D-ABMDI Section 50: Demonstrate Medical Knowledge

Universal precautions

an approach to infection control, whereby all blood and certain fluids are to be treated as if they are infected with HIV, Hepatitis B virus, and other blood-borne pathogens

Coronal body plane

the plane that divides the body into front and back

Mid-sagittal body plane

the plane that divides the body into right and left halves

Transverse body plane

the plane that divides the body into top and bottom halves

Superior

refers to the top of the head (“cephalad” is also used in this context)

Inferior

refers to the surface toward the feet (“caudal” is also used in this context)

Anterior

refers to the front surface of the body (“ventral” is also used in this context)

Posterior

refers to the surface facing toward the back of the body (“dorsal” is also used in this context)

Lateral

surface or portion of the body that points toward the side or away from the midline of the body

Medial

describes any surface or portion of the body that points or faces toward the midline of the body

Proximal

describes a relative position that is closer to the central portion of the body or origin of the structure (e.g., the position of the shoulder is _______ to the hand)

Distal

refers to a relative position that is farther away from the central portion of the body or origin of the structure (e.g., the position of the hand is _______ to the shoulder")

Superficial

refers to a relative position close to the surface of an organ or close to the skin

Deep

refers to relative position within the body or farther away from the surface of the body

Supine

a relative position of the body lying on the back or posterior portion

Prone

a relative position of the body lying on the face or anterior portion

Auricular

the area of the ear

Frontal

the front (anterior) surface of the head

Temporal

the side (lateral) surface of the head

Occipital

the back (posterior) surface of the head

Parietal

the area considered the top of the head

Oral

the area of the mouth

Orbital

the area of the eye

Sternal notch or angle

the junction of the sternum and the clavicle relating to the T4-T5 level of vertebral bodies

Submental

the area under the chin or jaw line

Costal margin

the lowest portion of the anterior ribs, corresponding to the level of the anterior attachment of the diaphragm and L3-L4 vertebral bodies

Umbilicus

the naval

Nipple line

corresponds to the level of the fourth anterior rib

Xiphoid

the bottom of the breast bone (sternum)

Pectoral

refers to the front (anterior) region of the chest where the breasts and muscles are located

Pectoral girdle

used in reference to the muscles, bones, and other structures responsible for the attachment of the arm to the torso

Subclavicular

the area located on the front (anterior) surface of the body beneath (inferior to) the collar bones

Axilla

the armpit region (injuries and other findings can be described in relation to the anterior or posterior edges of the ______)

Epigastrium

the upper (superior) portion of the abdomen bordered by the costal margin

Cervical

refers to the upper (superior) portion of the spine

Thoracic

Refers to the middle portion of the sine, which defines the ________ cavity. Ribs attach to each of the ________ vertebrae

Lumbar

refers to the lower portion of the spine (e.g., “the small of the back”)

Sacrum

refers to a normally fused portion of the lower spine, which constitutes the back (posterior) region of the pelvic bones

Coccyx

the “tail bone”

Pelvis

the bones which constitute the lower (inferior) border of the abdomen, also generally referring to the hip and lower abdomen regions

Gluteal

the buttocks region

Arm

The anatomically correct usage refers to only the upper (proximal) part of the extremity. The bone that defines this region is the humerus

Forearm

The lower (distal) portion of the extremity. The bones that define this region are the radius and ulna

Volar

The front (anterior, ventral) surface of the forearms and hands. The term “palmar” is also used in this context with respect to the hands.

Antecubital

The front (anterior, ventral) surface of the elbow where the arm and forearm meet

Thigh

The upper (superior) portion of the leg. The bone that defines this region is the femur.

