Chapter 2: The Human Body in Health and Disease Medical Terms Flashcards
Abdominal cavity (ab-DOM-ih-nal)
The body cavity that contains the major organs of digestion
adenectomy (ad-eh-NECK-toh-mee)
The surgical removal of a gland
adenocarcinoma (ad-eh-noh-kar-sih-NOH-mah)
a malignant tumor that originates in glandular tissue
adenoma (ad-eh-NOH-mah)
a benign tumor that arises in or resembles glandular tissue
adenomalacia (ad-eh-noh-mah-LAY-shee-ah)
abnormal softening of a gland
adenosclerosis (ad-eh-noh-skleh-ROH-sis)
abnormal hardening of a gland
anaplasia (an-ah-PLAY-zee-ah)
a change in the structure of cells and in their orientation to each other
anatomy (ah-NAT-oh-mee)
the study of the structures of the body
anomaly (ah-NOM-ah-lee)
a deviation from what is regarded as normal
anterior (an-TEER-ee-or)
situated in front
aplasia (ah-PLAY-zee-ah)
the defective development or congenital absence of an organ or tissue
bloodborne transmission
the spread of disease through contact with blood or other body fluids contaminated with blood
caudal (KAW-dal)
toward the lower part of the body
cephalic (seh-FAL-ick)
toward the head
chromosome (KROH-moh-sohme)
a genetic structure located within the nucleus of each cell
communicable disease (kuh-MEW-nih-kuh-bul)
any disease transmitted from one person to another either directly or by indirect contact with contaminated objects
congenital disorder (kon-JEN-ih-tahl)
an abnormal condition that exists at the time of birth
cytoplasm (SIGH-toh-plazm)
the material located within the cell membrane that is not part of the nucleus
distal (DIS-tal)
situated farthest from the midline or beginning of a body structure
dorsal (DOR-sal)
back of the body or organ
dysplasia (dis-PLAY-see-ah)
abnormal development or growth of cells, tissues, or organs
endemic (en-DEM-ick)
referring to the ongoing presence of a disease, such as the common cold, within a population, group, or area
endocrine glands (EN-doh-krin)
Glands that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream
epidemic (ep-ih-DEM-ick)
a sudden and widespread outbreak of a disease within a specific population group or area
epigastric region (ep-ih-GAS-trick)
the region located above the stomach
etiology (ee-tee-OL-oh-jee)
the study of the causes of diseases
exocrine glands (ECK-soh-krin)
glands that secrete chemical substances into ducts leading either to other organs or out of the body
functional disorder
produces symptoms for which no physiological or anatomical cause can be identified
genetic disorder
a pathological condition caused by an absent or defective gene
geriatrician
a physician who specializes in the care of older people
hemophilia
a group of hereditary bleeding disorders 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
The enlargement of an organ or tissue because of an abnormal increase in the number of cells in the tissues
Hypertrophy
A general increase in the bulk of a body part or organ that is due to an increase in the size but not in the number of cells in the tissues
Hypogastric region
The region of the abdomen that is located below the stomach
Hypoplasia
The incomplete development of an organ or tissue usually due to a deficiency In the number of cells
Iatrogenic illness
Unfavorable response due to prescribed medical treatment
Idiopathic disorder
An illness without known cause
Infections disease
Illness caused by a living pathogenic organisms such bacteria and viruses
Inguinal
Relating to the groin; refers to the entire lower portion of the abdomen including the groin
Medial
The direction toward or nearer the midline
Mesentery
The fused double layer of the parietal peritoneum that attaches parts of the intestine to the interior abdominal wall
Midsagittal plane
The vertical plane that divides the body, from top to bottom, into equal left and right halves
Nosocomial infection
A disease acquired in a hospital or clinical setting
Pandemic
A disease outbreak occurring over a large geographic area, possibly worldwide
Pelvic cavity
The space formed by the hip bones that contains the organs of the reproductive and excretory systems
Peritoneum
The multilayered membrane that protects and holds the organs in place within the abdominal cavity
Peritonitis
Inflammation of the peritoneum
Phenylketonuria
A genetic disorder in which the essential digestive enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase is missing
Physiology
The study of the functions of the body structures
Posterior
Situated in the back or 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 renew themselves for long periods of time through cell division
Thoracic cavity
The cavity that surrounds and protects the heart and the lungs; also known as the chest cavity
Transverse plane
The horizontal plane that divides the body into upper and lower portions
Umbilicus
The pit in the center of the abdominal wall that marks where the umbilical cord was attached before birth
Vector-borne transmission
The spread of a disease due to the bite of a vector capable of transmitting that disease
Ventral
Refers to the front or belly side of the body or organ
