Ch. 2 - Terms Pertaining to the Body as a Whole

Question 1

Cells

Answer 1

The cell is the fundamental unit of all living things (animal or plant). Cells are everywhere in the human body—every tissue, every organ is made up of these individual units.

Question 2

cell membrane

Answer 2

Structure surrounding and protecting the cell. It determines what enters and leaves the cell.

Question 3

nucleus

Answer 3

Control center of the cell. It contains chromosomes and directs the activities of the cell.

Question 4

chromosomes

Answer 4

Rod-shaped structures in the nucleus that contain regions of DNA called genes.

[There are 46 chromosomes (23 pairs) in every cell except for the egg and sperm cells, which contain only 23 individual, unpaired chromosomes.]

Question 5

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)

Answer 5

Chemical found within each chromosome. Arranged like a sequence of recipes in code, it directs the activities of the cell.

Question 6

karyotype

Answer 6

Picture (classification) of chromosomes in the nucleus of a cell. The chromosomes are arranged in numerical order to determine their number and structure.

Question 7

cytoplasm

Answer 7

All of the material that is outside the nucleus and yet contained within the cell membrane.

Question 8

mitochondria

Answer 8

Rod-shaped structures in the cytoplasm that provide the principal source of energy (miniature “power plants”) for the cell.

Catabolism is the process that occurs in mitochondria. (From the Greek mitos meaning thread and chondrion meaning granule.) *HINT: Think of “mighty” mitochondria!

Question 9

catabolism

Answer 9

Process whereby complex nutrients are broken down to simpler substances and energy is released. Cata- means down, bol means to cast, and -ism is a process.

Question 10

anabolism

Answer 10

Process of building up large proteins from small protein pieces called amino acids. Ana- means up, bol means to cast, and -ism is a process.

Question 11

metabolism

Answer 11

Total of the chemical processes in a cell. It includes catabolism and anabolism.

Meta- means change, bol means to cast, and -ism means a process.

Question 12

endoplasmic reticulum

Answer 12

Network of canals within the cytoplasm of the cell. Here, large proteins are made from smaller protein pieces. (=anabolism)

Question 13

Ribosomes

Answer 13

(RI-bo-sohmz): small granules that help the cell make proteins.

Question 14

Anabolic Steroids

Answer 14

These drugs are similar to androgens (male hormones) in their effects on the body. They build up protein within cells.

Question 15

Thyroid Gland

Answer 15

The thyroid gland secretes thyroid hormone (thyroxine, or T4), which stimulates metabolism in cells.

Increased levels of hormone speed up metabolism (increased energy and weight loss) and decreased levels of hormone slow down metabolism (sluggishness and weight gain).

Question 16

muscle cell

Answer 16

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

Question 17

epithelial cell

Answer 17

(a lining and skin cell) may be square and flat to provide protection

Question 18

nerve cell

Answer 18

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

Question 19

fat cell

Answer 19

contains large, empty spaces for fat storage

Question 20

Differentiation

Answer 20

It’s still a scientific mystery why cells with the same DNA change or specialize into different types of cells in the developing embryo. Factors are thought to influence genes (DNA), leading to differentiation of cells. If we can figure out what causes differentiation as they mature, we may be closer to understanding what happens to cells when they revert to a more primitive, unspecialized form, as in cancer cells.

Question 21

tissue

Answer 21

a group of similar cells working together to do a specific job.

Question 22

histologist

Answer 22

(hist/o = tissue) ; a scientist who specializes in the study of tissues.

Question 23

Epithelial tissue

Answer 23

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

[The term epithelial originally referred to the tissue on (epi-) the breast nipple (thel/o). Now it describes all tissue that covers the outside of the body and lines the inner surface of internal organs.]

Question 24

Muscle Tissue

Answer 24

Voluntary muscle is found in arms and legs and parts of the body where movement is under conscious control.

Involuntary muscle, found in the heart and digestive system, as well as other organs, allows movement that is not under conscious control.

Cardiac muscle is a specialized type of muscle found only in the heart. Contractions of this muscle type can be seen as a beating heart in an ultrasound scan of a 6-week-old fetus.

Question 25

Connective Tissue

Answer 25

Examples are adipose (fat) tissue, cartilage (elastic, fibrous tissue attached to bones), bone, and blood.

