Medical Terminology: Body Systems, Cavities, Planes, and Terms

Vocabulary flashcards covering anatomical planes, body cavities, diagnostic terms, and clinical terminology based on Chapter 2 Medical Terminology study notes.

Peritoneum

A double membrane surrounding the organs in the abdomen (including the liver, stomach, and small and large intestines).

Ascites

A collection of fluid in the peritoneal cavity.

Mediastinum

Space between the lungs, containing the heart.

Pleural effusion

Collection of fluid in the pleural cavity.

Frontal (coronal) plane

A vertical plane that divides the body, or body part such as an organ, into front and back portions.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

A technique for producing images of the body. Magnetic waves instead of x-rays are used to create the images, which show organs and other structures in specialized detail in all three planes of the body.

Laparoscopy

Visual examination of the abdominal cavity using an endoscope.

Epiglottis

A flap of cartilage that closes over the trachea during swallowing to prevent food from entering it.

Disc

A pad of cartilage between adjacent vertebrae.

CVA / Cerebrovascular accident

Stroke: damage to brain tissue caused by blocked blood flow or bleeding in the brain.