Module H Body Systems Student Manual

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and definitions from Module H - Body Systems, including various anatomical structures, physiological functions, common disorders, and related medical terminology.

Benign tumor

A non-life-threatening, non-cancerous tumor that does not spread to other body parts.

Cell Theory

Basic unit of all living tissues or organisms, all living organisms are made of cells, and cellular function is an essential process of living things.

Cells

The building blocks of the human body that, when combined, form tissue.

Chemotherapy (chemo)

A medical treatment that uses medications given orally or intravenously to kill cancer cells.

Connective tissue

Tissue that anchors, connects, and supports other tissues; located in every part of the body; includes bones, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and blood.

Epithelial tissue

Tissue that covers internal and external body surfaces; lines nose, mouth, respiratory tract, stomach, and intestines; forms skin, hair, nails, and glands.

Malignant tumor

A cancerous tumor that invades and destroys nearby tissues and can spread to other parts of the body.

Metastasis

When cancer spreads to other parts of the body by breaking off and travelling.

Muscle tissue

Tissue that stretches and contracts to allow body movement.

Neoplasia

A benign or malignant tumor caused by the growth of abnormal cells.

Nerve tissue

Tissue that receives and carries impulses to the brain.

Organ

Made of tissue, may be several different types of tissue that carry on a special function, and combine to form a system.

Organelle

Structures within a cell that carry on the work of the cell.

Organism

Made up of systems functioning together to perform activities of daily living that are needed for continued life.

Orthostatic Hypotension

Abnormal low blood pressure occurring when the resident suddenly stands up, causing weakness, faintness, dizziness, and seeing spots.

Radiation

A medical treatment that kills cancer cells using X-ray beams aimed at the tumor, or radioactive material implanted at or near the tumor.

System

Made of groups of several organs functioning together for a specific purpose or purposes.

Tissue

Cells grouped together to carry out a particular activity or function; when grouped together, tissues become organs.

Tumor

Growth of abnormal cells which may be benign or malignant.

Integumentary System

The skin; the largest organ and system in the body, responsible for providing a natural protective covering of the body.

Avoidable pressure injury

A pressure injury that develops from improper use of the nursing process.

Bedfast

Confined to bed.

Bony Prominences

Areas of the body where bone is close to the skin, such as elbows, shoulder blades, and sacrum.

Deep tissue pressure injury

A purple or deep red localized area of discolored intact skin or blood-filled blister; usually due to damage of underlying soft tissue from pressure and/or shear.

Dermatitis

Inflammation of the skin.

Dermis

The layer of skin under the epidermis.

Eczema

Red, itchy areas on the surface of the skin.

Epidermis

The outer layer of skin.

Friction

The rubbing of one surface against another; occurs when skin is dragged across a surface.

Pressure injury (pressure ulcer)

Any lesion caused by unrelieved pressure that results in damage to underlying tissues.

Pressure injury stage 1

Intact skin with redness over a bony prominence.

Pressure injury stage 2

Partial-thickness skin loss; may present as a blister or shallow reddish-pink ulcer, which may be intact or open.

Pressure injury stage 3

Full-thickness skin loss; skin is gone; may see subcutaneous fat; slough (dead soft tissue) may be present.

Pressure injury stage 4

Full-thickness skin and tissue loss with muscle, tendon, and bone exposure; slough and eschar (thick, leathery dead tissue) may be present; often black or brown.

Shear

When layers of skin rub up against each other, or when skin remains in place but underlying tissues move and stretch, causing damage to capillaries and blood vessels.

Shingles (Herpes Zoster)

A disease caused by a virus, most common in people over 50, with signs including a rash or blisters on one side of the body, burning pain, numbness, and itching.

Stasis Dermatitis

A skin condition affecting lower legs and ankles that occurs from a buildup of fluid under the skin and causes problems with circulation.

The 30o lateral position

A resident's position where the bed is not raised more than 30o and pillows are placed under the head, shoulder, and leg to lift the hip at about a 30o angle to avoid pressure on the hip.

Unavoidable pressure injury

A pressure injury that occurs despite efforts to prevent one through proper use of the nursing process.

Unstageable pressure injury

Full-thickness tissue loss with injury covered by slough and/or eschar.

Abduction

Moving a body part away from the midline.

Adduction

Moving a body part toward the midline.

Amputation

Removal of all or part of a limb because of a disease or an accident.

Arthritis

Inflammation or swelling of the joints causing stiffness, pain, and decreased mobility.

Ball-and-socket joint

A joint that allows movement in all directions, made up of the rounded end of one bone fitted into the hollow end of another bone, for example, the hip and the shoulder.

