Chapter 2: Medical Terminology and Anatomy Review Flashcards

Flashcards for reviewing medical terminology and anatomy, covering vocabulary, definitions, and key concepts from the lecture notes.

Root Word

The base of a word that holds its fundamental meaning; can stand alone or be combined with other elements.

Combining Vowel

A vowel (usually O or I) attached to root words to link them with suffixes or other root words, making terms easier to pronounce.

Prefix

An element attached to the beginning of a word to modify or alter its meaning, often indicating location, time, or number.

Suffix

An element attached to the end of a word to modify or alter its meaning; in medical terms, frequently indicates the procedure, condition, disorder, or disease.

-centesis

Suffix meaning puncture, tap

-desis

Suffix meaning binding, fusion

-ectomy

Suffix meaning excision, surgical removal

-graphy

Suffix meaning act of recording data

-pexy

Suffix meaning surgical fixation

-plasty

Suffix meaning plastic repair, plastic surgery, reconstruction

-tripsy

Suffix meaning crushing

Anatomic Position

An upright, face-forward position with arms by the side, palms facing forward, and feet parallel and slightly apart.

Anterior (Ventral)

Toward the front of the body.

Posterior (Dorsal)

Toward the back of the body.

Medial

Toward the midline of the body.

Lateral

Toward the side of the body.

Proximal

Nearer to the point of attachment or a given reference point.

Distal

Farther from the point of attachment or a given reference point.

Superior (Cranial)

Above; toward the head.

Inferior (Caudal)

Below; toward the lower end of the spine.

Superficial (External)

Closer to the surface of the body.

Deep (Internal)

Closer to the center of the body.

Sagittal Plane

Cuts through the midline of the body from front to back, dividing it into right and left sections.

Frontal (Coronal) Plane

Cuts at a right angle to the midline, dividing the body into front (anterior) and back (posterior) sections.

Transverse (Horizontal/Axial) Plane

Cuts horizontally through the body, separating it into upper (superior) and lower (inferior) sections.

Cell

The basic unit of all living things.

Tissue

A group of similar cells performing a specific task (e.g., muscle tissue).

Organ

Two or more kinds of tissue that together perform special body functions (e.g., skin).

System

Groups of organs that work together to perform complex body functions (e.g., nervous system).

Cranial Cavity

Space inside the skull containing the brain.

Spinal (Vertebral) Cavity

Space inside the spinal column containing the spinal cord.

Thoracic Cavity

Chest cavity containing the heart, lungs, esophagus, trachea, bronchi, and thymus.

Abdominal Cavity

Contains the lower esophagus, stomach, intestines (excluding sigmoid colon/rectum), kidneys, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, and ureters.

Pelvic Cavity

Contains the urinary bladder, certain reproductive organs, part of the large intestine, and the rectum.

Mucous Membranes

Line the interior walls of organs and tubes that open to the outside of the body.

Serous Membranes

Line cavities, including the thoracic cavity and internal organs.

Synovial Membranes

Line joint cavities and secrete synovial fluid.

Meninges

Protective connective tissue membranes covering the brain and spinal cord (dura mater, arachnoid, pia mater).

Cutaneous Membrane

The skin; forms the outer covering of the body.

Integumentary System

Organ system comprised of skin, hair, and nails to protect against injury, fluid loss, and microorganisms; regulates body temperature/fluid balance, and provides sensation.

Epidermis

Outer layer of the skin, composed of multiple layers (stratum corneum, lucidum, granulosum, spinosum, basale).

Dermis

Skin layer located under the epidermis; contains stratum papillare and reticulare, vessels, nerves, glands, and hair follicles.

Hypodermis (Subcutaneous Tissue)

Tissue beneath the skin, composed of fatty or adipose tissue and areolar tissue; not considered a layer of the skin.

Hair Follicle

Contains layers and bulb-like projection at base called the papilla; capillaries nourish the bulb; sheaths protect and mold the growing hair shaft.

Arrector Pili

Muscles attached to outer hair sheath, causing hair to stand up when contracted.

Long Bones

Elongated; examples are the femur and humerus.

Short Bones

Cube-shaped bones found in the carpal bones of the wrist and tarsal bones of the ankle.

Flat Bones

Consist of a layer of spongy bone between two thin layers of compact bone such as the skull and ribs.

Irregular Bones

Examples include the zygoma and vertebrae.

Closed Fracture

Does not involve a break in the skin.

Compound Fracture

Projects through the skin.

Greenstick Fracture

Only one side of the shaft is broken, and the other is bent; common in children.

Colles' Fracture

Occurs in the wrist and affects the distal radius bone.

Joints

Articulating surfaces, provide connections between two or more skeletal parts.

Axial Skeleton

Skull, hyoid, ribs, sternum, vertebrae, and sacrum.

Appendicular Skeleton

Shoulder girdle, pelvic girdle, and extremities.

Skeletal Muscle

Striated muscle, attached to the skeleton; contraction is under voluntary control.

Smooth Muscle

Found in walls of hollow organs (except heart); contraction reduces size of structures; movement is generally involuntary.

Cardiac Muscle

Heart muscle; makes up the wall of the heart.

Pulmonary Circulation

Receives deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle via the right and left pulmonary artery and sends oxygenated blood back to the left atrium through the pulmonary veins.

Systemic Circulation

Oxygenated blood is pumped from the left side of the heart to the aorta.

Lymphatic System

Comprised of lymph vessels and nodes; collects excess fluid from interstitial spaces and returns it to the heart.

Respiratory System

Includes the nose, nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, lungs, and alveoli.

Digestive System

Begins in the mouth and ends at the anus; breaks down food for absorption with mouth, teeth, tongue, salivary glands, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, pancreas, liver, and gallbladder.

Urinary System

Excretes metabolic wastes, maintains fluid and electrolyte balance; includes kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra.

Nervous System

Regulates bodily functions, provides communication between brain and other organs; includes brain, spinal cord (CNS), cranial and spinal nerves (PNS).

Endocrine System

Comprised of glands that secrete hormones; includes adrenal glands, carotid body, parathyroid gland, pituitary gland, thymus gland, and thyroid gland.

Hematologic (Hemic) System

Involves the blood; red cells, white cells, and platelets are made in the marrow of bones.

Immune System

Body's final line of defense against invading microorganisms, harmful chemicals, and foreign bodies; includes B-cells and T-cells.