Chapter 2: medical terms

abdominal cavity

contains the major organs of digestion

adenocarcinoma

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

adenoma

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

anaplasia

a change in the structure of cells and in their orientation to each other

anatomy

the study of the structures of the body

anomaly

a deviation from what is regarded as normal

anterior

situated in the front; also means on the front or forward part of an organ

aplasia

the defective development, or the congenital absence, of an organ or tissue

atresia

the congenital absence or narrowing of a normal body opening or passage

bloodborne transmission

the spread of pathogens through infected blood or other body fluids

caudal

toward the lower part of the body

cephalic

toward the head

chromosome

a genetic structure located within the nucleus of each cell

communicable disease

also known as a contagious disease, is any condition that is transmitted from one person to another either directly or by indirect contact with contaminated objects

congenital disorder

an abnormal condition that exists at the time of birth

cytoplasm

the material within the cell membrane that is NOT part of the nucleus

distal

situated farthest from the midline or beginning of a body structure

dorsal

the back of the organ or body

dysplasia

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

endemic

the ongoing presence of a disease within a population, group, or area

endocrine glands

produce hormones, do not have ducts

epidemic

a sudden and widespread outbreak of a disease within a specific population group or area

epigastric region

located above the stomach

etiology

the study of the causes of disease or abnormal conditions

exocrine glands

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

functional disorder

also known as a non-organic disorder, produces physical symptoms for which no disease or other organic cause can be identified

genetic disorder

also known as a hereditary disease, is a pathological condition caused by an absent or defective gene

genome

the complete set of genetic information of an organism

hemophilia

a hereditary bleeding disorder in which a blood-clotting factor is missing

histology

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

homeostasis

the processes through which the body maintains a constant internal environment

hyperplasia

an increase in the number of cells in a tissue or organ

hypertrophy

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

hypogastric region

located below the stomach

hypoplasia

the underdevelopment of an organ or tissue, usually due to a deficiency in the number of cells

iatrogenic illness

an unfavorable response due to prescribed medical treatment

idiopathic disease

any disease without a known cause

infectious disease

an illness caused by living pathogenic organisms such as bacteria and viruses

inguinal

relating to the groin, refers to the entire lower area of the abdomen

intensivist

a physician specializing in the care of critically ill patients hospitalized in the ICU

medial

the direction toward, or nearer, the midline

mesentery

a fused double layer of the parietal peritoneum that attaches parts of the intestine to the interior abdominal wall

midsagittal plane

also known as the midline, is the sagittal plane that divides the body into equal left and right halves

nosocomial infection

also known as a hospital-acquired infection (HAI), is a disease acquired in a hospital or clinical setting

pandemic

an outbreak of a disease occurring over a large geographic area, possibly worldwide

pathology

the study of disease: its nature and cause as well as the produced changes in structure and function

pelvic cavity

the space formed by the hip bones and contains the organs of the reproductive and excretory systems

peritoneum

a multilayered membrane that protects and holds the organs in place within the abdominal cavity

peritonitis

inflammation of the peritoneum

physiology

the study of the functions of the structures of the body

posterior

situated in the back; also means on the back part of an organ

proximal

situated nearest the midline or beginning of a body structure

retroperitoneal

located behind the peritoneum

stem cells

unspecialized cells that are able to renew themselves for long periods of time by cell division

thoracic cavity

also known as the chest cavity or thorax, surrounds and protects the heart and the lungs

transverse plane

a horizontal plane that divides the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) portions. it can be at the waist or at any other level across the body

umbilicus

commonly known as the belly button or navel; this pit in the center of the abdominal wall marks the point where the umbilical cord was attached before birth

vector-borne transmission

aka an insect bite, is the spread of certain disease through blood-sucking vectors

ventral

the front, or belly side, of the organ or body

anatomical reference systems

terms used to describe the location of body planes, directions, and cavities

structures of the body

the cells, tissues, and glands that form the body systems that work together to enable the body to function properly

genetics

the genetic components that transfer characteristics from parents to their child

tissues

a group of similarly specialized cells that work together to perform specific functions

glands

a group of specialized cells that is capable of producing secretions

body systems and related organs

organs are somewhat independent parts of the body that perform specific functions. Organs with related functions are organized into body systems

pathology

the study of the nature and cause of disease that involve changes in structure and function

anatomical reference systems

terms used to describe the location of body planes, directions, and cavities

structures of the body

The cells, tissues, and glands that form the body systems that work together to enable the body to function properly.

genetics

The genetic components that transfer characteristics from parents to their child

tissues

A group of similarly specialized cells that work together to perform specific functions

glands

a group of specialized cells that is capable of producing secretions

body systems and related organs

Organs are somewhat independent parts of the body that perform specific functions. Organs with related functions are organized into body systems

pathology

The study of the nature and cause of disease that involve changes in structure and function

sagittal plane

vertical plane that divides the body into unequal left and right portion

frontal/coronal plane

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

superior

uppermost, above, or toward the head

inferior

lowermost, below, or toward the feet

cephalic

toward the head

caudal

toward the lower part of the body

lateral

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

bilateral

relating to, or having two sides

diaphram

muscle that separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities

right and left hypochondriac regions

covered by the lower ribs

epigastric region

located above the stomach

right and left lumbar regions

located near the inward curve of the spine

umbilical region

surrounds the umbilicus/naval

right and left iliac regions

located near the hip bones

hypogastric region

located below the stomach

peritoneum

multilayered membrane that protects and holds organs in place within the abdominal cavity

membrane

thin layer of tissue that covers a surface, lines a cavity, or divides a space or organ

parietal peritoneum

outer layer of the peritoneum that lines the interior of the abdominal wall

parietal

cavity 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

visceral

relating to internal organs

retroperitoneal

located behind the peritoneum

peritonitis

inflammation of the peritoneum

cell

basic structural and functional units of the body. they are specialized and grouped together to form tissues and organs

cytology

study of anatomy, physiology, pathology, and chemistry of the cell

cytologist

specialist in the study and analysis of cells