Bone Marrow

Soft and spongy tissue located in the inside part of the bone.

Bones

Hard and rigid structures that make up the skeleton and together form the framework of the body.

Cardiac Muscle

Striated, involuntary muscle of the heart.

Cartilage

Connective tissue that cushions bones at the joints and keeps them from rubbing together.

Closed fracture

A broken bone that does not break the skin.

Contracture

Permanent shortening of muscle resulting in immovable joints.

Dorsiflexion

Bending the toes and foot upward at the ankle.

Extension

Straightening a body part.

External Rotation

Turning the joint outward.

Flexion

Bending a body part.

Fracture

A break in the bone caused by an accident or osteoporosis.

Hinge joint

A joint that allows movement in one direction, for example, the elbow and knee.

Hip Fracture

A serious condition involving a break in the hip bone due to an accidental fall or a fall from weakened bones.

Internal Rotation

Turning the joint inward.

Involuntary muscle

A muscle that works automatically and cannot be controlled.

Joints

The point where bones meet, made up of connective tissue called cartilage that cushions bones and keeps them from rubbing together during movement.

Ligaments

Connect bone to bone.

Muscle atrophy

The wasting away of a muscle due to disuse, causing a decrease in size and increase in weakness of the muscle.

Muscle Strain

Damage of the muscle caused by trauma.

Muscles

Structures of the body that power movement of the skeleton and help the body stay erect.

Musculoskeletal System

System of the body that provides structure and movement for the body.

Open fracture (compound fracture)

A broken bone that breaks through the skin.

Opposition

Touching the thumb to a finger of the same hand.

Osteoarthritis

Degenerative joint disease affecting the elderly and may occur with aging or joint injury, usually involving weight-bearing hips and knees.

Osteoporosis

Loss of bone density causing bones to become porous and brittle, resulting in bones breaking easily.

Phantom pain

Pain experienced in the area that a body part has been amputated possibly due to damaged nerve endings.

Phantom sensation

The feeling that an amputated body part is still there.

Pivot joint

A joint that allows turning from side to side, for example, the skull connected to the spine.

Plantar Flexion

Bending the foot downward at the ankle.

Pronation

Turning downward.

Prosthesis

A device that replaces a body part that is missing or deformed.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Systemic, crippling disease causing deformities, with stiff, painful, swollen joints.

Skeletal muscle

Striated, voluntary muscles attached to the bones that power movement of the skeleton.

Smooth Muscle

Involuntary muscle of the inner linings of organs, such as the stomach, intestines, and blood vessels.

Sprain

Stretched or torn ligaments or tendons.

Supination

Turning upward.

Synovial membrane

Lining of the joints that secretes synovial fluid, which acts as a lubricant allowing joints to move smoothly.

Tendons

Connect muscle to bone.

Total Knee Replacement (TKR)

Surgical replacement of the knee with a prosthesis performed to relieve pain and restore mobility, damaged by arthritis or injury.

Voluntary muscle

A muscle that can be controlled.

Brain

Located in the skull and consists of three parts – cerebrum, cerebellum, and the brainstem.

Brainstem

Part of the brain that controls breathing, opening and closing of blood vessels, heart rate, swallowing, gagging, and coughing.

Central nervous system (CNS)

One of the two divisions of the nervous system that includes the brain and spinal cord.

Cerebral cortex

Outer layer of the cerebrum where ideas, thinking, analysis, judgment, emotions, and memory occur; also guides speech, interprets messages from senses, and controls voluntary muscle movement.

Cerebrovascular accident (CVA, stroke)

Damage to part of the brain due to a blood clot or hemorrhage cutting off blood supply.

Cerebellum

Part of the brain located just below the cerebrum that controls balance and regulates movement.

Cerebrum

The center of the brain where thought and intelligence occur and is divided into two hemispheres and four lobes.

Cognitive impairment

Poor judgment, memory loss, inability to solve problems, confusion.

Dysphagia

Difficulty swallowing.

Emotional lability

Inappropriate or uncalled for laughing, crying, or expressions of anger.

Expressive aphasia

Trouble communicating thoughts by speech or writing.

Frontal lobe

Lobe of the cerebrum important for cognitive functions and control of voluntary movement or activity.

Head and spinal cord injuries

Injuries resulting from diving accidents, sports injuries, motor vehicle accidents, and war injuries, leading to conditions from mild concussion to coma, paralysis, and death.

Hemiparesis

Weakness on one side of the body.

Hemiplegia

Paralysis on one side of the body.