Medical Assistant Anatomy Flashcards

anatomy

study of the body structure

physiology

study of the body functions and processes

homeostasis

the body maintains a stable internal environment

cells

smallest unit of life

tissues

cells that are similar and organized together

organ

2 or more tissue types form to create an organ

organ systems

groups of organs that work together to carry out a specific function

cell membrane

allows substance to enter and exist the cell

cytoplasm

liquid containing the cell’s structures

mitochondria

cell powerhouse, makes energy (atp)

nucleus

contains genetic material (DNA)

DNA

carries genetic instructions (contains genes)

gene

part of dna that determines body trait

heredity

genetic trait from parents to children (46 chromosomes, 22 pairs = 44 total + one pair of sex)

albinism

born with little to no pigmentation in the skin, eyes, or hair

cystic fibrosis

body produces thick, sticky mucus instead of thin, slippery mucus —> affects the CFTR gene

down syndrome

causes intellectual disabilities (3 chromosomes instead of 2 in chromosome 21)

hemophilia

blood disorder, lack of clotting factor

phenylketonuria (PKU)

an inherited inability to metabolize phenylalanine that causes brain and nerve damage if untreated (all newborns are tested)

epithelial tissue

covers the body and most organs, protects against invading pathogens and toxins, secretes enzymes, absorbs nutrients

nervous tissue

located in the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves; sends impulses or electrical messages to the nerve endings, muscles, and glands in the body

muscle tissue

contracts and relaxes

skeletal muscle

attaches to the skeleton (striated, voluntary)

smooth muscle

located in walls of hollow organs, walls of blood vessels, and dermis of skin (involuntary)

cardiac muscle

located in the wall of the heart (striated, involuntary)

connective tissue

supports, protects, and gives structure to other tissues and organs in the body

cartilage

joint muscle

adipose

fat

blood

composed of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma

respiratory system

nose, nasal cavity, pharynx, trachea, larynx, bronchi, lungs; gas exchange

integumentary system

skin and accessory organs; body’s first defense against illness and injury, regulates temperature, excretion (cools - perspiration); sensation

skeletal system

bones and joints; gives body structure and stability; protects organs from injury

muscular system

muscles and connecting structures; responsible for movement

lymphatic system

lymph nodes, spleen; prevents infections with help from white blood cells

respiratory system

lungs and airways; breathing

digestive system

mouth, esophagus, stomach & intestines; liver and pancreas contribute; provides and delivers nutrients

nervous system

brain, spinal cord, nerves; controls all other body systems

endocrine system

glands that secrete hormones; pancreas, pituitary, adrenal, thyroid glands; exocrine glands (release hormones into ducts), endocrine glands (release hormones into bloodstream)

cardiovascular system

heart and blood vessels; pumps blood, provides necessary nutrients, eliminates waste

urinary system

kidneys, bladder; filters blood, removes waste

female and male reproductive system

ovaries, uterus, vagina, testes, penis; achieve fertilization, produce offspring

anatomical position

body is standing upright, facing forward, arms at the sides and palsm facing forward

superior (cranial)

above

inferior

below

proximal

closer to attachment

distal

further from attachment

medial

middle of the body

lateral

side of the body

ventral

toward the front of the body (anterior, coronal or frontal)

dorsal

towards the back of the body (posterior)

sagittal/midsagittal

divides body into right and left sides, midline through the center of the body

transverse

divides body into a top and bottom (superior and inferior)

5 body cavities

cranial (brain), spinal (continuation of cranial, spine), thoracic (chest, lungs, heart, major vessels), abdominal (abdomen, liver intestines, colon), pelvic (bladder)

abdominal regions

right upper quadrant (pain-gallbladder), right lower quadrant (pain-appendix),, left upper quadrant (pain-spleen), left lower quadrant (pain-constipation)

amputation

surgical removal of all or part of a limb or extremity

biopsy

removal and examination of tissue to diagnose a disease

coronary artery bypass graft

surgery that eliminates a blockage in an artery going to heart

coronary artery disease

a disorder that involves partial or complete blockage of blood vessels hat supply the heart

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

a persistent disorder that impairs breathing

dilation and curettage

surgery involving the use of an instrument to open the cervix and then cutting away tissue inside the uterus for therapeutic purposes

electrocardiogram

a record of heart’s electrical impulses

genitourinary

referring to the urinary and reproductive organs

gynecology

the type of medical practice that deals with the female reproductive system

hematocrit

the percentage of blood sample that is red blood cells

hemoglobin

the red oxygen carrying pigment of red blood cells

incision

a surgical wound that result from cutting into tissue

myocardial infarction

an interruption of blood flow to the heart causing heart muscle damage, AKA heart attacks

nasogastric

from the nose to the stomach

obstetrics

the type of medical practice that deals with women giving birth

pelvic inflammatory disease

a bacterial infection of the female reproductive organs

rheumatoid arthritis

an autoimmune disease that causes pain swelling and deformity especially in the hands and feet due to inflammation in the joints

tonsillectomy

surgical removal of the tonsils

adenoidectomy

the removal of small masses of lymphatic tissue near the opening into the pharynx

tuberculosis

a highly contagious infections disease of the lungs that causes necrosis, death of lung tissue

transient ischemic attack

a temporary interruption of blood flow to the brain

urinalysis

a diagnostic examination of urine