AHS52 CH02 VOCAB

Understanding Medical Terminology

cell

smallest but most fundamental unit of all living things; everywhere in the human body and makes up every tissue and organ

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contain a gelatinous substance composed of water, protein, sugar, acids, fats, and various minerals

ribosomes

attached to the endoplasmic reticulum; small granules that help the cell make long chains of proteins

cell membrane

structure surrounding and protecting the cell; regulates what passes into and out of the cell

nucleus

control center of the cell - contains chromosomes and directs the activities of the cell (determines cell division, structure and function of the cell)

chromosomes

rod-like structures within the nucleus that contain genes - there are 46 chromosomes (23 pairs) in every cell except for the egg and sperm cells (sex cells), which contain only 23 individual, unpaired chromosomes

genes

regions of DNA within each chromosome; each gene contains DNA

DNA

chemical found within each chromosome - arranged like a sequence of recipes in code, it directs the activities of the cell (such as cell division and synthesis of proteins)

karyotype

picture (classification) of chromosomes in the nucleus of a cell, arranged by size, shape, and numerical order to determine their number and structure

cytoplasm

all of the material that is outside the nucleus and yet contained within the cell membrane; carries on the work of the cell and contains specialized apparatus to supply the chemical needs of the cell

mitochondria

rod-shaped structures in the cytoplasm that provide the principal source of energy (miniature “power plants”) for the cell - they use nutrients and oxygen to release energy that is stored in food

catabolism

chemical process that occurs in the mitochondria where complex nutrients are broken down to simpler substances and energy is released for cells

endoplasmic reticulum

network (reticulum) of canals within the cytoplasm of the cell where large proteins are made from smaller protein pieces

anabolism

occurring on the endoplasmic reticulum, the process of building up large proteins from small protein pieces called amino acids

metabolism

total of the chemical processes occurring in a cell - includes catabolism and anabolism

androgens

male hormones

anabolic steroids

similar to androgens in their effects on the body; they build up protein within cells

thyroxine

T4 thyroid hormone secreted by thyroid gland which stimulates metabolism in cells

muscle cell

cell that is long and slender and contains fibers that aid in contracting and relaxing

epithelial cell

lining and skin cell that may be square and flat to provide protection

nerve cell

cell that may be long and have various fibrous extensions that aid in its job of carrying impulses

fat cell

cell that contains large, empty spaces for fat storage

differentiation

change in cells as they mature and specialize

tissue

group of similar cells working together to do a specific job

histologist

scientist who specializes in the study of tissues (hist/o is the combining form for tissue)

epithelial tissue

located all over the body, forms the linings of internal organs, and the outer surface of the skin covering the body - also lines exocrine and endocrine glands and is responsible for the secretions that the glands produce

epithelial cells

skin cells that cover the outside of the body and line the internal surfaces of organs

adipose tissue

connective tissue that is a collection of fat cells

cartilage

flexible connective tissue often attached to bones at joints that forms part of the external ear and nose; rings of cartilage surround the trachea

nerve tissue

conducts impulses all over the body

viscera

singular: viscus

internal organs in the main cavities of the body, especially in the abdomen

systems

groups of organs working together to perform complex functions

digestive system

contains the mouth, pharynx (throat), esophagus (tube from the throat to the stomach), stomach, intestines (small and large), liver, gallbladder, pancreas

urinary or excretory system

contains the kidneys, ureters (tubes from the kidneys to the urinary bladder), urinary bladder, urethra (tube from the bladder to the outside of the body)

respiratory system

contains the nose, pharynx, larynx (voice box), trachea (windpipe), bronchial tubes, lungs (where the exchange of gases takes place)

reproductive system

female: ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus (womb), vagina, mammary glands

male: testes and associated tubes, urethra, penis, prostate gland

endocrine system

contains the thyroid gland (in the neck), pituitary gland (at the base of the brain), sex glands (ovaries and testes), adrenal glands, pancreas (islets of Langerhans), parathyroid glands

nervous system

contains the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and collections of nerves

circulatory system

contains the heart, blood vessels (arteries, veins, and capillaries), lymphatic vessels and nodes, spleen, thymus gland

musculoskeletal system

contains the muscles, bones, and joints

skin and sense organs system

contains the skin, hair, nails, sweat glands, and sebaceous (oil) glands; eye, ear, nose, and tongue

larynx

voice box; located above the trachea

pharynx

throat; serves as the common passageway for food (from the mouth going to the esophagus) and air (from the nose to the trachea)

