Intro to Medical Terminology

Eponym

A word that is derived from the name of a person, often used to name diseases, procedures, or anatomical structures.

Acronym

A word formed from the initial letters of a phrase, often used in medical terminology for convenience.

Prefix

A word part added to the beginning of a root word to modify its meaning, often indicating location, number, or time.

Root

The main part of a word that provides its fundamental meaning, often combined with prefixes and suffixes to create medical terms.

Combining Vowel

A vowel, usually 'o', that links a root word to a suffix or another root, facilitating pronunciation in medical terms.

Combining Form

A term created by adding a root word and a combining vowel, allowing for easier pronunciation when attaching prefixes or suffixes.

Suffix

A word part added to the end of a root word to modify its meaning or to create a new word in medical terminology.

Determining the meaning of a term

Involves analyzing its root, prefix, and suffix to understand its definition and application in the medical field.

Structures of the human body

Refer to the various anatomical components that make up the body, including organs, tissues, and systems, which all function together to maintain health and homeostasis.

Cell

The basic structural and functional unit of living organisms, capable of performing all life processes.

Microscopic

So small that it can only be seen with a microscope.

Three main cell parts

Nucleus, cytoplasm, and cell membrane. These components work together to maintain cell function and integrity.

Plasma membrane

The outer boundary of a cell, regulating the movement of substances in and out, and maintaining homeostasis.

Cytoplasm

The jelly-like substance within a cell, excluding the nucleus, that contains organelles and is the site of many metabolic processes.

Nucleus

The membrane-bound structure within a cell that contains genetic material and controls cellular activities.

Nuclear membrane

The double lipid bilayer that encloses the nucleus, separating it from the cytoplasm and regulating the flow of substances in and out of the nucleus.

Endoplasmic Reticulum

A network of membranes within the cytoplasm involved in protein and lipid synthesis and processing.

Tissue

A group of similar cells that perform a specific function in the body, organized into various types such as epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous tissue.

Epithelial Tissue

A type of tissue that lines the surfaces and cavities of organs and structures throughout the body, providing protection, absorption, and sensation.

Connective Tissue

A type of tissue that supports, binds, and protects other tissues and organs, including bone, adipose, and blood.

Muscle Tissue

A type of tissue responsible for movement in the body, consisting of contractile cells that can be voluntary (skeletal) or involuntary (smooth and cardiac).

Nervous Tissue

A type of tissue that transmits impulses throughout the body, consisting of neurons and glial cells. It plays a crucial role in coordinating and regulating bodily functions.

Contractile Cells

Cells that can shorten and generate force, found in muscle tissue.

Membrane

A thin layer of tissue that covers a surface, lines cavities, or divides organs. It serves various functions, including protection, secretion, and containment.

Synovial Membranes

Specialized membranes that line the cavities of joints and produce synovial fluid, which lubricates and nourishes the joint.

Supine (Recumbent) Position

A bodily position lying flat on the back, with the face up, commonly used in various medical settings.

Prone Position

A bodily position lying flat on the front, with the face down, often used in medical examinations and surgeries.

Lateral Recumbent Position

A bodily position lying on one side, often used for comfort or to facilitate certain medical procedures.

Anatomical Position

The standard position of the body, standing upright with feet together, arms at the sides, and palms facing forward. Used as a reference for anatomical terminology. This position establishes a consistent frame of reference for locating and describing anatomical structures.

Planes

of the body used to divide it into sections for anatomical reference, including sagittal, frontal, and transverse planes.

Cavity

A hollow space within the body that contains organs, such as the thoracic or abdominal cavity.

Axial Portion of the Body

The part of the body that includes the head, neck, and trunk. It serves as the central part of the body to which the limbs are attached.

Appendicular Portion of the Body

The part of the body that includes the limbs and their attachments to the axial portion. It consists of the upper and lower extremities along with their respective girdles.

Girdle

A structure that connects the limbs to the axial skeleton, providing support and attachment points for muscles.

Dorsal Cavity

The space within the body that houses the brain and spinal cord, providing protection and support.

Ventral Cavity

The anterior cavity of the body that contains the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities, housing vital organs such as the heart, lungs, and digestive organs.

Abdominopelvic Cavity

The large cavity located below the thoracic cavity, encompassing both the abdominal cavity, which contains digestive organs, and the pelvic cavity, housing reproductive organs.

Midline

The imaginary line that divides the body into equal right and left halves, often used in anatomy to reference locations.

Anabolism

The metabolic process of building up larger molecules from smaller ones, often involving synthesis of proteins and nucleic acids.

Catabolism

The metabolic process of breaking down larger molecules into smaller ones, releasing energy in the process.

Metabolism

The set of life-sustaining chemical reactions in organisms, including both anabolism and catabolism, that convert food into energy.

Water

Essential for all life forms, water is a solvent that facilitates various biochemical reactions and helps regulate temperature. It is crucial for transporting nutrients and waste products in the body. It is also involved in hydrolysis reactions, where it helps break down compounds.

Carbohydrates

Organic compounds consisting of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, primarily serving as energy sources for living organisms. They are classified into simple sugars, starches, and fibers.

Lipids

Macromolecules that are hydrophobic or amphipathic in nature, primarily composed of fatty acids and glycerol, serving as energy storage, structural components of cell membranes, and signaling molecules.

Hydrophobic

Referring to molecules that are water-repellent and do not dissolve in water, hydrophobic substances tend to aggregate in aqueous environments. They are typically nonpolar and include fats and oils.

Amphipathic

Referring to molecules that have both hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions, allowing them to interact with both water and lipid environments. This property is crucial for the structure and function of cell membranes. This dual nature enables amphipathic molecules to form structures like lipid bilayers, which are essential for cellular integrity and the separation of internal and external environments.

Protein

Macromolecules made of amino acids, proteins play critical roles in biological processes, serving as enzymes, structural components, and signaling molecules. They are essential for growth, repair, and maintenance of tissues.

Minerals and Trace Elements

Essential inorganic nutrients required in small amounts for various physiological functions, including enzyme activity, bone formation, and maintaining fluid balance.

Vitamins

Organic compounds that are essential for normal growth and metabolism. They act as coenzymes and are necessary for numerous biochemical reactions in the body.

Calorie

A unit of energy used to measure the amount of energy food provides to the body. It is essential for determining dietary intake and energy expenditure.

Fats and Oils

Nutrients that provide a concentrated source of energy, consisting of triglycerides, which are essential for hormone production, nutrient absorption, and cell membrane structure.

Frontal (Coronal) Plane

A plane that divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) sections, often used in anatomical studies for imaging and surgery.

Sagittal Plane

A plane that divides the body into left and right sections, used in anatomical studies to describe locations and movements.

Midsagittal Plane

The plane that divides the body into equal left and right halves, providing a precise reference for anatomical orientation and movement.

Transvers (Cross-Sectional) Plane

A plane that divides the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) sections, commonly used in imaging techniques such as CT scans. It allows for cross-sectional views of the body, vital for detailed medical assessments.

Waxes

Substances used in various medical applications, often for coating or protection.

Steroids

Lipids characterized by a four-ring carbon structure, often used in medicine to reduce inflammation and regulate metabolism. They can also be involved in the development of muscle mass and performance enhancement.