Question 26

Nerve Tissue

Answer 26

Nerve tissue conducts impulses all over the body.

Question 27

Organs

Answer 27

Different types of tissue combine to form an organ. For example, an organ such as the stomach is composed of muscle tissue, nerve tissue, and glandular epithelial tissue. The medical term for internal organs is viscera (singular: viscus). Examples of abdominal viscera (organs located in the abdomen) are the liver, stomach, intestines, pancreas, spleen, and gallbladder.

Question 28

Systems

Answer 28

groups of organs working together to perform complex functions. For example, the mouth, esophagus, stomach, and small and large intestines are organs that do the work of the digestive system to digest food and absorb it into the bloodstream.

Question 29

From cells to systems...

Answer 29

cells -> tissues -> organs -> systems

Question 30

Organs that associate with "Digestive System"

Answer 30

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

Question 31

Organs that associate with "Urinary or Excretory System"

Answer 31

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

Question 32

Organs that associate with "Respiratory System"

Answer 32

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

Question 33

Organs that associate with "Reproductive System"

Answer 33

Female : Ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus (womb), vagina, mammary glands Male : Testes and associated tubes, urethra, penis, prostate gland

Question 34

Organs that associate with "Endocrine System"

Answer 34

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

Question 35

Organs that associate with "Nervous System"

Answer 35

Brain, spinal cord, nerves, and collections of nerves

Question 36

Organs that associate with "Circulatory System"

Answer 36

Heart, blood vessels (arteries, veins, and capillaries), lymphatic vessels and nodes, spleen, thymus gland

Question 37

Organs that associate with "Musculoskeletal System"

Answer 37

Muscles, bones, and joints

Question 38

Organs that associate with "Skin and sense organs"

Answer 38

Skin, hair, nails, sweat glands, and sebaceous (oil) glands; eye, ear, nose, and tongue

Question 39

adipose tissue

Answer 39

Collection of fat cells.

Question 40

cartilage

Answer 40

Flexible connective tissue often attached to bones at joints. Cartilage forms part of the external ear and the nose. Rings of cartilage surround the trachea.

Question 41

epithelial cells

Answer 41

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

Question 42

histologist

Answer 42

Specialist in the study of tissues.

Question 43

larynx (LAH-RINKS)

Answer 43

Voice box; located above the trachea. * HINT: Think of the word laryngitis, which means inflammation of the voice box, and may result in losing your voice!

Question 44

pharynx (FAH-RINKS)

Answer 44

Throat. The pharynx serves as the common passageway for food (from the mouth going to the esophagus) and air (from the nose to the trachea). * HINT: Note that “y” comes before “n” in both pharynx and larynx.

Question 45

pituitary gland

Answer 45

Endocrine gland at the base of the brain. * HINT: Be careful spelling pituitary; it contains 2 i’s.

Question 46

thyroid gland

Answer 46

Endocrine gland that surrounds the trachea in the neck.

Question 47

trachea

Answer 47

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

Question 48

ureter

Answer 48

One of two tubes, each leading from a single kidney to the urinary bladder. * HINT: Spelling clue : Ureter has two e’s, and there are two ureters.

Question 49

urethra

Answer 49

Tube from the urinary bladder to the outside of the body. * HINT: Spelling clue : Urethra has one e, and there is only one urethra.

Question 50

uterus

Answer 50

Womb; the organ that holds the embryo/fetus as it develops.

Question 51

viscera

Answer 51

Internal organs in the main cavities of the body, especially in the abdomen.

Question 52

body cavity

Answer 52

a space within the body that contains internal organs (viscera).

Question 53

Organs that contains in "Cranial"

Answer 53

Brain, pituitary gland.

Question 54

Organs that contains in "Thoracic"

Answer 54

Lungs, heart, esophagus, trachea, bronchial tubes, thymus gland, aorta (large artery). The thoracic cavity is divided into two smaller cavities: a. Pleural cavity —space surrounding each lung. The pleura is a double membrane that surrounds the lungs and protects them. If the pleura is inflamed (as in pleuritis or pleurisy), the pleural cavity may fill with fluid. This is called a pleural effusion. A collection of fluid in the peritoneal cavity is called ascites. b. Mediastinum —centrally located space outside of and between the lungs. It contains the heart, aorta, trachea, esophagus, thymus gland, bronchial tubes, and many lymph nodes.

