Purdue HSCI 131 Medical Terminology Chapter 4

chromatin

Structural component of the nucleus, composed of nucleic acid and proteins

chromosome

Threadlike structures within the nucleus composed of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) that carries hereditary information encoded in genes

deoxyribonucleic acid

molecule that holds genetic information capable of replicating and producing an exact copy whenever the cell divides

Metabolism

sum of all physical and chemical changes that take place in a cell or organism

organelle

cellular structure that provides a specialized function

cell

smallest structural and functional unit of an organism

cell membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus

Three basic parts of a cell

Cytology

study of cells

nucleus

responsible for metabolism, growth, and reproduction

chromosome

what chromatin forms

histology

study of tissues

Epithelial tissue

covers surface of organs, lines cavities and canals, forms tubes and ducts, and makes up the epidermis

connective tissue

supports and connects other body tissues Includes cartilage, adipose, bone, and blood

Muscle tissue

provides the contractile tissue of the body, responsible for movement

Nervous tissue

Transmits the electrical impulses as it relays information throughout the entire body

Organs

Body structures composed of more then one type of tissue.

Systems

A body system composed of varying numbers of organs and accessory structures

Coronal (frontal) plane

divides body into anterior and posterior

midsagittal (median) plane

runs through center of body, dividing it into right and left halves

Transverse (horizontal) plane

divides body into top and bottom sections

parietal

pertaining to the outer wall of the body cavity

visceral

pertaining to the internal organs

inversion

turning inward or inside out

eversion

turning outward

palmar

pertaining to the palm of the hand

superficial

toward the surface of the body

deep

away from surface of the body

dorsal cavity

posterior cavity of the body that houses the brain and spinal column

ventral cavity

anterior cavity of the body

cranial cavity

part of the dorsal cavity that contains the brain

spinal cavity

part of the dorsal cavity that contains the spinal cord

meninges

protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord

thoracic cavity

part of ventral cavity divided by the diaphragm and contains the heart and lungs

abdominal cavity

part of the ventral cavity that contains the liver, stomach, intestines, and kidneys

pelvic cavity

part of the ventral cavity that contains the urinary bladder and reproductive organs

RUQ

Contains majority of liver, gallbladder, small part of pancreas, and part of small and large intestines

LUQ

contains left lobe of liver, the stomach, the spleen, part of the pancreas, and part of the small and large intestines

RLQ

Part of the small and large intestines, the appendix, the right ovary, the right fallopian tube, and the right ureter

LLQ

Part of the small and large intestines, the left ovary, the left fallopian tube, and the left ureter

Right Hypochondriac region

Upper right lateral region beneath the ribs

Left hypochondriac region

Upper left lateral region beneath the ribs

Epigastric region

upper middle region below the sternum

Right lumbar region

middle right lateral region

left lumbar region

middle left lateral region

Umbilical region

region of the navel

Right inguinal region (iliac)

lower right lateral region

Left inguinal region (iliac)

lower left lateral region

hypogastric region

lower middle region

26

Number of vertebrae in the spine

tissue

(word root:) hist/o

nucleus

(word root:) kary/o

separation, destruction, loosening

(suffix:) lysis

nucleus

(word root:) nucle/o

tail

(word root:) caud/o

far, farthest

(word root:) dist/o

back of the body

(word root:) dors/o

lower, below

(root word:) infer/o

side, to one side

(root word:) later/o

middle

(root word:) medi/o

back of the body, posterior

(root word:) poster/o

near, nearest

(root word:) proxim/o

belly, belly side

(root word:) ventr/o

white

(root word:) albin/o

white

(root word:) leuk/o

color

(root word:) chrom/o

yellow

(root word:) cirrh/o

yellow

(root word:) juand/o

yellow

(root word:) Xanthro

blue

(root word:) cyan/o

red

(root word:) erythr/o

black

(root word:) melan/o

gray, gray matter

(root word:) poli/o

radiation, radius (lower arm bone)

(root word:) radi/o

to cut

(root word:) tom/o

internal organs

(root word:) viscer/o

bone marrow, spinal cord

(root word:) myel/o

adhesion

abnormal fibrous band that holds or binds together tissues that are normally separated

edema

Abnormal accumulation of fluid within tissue spaces as a result of systemic disease or failure of the the lymphatic system to drain tissue fluid from the site

febrile

having or showing symptoms of fever

gangrene

death and decay of soft tissue, usually caused by circulatory obstruction or infection

hernia

protrusion of any organ through a structure that normally contains it

inflammation

Body defense against injury, infection, or allergy marked by redness, swelling, heat, and pain, sometimes with loss of function

mycosis

Any fungal infection in or on the body

perforation

hole that completely penetrates a structure

peritonitis

inflammation of the peritoneum

rupture

sudden breaking or busting of a structure or organ

septicemia

severe bacterial infection of the tissues that spreads to the blood

suppuration

Process of forming puss

auscultation

listening to sound within the body

inspection

general observation of the patient as a whole

palpation

to examine by touch

percussion

tapping on a surface to determine the difference in the density of the underlying structure

endoscopy

visual examination of the body cavity using a specialized lighted instrument

blood chemistry analysis

laboratory test, usually performed on serum, to determine biochemical imbalances, abnormalities, and nutritional conditions

complete blood count

Broad screening test used to evaluate red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets to determine anemias, infections, and other diseases

computed tomography (CT)

imaging technique that rotates an x-ray emitter around the area to be evaluated and measures the intensity of transmitted rays from different angles

flouroscopy

Technique in which x-rays are directed through the body to a fluorescent screen that displays internal structures in continuous motion

magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Technique that uses radio waves and a strong magnetic field, rather than x-rays, to produce highly detailed, multiplanar, cross sectional views of soft tissues

Nuclear scan

technique in which a radioactive material called a tracer is introduced into the body and a specialized camera produces images of organs and structures

positron emission tomography (PET)

computed tomography records the positrons emitted from a radiopharmaceutical to produce a cross-sectional image of the metabolic activity of body tissues to determine the presence of disease. Useful for scanning the brain