Clinical Sciences - Chapter 2: Healthcare Today

Anatomy

the study of structures of the human body

Physiology

the study of the function of anatomical structures

health (as defined by the WHO)

complete physical, mental, and social well-being

anatomical position

when the human body is standing erect with the head up, eyes looking forward, arms by the sides with palms facing forward, and legs straight with toes pointing forward

plane

an imaginary surface that divides the human body into two parts

sagittal plane

divides the human body into right and left sides

coronal plane

divides the human body into front (anterior, ventral) and back (posterior, dorsal) sections

transverse plane

divides the human body into upper (superior) and lower (inferior) sections

medial direction

moving towards the midline of the human body

lateral direction

moving away from the midline of the human body

Anterior (ventral)

describes the front of the human body

Posterior (dorsal)

describes the back of the human body

distal direction

moving away from the trunk of the human body and toward the fingers or toes

proximal direction

moving toward the trunk of the human body away from the fingers or toes

external

the superficial or outer part of the human body or organ

internal

the deep or inside part of the human body or an organ

body cavity

a space inside the human body that is protected by bones or muscles

cranial cavity

inside the skull - contains and protects the brain

spinal cavity

runs down the backbone of the human body - contains and protects the spinal cord

thoracic cavity

within the chest of the human body above the diaphragm - contains and protects the heart and lungs

abdominal cavity

in the upper abdomen of the human body below the diaphragm - contains the stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, small intestine, large intestine, kidneys, adrenal glands, and spleen

pelvic cavity

in the lower abdomen/hip of the human body - contains the bladder, ureters, urethra, sigmoid colon, rectum, anal canal, and reproductive organs

abdominal body quadrants

the division of the anterior part of the abdominopelvic cavity into four sections

right upper quadrant (RUQ)

contains the liver, gallbladder, right kidney, and parts of the stomach and intestines

right lower quadrant (RLQ)

includes the appendix, cecum, right ureter, and parts of the reproductive organs and intestines

left upper quadrant (LUQ)

contains the spleen, stomach, pancreas, left kidney, and parts of the liver and intestines

left lower quadrant (LLQ)

contains the sigmoid colon, left ureter, and parts of the reproductive organs and intestines

disease

any change in the normal structure or function of the human body

disorder

a disturbance of action or function

etiology

the cause of origin of a disease or disorder

preventative medicine

health care that focuses on maintaining health and preventing disease

onset (of a disease)

the first time a person shows signs or symptoms of a disease

symptom

any deviation from a patient's health that is experienced or felt by the patient

sign

a symptom that can be seen or detected by others

R/O (abbreviation)

rule out - to exclude or eliminate a suspected disease or condition from consideration after medical tests/evaluations were conducted

acute (signs/symptoms)

sudden in nature and severe in intensity

subacute (signs/symptoms)

less severe in intensity

chronic (signs/symptoms)

continues for three months or longer

remission

the period of time after treatment during which there are no symptoms or signs of the disease

relapse (of a disease)

the recurrence or return of the original symptoms or signs of a disease

sequela

a complication that remains after the disease has resolved

symptomatology

the study and classification of the signs and symptoms shown by a patient

asymptomatic

a patient that has a disease but show no signs or symptoms

syndrome

a set of symptoms and signs associated with and characteristic of a particular disease

recuperation (of a disease)

an outcome of a disease used to describe a patient recovering and returning to a normal state of health

residual chronic

an outcome of a disease that refers to incomplete recuperation

terminal illness

an outcome of a disease used to describe a patient that cannot recover, and the disease eventually leads to the patient's death

congenital disease

caused by fetal abnormality or abnormal process during gestation or birth

degenerative disease

caused by progressive destruction of cells due to disease or the aging process

environmental disease

caused by exposure to substances in the environment

genetic disease

caused by mutation in genes or chromosomes during fetal development

hereditary disease

caused by inherited defective gene passed on by a parent who is a carrier

hospital-acquired infection

caused by exposure to a disease-causing agent in a hospital environment

iatrogenic disease

caused by a medicine or treatment received by a patient

idiopathic disease

term used when there is no identifiable cause of the disease

infectious disease

caused by a pathogen such as a bacterium, virus, or fungus

neoplastic disease

caused by a growth of a benign or malignant mass

nutritional disease

caused by a lack of nutritious food, insufficient food, or inability to utilize nutrients

Physician

examines patients, orders tests, diagnoses diseases, and treats diseases by prescribing drugs or therapy (usually hold an MD or DO degree)

surgeon

a physician with additional training in surgical techniques

primary care physicians (PCPs)

specialize in family practice or pediatrics (sees most patients in their offices)

attending physician

works in hospitals, admit and discharge patients and direct their care

physician extender

a professional that works under a physician and helps examine, diagnose, treat patients, and sometimes can prescribe dugs. (physician's assistant, nurse practitioner, certified nurse midwife, certified nurse anesthetist)

allied health professional

a professional that supports patients and nurses and perform specific services ordered by the physician (therapists, technologists, technicians, dietitians, dental hygienists, nursing assistants, etc...)

ancillary department

a healthcare department that provides additional services, (examples: radiology, physical therapy, pharmacy services)

physician's office

one of the most frequently used healthcare settings, where patients are diagnosed, treated, and counseled

clinic

healthcare setting that provides services for just one type of patient or disease

outpatient Clinic

located in a hospital or nearby facility; patients are not admitted and do not stay overnight

walk-in clinic

provides services such as immunizations, sports physicals, and treatment of minor injuries or illnesses

urgent care clinic

treats patients with more serious illnesses or injuries, often when physicians offices are closed

ambulatory surgery center (ASC)

facility that treats outpatients and where minor surgery is performed

long-term care facility

residential facility for older adults or individuals with disabilities who cannot care for themselves (may also provide rehabilitation services to prepare a patient to live independently at home)

home health agency

agency that provides healthcare services to patients at their home

hospice

specialized medical support that provides care to patients who have less than six months to live (services include palliative care, pain management, counseling, emotional support for patient and family)

inspection

visual examination of external services and internal cavities

palpation

use of the fingers to feel masses and organs and detect tenderness and pain

auscultation

use of a stethoscope to listen to body sounds

percussion

tapping over body cavities to hear what sounds are produced

dermatology

study of the integumentary system

gastroenterology

study of the gastrointestinal system (digestive system)

pulmonology

study of the respiratory system

cardiology

study of the cardiovascular system

hematology

study of blood

immunology

study of the immune system

orthopedics

Branch of medicine that specializes in the skeletal and muscular systems

neurology

study of the nervous system

urology

study of the urinary system

male reproductive medicine

branch of medicine that specializes in the male genitourinary system

gynecology/obstetrics

the study of the female genital and reproductive system

endocrinology

study of the endocrine system

ophthalmology

the study of the eyes, lacrimal glands, and related structures

otolaryngology

the study of the ears, nose, sinuses, throat, and larynx

psychiatry

branch of medicine that specializes in the mind and emotions

oncology

study of cancer

radiology and nuclear medicine

study of x-rays, sound waves, and other forms of radiation

dentistry

branch of medicine that specializes in teeth

geriatrics

branch of medicine that specializes in older adults

internal medicine

medicine that focuses on adults and older persons

neonatology

study of newborn babies with medical problems

pharmacology

study of medications and drugs