5-CH 17-Delgado_Mia

CH 17 Body Systems for Maintenance and Continuatior

Abdominal quadrant

One of the four regions used to divide the abdomen into sections.

Abdominal region

One of the nine equal areas of the abdomen that are named and used as a reference points with discussing the body.

Abdominopelvic cavity

The part of the ventral cavity that lies below the diaphragm muscle; includes the abdominal cavity for the digestive organs and the pelvic cavity that houses the reproductive organs, bladder, and rectum

Abduction

An action that moves a limb laterally away from the side of the body

Absolute risk

Ratio of the number of people who have a medical event to those who could have the event because of a medical condition

Alveoli

Tiny, hollow air sacs clustered like bunches of grapes at the ends of the bronchioles, which exchange gas with the surrounding capillaries

Absorption

The act of taking up a substance into a tissue, such as the movement of nutrients from the small intestines into the bloodstream

Abuse

An act that inflicts physical or emotional harm.

Accreditation

Official recognition from a professional association that an educational program meets minimum educational standards for an occupation.

Acculturation

The process by which immigrants learn the beliefs and customs of the dominant culture and adopt some of them, while maintaining beliefs and customs of their own culture.

Antibodies

Proteins produced by leukocytes that bind with and disable antigens.

Advance dirctive

A legal document prepared by a patient before a health crisis occurs to guide healthcare decisions in situations when the patient is unable to speak for himself or herself

Adenoids

Lymphatic tissues located behind the nose, which help protect against infection

Adduction

An action that returns a limb to the side of the body

Adrenal glands

Glands that are located just above the kidneys and contain two parts, the adrenal cortex and the adrenal medulla

Advance directive

A legal document prepared by a patient before a health crisis occurs to guide healthcare decisions in situations when the patient is unable to speak for himself or herself

Advocate

To promote or support.

Afferent

Term that describes sensory transmitters that send impulses from receptors in the skin, muscles, and joints to the central nervous system

Affordable Care Act (ACA)

Healthcare reform legislation that encourages the use of electronic health records and the electronic exchange of information and aims to extend coverage to uninsured Americans.

Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA)

A federal law that extends civil rights protection to workers 40 years of age and older.

Airborne precautions

Practices used when an infection can be spread over a long distance and through air.

Algorithms

Sets of rules that computers follow to process and analyze information

Alimentary Canal

A long, hollow tube that is made up of digestive organs and runs from the mouth to the anus

Alternative, complementary, integrative therapies

Healthcare practices and treatments that minimize or avoid the use of surgery and drugs

Ambulatory care

Nonemergency or outpatient services provided at walk-in clinics

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

A federal law that extends civil rights protection to workers with physical or mental disabilities

Amino acids

Substances in proteins that provide the building blocks for the body to repair and make new cells

Amputate

To cut off a limb or extremity, usually by surgical operation

Anatomy

The physical structures or parts of the body

Aneurysms

Conditions characterized by weakened blood vessels, which can then burst

Anterior

A directional term that refers to the front side of the body

Antibiotics

Medications used to control bacterial infections

Antibodies

Proteins produced by leukocytes that bind with and disable antigens

Antigen

A foreign substance that causes the body to make antibodies

Antioxidant

A substance that promotes good health by reducing cell deterioration and may contribute to disease prevention

Apical pulse

A pulse measurement taken by listening over the apex (lower tip) of the heart using a stethoscope

Apothecary system

A system of measurement used by early pharmacists, or apothecaries, that is sometimes still used for herbal medicines

Appendicular skeleton

Term that describes the bones of the arms and legs, including the shoulder and hip bones where they are attached

Apps

Applications; software that is accessed through the Internet and runs on a computer, smartphone, tablet, or other mobile device

Aptitude

Natural inclination

Aqueous humor

A clear fluid in the front of the eye that maintains pressure and nourishes the cornea and lens

Artery

A major blood vessel that moves blood from the heart out to the body tissues

Aseptic techniques

Practices used by healthcare professionals to maintain a pathogen-free environment and prevent the transmission of disease

Aspiration

The inhalation of a liquid into the lungs

Assault

Any words or actions that lead an individual to fear that another person intends to harm him or her

Assay

Analysis done to determine the presence and amount of a substance or to determine the potency of a drug

Assertive communication

A communication style characterized by confi dence and consideration for others

Assess

To evaluate

Assessment

Evaluation

Assignment of benefits

The process in which adult patients sign a claim form, granting permission to release their medical information to the insurance company; the person carrying the insurance also signs the form, allowing payments to be made directly to the medical offi ce

Assimilation

The process by which members of a new cultural group adopt all the beliefs and customs of the majority group

Atrium

A chamber at the top of the heart that receives blood from the veins

Audiologist

A professional who diagnoses hearing and balance problems and plans treatment

Audiometer

A machine that makes sounds at different frequencies to test hearing

Auditory learner

A person who uses sounds, rhythm, and music to store and recall information

Auscultation

The use of a stethoscope to listen to sounds made by a patient’s internal organs to make a diagnosis