Chapter 1: Terminology Positioning, and Imaging Principles

Epithelial Tissue

Tissues that cover internal and external surfaces of the body, lining of vessels and organs.

Connective Tissue

Supportive tissues that bind together and support various structures.

Muscular Tissue

Tissues that make up muscle.

Nervous Tissue

Tissues that make up nerves and nerve centers.

Nervous System

Composed of brain, spinal cord, nerves, ganglia, and special sense organs; coordinates body activities.

Muscular System

Composed of skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscles; allows movement and maintains posture.

Skeletal System

Composed of 206 bones; supports and protects soft tissues, allows movement, produces blood cells, and stores calcium.

Endocrine System

Composed of ductless glands that regulate body activities through hormones.

Urinary System

Includes organs that produce, collect, and eliminate urine; regulates blood composition and maintains acid-base balance.

Reproductive System

Composed of organs that produce, transport, and store germ cells; responsible for reproduction.

Respiratory System

Composed of lungs and passages; supplies oxygen and eliminates carbon dioxide.

Circulatory System

Composed of cardiovascular organs and lymphatic system; distributes oxygen and nutrients, protects against disease, and regulates body temperature.

Integumentary System

Made of skin and its structures; protects the body and regulates temperature.

Long Bone

A type of bone found in limbs, such as the humerus.

Short Bone

Bones like carpal and tarsal bones.

Flat Bone

Bones like the calvarium, sternum, and ribs.

Irregular Bone

Bones with peculiar shapes, such as vertebrae and facial bones.

Synarthrosis

A joint classification that is not movable.

Amphiarthrosis

A joint classification that allows limited movement.

Diarthrosis

A joint classification that is freely movable.

Fibrous Joints

Joints held by fibrous tissue, such as sutures in the skull.

Cartilaginous Joints

Joints held by cartilage, such as intervertebral joints.

Synovial Joints

Joints held by synovial fluid; generally diarthrodial.

Anatomical Position

The standard reference position for the body in anatomy.

Medial vs

Medial is closer to the midline; lateral is farther from the midline.

Superior vs

Superior is toward the head; inferior is toward the feet.

Anterior vs

Anterior is the front; posterior is the back.

Sagittal Plane

Divides the body into left and right sections.

Coronal Plane

Divides the body into anterior and posterior sections.

Transverse Plane

Divides the body into superior and inferior parts.

Radiographic Projection

The path of the x-ray beam as it travels through the patient.

Radiographic Position

The position of the patient’s body during imaging.

Flexion vs

Flexion decreases the angle between body parts; extension increases it.

Abduction vs

Abduction moves a body part away from the midline; adduction moves it toward the midline.

Supination vs

Supination rotates the forearm so the palm faces up; pronation rotates it so the palm faces down.

ALARA

A principle to minimize radiation exposure by keeping doses as low as reasonably achievable.

PACS

A system for storing, retrieving, and sharing medical images digitally.

DICOM

The standard format for medical imaging that ensures compatibility between different systems.

SNR

Signal-to-Noise Ratio; the comparison between useful signal and background noise.

Dynamic Range

The range of exposure values a digital imaging system can accurately detect and display.