Medical Terminology Chapter 2

Cell

fundamental unit of all living things

cell membrane

structures surrounding and protecting the cell and regulate what passes into and out of the cell

nucleus

controls the operations of the cell, directs cell division and determines the structure and function of the cell

ribosomes

small granules on the endoplasmic reticulum that help the cell make proteins

chromosomes

rod-like structures within the nucleus that contains regions of DNA called genes. There are 46 chromosomes (23 pairs) in every cell except for the egg and sperm cells which contain 23 individual unpaired chromosomes.

karyotype

a photograph of an individual’s chromosome arranged by size, shape and number

extra chromosome 21 =

down syndrome

cytoplasm

all materials outside the nucleus and enclosed by the cell membrane

mitochrondria

small rod-shape bodies that provide the principal source of energy for the cell

catabolism

complex foods such as sugars, fats are broken down into simpler substances and energy is released by the mitochondria

endoplasmic reticulum

network of canals within the cell.

riboomes

long chains of protiens

anabolism

process of building up large proteins from small protein pieces (amino acids)

genes

regions of dna within each chromosome

metabolism

total of the chemical processes in a cell. It includes catabolism and anabolism

meta-

change

bol

to cast

differentiation

term that describes the change in cells as they mature and specialize

hist/o

tissue

histologist

a scientist who specializes in the study of tissues

Epithelial Tissue

skin cells that cover the outside of the body and line the internal surfaces of organs

adipose tissue

collection of fat cells

cartilage

flexible connective tissue often attached to bones at joints Cartilage forms part of the external ears and the nose. Rings of cartilage surround the trachea.

larynx

voice box, located above the trachea

pharynx

throat, serves as the common passageway for food and air

pituitary gland

endocrine gland at the base of the brain

thyroid gland

endocrine gland that surrounds the trachea in the neck

trachea

windpipe (tube leading from the throat and larynx to the bronchial tubes)

ureter

tube leading from kidney to the urinary bladder

urethra

tube from the urinary bladder to outside the body

uterus

womb

viscera

internal organs in the main cavities of the body especially in the abdomen

cranial cavity

contains the brain, pituitary gland

thoracic

lungs, heart, esophagus, trachea, bronchial tubes, thymus glands, aorta

Pleural cavity

space surrounding each lung, located within the thoracic cavity

pleura

double membrane that surrounds the lungs and protects them

pleural effusion

when the pleura is inflamed and filled with fluid

mediastinum cavity

centrally located space outside of ad between the lungs. Contains the heart, aorta, trachea, esophagus, thymus gland, bronchial tubes, lymph nodes. Located within the thoracic cavity

abdominal cavity (aka abdomen, peritoneal cavity)

contains the stomach, small intestine, large intestine, spleen, pancreas, liver and galbladder

peritoneum

double folded membrane surrounding the abdominal cavity. It attaches the abdominal organs to the abdomincal muscles and surrounds each organ to hold it in place

diaphragm

divides the abdominal and thoracic cavities

pelvic cavity

contains portions of the small and large intestine, rectum, urinary bladder, urethra, and ureter; uterus and vagina in the female

Spinal

contains nerves of the spinal cord

ascites

fluid accumulated in the peritoneal cavity

retroperitoneal area

located behind the peritoneum

dors/o

back

ventr/o

belly

Right hypocondriac region

right upper region below the cartilage of the ribs that extend over the abdomen

left hypocondriac region

left upper region below the rib cartilage

epigastric region

region above the stomach

right lumbar region

right middle region near the waist

left lumbar region

left middle region near the waist

umbilical region

region of the navel or umbilicus

right inguinal (liliac) region

right lower region near the groin, area where the legs join the trunk of the body

left inguinal (iliac) region

left lower region near the groin

Hypogastric region

middle lower region below the umbilical region

right upper quadrant (RUQ)

contains the liver (right lobe), gallbladder, parts of the pancreas, parts of the small and large intestines

left upper quadrant (LUQ)

contains the liver (left lobe), stomach, spleen, part of the pancreas, parts of the small and large intestine

right lower quadrant (RLQ)

contains part of the small and large intestines, right ovary, rights fallopian tube, appendix, right ureter

Left lower quadrant (LLQ)

contains parts of the small and large intestine, left ovary, left fallopian tube, left ureter

C (C1 to C7) vertebrae

cervical neck region

T (T1 to T12) vertebrae

Thoracic chest region

L ( L1 to L5) vertebrae

Lion (waist) or flank region

S (S1 to S5) vertebrae

Sacral, fused to form the sacrum

Coccygeal

tailbone (coccyx)

disc

small pad of cartilage between each backbone