18: Introduction to Medical Terminology and Anatomy

acronym  

  An abbreviation formed from the first letter of each word of a phrase and pronounced as a word.

anaplastic    (an uh PLAS tic).

A rapidly dividing cancer cell that has little to no similarity to normal cells

antibodies    (AN tih bod ees)

Protein substances produced in the blood or tissues in response to a specific antigen that destroys or weakens the antigen. Part of the immune system.

antigens    (an TIE jens)

Substances that stimulate the production of an antibody when introduced into the body. Antigens include toxins, bacteria, viruses, and other foreign substances.

biopsy    (BIE op see)

Process of viewing living tissue that has been removed for the purpose of diagnosis or treatment.

chromosomes    (KROH muh sohms)

Rod-shaped structures found in the cell’s nucleus; they contain genetic information.

cytoplasm    (SYE toh plaz um)

Jelly-like substance that surrounds the nucleus and fills the cells.

diaphragm    

A broad, dome-shaped muscle used for breathing that separates the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.

differentiated    (dif uh REN shee ayt ed)

Describes how malignant tissues or cells look like the normal tissues or cells they came from; poorly-differentiated means they do not look like the normal tissues or cells, and well-differentiated means they look like the normal tissues or cells.

endoscope    

A scope with a camera attached to a long, thin tube that can be inserted into the body.

eponym    

A word that comes from the name of a person, place, or thing associated with the word.

homeostasis    (hoh mee uh STAY sis)

The internal environment of the body that is compatible with life. A steady state that is created by all the body systems working together to provide a consistent and unvarying internal environment.

intercellular    

Located between cells.

metastasize    (MEH tas tuh sizes)

To spread from one part of the body (the primary tumor) to another part of the body, forming a secondary tumor.

oncologist    (on KOL uh jest)

A specially trained doctor who diagnoses and treats cancer.

organelle ;   

structures inside of the cell that has specific functions to maintain the cell.

pathogen  

  A disease-causing organism.

pathologist    (pa THOL uh jest)

A physician specially trained in the nature and cause of disease.

pathology  

  The study of disease.

peristalsis    (per uh STAL sis)

Wavelike motion.

physiology    (fi zee ALL uh jee)

The study of body functions.

plasma membrane    

Outer covering surrounding the cell that allows certain substances to enter the cell and blocks other substances. Can also be called the cell membrane.

toxins    (TOK sins)

Substances created by microorganisms, plants, or animals that are poisonous to humans.

vasoconstriction    

Contraction of the muscles, causing narrowing of the inside tube of the vessel.