CHs 1 & 2 Pretest Study Guide

Flashcards for Medical Terminology Chapters 1 & 2

Eponym

A medical term named after a person (e.g., Cesarean section, Hodgkin's Disease, Foley catheter).

Constructed Medical Term

Terms divisible into word parts, consisting of at least two word parts, and must have a suffix.

Non-constructed Medical Term

Terms that cannot be divided into word parts (e.g., heart, nurse).

Prefix

A word part attached to the beginning of a constructed medical term that modifies the meaning of the word.

Suffix

A word part attached to the end of a constructed medical term that modifies the meaning of the word.

Word Root

The foundation of a medical term; it provides the general or basic meaning of the word.

Combining Vowel

A vowel added to a word root to combine several word parts.

Combining Form

Consists of a word root and combining vowel.

Cytology

The study of cells and their functions.

Histology

The study of tissues and their functions.

Integumentary System

A protective two-way barrier including skin, hair, nails, and sweat glands.

Musculoskeletal System

Supports and protects body stature and muscles produce movement; includes bones, joints, muscles.

Cardiovascular System

Pumps blood through the body to transport nutrients, oxygen, and wastes; includes heart, arteries, veins.

Lymphatic System

Protects the body from disease and invasion of pathogens. Absorbs extracellular fluid and filters out pathogens; includes lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels.

Respiratory System

Obtains oxygen and removes carbon dioxide from the body; includes the throat, windpipe and lungs.

Digestive System

Responsible for digestion and elimination of solid waste; includes mouth, throat, stomach, intestines, colon.

Urinary System

Filters waste products out of the blood and removes them from the body; includes kidneys, urinary bladder.

Nervous System

Receives sensory information and coordinates the body’s responses; includes the brain, spinal cord, nerves.

Endocrine System

Regulates metabolic activities of the body; includes pituitary gland, thyroid, adrenal glands.

Anatomical Position

A common position to establish relationships of body parts.

Abdominal Region

Anterior side of trunk between the thoracic and pelvic regions.

Brachial Region

Upper extremities or arms.

Cephalic Region

Entire head.

Cervical Region

Neck.

Inguinal/Groin Region

Area directly above and below the fold where the abdomen meets the leg.

Gluteal Region

Buttocks.

Pelvic Region

Area between the hips and internal structures.

Pubic Region

External area of the external genitals (reproductive organs).

Trunk or Torso

Contains all body regions other than head, neck, and extremities.

Thoracic Region

Chest.

Cavities

Open spaces within the body that may or may not be filled with organs or other structures.

Cranial Cavity

Contains brain.

Spinal Cavity

Contains spinal cord.

Thoracic Cavity

Contains the two lungs and the central region between them is called the mediastinum.

Mediastinum

The central region of the thorax, located between the lungs; it contains the heart, esophagus, trachea (windpipe), and thymus gland.

Diaphragm

A physical dividing wall between thoracic cavity and abdominopelvic cavity; it is the muscle used for breathing.

Abdominal Cavity

The area between the thoracic and pelvic cavities; primarily includes the organs of digestion and excretion.

Pelvic Cavity

The area within the hips or that which is inclusive of the pelvic girdle.

Abdominopelvic Cavity

Used when referring to both the abdominal and pelvic regions as a single unit.

Epigastric Region

The upper middle area of the abdomen; area most common for stomach and heart issues.

Umbilical Region

The central area of the abdomen around the umbilicus (navel/belly button).

Right Lumbar

Right region lateral to the umbilical region, including the back.

Left Lumbar

Left region lateral to the umbilical region, including the back.

Flank Regions

Posterior lumbar regions between the bottom of the rib cage and upper hip bone.

Right Upper Quadrant

Contains majority of liver, gallbladder.

Right Lower Quadrant

Contains appendix.

Left Upper Quadrant

Contains spleen, stomach, pancreas.

Left Lower Quadrant

Contains the sigmoid colon/rectum, pain often the result of constipation.

Superior

Pertaining to above; more toward the head or above another structure.

Inferior

Pertaining to below; more toward the feet or below another structure.

Anterior (Ventral)

Pertaining to the front; more toward the front or belly-side of the body.

Posterior (Dorsal)

Pertaining to the back; more toward the back side of the body.

Medial

Pertaining to the middle; refers to the middle or near the middle of the body or structure.

Lateral

Pertaining to the side; refers to more toward the side.

Proximal

Pertaining near to; located nearer to the point of attachment to the body.

Distal

Pertaining away from; located farther away from the point of attachment to the body.

Superficial

More toward the surface of the body. (i.e. – pain more towards the surface of the body or an injury to the skin)

Deep

Further away from the surface of the body (i.e. – internal/organ pain or an injury that goes below the layers of the skin.)

Supine

Lying on your back, facing upward.

Prone

Lying on your abdomen, facing down.

Apex

The conical-shaped part, tip or summit of an organ.

Base

Bottom or lower part of an organ