Question 55

Organs that contains in "Abdominal/Peritoneal"

Answer 55

The peritoneum is the double-folded membrane surrounding the abdominal cavity. It attaches the abdominal organs to the abdominal muscles and surrounds each organ to hold it in place. The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs situated behind the abdominal cavity (retroperitoneal area) on either side of the backbone. The abdominal cavity also contains the stomach, small and large intestines, spleen, pancreas, liver, and gallbladder. The diaphragm (a muscular wall) divides the abdominal and thoracic cavities.

Question 56

Organs that contains in "Pelvic"

Answer 56

Portions of the small and large intestines, rectum, urinary bladder, urethra, and ureters; uterus and vagina in the female.

Question 57

Organs that contains in "Spinal"

Answer 57

Nerves of the spinal cord.

Question 58

abdominal cavity

Answer 58

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

Question 59

cranial cavity

Answer 59

Space in the head containing the brain and surrounded by the skull. Cranial means pertaining to the skull.

Question 60

diaphragm

Answer 60

Muscle separating the abdominal and thoracic cavities. The diaphragm moves up and down and aids in breathing.

Question 61

dorsal (posterior)

Answer 61

Pertaining to the back.

Question 62

mediastinum

Answer 62

Centrally located space outside of and between the lungs.

Question 63

pelvic cavity

Answer 63

Space below the abdomen containing portions of the intestines, rectum, urinary bladder, and reproductive organs. Pelvic means pertaining to the pelvis, composed of the hip bones surrounding the pelvic cavity.

Question 64

peritoneum

Answer 64

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

Question 65

pleura

Answer 65

Double-folded membrane surrounding each lung. Pleural means pertaining to the pleura. * HINT: Don’t confuse pleural with plural, which means more than one!

Question 66

pleural cavity

Answer 66

Space between the pleural layers.

Question 67

spinal cavity

Answer 67

Space within the spinal column (backbones) containing the spinal cord.

Question 68

thoracic cavity

Answer 68

Space in the chest containing the heart, lungs, bronchial tubes, trachea, esophagus, and other organs.

Question 69

ventral (anterior)

Answer 69

Pertaining to the front.

Question 70

Hypochondriac region

Answer 70

Right and left upper regions beneath the ribs.

Question 71

Epigastric region

Answer 71

Middle upper region above the stomach.

Question 72

Lumbar region

Answer 72

Right and left middle regions near the waist.

Question 73

Umbilical region

Answer 73

Central region near the navel.

Question 74

Inguinal region

Answer 74

Right and left lower regions near the groin. Also called iliac regions.

Question 75

Hypogastric region

Answer 75

Middle lower region below the umbilical region.

Question 76

Right upper quadrant (RUQ)

Answer 76

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

Question 77

Left upper quadrant (LUQ)

Answer 77

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

Question 78

Right lower quadrant (RLQ)

Answer 78

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

Question 79

Left lower quadrant (LLQ)

Answer 79

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

Question 80

Division of the back (Spinal Column) : Cervical (C)

Answer 80

Neck region. There are seven cervical vertebrae (C1 to C7).

Question 81

Division of the back (Spinal Column) : Thoracic (T)

Answer 81

Chest region. There are 12 thoracic vertebrae (T1 to T12). Each bone is joined to a rib.

Question 82

Division of the back (Spinal Column) : Lumbar (L)

Answer 82

Loin (waist) or flank region (between the ribs and the hipbone). There are five lumbar vertebrae (L1 to L5).

Question 83

Division of the back (Spinal Column) : Sacral (S)

Answer 83

Five bones (S1 to S5) are fused to form one bone, the sacrum.

Question 84

Division of the back (Spinal Column) : Coccygeal

Answer 84

The coccyx (tailbone) is a small bone composed of four fused pieces.

Question 85

vertebra

Answer 85

Single backbone. * HINT: There are two e’s in vertebra

Question 86

vertebrae

Answer 86

Backbones. (VER-teh-bray)

Question 87

spinal column

Answer 87

Bone tissue surrounding the spinal cavity.

Question 88

spinal cord

Answer 88

Nervous tissue within the spinal cavity.

Question 89

disc

Answer 89

Pad of cartilage between vertebrae.

