Overview of The Body HOSA Med Term

Anatomic Reference Systems

used to describe the locations of the structural units of the body

Anatomy

study of the structures of the body

Physiology

study of the functions of the structures of the body

Anatomic Position

describes the body standing in standard position

Body Planes

imaginary vertical and horizontal lines used to divide the body into sections for descriptive purposes

The Vertical Plane

an up and down plane that is at a right angle to the horizon

Sagittal Plane

vertical plane dividing the body into unequal left and right parts

Midsagittal Plane

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

• also known as the midline

Frontal Plane (coronal plane)

divides the body into anterior and posterior portions

The Horizontal Plane

a flat crosswise plane, such as the horizon

Transverse Plane

horizontal plane that divides the body into superior and inferior parts

Ventral

refers to the front or belly side of the organ or body

Dorsal

back of the organ or body

Anterior

situated in the front; the front of forward part of an organ

Posterior

situated in the back; the back part of an organ

Superior

uppermost, above or toward the head

Inferior

lowermost below or toward the feet

Cephalic

towards the head

Caudal

towards the lower part of the body

Proximal

sitauted nearest the midline or beginning of a body structure

Distal

situated farthest from midline or beginning of body structure

Medial

the direction toward, or nearer the midline

Lateral

the direction toward or nearer the side of the body, away from midline

Bilateral

relating to, or having, two sides

Quadrants of The Abdomen

right/left upper quadrant and right/left lower quadrant

The Peritoneum

multilayered membrane that protect and holds organs in place in the abdominal cavity

Parietal Peritoneum

outer layer of peritoneum; lines interior of abdominal wall

Mesentry

fused double layer of parietal peritoneum; attaches parts of intestine to interior abdominal wall

Visceral Peritoneum

inner layer of peritoneum that surounds organs in abdominal cavity

Retroperitoneal

behind the peritoneum

Body Cavities

spaces within the body that contain and protect internal organs

Dorsal Cavity

located along the back of the body and head, contains organs of the nervous system that coordinate body functions and is divided into 2 portions

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, contians the body organs that sustain homeostasis

Homeostasis

a process through which body maintains constant internal enviornemnt

Regions of the Thorax and Abdomen

divides abdoen and lower portion of thorax into nine parts

Right and Left Hypochondriac Regions

covered by lower ribs

Epigastric Region

above the stomach

Right and Left Lumbar Region

near the inward curve of the spine

Umbilical Region

surrounds the umbilicus

Right and Left Iliac Regions

located over the hip bones

Hypogastric Region

below the stomach

Cells

basic structural and functional units of the body; specialized and grouped to form tissues and organs

Cytology

study of anatomy, physiology, pathology, and chemistry of cells

Cell Membrane

tissue that surrounds and protects cells

Cytoplasm

material within the cell membrane that is not a part of the nucleus

Nucleus

surrounded by nuclear membrane; controls cell activities and helps cell divide

Stem Cells

unspecialized cells able to renew themselves for long periods of time

Adult Stem Cells (somatic stem cells)

undifferentiated (unspecialized) cells found among differentiated cells; repairs tissue

Embryonic Stem Cells

can form any adult cell; ca proliferate indefinitely in the lab

• comes from the cord blood in the umbilical cord and placenta

• can be obtained from embryos produced by in vitro fertilization

Gene

fundamental physical and functional unit of heredity

• controls hereditary disorder and physical traits

Genetics

study of transfer of genes and role of genes in health and disease

Dominant Gene

offspring will inherit the characteristic

Recessive Gene

if inherited from both parents, offspring will have the condition; if inherited from one parent, offspring will only carry the trait (can be genetically transmitted)

Human Genome

complete set of genetic information of humans

• human genome project completed in 2003

• important step in genetics in health and science

Chromosomes

genetic structures in nuclei

• contains DNA which makes genes

Somatic Cell

all cells except gametes; 46 chromosomes in 22 identical pairs and a sex chromosome pair

Sex Cell (gamete)

ovum or sperm; contains 23 single chromosomes

Sex Chromosome

X or Y; XX - female, XY - male

DNA

deoxyribonucleic acid

• basic structure is the same for all oganisms

• provides information for heredity, physical appearance, disease risks, and other traits

Double Helix

two spiraling strands of DNA

• found in all nuclei except erythrocytes (which lack nuclei)

• DNA is unique to each individual

• cna be used for identification

Genetic Mutation

change of the sequence of DNA

Somatic Cell Mutaiton

cannot be transmitted

Gametic Cell Mutation

can be transmitted genetically

Genetic Engineering

manipulation of genes for scientific/medical purposes

Genetic Disorder

pathological condition caused by absent/defective gene

Cystic Fibrosis

affects respiratory and digestive systems

Down Syndrome

characteristic facial appearance, learning disabilities, and physical abnormalities

Hemophilia

missing blood-clotting factor; spontaneous hemorrhages or severe bleeding after an injury

Huntington’s Disease

nerve degeneration resulting in uncontrolled movements and loss of mental abilities

Muscular Dystrophy

progressive weakness and degeneration of skeletal muscles

Phenylketonuria (PKU)

enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase missing; can cause severe mental retardation

Tay-Sachs Disease

fatal; fatty substance buildup in tissues and nerve cells; progressive blindness, paralysis, and early death

Tissues

group or layer of similarly specialized cells that perform specific functions

Histology

study of the structure, composition, and function of tissues

Epithelial Tissues

forms protective coverings for internal and external surfaces of the body; also forms glands

Epithelium

forms epidermis of skin and surface layer of mucous membranes

Endothelium

lines blood and lymph vessels, body cavities, glands, and organs

Connective Tissues

supports and connects organs and other body tissues

Dense Connective Tissues

includes bone and cartilage; forms joints and framework of the body

Adipose Tissue (fat)

protective padding, insulation, support

Losse Connective Tissue

surrounds various organs and supports nerve cells and blood vessels

Liquid Connective Tissue

(blood and lymph) transports nutrients and waste products

Muscle Tissue

contains cells that can contract and relax

Nerve Tissue

contains cells that react to stimuli and conduct electrical impulses

Pathology of Tissue Formation

disorders of tissues; causes often unknown; can appear throughout lifespan

Anaplasia

change in structure of cells and their orientation to each other

• characteristic of tumour formation in cancers

Dysplasia

abnormal development of growth of cells, tissue, or organs

Hyperplasia

enlargement of an organ or tissue; caused by increase in number of cells in the tissues

Hypertrophy

general increase in bulk of body part or organ due to increase in size but not number of cells

• not due to tumour formation

Aplasia

defective development or congenital absense of an organ or tissue

Hypoplasia

incomplete development of an organ or tissue; usually caused by deficiency in cell count

Gland

group of epithelial cells capable of producing seretions

Secretion

substance produced by a gland

Exocrine Glands

secrete chemical substances into ducts leading to other organs or out of the body

Endocrine Glands

produces and secretes hormones directly into bloodstream for transport throughout the body

• ductless

Adenitis

inflammation of a gland

Adenocarcinoma

malignant tumour originating from glandular tissue

Adenoma

benign tumour arising in the epithelial tissue of a gland or gland-like structure