Medical Terminology and Human Body Systems

Comprehensive flashcards covering medical prefixes, suffixes, combining forms, organ systems, anatomical terminology, and pathology as presented in the lecture notes.

ab-

Prefix meaning away from, from.

ad-

Prefix meaning toward, to, into, at, increase.

brady-

Prefix meaning slow.

dys-

Prefix meaning difficult, painful, bad.

hyper-

Prefix meaning above, excessive.

hypo-

Prefix meaning below, deficient, under.

tachy-

Prefix meaning fast, rapid.

-ac; -al; -ar; -ary; -eal; -ic; -ior; -ous

Suffixes meaning pertaining to.

-algia; -dynia

Suffixes meaning pain.

-ectomy

Suffix meaning excision, surgical removal.

-itis

Suffix meaning inflammation.

-oma

Suffix meaning tumor, mass.

-plasty

Suffix meaning surgical repair.

-rrhage; -rrhagia

Suffixes meaning bursting forth, excessive flow.

cardi/o

Combining form meaning heart.

cyt/o

Combining form meaning cell.

gastr/o

Combining form meaning stomach.

hem/o; hemat/o

Combining forms meaning blood.

myc/o

Combining form meaning fungus.

necr/o

Combining form meaning death.

Anatomy

The study of body structure.

Physiology

The study of body function.

Cells

The smallest independently functioning unit of all living organisms.

Organism

The body as a whole that can independently perform all physiologic functions necessary for life.

Skeletal Muscles and Tendons

Primary components of the Muscular System that enable movement and maintain body temperature.

Integumentary System

System that encloses internal body structures and includes the skin, hair, and nails; the skin is the largest organ.

Lymphatic/Immune System

System that returns fluid to blood and defends against pathogens; includes the thymus, lymph nodes, spleen, tonsils, and bone marrow.

Endocrine System

System that secretes hormones and regulates bodily processes; includes glands like the pituitary, thyroid, and pancreas.

Anatomical Position

Standard body map: standing upright, feet shoulder width and parallel, toes forward, arms at sides, and palms facing forward.

Prone

Directional term for the body lying face down.

Supine

Directional term for the body lying face up.

Anterior/Ventral

The front or towards the front of the body.

Posterior/Dorsal

The back or towards the back of the body.

Proximal

Near the point of attachment or the trunk of the body.

Distal

Farther from the point of attachment or the trunk of the body.

Sagittal Plane

Divides the body and organs vertically into right and left sides.

Frontal Plane (Coronal Plane)

Divides the body and organs into front (anterior) and back (posterior).

Transverse Plane

Divides the body and organs horizontally into upper and lower sections, producing cross sections.

Dorsal/Posterior Cavity

Back compartment of the body containing the cranial cavity (brain) and vertebral cavity (spinal cord).

Ventral/Anterior Cavity

Front compartment of the body containing the thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic cavities.

Homeostasis

The stable internal environment that the body maintains for survival, including oxygen supply, temperature, and salt concentration.

Signs

Objective indicators of disease that are observable, such as rashes and swelling.

Symptoms

Subjective indicators of disease reported by the patient, such as pain and nausea.

Idiopathic

A term used when the cause of a disease is unknown.

Prognosis (Px)

A prediction of the course of a disease and its probable outcome.

Bx

Medical abbreviation for biopsy.

HPI

Medical abbreviation for history of present illness.

Dx

Medical abbreviation for diagnosis.