digestive system

processes food

integumentary system

skin, hair, claws, and hooves

musculoskeletal system

the skeletal system supports body structures and the muscular system carries out nerve commands

nervous system

carries nerve impulses to and from the brain

respiratory system

conducts oxygen into, and carbon dioxide out of, the body

reproductive system

enables an organism to reproduce itself

urinary system

produces and excretes urine

inguinal

pertaining to the groin

recumbent

lying down

lateral recumbency

lying on either the left or right side

sternal recumbency

lying on the belly

dorsal recumbency

lying on the back, as if ready for surgery

cranial-caudal

cranial means towards the head. caudal mean toward the tail

dorsal-ventral

dorsal refers to the dorsum or back of the animal. Ventral refers to teh ventrum or belly of the animal

left-right

refers to the animal’s left or right side

palmar-plantar

palmar refers to the bottom of the animal’s front foot. Plantar refers to the bottom of the animals’ hind foot

medial-lateral

medial mean toward the midline of the body while lateral means away from the midline of the body

proximal-distal

refers to the closeness or distance of a part to its point of origin

superficial-deep

refers to the distance from the surface of the body

dorsal plane

divides the body into dorsal (top) and ventral (bottom) areas

sagittal plane

divides the body into left and right parts

midsagittal plane

goes through the exact median of the body, dividing it into two near-mirror images

transverse plane

a plane that divides the body horizontally into superior and inferior parts; also referred to as a cross-sectional plane

armamentarium

all equipment used in the practice of medicine

abrasion

irritation of the skin or mucous membrane

anemia

red blood cell deficiency

anesthetic

relating to anesthesia; an anesthetic agent, causing loss of feeling

antibiotic

a substance that destroys disease-causing bacteria

antibody

a substance formed by the body to counteract antigens

anticoagulant

a substance that hinder blood clotting

antigen

a substance that stimulates the body’s immune system

antiseptic

clean; preventing the growth of microorganisms

antivenin

a substance that counteracts the toxicity of venom

apnea

periodic cessation of breathing

arthritis

joint inflammation

artificial respiration

rhythmic forcing of air into lungs that have stopped breathing

aseptic technique

a procedure for preventing infection

atrophic rhinitis

the wasting away of mucous membranes or glands

avulsion

detachment or tearing away of a body part

bacteria

microscopic organisms, often parasitic and disease-causing

biopsy

removal and examination of tissues for diagnosis

brucellosis

an infection caused by Brucella bacteria

canine distemper

a viral disease of dogs, marked by fever and respiratory problems

canine parvovirus

a virus that causes a deadly disease in dogs

cardiomyopathy

a chronic disorder of the heart, common in dogs

catheterization

the introduction of a catheter into a body part

colic

an acute abdominal pain that’s common in horses

coagulant

an agent that produces blood clotting

coma

a state of eep unconsciousness

compress

to press a folded cloth or pad against a body part

constipation

infrequent, difficult passage of dry feces

convulsion

uncontrolled, violent muscle contraction