Key Terms

  • Anatomical position
  • Anatomy
  • Cells
  • Chemistry
  • Chromosome
  • Cytokinesis
  • Electrolytes
  • Gene
  • Ions
  • Matter
  • Meiosis
  • Metabolism
  • Mitosis
  • Molecule
  • Organ
  • Organ systems
  • Organelle
  • Organism
  • Physiology
  • Prefix
  • Suffix
  • Tissue
  • Word root

Medical Assisting Competencies

  • Identify structural organization of the human body:
    • Body systems
    • Body planes, directional terms, quadrants, body cavities
  • Major organs in each body system
  • Anatomical location of major organs
  • Normal function of each body system
  • Common pathologies for each system (signs, symptoms, etiology, diagnostics, treatment)

Anatomy and Physiology

  • Anatomy: study of body structure; Physiology: study of body function
  • Function and structure are interrelated (e.g. heart's structure allows for blood pumping)
  • Homeostasis: maintenance of stable internal conditions

Structural Organization of the Body

  • Levels of organization: Chemical → Cellular → Tissue → Organ → Organ System → Organism
  • Chemical level: elements and molecules (e.g., Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen)

Major Tissue Types

  • Epithelial Tissue: covering and lining, avascular, diverse functions
  • Connective Tissue: abundant, includes blood, bone, cartilage, etc.
  • Muscle Tissue: Skeletal (voluntary), Smooth (involuntary), Cardiac (involuntary)
  • Nerve Tissue: sends impulses, consists of neurons and neuroglia

Body Systems

  • Integumentary, Skeletal, Muscular, Lymphatic, Respiratory, Digestive, Nervous, Endocrine, Cardiovascular, Urinary, Female and Male Reproductive Systems

Understanding Medical Terminology

  • Medical terms composed of word roots, prefixes, and suffixes, often following specific rules for meaning and pronunciation

Anatomical Terminology

  • Anatomical Position: standing upright, arms at sides, palms forward
  • Directional Terms: superior, inferior, anterior, posterior, medial, lateral, proximal, distal, superficial, deep

Body Cavities

  • Cranial, Vertebral, Thoracic, Abdominopelvic
  • Organs of thoracic cavity: lungs, heart
  • Organs of abdominal cavity: stomach, intestines, liver, etc.

Chemistry of Life

  • Basic chemistry essential for understanding anatomy and physiology
  • Biological processes through chemicals: metabolism, electrolytes, acids, bases
  • Four major organic compounds: Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins, Nucleic Acids

Cell Characteristics

  • Cells: basic units of life; three parts: cell membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus
  • Organelles: specialized structures within cells

Movement Through Cell Membranes

  • Passive Transport: diffusion and osmosis
  • Active Transport: requires energy, moves against concentration gradient

Cell Division

  • Mitosis (somatic), Meiosis (reproductive);
  • Interphase: cell preparation for division

Genetic Techniques and Genetic Disorders

  • DNA structure, genes, mutations, genetic inheritance, common genetic disorders (e.g. Cystic Fibrosis, Down Syndrome)