Question 90

Anterior (ventral)

Answer 90

Front side of the body. Example: The forehead is on the anterior (ventral) side of the body.

Question 91

Posterior (dorsal)

Answer 91

Back side of the body. Example: The back of the head is posterior (dorsal) to the face.

Question 92

Deep

Answer 92

Away from the surface. Example: The stab wound penetrated deep into the abdomen.

Question 93

Superficial

Answer 93

On the surface. Example: Superficial veins can be viewed through the skin.

Question 94

Proximal

Answer 94

Near the point of attachment to the trunk or near the beginning of a structure. Example: The proximal end of the thigh bone (femur) joins with the hip socket.

Question 95

Distal

Answer 95

Far from the point of attachment to the trunk or far from the beginning of a structure. Example: At its distal end, the femur joins with the knee.

Question 96

Inferior

Answer 96

Below another structure. Example: The feet are at the inferior part of the body. They are inferior to the knees.

Question 97

Superior

Answer 97

Above another structure. Example: The head lies superior to the neck. Cephalic (pertaining to the head) also means above another structure.

Question 98

Medial

Answer 98

Pertaining to the middle, or nearer the medial plane of the body. Example: When in the anatomic position (palms of the hands facing outward), the fifth (little) finger is medial.

Question 99

Lateral

Answer 99

Pertaining to the side. Example: When in the anatomic position (palms of the hands facing outward), the thumb is lateral.

Question 100

Supine

Answer 100

Lying on the back. Example: The patient lies supine during an examination of the abdomen and, in females, during a pelvic (gynecologic) exam.

Question 101

Prone

Answer 101

Lying on the belly. Example: The backbones are examined with the patient in a prone position. A patient lies on his/ her stomach in the prone position.

Question 102

plane

Answer 102

an imaginary flat surface.

Question 103

Frontal (coronal) plane

Answer 103

Vertical plane dividing the body or structure into anterior and posterior portions. A common chest x-ray view is a PA (posteroanterior—viewed from back to front) view, which is in the frontal (coronal) plane.

Question 104

Sagittal (lateral) plane

Answer 104

Lengthwise vertical plane dividing the body or structure into right and left sides. The midsagittal plane divides the body into right and left halves. A lateral (side-to-side) chest x-ray film is taken in the sagittal plane.

Question 105

Transverse (axial) plane

Answer 105

Horizontal (cross-sectional) plane running across the body parallel to the ground. This cross-sectional plane divides the body or structure into upper and lower portions. A CT (computed tomography) scan is one of a series of x-ray pictures taken in the transverse (axial or cross-sectional) plane.

Question 106

abdomin/o

Answer 106

abdomen

Question 107

adip/o

Answer 107

fat

Question 108

anter/o

Answer 108

front

Question 109

cervic/o

Answer 109

neck (of the body or of the uterus)

Question 110

chondr/o

Answer 110

cartilage (type of connective tissue)

Question 111

chrom/o

Answer 111

color

Question 112

coccyg/o

Answer 112

coccyx (tailbone)

Question 113

crani/o

Answer 113

skull

Question 114

cyt/o

Answer 114

cell

Question 115

dist/o

Answer 115

far, distant

Question 116

dors/o

Answer 116

back portion of the body

Question 117

hist/o

Answer 117

tissue

Question 118

ili/o

Answer 118

ilium (upper part of the hip bone)

Question 119

inguin/o

Answer 119

groin

Question 120

kary/o

Answer 120

nucleus

Question 121

later/o

Answer 121

side

Question 122

lumb/o

Answer 122

lower back

Question 123

cervix

Answer 123

the lower portion or neck of the uterus.

Question 124

different meaning in Cervical?

Answer 124

The term cervical can have two different meanings depending on where it is used. In a gynecologic report, cervical means the lower portion or neck of the uterus (cervix). In a spinal radiologic report about cervical vertebrae, cervical refers to the neck of the body.

