Medical Terminology for Health Professionals - Chapter 2 Flashcards

Flashcards for reviewing key vocabulary from Medical Terminology for Health Professionals, 9th Edition, Chapter 2.

Anatomy

The study of the structures of the body.

Physiology

The study of the functions of the structures of the body.

Anatomical Position

Describes the body standing erect, facing forward, arms at the sides, and palms facing forward.

Sagittal Plane

A vertical plane that divides the body into unequal left and right portions.

Midsagittal Plane (Midline)

A sagittal plane that divides the body into equal left and right halves.

Frontal (Coronal) Plane

A vertical plane that divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) portions.

Transverse Plane

A horizontal plane that divides the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) portions.

Ventral

Refers to the front, or belly side of the body; opposite of dorsal.

Dorsal

Refers to the back of the organ or body; opposite of ventral.

Cephalic

Means toward the head; opposite of caudal.

Caudal

Means toward the lower part of the body; opposite of cephalic.

Anterior

Means situated in the front; opposite of posterior.

Posterior

Means situated in the back; opposite of anterior.

Superior

Means uppermost, above, or toward the head; opposite of inferior.

Inferior

Means lowermost, below, or toward the feet; opposite of superior.

Proximal

Means situated nearest the midline or beginning of a body structure; opposite of distal.

Distal

Means situated farthest from the midline or beginning of a body structure; opposite of proximal.

Medial

Means the direction toward, or nearer, the midline; opposite of lateral.

Lateral

Means the direction toward, or nearer, the side of the body, away from the midline; opposite of medial.

Dorsal Cavity

Located along the back of the body and head; contains organs of the nervous system.

Cranial Cavity

Located within the skull; surrounds and protects the brain.

Spinal Cavity

Located within the spinal column; surrounds and protects the spinal cord.

Ventral Cavity

Located along the front of the body; contains organs that sustain homeostasis.

Thoracic Cavity

Also known as the chest cavity or thorax.

Diaphragm

Muscle that separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities.

Abdominal Cavity

Contains the major organs of digestion.

Pelvic Cavity

Space formed by the hip bones; contains the organs of the reproductive and excretory systems.

Abdominopelvic Cavity

Refers to the abdominal and pelvic cavities as a single unit.

Inguinal

Refers to the entire lower area of the abdomen; includes the groin.

Right and Left Hypochondriac Regions

Regions of the thorax and abdomen covered by the lower ribs.

Epigastric Region

Region of the thorax and abdomen located above the stomach.

Right and Left Lumbar Regions

Regions of the thorax and abdomen located near the inward curve of the spine.

Umbilical Region

Region of the thorax and abdomen that surrounds the umbilicus (belly button).

Right and Left Iliac Regions

Regions of the thorax and abdomen located near the hip bones.

Hypogastric Region

Region of the thorax and abdomen located below the stomach.

Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ)

One of the four quadrants of the abdomen.

Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ)

One of the four quadrants of the abdomen.

Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ)

One of the four quadrants of the abdomen.

Left Lower Quadrant (LLQ)

One of the four quadrants of the abdomen.

Parietal Peritoneum

Outer layer of the peritoneum that lines the interior of the abdominal wall.

Mesentery

Fused double layer of the parietal peritoneum that attaches parts of the intestine to the interior abdominal wall.

Visceral Peritoneum

Inner layer of the peritoneum that surrounds the organs of the abdominal cavity.

Retroperitoneal

Located behind the peritoneum.

Peritonitis

Inflammation of the peritoneum.

Cells

Basic structural and functional units of the body.

Tissues

Groups of similar cells performing specific functions.

Organs

Somewhat independent part of the body that performs a specific function.

Body Systems

Groups of organs working together to perform complex functions.

Cytology

Study of the anatomy, physiology, pathology, and chemistry of cells.

Cell Membrane

Tissue that surrounds and protects the contents of a cell from the external environment.

Cytoplasm

Material within the cell membrane that is not part of the nucleus.

Nucleus

Structure within the cell that controls its activities and helps it divide.

Stem Cells

Unspecialized cells able to renew themselves and differentiate into specialized cells.

Adult Stem Cells (Somatic Stem Cells)

Undifferentiated cells found among differentiated cells in a tissue or organ, primarily for maintenance and repair.

Embryonic Stem Cells

Undifferentiated cells from an embryo, capable of forming any adult cell.

Stem Cell Therapy (Regenerative Medicine)

Using stem cells to heal injuries and treat diseases.

Dominant Gene

A gene inherited from either parent that will result in the offspring inheriting that genetic condition or characteristic.

Recessive Gene

A gene that must be inherited from both parents for the offspring to have the condition.

Genome

The complete set of genetic information of an organism.

Chromosome

A genetic structure located within the nucleus of each cell, made up of DNA molecules containing the body’s genes.

Somatic Cell

Any cell in the body except the gametes (sex cells); contains 46 chromosomes.

Gamete (Sex Cell)

Sperm or egg cell; contains 23 single chromosomes.

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)

Main component of chromosomes that carries the body's genetic information.

Genetic Mutation

A change of the sequence of a DNA molecule.

Genetic Engineering

Manipulating or splicing of genes for scientific or medical purposes.

Genetic Disorder

A pathological condition caused by an absent or defective gene; also known as a hereditary disease.

Tissue

Group or layer of similarly specialized cells that join together to perform certain specific functions

Histology

Microscopic study of the structure, composition, and function of tissues

Epithelial Tissue

Forms a protective covering for all internal and external surfaces of the body

Connective Tissue

Supports and connects organs and other body tissues

Muscle Tissue

Contains cells with the specialized ability to contract and relax

Nerve Tissue

Contains cells with the specialized ability to react to stimuli and to conduct electrical impulses

Anaplasia

Change in the structure of cells and in their orientation to each other

Dysplasia

Abnormal development or growth of cells, or the presence of abnormal cells within a type of tissue

Hyperplasia

Increase in the number of cells in a tissue or organ

Hypertrophy

Increase in the bulk of a body part or organ due to an increase in the size, but not number, of cells in tissues

Gland

Group of specialized epithelial cells capable of producing secretions

Secretion

substance produced by a gland

Exocrine glands

Secrete chemical substances into ducts that lead either to other organs or out of the body

Endocrine glands

Produce hormones and do not have ducts

Adenitis

inflammation of a gland

Adenocarcinoma

malignant tumor that originates in the glands and may spread to other parts of the body

Adenoma

benign tumor that starts in the epithelial tissue of a gland or glandlike structure

Adenosis

any disease or condition of a gland

Pathology

The study of disease, including its nature, cause, and produced changes in structure and function

Etiology

The study of the causes of diseases or abnormal conditions

Pathogen

Disease-producing microorganism such as a virus

Communicable disease

Condition transmitted from one person to another

Bloodborne transmission

Infected blood or other bodily fluids

Direct transmission

human-to-human contact or exchange of bodily fluids

Droplet transmission

Infected respiratory droplets

Indirect contact transmission

Contact with a contaminated surface

Airborne transmission

Contact with pathogens floating in the air

Food-borne and waterborne transmission

Consuming contaminated food or water

Vector-borne transmission

Insect bite

Epidemiologist

Specialist in the study of outbreaks of disease within a population group

Endemic

Ongoing presence of a disease within a population, group, or area

Epidemic

Sudden, widespread outbreak of a disease within a specific population group or area

Pandemic

Outbreak of a disease occurring over a large geographic area, possibly worldwide

Organic disorder

Produces symptoms that are detectable physical changes in the body