Medical Terminology Chapter 2 Structural Organization of the Body

anabolism

process of building up large proteins from small protein pieces called amino acids. Ana- means up, bol means to cast, and -ism is a process.

catabolism

process whereby complex nutrients are broken down to simpler substances and energy is released. Cata- means down, bol means to cast, and -ism is a process

cell membrane

structure surrounding and protecting the cell. It determines what enters and leaves the cell.

chromosomes

rod-shaped structures in the nucleus that contain regions of DNA called genes. There are 46 chromosomes (23 pairs) in every cell except for the egg and sperm cells, which contain only 23 individual, unpaired chromosomes

cytoplasm

all of the material that is outside the nucleus and yet contained within the cell membrane

DNA

deoxyribonucleic acid; chemical found within each chromosome. Arranged like a sequence of recipes in code, it directs the activities of the cell

endoplasmic reticulum (ER)

network of canals within the cytoplasm of the cell. Here, large proteins are made from smaller protein pieces (amino acids)

genes

regions of DNA within each chromosome

karyotype

picture (classification) of chromosomes in the nucleus of a cell. The chromosomes are arranged in numeric order to determine their number and structure

metabolism

total of the chemical processes in a cell. It includes catabolism and anabolism. Meta- means change, bol means to cast, and -ism means a process

mitochondria

rod-shaped structures in the cytoplasm that provide the principal source of energy (miniature “power plants”) for the cell. Catabolism is the process that occurs in mitochondria. (From the Greek mitos meaning thread and chondrion meaning granule)

nucleus

control center of the cell. It contains chromosomes and directs the activities of the cell

ribosomes

small granules on the endoplasmic reticulum of a cell. Ribosomes arrange amino acids on the endoplasmic reticulum to make proteins. Rib/o is derived from ribonucleic acid or RNA and -somes means bodies

how are proteins made in cells

dna code in nucleus → code transmitted to mRNA → mRNA travels to ER and ribosomes → ribosomes on ER arrange amino acids to make a specific protein

digestive system

mouth

pharynx- throat

esophagus- tube from the throat to the stomach

stomach

large and small intestines

liver

gallbladder

pancreas

urinary or excretory systems

kidneys

ureters- tubes from the kidneys to the urinary bladder

urinary bladder

urethra- tube from the bladder to the outside of the body

respiratory system

nose

pharynx

larynx- voice box

trachea- windpipe

bronchial tubes

lungs- where the exchange of gases takes place

reproductive system

female

ovaries

fallopian tubes

uterus- womb

vagina

mammary glands

male

testes and associated tubes

urethra

penis

prostate gland

endocrine system

thyroid gland- in the neck

pituitary gland- at the base of the brain

sex glands- ovaries and testes

adrenal glands

pancreas- islets of Langerhans

parathyroid glands

nervous system

brain

spinal cord

nerves

collections of nerves

circulatory system

heart

blood vessels- arteries, veins, capillaries

lymphatic vessels and nodes

spleen

thymus gland

musculoskeletal

muscles

bones

joints

skin and sense organs

skin

hair

nails

sweat glands

sebaceous/oil glands

eyes

ears

nose

tongue

adipose tissue

collection of fat cells

cartilage

flexible connective tissue often attached to bones at joints. Cartilage forms part of the external ear and the nose. Rings of cartilage surround the trachea

epithelial cells

skin cells that cover the outside of the body and line the internal surfaces of organs

histologist

specialist in the study of tissues

larynx

voice box; located above the trachea

pharynx

throat. The pharynx serves as the common passageway for food (from the mouth going to the esophagus) and air (from the nose to the trachea)

pituitary gland

endocrine gland at the base of the brain

thyroid gland

endocrine gland that surrounds the trachea in the neck

trachea

windpipe (tube leading from the throat and larynx to the bronchial tubes)

ureter

one of two tubes, each leading from a single kidney to the urinary bladder

urethra

tube from the urinary bladder to the outside of the body

uterus

womb; the organ that holds the embryo/fetus as it develops

viscera

internal organs in the main cavities of the body, especially in the abdomen

cranial cavity

brain

pituitary gland

thoracic cavity contains

lungs

heart

esophagus

trachea

bronchial tubes

thymus gland

aorta- large artery

thoracic cavity is divided into

pleural cavity and mediastinum

mediastinum

centrally located space outside of and between the lungs. Contains heart, aorta, trachea, esophagus, thymus gland, bronchial tubes, and many lymph nodes

abdominal cavity

peritoneum surrounds

kidneys behind- retroperitoneal area

stomach

small and large intestines

spleen

pancreas

liver

gallbladder

diaphragm divides abdominal and thoracic cavities

peritoneum

double-folded membrane surrounding the abdominal cavity. It attaches the abdominal organs to the abdominal muscles and surrounds each organ to hold it in place

pelvic cavity

portions of the small and large intestines

rectum

urinary bladder

urethra

ureters

uterus and vagina in female

spinal cavity contains

nerves of the spinal cord

dorsal body cavities

cranial

spinal

ventral body cavities

thoracic

abdominal

pelvic

abdominal and pelvic cavities are referred to together as the

abdominopelvic cavity

abdominal cavity

space below the chest containing organs such as the liver, stomach, gallbladder, and intestines; also called the abdomen or peritoneal cavity

cranial cavity

space in the head containing the brain and surrounded by the skull. Cranial means pertaining to the skull

diaphragm

muscle separating the abdominal and thoracic cavities. The diaphragm moves up and down and aids in breathing

dorsal/posterior

pertaining to the back

mediastinum

centrally located space outside of and between the lungs

pelvic cavity

space below the abdomen containing portions of the intestines, rectum, urinary bladder, and reproductive organs. Pelvic means pertaining to the pelvis, which is composed of the hip bones surrounding the pelvic cavity

peritoneum

double-folded membrane surronding the abdominal cavity. The peritoneum attaches abdominal viscera to muscles and functions as a protective membrane (containing blood vessels and nerves) around the organs

pleura

double-folded membrane surrounding each lung. Pleural means pertaining to the pleura

pleural cavity

space between the pleural layers

spinal cavity

space within the spinal column (backbones) containing the spinal cord

thoracic cavity

space in the chest containing the heart, lungs, bronchial tubes, trachea, esophagus, and other organs

ventral/anterior

pertaining to the front

pleural effusion

the collection of fluid in the pleural cavity

ascites

the collection of fluid in the peritoneal cavity