Chapter 2: Medical Terminology: Body Organization

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the levels of body organization, medical combining forms, tissues, systems, anatomical planes, and directional terms based on Chapter 2 of Medical Terminology: A Living Language.

Cell

The fundamental unit of life that has all properties of being alive, including responding to stimuli, engaging in metabolic activity hormone secretion, and reproduction.

Tissue

Formed when like cells are grouped together to perform an activity. Four types: Muscle, Epithelial, connective, and nervous tissues.

Organ

Composed of several types of tissue working together as a unit to perform special functions.

System

Composed of several organs working together in a coordinated manner to perform complex functions.

Cytology

The study of cells and their function.

Histology

The study of tissue.

Muscle fibers

Individual muscle cells that compose muscle tissue.

Skeletal muscle

A type of Muscle tissue that is attached to bones.

Smooth muscle

A type of Muscle tissue found in internal organs such as the intestine and uterus.

Cardiac muscle

A type of Muscle tissue located only in the heart.

Epithelial tissue

Also known as epithelium, it functions as a lining for internal organs and a covering for the skin. Function: protective barrier - skin. absorb - lining of intestine. secrete - sweat glands. excrete wastes - kidney tubules.

Connective tissue

Tissue that supports and protects the body; Different types of forms such as adipose, bone, cartilage, and tendons. ( all connective tissue provides structural framework and connects other tissues.

Nervous tissue

Composed of neurons and forms the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. Allows conduction of electrical pulses between the brain and the body.

Integumentary System

A two-way barrier and temperature regulator. Includes the skin, hair, nails, and sweat and sebaceous glands.

Cardiovascular System

System that pumps blood to transport nutrients, oxygen, and wastes. Includes the heart, arteries, and veins.

Endocrine System

System that regulates metabolic activity through through the secretion and release of hormones. Includes the pituitary gland, thyroid gland, pineal gland, thymus gland, adrenal gland, ovaries, testes, and pancreas.

Anatomical Position

A standardized position used to describe body structures: standing erect, arms at side, palms facing forward, eyes straight forward, and feet parallel.

Sagittal plane

Also called the median plane; a vertical plane that divides the body into left and right portions.

Frontal plane

Also called the coronal plane; a vertical plane that divides the body into front and back portions.

Transverse plane

Also called the horizontal plane; a crosswise plane that divides the body into upper and lower portions.

Cross-section

A section produced by a slice perpendicular to the long axis of a structure.

Mediastinum

The central portion of the thoracic cavity containing the heart, aorta, esophagus, trachea, and thymus gland.

Parietal layer

The outer layer of a double-layered membranous sac that lines body cavities, acting as a protective shield.

Visceral layer

The inner layer of a double-layered membranous sac that is in direct contact with the internal organs and helps protect them.

Pleura

The pleura is a double-layered sac that protects and surrounds the lungs within the chest (thoracic) cavity.

Peritoneum

The peritoneum is a two-layered membrane that lines the abdominal area and helps protect the organs inside it.

Superior (Cephalic)

A directional term meaning more towards the head or above.

Inferior (Caudal)

A directional term meaning more towards the feet or below.

Anterior (Ventral)

A directional term meaning more towards the front or belly-side of the body.

Posterior (Dorsal)

A directional term meaning more towards the back or spinal cord side of the body.

Medial

A directional term meaning more towards the middle.

Lateral

A directional term meaning more towards the side.

Proximal

A directional term meaning nearer to the point of attachment to the body.

Distal

A directional term meaning farther away from the point of attachment to the body.

Apex

The tip or summit of an organ.

Base

The bottom or lower part of an organ.

Supine

The position of lying horizontally facing upward.

Prone

The position of lying horizontally facing downward.

abdomin/o

Combining form for abdomen.

adip/o

Combining form for fat.

anter/o

Combining form for front.

brachi/o

Combining form for arm.

caud/o

Combining form for tail.

cephal/o

Combining form for head.

cervic/o

Combining form for neck.

chondr/o

Combining form for cartilage.

crani/o

Combining form for skull.

crin/o

Combining form for to secrete.

crur/o

Combining form for leg.

cyt/o

Combining form for cell.

dermat/o

Combining form for skin.

dist/o

Combining form for away from.

dors/o

Combining form for back of body.

enter/o

Combining form for small intestine.

gastr/o

Combining form for stomach.

glute/o

Combining form for buttock.

hemat/o

Combining form for blood.

hist/o

Combining form for tissue.

immun/o

Combining form for protection.

infer/o

Combining form for below.

later/o

Combining form for side.

lumb/o

Combining form for loin.

lymph/o

Combining form for lymph.

medi/o

Combining form for middle.

muscul/o

Combining form for muscle.

nephr/o

Combining form for kidney.

neur/o

Combining form for nerve.

ophthalm/o

Combining form for eye.

ot/o

Combining form for ear.

pelv/o

Combining form for pelvis.

peritone/o

Combining form for peritoneum.

pleur/o

Combining form for pleura.

poster/o

Combining form for back.

proct/o

Combining form for rectum and anus.

proxim/o

Combining form for near to.

pulmon/o

Combining form for lung.

rhin/o

Combining form for nose.

spin/o

Combining form for spine.

super/o

Combining form for above.

thorac/o

Combining form for chest.

ur/o

Combining form for urine.

vascul/o

Combining form for blood vessel.

ventr/o

Combining form for belly.

vertebr/o

Combining form for vertebra.

viscer/o

Combining form for internal organ.

Cardi/o

Related to the heart

LLQ

Left Lower Quadrant; one of the four quadrants of the abdomen, typically containing parts of the colon, left ovary, left ureter, left fallopian tube, and parts of the small intestine.

LUQ

Left Upper Quadrant; one of the four quadrants of the abdomen, typically containing small portion of the liver, spleen, left kidney, stomach, majority of pancreas, and colon.

RLQ

Right Lower Quadrant; one of the four quadrants of the abdomen, typically containing parts of the cecum, appendix, colon, right ovary, right ureter, right fallopian tube, and small intestine.

RUQ

Right Upper Quadrant; one of the four quadrants of the abdomen, majority of the liver, right kidney, gallbladder, colon, and small portion of the pancreas and small intestine.

Longitudinal section

A lengthwise slice along the axis of the structure.

Muscle tissue

A type of tissue composed of muscle fibers, responsible for movement and function through contraction.

Musculoskeletal System

Supports and protects the body, forms blood cells, stores minerals, and produces movement. Includes bones and joints.

Hematic System (Blood)

Transports oxygen, protects against bleeding, and controls bleeding. Includes plasma, erythrocytes, leukocytes, and platelets.

Lymphatic System

Functions to protect the body. Includes lymph nodes, lymphatic vessels, spleen, tonsils, and thymus gland.

Respiratory System

Responsible for the exchange of gases; allows to obtain oxygen and removes of carbon dioxide. Major components include the nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchial tubes, and lungs.

Gastrointestinal System

Function: ingests, digests, and absorbs nutrients. Organs involved include the oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas.

Urinary System

Functions to filter waste and remove it from the body. Organs involved include the kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra.

Female Reproductive System

Function: produces eggs and provides a place for baby development. Organs involved include the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, vagina, vulva, and breasts.

Male Reproductive System

Function: produces sperm. Organs involved include testes, epididymis, vas deferens, penis, seminal vesicles, prostate gland, and bulbourethral glands.