chapt 2

abdominal cavity

contains the major organs of digestion.

adenocarcinoma

a malignant tumor that originates in the glands and may spread to other parts of the body.

adenoma

benign tumor that starts in the epithelial tissue of a gland or gland-like stucture.

anaplasia

a change in the structure of cells and in their orientation to each other.

anatomy

the study of the structures of the body.

anomaly

a deviation from what is regarded as normal.

anterior

situated in the front.

aplasia

the defective development, or the congenital absence, of an organ or tissue.

atresia

congenital absence or narrowing of a normal body opening or passage.

autopsy

a postmortem examination

bloodborne transmission

the spread of pathogens through infected blood or other body fluids.

communicable disease

any condition that is transmitted from one person to another either directly or by indirect contact with contaminated objects.

congenital disorder

Definition:an abnormal condition that exists at the time of birth.

cytoplasm

the material within the cell membrane that is not part of the nucleus.

dysplasia

"the abnormal development or growth of cells, or the presence of abnormal cells within a type of tissue."

endemic

the ongoing presence of a disease within a population, group, or area.

endocrine glands

produce hormones, do not have ducts.

etiology

the study of the causes of diseases or abnormal conditions.

exocrine glands

secrete chemical substances into ducts that lead either to other organs or out of the body.

functional disorder

a condition that produced physical symptoms for which no disease or other organic cause can be identified.

hemophilia

a hereditary bleeding disorder in which a blood-clotting factor is missing.

histology

the microscopic study of the structure, composition, and function of tissues.

hyperplasia

an increase in he number of cells in a tissue or organ.

hypertrophy

a general increase In the bulk of a body part or organ due to an increase in the size, but not the number, of cells in the tissues.

hypoplasia

the underdevelopment of an organ or tissue, usually due to a deficiency in the number of cells.

iatrogenic illness

an unfavorable response due to prescribed medical treatment.

idiopathic disease

any disease without a known cause.

infectious disease

an illness caused by living pathogenic organisms such as bacteria and viruses.

inguinal

relating to the groin, refers to the entire lower area of the abdomen.

medial

the directon toward, or, nearer the midline.

mesentery

a fused double layer of the parietal peritoneum that attaches parts of the intestine to the interior abdominal wall.

nosocomial infection

a disease acquired in a hospital or clinical setting.

pelvic cavity

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

peritoneum

a multilayered membrane that protects and holds the organs in place within the abdominal cavity.

peritonitis

inflammation of the peritoneum.

physiology

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

retroperitoneal

located behind the peritoneum.

stem cells

unspecialized cells that are able to renew themselves for long periods of time by cell division.

thoracic cavity

also known as the chest cavity or thorax; surrounds and protects the heart and lungs.

vector-borne transmission

is the spread of certain disease through blood-sucking vectors.

DNA

deoxyribonucleic acid