Question 125

medi/o

Answer 125

middle

Question 126

nucle/o

Answer 126

nucleus

Question 127

pelv/i

Answer 127

pelvis

Question 128

pharyng/o

Answer 128

pharynx (throat)

Question 129

poster/o

Answer 129

back, behind

Question 130

proxim/o

Answer 130

nearest

Question 131

sacr/o

Answer 131

sacrum

Question 132

sarc/o

Answer 132

flesh

Question 133

spin/o

Answer 133

spine, backbone

Question 134

thel/o, theli/o

Answer 134

nipple

Question 135

thorac/o

Answer 135

chest

Question 136

trache/o

Answer 136

trachea, windpipe

Question 137

umbilic/o

Answer 137

navel, umbilicus

Question 138

ventr/o

Answer 138

belly side of the body

Question 139

vertebr/o

Answer 139

vertebra(e), backbone(s)

Question 140

viscer/o

Answer 140

internal organs

Question 141

Did you know? Pelvis size

Answer 141

The female pelvis is wider and more massive than the male pelvis. The female pelvic opening is a larger, rounded, oval shape, whereas the male pelvic opening is deep, narrow, and funnel- or heart-shaped. Thus, the female pelvis can accommodate the fetus during pregnancy and its downward passage through the pelvic cavity in childbirth.

Question 142

ana-

Answer 142

up

Question 143

cata-

Answer 143

down

Question 144

epi-

Answer 144

above

Question 145

hypo-

Answer 145

below

Question 146

inter-

Answer 146

between

Question 147

intra-

Answer 147

within

Question 148

meta

Answer 148

change

Question 149

-eal, -iac, -ior

Answer 149

pertaining to

Question 150

-ism

Answer 150

process, condition

Question 151

-ose

Answer 151

pertaining to, full of

Question 152

-plasm

Answer 152

formation

Question 153

-somes

Answer 153

bodies

Question 154

-type

Answer 154

picture, classification

Question 155

Did you know? : Epinephrine and Adrenaline

Answer 155

These are the SAME hormone! Two different names for the same substance secreted by the adrenal glands (above the kidneys).

Question 156

abdomen

Answer 156

(AB-do-men): Space in the body below the chest containing organs such as the liver, stomach, gallbladder and intestines; abdominal cavity.

Question 157

adipose

Answer 157

(AH-dih-pohz): Pertaining to fat.

Question 158

cephalic

Answer 158

(seh-FAH-lik): Pertaining to the head.

Question 159

chondroma

Answer 159

(kon-DRO-mah): Tumor of cartilage; benign (non-cancerous).

Question 160

chondrosarcoma

Answer 160

(kon-dro-sar-KO-mah): Malignant (cancerous) tumor of cartilage. The root sarc indicates the malignant tumor arises from a type of flesh or connective tissue.

Question 161

coccygeal

Answer 161

(kok-sih-JE-al): Pertaining to the tailbone or coccyx.

Question 162

craniotomy

Answer 162

(kra-ne-OT-o-me): Incision of the skull.

Question 163

iliac

Answer 163

(IL-e-ak): Pertaining to the ilium; right or left upper most portion of the hip bone.

Question 164

intervertebral

Answer 164

(in-ter-ver-TE-bral): Pertaining to between the vertebrae (backbones).

Question 165

laryngitis

Answer 165

(lah-rin-JI-tis): Inflammation of the larynx (voice box).

Question 166

lateral

Answer 166

(LAT-er-al): Pertaining to the side.

Question 167

lumbosacral

Answer 167

(lum-bo-SA-kral): Pertaining to the lumbar and sacral regions of the back.

Question 168

nucleic

Answer 168

(nu-CLA-ik): Pertaining to the nucleus.

Question 169

pharyngeal

Answer 169

(fah-rin-JE-al): Pertaining to the pharynx (throat).

Question 170

sacral

Answer 170

(SA-kral): Pertaining to the sacrum.

Question 171

sacrum

Answer 171

(SA-krum): Large, triangular bone of the back (spine). ; 5 bones combine together into one.

Question 172

trachea

Answer 172

(TRA-ke-ah): Windpipe; tube leading from the pharynx (throat) and larynx (voice box) to the bronchial tubes.

Question 173

tracheal

Answer 173

(TRA-ke-al): Pertaining to the trachea.

Question 174

ureter

Answer 174

(U-reh-ter): One of two tubes carrying urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder.

Question 175

urethra

Answer 175

(u-RE-thrah): Tube leading from the urinary bladder to the outside of the body.

Question 176

vertebral

Answer 176

(ver-TE-bral): Pertaining to backbones.

Question 177

visceral

Answer 177

(VIS-er-al): Pertaining to internal organs.