Exploring Medical Language- Chapter 2: body Structure, Color, and Oncology: Vocab

Cell

basic unit of all living things.

Cell membrane

forms the boundary of the cell

Cytoplasm

gel-like fluid inside the cell

Nucleus

largest structure within cell, usually spherical and centrally located.

Chromosomes

located in the nucleus of the cell.

genes

regions within the chromosome

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)

comprises each gene; is a genetic material that regulates the activities of the cell

tissue

group of similar cells that performs a specific function

muscle tissue

composed of cells that have special ability to contract, usually producing movement

nervous tissue

found the nerves, spinal cord, and brain. It is responsible for coordinating and controlling body activities

connected tissue

connects, supports, penetrates, and encases various body structures.

epithelial tissue

the major covering of the external surface of the bod; forms membranes that line body cavities and organs and is the major tissue in glands.

organ

two or more kinds of tissues that together perform special body functions. E.g., the skin is an organ composed of epithelial, connective, muscle, and nerve tissue.

system

A group of organs that work together to perform complex body functions. E.g., the cardiovascular system consist of the heart, blood vessels, and blood.

genome

is that complete set of genes for all cells of a specific organism.

Genomics

is the study of the genome and its product and interactions

medical genomics

is the study of the genome and how it can be used to determine the cause, treatment, and prevention of disease.

Gene therapy

is any therapeutic procedure in which genes are intentionally introduced into human body

Hematopoietic stem cell

immature cells found in the bone marrow and peripheral blood.

Embryonic stem cells

Derived from the earliest stage of development of the embryo and have the potential to develop into mature body cells.

Integumentary system

Composed of skin, nails, and glands. Forms a protective covering for the body, regulates body temperature, and helps manufacture vitamin D.

Respiratory system

Composed of the nose, pharynx (throat), larynx (voice box), trachea (windpipe), bronchial tubes, and lungs. Performs respiration which provides for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide within the body.

Urinary system

Composed of kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Removes waste material (urine) from the body, regulates fluid volume and maintains electrolyte concentration.

Reproductive system

The female reproductive system is composed of ovaries, uterine tubes, uterus, vagina, and mammary glands Male reproductive system is composed of testes, urethra, penis, prostate gland, and associated tubes. Responsible for heredity and reproduction.

Cardiovascular system

Composed of the heart and blood vessels. Pumps and transports blood throughout the body.

Lymphatic system

Composed of the heart and blood vessels, ducts, nodes, and organs. Provides for defense against infection and drainage of extracellular fluid.

Digestive system

Composed of the gastrointestinal tract which includes the mouth, esophagus, stomach, large and small intestine plus accessory organs, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. Prepares food for use by the body cells and eliminates waste.

Musculoskeletal system

Composed of muscle, bones, and joints. Provides movement and framework and framework for the body protects vital organs such as the brain, stores calcium, and produces red blood cells.

Nervous system

Composed of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. Regulates body activities by spending and receiving messages.

Endocrine system

Composed of glands that secrete hormones. Hormones regulate many body activities.

Cranial cavity

Space inside the skull (cranium) containing the brain

Spinal cavity

Space inside the spinal column containing the spinal cord

Thoracic, or chest, cavity

Space containing the heart, aorta, lungs, esophagus, trachea, bronchi, and mediastinal area.

Abdominal cavity

Space containing the stomach, intestines, kidneys, adrenal glands, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, and ureters.

Pelvic cavity

Space containing the urinary bladder, certain reproductive organs, parts of the small and large intestine, and the rectum.

Abdominopelvic cavity

Both the pelvic and abdominal cavities

aden/o

gland

cyt/o

cell

epitheli/o

epithelium

fibr/o

fiber

hist/o

tissue

kary/o

nucleus

lip/o

fat

my/o

muscle

neur/o

nerve

organ/o

organ

sarc/o

flesh, connective tissue

system/o

system

viscer/o

internal organ

cancer/o, carcin/o

Cancer (a disease characterized by the unregulated, abnormal growth of new cells.)

eti/o

cause (of disease)

gno/o

knowledge

iatr/o

physician, medicine (also means treatment)

lei/o

smooth

onc/o

tumor, mass

path/o

disease

rhabd/o

rod-shaped, striated

somat/o

body

Chlor/o

green

chrom/o

color

cyan/o

blue

erthr/o

red

leuk/o

white

Melan/o

black

xanth/o

yellow

dia-

through, complete

dys-

painful, abnormal, difficult, labored

hyper-

above, excessive

Hypo-

below, incomplete, deficient, under

meta

after, beyond, change

neo-

new

pro-

before

-al, -ic, -ous

pertaining to

-cyte

cell

-gen

substance or agent that produces or causes

-genic

producing, originating, causing

-logist

one who studies and treats (specialist, physician)

-logy

study of

-megaly

enlargement

-oid

resembling

-oma

tumor, swelling

-osis

abnormal condition (means increase when used with blood cell word roots)

-pathy

disease

-plasia

condition of formation, development, growth

-sarcoma

malignant tumor

-sis

state of

-stasis

control, stop, standing

adenocarcinoma

cancerous tumor of glandular tissue

adenoma

tumor composed of glandular tissue

carcinoma (CA)

cancerous tumor (malignant)

chloroma

tumor of green color (malignant, arising from myeloid tissue)

epithelioma

a tumor composed of epithelium (may be benign or malignant)

Fibroma

tumor composed of fiber (fibrous tissue)

fibrosarcoma

malignant tumor composed of fiber (fibrous tissue)

leiomyoma

tumor composed of smooth muscle (benign)

leiomyosarcoma

malignant tumor of fat

lipoma

tumor composed of fat

liposarcoma

malignant tumor of fat

melanocarcinoma

cancerous black tumor (malignant)

melanoma

black tumor (primarily of the skin)