Chapter 4: Body Systems and Related Conditions Flashcards
Homeostasis
The process by which all the body’s systems are balanced and working at their best
Metabolism
The physical and chemical processes by which a body maintains homeostasis
The 10 body systems
- Integumentary (Skin)
- Musculoskeletal
- Nervous
- Circulatory aka Cardiovascular
- Respiratory
- Urinary
- Gastrointestinal aka Digestive
- Endocrine
- Reproductive
- Immune and Lymphatic
Anterior (Ventral)
Front of the body or part
Posterior (Dorsal)
Back of the body or part
Superior
Towards the head
Inferior
Away from the head
Medial
Towards the midline of the body
Lateral
Away from the midline of the body
Proximal
Closer to the torso
Distal
Further from the torso
Dilate
An opening of the blood vessels which causes an increase in blood flow and a decrease in pressure
Constrict
A narrowing of the blood vessels which causes a decrease in blood flow and an increase in pressure
Atrophy
A wasting away of tissues, typically seen in muscles due to a lack of usage
Contracture
A shortening of either muscles or tendons that can cause permanent inflexibility or “freezing” of a limb
Arthritis
Refers to inflammation, or swelling, of the joints. May be caused by aging, injury, or an autoimmune illness. This results in pain and decreased mobility
Autoimmune Illness
An illness where the body’s immune system attacks normal tissues
Rheumatoid Arthritis
An autoimmune form of arthritis
Osteoarthritis
A degenerative form of arthritis usually found in the elderly and is theorized to be caused by aging
Osteoporosis
A loss of bone density
Menopause
In women: the end of menstruation, usually after not having a menstrual period for 12 months
Hip Fracture and Knee Replacement
Common surgeries in persons with osteoporosis and after surgery patients are classified by how much weight they can bear
NWB
Non-Weight-Bearing
PWB
Partial Weight-Bearing
FWB
Full Weight-Bearing
CVA or Stroke
A reduction in blood flow to the brain, due to either arterial blockage by clot, or arterial rupture
Hemiplegia
Paralysis on one side of the body
Hemiparesis
Weakness on one side of the body
Expressive Aphasia
Trouble communicating thoughts through speech or writing
Receptive Aphasia
Difficulty understanding spoken or written words
Emotional Lability
Inappropriate or unprovoked emotional responses
Dysphagia
Difficulty swallowing
Parkinsons
A progressive, incurable disease that manifests with tremors, a stopped posture, and shuffling gait
Paraplegia
A loss of function of the lower half of the body
Quadreplegia
A loss of function of all appendages and potentially the trunk of the body
Hypertension (HTN)
When a person’s blood pressure is consistently 130/80 or greater. This can lead to Cardiovascular problems, heart attack, kidney disease or blindness
Diuretics
Medications that reduce fluid retention by the body and increase the need to urinate
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
A disease where the arteries feeding the heart are more narrow than normal
Angina
Typically described as a pressure or tightness and occurs in the left arm or center left chest
Myocardial Infarction (MI) or Heart Attack
When blood flow to the heart is blocked and blood fails to reach the muscles of the heart
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
A state of the heart where muscle tissues have been severely damaged, due to other cardiovascular events, and fails to pump blood effectively
Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD)
A disease in which the legs, feet, arms, or hands do not have enough blood circulation
Respiration
The body taking in oxygen and excreting carbon dioxide
Inspiration
Filling the lungs with air
Exhalation
Pushing air out of the lungs
Dyspnea
Difficulty breathing
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
A chronic, progressive disease where the patient has difficulty breathing, especially when trying to get air out of the lungs
Urinary Incontinence
The inability to control the bladder and results in an involuntary loss of urine
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
A bacterial infection of the urethra, bladder, ureter, or kidney. Results in pain or a burning sensation during urination
Digestion
The process of mechanically, enzymatically, and chemically breaking down food to be absorbed and incorporated by the the body
Absorption
The transfer of nutrients from the intestines to the cells
Elimination
The process of expelling waste materials
Fecal Incontinence
The inability to control the bowels and results in an involuntary passage of stool
Constipation
The inability to eliminate stool or the infrequent, difficult, and often painful elimination of hard, dry stool
Enema
A specific amount of water, with or without an additive, that is introduced into the colon to eliminate stool
Fecal Impaction
The buildup of hardened or putty-like stool in the rectum that cannot be expelled
Hemorrhoids
Enlarged veins in the rectum that result in rectal itching, burning, pain, and bleeding during bowel elimination
Diarrhea
The frequent elimination of liquid or semiliquid feces
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
A chronic condition in which the liquid contents of the stomach back up into the esophagus. A burning sensation, called Heartburn, can inflame and damage the esophagus causing bleeding or ulcers
Ostomy
An opening from inside the body to the outside created in a surgical setting
Stoma
A specific type of ostomy in the lower intestine that is specifically intended to collect feces rather than have them pass through the anus
Glands
Organs that produce and secrete chemicals called hormones
Hormones
Chemical substances created by the body that control numerous body functions
Insulin
A hormone that tells cells to uptake glucose from the bloodstream
Glucose
Sugar
Diabetes (Two Types)
An illness characterized by insulin issues
Type 1: An autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks the cells in the pancreas which are responsible for producing insulin. This disease causes a lack of insulin in the body
Type 2: A condition in which the cells of the body resist the influence of insulin, causing cells to not properly uptake sugar from the bloodstream. This can result in high levels of both insulin and sugar in the bloodstream
Prediabetes
Occurs when a person’s blood glucose levels are above normal but not high enough for a type 2 diagnosis
Gestational Diabetes
A condition that can happen in pregnant women without a history of diabetes before being pregnant. They have elevated blood glucose levels during pregnancy
Reproduce
Create new human life
Gonads
The respective glands that produce haploid cells (cells with half the genetic information) for reproduction
Vaginitis
An inflammation of the vagina. Can be caused by bacteria, protozoa, fungus, or hormonal changes post-menopause
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
An enlargement of the prostate that is common in men over the age of 60. This causes pressure on the urethra which can lead to frequent urination, dribbling of urine, and difficulty starting the flow of urine
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
A retrovirus that attacks the body’s immune system leading to a weakening and eventual ‘disarming’ of the immune system.
An advanced stage of this disease in which the weakened immune system is unable to combat pathogens, tumors, or other irregularities
Cancer
A general term to describe the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells
Tumor
A group of abnormally growing cells
