med lan chapter 2

Abdominal

Relating to the abdomen.

Abdominal cavity

The space within the abdomen that contains digestive organs.

Adipose tissue

A type of connective tissue that stores fat.

Anabolism

The process of building up larger molecules from smaller ones.

Anterior

Referring to the front of the body.

Aorta

The main artery that carries blood from the heart to the body.

Appendix

A small pouch attached to the large intestine.

Arthroscopy

A minimally invasive surgical procedure on a joint.

Bladder

An organ that stores urine.

Body cavities

The spaces within the body that contain internal organs.

Cartilage

A flexible connective tissue found in various parts of the body.

Catabolism

The process of breaking down larger molecules into smaller ones.

Cell membrane

The outer boundary of a cell that regulates what enters and leaves.

Cells

The fundamental unit of all living things.

Cervical

Relating to the neck region of the spine.

Chromosomes

Structures within the nucleus that contain DNA.

Coccygeal

Relating to the coccyx or tailbone.

Colon

The part of the large intestine that absorbs water and salts.

Cranial cavity

The space within the skull that contains the brain.

Craniotomy

The surgical procedure of cutting into the skull.

Cytoplasm

The jelly-like substance within a cell that contains organelles.

Deep

Further away from the surface of the body.

Diaphragm

The muscle that separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity.

Disc

A cushion between the vertebrae.

Discectomy

The surgical removal of a disc.

Distal

Farther from the point of attachment or origin.

Dorsal (posterior)

Referring to the back side of the body.

Endoplasmic reticulum

A network of membranes involved in protein and lipid synthesis.

Epigastric region

The region located above the stomach.

Epithelial cells

Cells that line the surfaces of the body.

Frontal (coronal)

A plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior parts.

Gallbladder

A small organ that stores bile produced by the liver.

Genes

Units of heredity made up of DNA.

Heart

The organ that pumps blood throughout the body.

Histologist

A specialist in the study of tissues.

Hypogastric region

The lower middle region of the abdomen.

Inferior

Below or lower than another structure.

Karyotype

The number and appearance of chromosomes in the nucleus of a cell.

Larynx

The voice box located in the throat.

Lateral

Farther from the midline of the body.

Left hypochondriac region

The upper left region of the abdomen.

Left inguinal region

The lower left region of the abdomen.

Left lower quadrant (LLQ)

Contains parts of small and large intestines, left ovary, left fallopian tube, left ureter.

Left lumbar region

The middle left region of the abdomen.

Left upper quadrant (LUQ)

Contains liver (left lobe), stomach, spleen, part of the pancreas, parts of small and large intestines.

Liver

A large organ that processes nutrients and detoxifies harmful substances.

Lumbar

Relating to the lower back region of the spine.

Lung

The organ responsible for respiration.

Medial

Closer to the midline of the body.

Mediastinum

The space between the lungs that contains the heart and other structures.

Metabolism

The sum of all chemical processes that occur in the body.

Mitochondria

Organelles that produce energy for the cell.

Nucleus

The control center of the cell containing DNA.

Organs

Different types of tissue combine to form an organ.

Pancreas

An organ that produces digestive enzymes and hormones.

Pelvic

Relating to the pelvis.

Pelvic cavity

The space within the pelvis that contains reproductive and excretory organs.

Peritoneum

The membrane lining the abdominal cavity.

Pharynx

The part of the throat behind the mouth and nasal cavity.

Pituitary gland

A gland that regulates various bodily functions through hormone secretion.

Pleura

The membrane surrounding the lungs.

Pleural cavity

The space between the pleura that contains the lungs.

Posterior

Referring to the back of the body.

Prone

Lying on the stomach.

Proximal

Closer to the point of attachment or origin.

Right hypochondriac region

The upper right region of the abdomen.

Right inguinal region

The lower right region of the abdomen.

Right lower quadrant (RLQ)

Contains parts of small and large intestines, right ovary, right fallopian tube, appendix, right ureter.

Right lumbar region

The middle right region of the abdomen.

Right upper quadrant (RUQ)

Contains liver (right lobe), gallbladder, part of the pancreas, parts of small and large intestines.

Sacral

Relating to the sacrum, the triangular bone at the base of the spine.

Sagittal (lateral)

A plane that divides the body into left and right parts.

Sigmoid colon

The part of the large intestine that connects to the rectum.

Small intestine

The part of the digestive system where most digestion and absorption occurs.

Spinal

Relating to the spine.

Spinal cavity

The space within the vertebral column that contains the spinal cord.

Spinal column

The structure formed by the vertebrae.

Spinal cord

The bundle of nerves that runs through the spinal column.

Spleen

An organ involved in filtering blood and immune response.

Stomach

The organ that digests food.

Superficial

Closer to the surface of the body.

Superior

Above or higher than another structure.

Supine

Lying on the back.

Systems

Groups of organs working together to perform complex functions.

Thoracic

Relating to the thorax or chest.

Thoracic (back)

Relating to the mid-back region of the spine.

Thoracic cavity

The space within the chest that contains the lungs and heart.

Thoracotomy

The surgical procedure of cutting into the chest.

Thyroid gland

A gland that regulates metabolism and energy levels.

Tissues

A group of similar cells working together to do a specific job.

Trachea

The windpipe that connects the larynx to the lungs.

Transverse (cross-sectional or axial)

A plane that divides the body into superior and inferior parts.

Umbilical region

The central region of the abdomen around the navel.

Ureter

A tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder.

Urethra

The tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.

Uterus

The organ in which a fetus develops during pregnancy.

Ventral (anterior)

Referring to the front side of the body.

Vertebra

A single bone of the spine.

Vertebrae

Multiple bones of the spine.

Viscera

The internal organs contained within the body cavities.