Chapter 2 Med Terms

Abdominal Cavity

Contains major organs of digestion

Adenocarcinoma

Malignant tumor from glands, may spread

Anaplasia

Cell structure and orientation change

Anatomy

Study of body structures

Anomaly

Deviation from normal

Anterior

Situated in the front

Aplasia

Defective organ development

Autopsy

Postmortem examination

Bloodborne Transmission

Pathogen spread through infected blood or fluids

Caudal

Towards lower body part

Cephalic

Towards the head

Chromosome

Genetic structure in cell nucleus

Communicable Disease

Transmitted between individuals

Congenital Disorder

Condition present at birth

Cytoplasm

Material within cell membrane, excluding nucleus

Distal

Farthest from midline

Dorsal

Back of organ or body

Dysplasia

Abnormal cell development

Endemic

Disease presence in a population

Endocrine Glands

Ductless glands producing hormones

Epidemic

Sudden widespread disease outbreak

Epigastric Region

Located above the stomach

Exocrine Glands

Secrete substances into ducts

Functional Disorder

Physical symptoms without organic cause

Genetic Disorder

Pathological condition from defective gene

Geriatrician

Specializes in elderly care

Hemophilia

Hereditary bleeding disorder

Histology

Microscopic study of tissue structure

Homeostasis

Body's internal environment maintenance

Hyperplasia

Increase in cell number

Hypertrophy

Increase in organ size, not cell number

Iatrogenic Illness

Adverse response to medical treatment

Idiopathic Disease

Disease without known cause

Infectious Disease

Illness from pathogenic organisms

Inguinal

Related to the groin area

Medial

Towards the midline

Mesentery

Attaches intestine to abdominal wall

Midsagittal Plane

Divides body into left and right halves

Nosocomial Infection

Disease acquired in healthcare settings

Pandemic

Disease outbreak over large area

Pelvic Cavity

Space between hip bones with reproductive organs

Peritoneum

Membrane holding organs in abdominal cavity

Peritonitis

Inflammation of the peritoneum

Physiology

Study of body functions

Posterior

Situated in the back

Proximal

Nearest to midline or body structure beginning

Retroperitoneal

Located behind the peritoneum

Stem Cells

Unspecialized cells capable of self-renewal

Thoracic Cavity

Cavity protecting heart and lungs

Transverse Plane

Horizontal plane dividing body into upper and lower parts

Umbilicus

Belly button or navel

Vector-Borne Transmission

Disease spread through blood-sucking vectors

Ventral

Front or belly side of organ or body

Atresia

Congenital absence or narrowing of body opening