Chapter 2: Body Structure, Oncology, and Laboratory Tests

cell

basic unit of all living things, which vary in size and shape according to function; the human body is composed of trillions of these

cell membrane

forms the boundary of the cell

cytoplasm

gel-like fluid inside the cell

nucleus

largest structure within the cell, usually spherical and centrally located. It contains chromosomes for cellular reproduction and is the control center for cellular activity.

chromosomes

located in the nucleus of the cell. There are 46 of these in all normal human cells, with the exception of mature sex cells, which have 23.

genes

regions within the chromosome. Each chromosome has several thousand of these that determine hereditary characteristics.

DNA

comprises each gene; is a genetic material that regulates the activities of the cell

Abbreviation: DNA

Abbreviate: deoxyribonucleic acid

tissue

group of similar cells that performs a specific function

muscle tissue

composed of cells that have a special ability to contract, usually producing movement

nervous tissue

similarly specialized cells united in the performance of a particular function; found in the nerves, spinal cord, and brain. It is responsible for coordinating and controlling the body activities.

connective tissue

connects, supports, penetrates, and encases various body structures. Adipose tissue, osseous tissue, fibrous tissue, and blood are types of this.

adipose tissue

fat

osseous tissue

bone

fibrous tissue

a type of connective tissue that provides strength and stability such as in ligaments and tendons

epithelial tissue

the major covering of the external surface of the body; forms membranes that line body cavities and organs; and is the major tissue in glands

glanular tissue

type of epithelial tissue designed to secrete substances such as digestive enzymes

organ

two or more types of tissues that together perform special body functions. For example, the skin is composed of epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous tissue.

viscera

large internal organs contained in the body cavities, especially in the abdominal cavity.

system

group of organs that work together to perform complex body functions

genome

the complete set of information in the DNA of a specific organism

genomics

study of the genome to determine its DNA sequences and perform genetic mapping to help understand disease

medical genomics

an emerging discipline that uses a person’s individual genome as part of their clinical care

gene therapy

an experimental procedure to treat or prevent disease. Possible treatments may include replacing a mutated gene with a healthy one, inactivating a mutated gene that doesn’t function properly, or introducing a new gene into the body to help fight a disease. The technique remains risky and is currently being tested only for diseases that have no other cures.

integumentary system

composed of skin, nails, and glands. Forms a protective covering for the body, regulates body temperature, and helps manufacture vitamin D.

respiratory system

composed of nose, pharynx (throat), larynx (voice box), trachea (windpipe), bronchial tubes, and lungs. Performs respiration, which provides for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide within the body.

urinary system

composed of kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Removes waste material (urine) from the body, regulates fluid volume, and maintains electrolyte concentration.

reproductive system

responsible for heredity and reproduction

female reproductive system

composed of ovaries, uterine tubes, uterus, vagina, and mammary glands

male reproductive system

composed of testes, urethra, penis, prostate glands, and associated tubes

cardiovascular system

composed of the heart and blood vessels. Pumps and transports blood throughout the body.

lymphatic/immune system

composed of a network of vessels, ducts, nodes, and organs. Provides for defense against infection and drainage of extracellular fluid.

digestive system

composed of the gastrointestinal tract, which includes the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, and anus, plus accessory organs, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. Prepares food for use by the body cells and eliminates waste.

musculoskeletal system

composed of muscle, bone, and joints. Provides movement and framework for the body, protects vital organs such as the brain, stores calcium, and produces red blood cells.

nervous system

composed of the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and sensory organs. Regulates specific body activities by sending and receiving messages. Sensory organs, such as the eye and ear, are also a part of this system.

endocrine system

composed of glands that secrete hormones. Hormones regulate many specific body activities.

cranial cavity

space inside the skull (cranium) containing the brain

spinal cavity

space inside the spinal column containing the spinal cord

thoracic cavity

space containing the heart, aorta, lungs, esophagus, trachea, bronchi, and mediastinal area

abdominal cavity

space containing the stomach, intestines, kidneys, adrenal glands, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, and ureters

pelvic cavity

space containing the urinary bladder, certain reproductive organs, parts of the small and large intestine, and the anus

abdominopelvic cavity

both the pelvic and abdominal cavities

aden/o

Combining form: gland

cyt/o

Combining form: cell

epitheli/o

Combining form: epithelium

fibr/o

Combining form: fiber

hemat/o

Combining form: blood

hist/o

Combining form: tissue

lip/o

Combining form: fat

my/o

Combining form: muscle

neur/o

Combining form: nerve

organ/o

Combining form: organ

sarc/o

Combining form: flesh, connective tissue

system/o

Combining form: system

viscer/o

Combining form: internal organs

aut/o

Combining form: self

bi/o

Combining form: life

cancer/o

Combining form: cancer

carcin/o

Combining form: cancer

cancer

disease characterized by the unregulated, abnormal growth of new cells

crypt/o

Combining form: hidden

necr/o

Combining form: death (cells, body)

eti/o

Combining form: cause (of disease)

gno/o

Combining form: knowledge

iatr/o

Combining form: physician, medicine (also means treatment)

lei/o

Combining form: smooth

onc/o

Combining form: tumor, mass

path/o

Combining form: disease

rhabd/o

Combining form: rod-shaped, striated

somat/o

Combining form: body

vir/o

Combining form: virus

cyan/o

Combining form: blue

erythr/o

Combining form: red

leuk/o

Combining form: white

melan/o

Combining form: black

xanth/o

Combining form: yellow

dia-

Prefix: through, complete

dys-

Prefix: painful, abnormal, difficult, labored

hyper-

Prefix: above, excessive

hypo-

Prefix: below, incomplete, deficient, under

meta-

Prefix: after, beyond, change

micro-

Prefix: small

neo-

Prefix: new

pro-

Prefix: before

-al, ic, ous

Suffix: pertaining to

-cyte

Suffix: cell

-gen

Suffix: substance or agent that produces or causes

-genic

producing, originating, causing

-logist

Suffix: one who studies and treats (specialist, physician)

-logy

Suffix: study of

-megaly

Suffix: enlargement

-oid

Suffix: resembling

-oma

Suffix: tumor, swelling

-opsy

Suffix: view of, viewing

-osis

Suffix: abnormal condition (means increase when used with blood cell word roots)

-pathy

Suffix: disease

-plasia

Suffix: condition of formation, development, growth

-plasm

Suffix: growth, substance, formation

-sarcoma

Suffix: malignant tumor

-sis

Suffix: state of