Tibia

The bone that defines the inner (medial) aspect of the lower (inferior) portion of the leg. The front (anterior) surface of this bone constitutes a portion of the shin (pre_____ region)

Fibula

The bone that defines the outer (lateral) aspect of the lower (inferior) portion of the leg

Plantar

the bottom surface of the foot

Dorsum

the top surface of the foot

Thorax or thoracic cavity

Contains the lungs and heart; pleural spaces enclose the lungs under the skeletal system

Mediastinum

middle portion of the chest which contains the heart, many large blood vessels (including the aorta) and, in children, the thymus

Pericardium

Sac-like structure surrounding the heart

Pericardial tamponade

when blood escapes from the heart or aorta and fills the pericardium

Peritoneum

the covering of the abdominal cavity, located below the diaphragm and containing all of the abdominal organs (viscera)

The pleural, pericardial, and peritoneal cavities normally only contain a small amount of ______ and no ________

Fluid; Air

Hemothorax

blood accumulated within the thorax

Hemopericardium

blood accumulated within the pericardium

Hemoperitoneum

blood accumulated within the pericardium

Pleuritis

inflammation of the surface that lines the pleural cavity

Pericarditis

inflammation of the surface that lines the pericardium

Pleural cavity

encloses the lungs under the skeletal system, lies within the thoracic cavity

Peritonitis

inflammation of the surface that lines the peritoneum

Number of bones in the skeletal system

206

Number of bones in the skull

28

Cranium

Made up of 28 single bones that are fused together, protects the brain and facial bones

Main components of cranium

Parietal, frontal, temporal, and occipital bones

Facial bones

primarily composed of sinuses, which contain air-filled space

Appendicular skeleton

Consists of the bones of the arms, the hands, the shoulder girdle, the legs, and the feet

Joint/articulation

the place where two or more bones connect

Types of joints

Hinge, ball and socket, and fibrous

Ligaments

hold together joints

Vertebral spine

consists of the cervical vertebrae (7), thoracic vertebrae (12), ribs, lumbar vertebrae (5), and sacral vertebrae (5, fused)

Nervous impulse

muscles contract only when they are stimulated by a _____________

Number of pairs of nerves that attach directly to the spinal cord and stimulate or innervate the skeletal muscle

31

Peripheral nervous system

consists of the cranial nerves, the peripheral nerves, and the autonomic hearing sysem

Number of nerves that make up the cranial nerves

12

Function of the cranial nerves

Innervate sensory (smell, hearing, sight, balance) as well as motor functions

Autonomic nervous system

motor nerve system that contains all involuntary smooth muscles, cardiac muscles, and glands

Spinal nerves

emerge from the intervertebral space and have both sensory and motor functions. Innervates distinct sections of the body (dermatomes) also known as spinal cord levels

Average weight of the heart

250 to 350 grams

Heart chambers

right atrium, right ventricle, left atrium, left ventricle

Myocardium

muscular layer of the heart; made up of specialized cardiac muscle

Systemic circulation

Pattern of blood flow from the left ventricle to the aorta, delivering oxygen and nutrients to the body’s organs and tissues, and returning deoxygenated blood to the right atrium through veins

Pulmonary circulation

flow of blood from the pulmonary artery of the heart into the lungs and back to the left atrium

Superior vena cava

Brings blood from the jugular and subclavian veins (returning blood from the heart and head) and empties into the right atrium

Inferior vena cava

Brings blood from the iliac veins (returning blood from the abdomen and lower extremities) and empties into the right atrium

Lymphatic system

Network of capillaries that transports “tissue fluid” known as lymph. Drains the lymph nodes, providing a pathway for the transportation of lymphocytes and antibodies. Drains into the venous system.

Right lung

Three lobes: upper, middle, and lower

Left lung

Two lobes: upper and lower

Intercostal muscles

Stretches between contiguous ribs. Initiates respiratory movement along with the diaphragm.

Esophagus

muscular tube that descends through the neck posterior to the trachea, enters the thorax, and runs directly behind the pericardium and left ventricle, perforating the diaphragm and opening into the stomach

Esophageal-gastric junction

Common site for esophageal varices or dilated veins in alcoholics

Sections of the small intestine

Duodenum, jejunum, and ileum

Sections of the colon

Cecum, ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, sigmoid colon, and rectum

Average weight of the liver

1200 to 1700 grams

Icterus

jaundice

Spleen

functions as a filter for bacteria and a sieve for removing obsolescent red blood cells

Tissue

collection of cells

Organs

collections of tissues; have specialized functions