pituitary gland

endocrine gland at the base of the brain

thyroid gland

endocrine gland that surrounds the trachea in the neck

trachea

windpipe (tube leading from the throat and larynx to the bronchial tubes)

ureter

1 of 2 tubes, each leading from a single kidney to the urinary bladder

urethra

tube from the urinary bladder to the outside of the body

uterus

womb; the organ that holds the embryo/fetus as it develops

body cavity

space within the body that contains internal organs (viscera)

cranial cavity

space in the head containing the brain, pituitary gland, and surrounded by the skull

thoracic cavity

space in the chest containing the lungs, heart, esophagus, trachea, bronchial tubes, thymus gland, aorta (large artery)

pleural cavity (thoracic)

space surrounding each lung

pleural effusion

collection of fluid in the pleural cavity that collects if the pleura is inflamed (as in pleuritis or pleurisy)

mediastinum (thoracic cavity)

centrally located space outside of and between the lungs - contains the heart, aorta, trachea, esophagus, thymus gland, bronchial tubes, and many lymph nodes

abdominal cavity

space below the chest containing organs such as the liver, stomach, gallbladder, and intestines; also called the abdomen or peritoneal cavity

peritoneum

double-folded membrane surrounding the abdominal cavity; attaches abdominal viscera to muscles and functions as a protective membrane (containing blood vessels and nerves) around the organs

diaphragm

muscular wall separating the abdominal and thoracic cavities - the diaphragm moves up and down and aids in breathing

pelvic cavity

space below the abdomen containing portions of the small and large intestines, rectum, urinary bladder, urethra, and ureters; uterus and vagina in the female

spinal cavity

space within the spinal column (backbones) containing the spinal cord and its nerves

ascites

collection of fluid that accumulates in the peritoneal cavity if there is disease of the abdominal organs

abdominopelvic cavity

the abdominal and pelvic cavities are not separated and are referred to together

ventral (anterior)

pertaining to the front

dorsal (posterior)

pertaining to the back

pleura

double membrane that surrounds the lungs and protects them

hypochondriac regions (abdominopelvic)

right and left upper regions beneath the ribs

epigastric region (abdominopelvic)

middle upper region above the stomach

lumbar regions (abdominopelvic)

right and left middle regions near the waist

umbilical region (abdominopelvic)

central region near the navel

inguinal regions (abdominopelvic)

right and left lower regions near the groin; also called iliac regions because near ilium

hypogastric region (abdominopelvic)

middle lower region below the umbilical region

right upper quadrant (RUQ)

abdominopelvic quadrant: contains the liver (right lobe), gallbladder, part of the pancreas, parts of the small and large intestines

left upper quadrant (LUQ)

abdominopelvic quadrant: contains the liver (left lobe), stomach, spleen, part of the pancreas, parts of the small and large intestines

right lower quadrant (RLQ)

abdominopelvic quadrant: contains parts of the small and large intestines, right ovary, right fallopian tube, appendix, right ureter

left lower quadrant (LLQ)

abdominopelvic quadrant: contains parts of the small and large intestines, left ovary, left fallopian tube, left ureter

vertebra

single backbone (vertebrae for plural)

spinal column

bone tissue surrounding the spinal cavity

spinal cord

nervous tissue within the spinal cavity

disc

pad of cartilage between vertebrae

cervical region (back)

neck region (C1 to C7)

thoracic region (back)

chest region (T1 to T12)

lumbar region (back)

loin (waist) or flank (between the ribs and the hipbone) region (L1 to L5)

sacral region (back)

region of the sacrum (one bone; S1 to S5)

coccygeal region (back)

region of the coccyx (tailbone; 4 fused pieces)

slipped disc

when a disc may move out of place (herniate) and put pressure on a nerve, causing pain in the bodily area affected by the nerve

deep

away from the surface

superficial

on the surface

proximal

near the point of attachment to the to the trunk or near the beginning of a structure

distal

far from the point of attachment to the to the trunk or far from the beginning of a structure

inferior

below another structure

superior, cephalic

above another structure

medial

pertaining to the middle or near the medial plane of the body

lateral

pertaining to the side

supine

lying on the back

prone

lying on the belly

plane

imaginary flat surface

frontal (coronal) plane

vertical plane dividing the body or structure into anterior and posterior portions

sagittal (lateral) plane

lengthwise vertical plane dividing the body or structure into right and left sides; the midsagittal plane divides the body into right and left halves

transverse (axial) plane

horizontal (cross-sectional) plane dividing the body into upper and lower portions

cervix

neck of the uterus

chondroma

benign tumor