Med Terms (A-D)

abdominal quadrants

RUQ, LUQ, RLQ, LLQ

acetabulum

the socket of the hip joint

acromioclavicular joint

the joint where the acromion and the clavicle meet

acromion process

the highest portion of the shoulder

adolescence

stage of life from 13 to 18 years.

alveoli

the microscopic sacs of the lungs where gas exchange with the bloodstream takes place

anatomic position

body is standing erect, facing the observer, with arms down at the sides and the palms of the hands forward.

anatomy

the study of body structure

anterior

the front of the body

aorta

the largest artery in the body. It transports blood from the left ventricle to begin systemic circulation.

appendix

a small tube located near the junction of the small and large intestines in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen, the function of which is not well understood.

arteriole

the smallest kind of artery

artery

any blood vessel carrying blood away from the heart

atria

the two upper chambers of the heart. RA ( receives unoxygenated blood returning from the body) and a LA (which receives oxygenated blood returning from the lungs).

automaticity

the ability of the heart to generate and conduct electrical impulses on its own

autonomic nervous system

the division of the peripheral nervous system that controls involuntary motor functions.

bilateral

on both sides

bladder

the round, saclike organ of the renal system used as a reservoir for urine.

blood pressure

the pressure caused by blood exerting force against the walls of blood vessels

bonding

formation of a close relationship through frequent association.

brachial artery

the artery of the upper arm; the site of the pulse checked during infant CPR

bronchi

the two large sets of branches that come off the trachea and enter the lungs.

buffer system

a system that helps manage the pH of the body to maintain it at a normal level.

calcaneus

the heel bone

capillaries

thin-walled, microscopic blood vessels where the oxygen/carbon dioxide and nutrient/waste exchange with the body’s cells takes place.

cardiac conduction system

a system of specialized muscle tissues that conducts electrical impulses that stimulate the heart to beat.

cardiac muscle

specialized involuntary muscle found only in the heart

cardiovascular system

related to the system made up of the heart (cardio) and the blood vessels (vascular)

carotid arteries

the large neck arteries, one on each side of the neck, that carry blood from the heart to the head.

carpals

the wrist bones

central nervous system (CNS)

the brain and the spinal cord

central pulses

the carotid and femoral pulses, which can be felt in the central part of the body.

clavicle

collarbone

combining form

a word root with an added vowel that can be joined with other words, roots, or suffixes to form a new word

compound

a word formed from two or more whole words.

coronary arteries

blood vessels that supply the muscle of the heart (myocardium).

cranium

the bony structure making up the forehead, top, back, and upper sides of the skull.

cricoid cartilage

the ring-shaped structure that forms the lower portion of the larynx.

dermis

the inner (second) layer of skin, rich in blood vessels and nerves, found beneath the epidermis.

diaphragm

the muscular structure that divides the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity; a major muscle of respiration.

diastolic blood pressure

the pressure remaining in the arteries when the left ventricle of the heart is relaxed and refilling.

digestive system

system by which food travels through the body and is digested or broken down into absorbable forms

distal

farther away from the torso.

dorsal

referring to the back of the body or the back of the hand or foot

dorsalis pedis artery

artery supplying the foot, lateral to the large tendon of the big toe