Medical Terminology for Health Professions - Chapter 2: The Human Body in Health and Disease

Vocabulary flashcards covering anatomical reference systems, body planes, directions, cavities, regions, structural units, and abbreviations from Chapter 2.

Anatomy

The study of the structures of the body.

Physiology

The study of the functions of the structures of the body.

Anatomical position

Describes the body standing in the standard position: standing up straight so that the body is erect and facing forward, holding arms at sides with palms facing front.

Body planes

Imaginary vertical and horizontal lines used to divide the body into sections for descriptive purposes.

Sagittal plane

A vertical plane that divides the body into unequal left and right portions.

Midsagittal plane

A sagittal plane that divides the body into equal left and right halves; also known as the midline.

Frontal plane

A vertical plane that divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) portions; also known as the coronal plane.

Transverse plane

A horizontal plane that divides the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) portions.

Ventral

Refers to the front, or belly side, of the organ or body; opposite of dorsal.

Dorsal

Refers to the back of the organ or body; opposite of ventral.

Cephalic

Means toward the head; opposite of caudal.

Caudal

Means toward the lower part of the body; opposite of cephalic.

Anterior

Means situated in the front; opposite of posterior.

Posterior

Means situated in the back; opposite of anterior.

Superior

Means uppermost, above, or toward the head; opposite of inferior.

Inferior

Means lowermost, below, or toward the feet; opposite of superior.

Proximal

Means situated nearest the midline or beginning of a body structure; opposite of distal.

Distal

Means situated farthest from the midline or beginning of a body structure; opposite of proximal.

Medial

Means the direction toward, or nearer, the midline; opposite of lateral.

Lateral

Means the direction toward, or nearer, the side of the body, away from the midline; opposite of medial.

Dorsal cavity

Located along the back of the body and head, containing organs of the nervous system; divided into the cranial cavity and spinal cavity.

Cranial cavity

Located within the skull; surrounds and protects the brain.

Spinal cavity

Located within the spinal column; surrounds and protects the spinal cord.

Ventral cavity

Located along the front of the body; contains organs that sustain homeostasis.

Thoracic cavity

Located within the ventral cavity; also known as the chest cavity or thorax.

Abdominal cavity

Located within the ventral cavity; contains the major organs of digestion.

Pelvic cavity

Space formed by the hip bones; contains the organs of the reproductive and excretory systems.

Abdominopelvic cavity

Refers to the abdominal and pelvic cavities as a single unit.

Hypochondriac regions

The right and left abdominal regions covered by the lower ribs.

Epigastric region

The abdominal region located above the stomach.

Lumbar regions

The right and left abdominal regions located near the inward curve of the spine.

Umbilical region

The abdominal region surrounding the umbilicus, commonly known as the belly button or navel.

Iliac regions

The right and left abdominal regions located near the hip bones.

Hypogastric region

The abdominal region located below the stomach.

Abdominal quadrants

The four imaginary divisions of the abdomen: Right upper quadrant (RUQ), Left upper quadrant (LUQ), Right lower quadrant (RLQ), and Left lower quadrant (LLQ).

Structural units of the body

The levels of organization in the body from smallest to largest: cells, tissues, organs, and body systems.

A & P

Abbreviation for anatomy and physiology.

DNA

Abbreviation for deoxyribonucleic acid.

GP

Abbreviation for general practitioner.

HD

Abbreviation for Huntington's disease.

PA

Abbreviation for physician assistant.