Lesson 2 Assignment (L2.2) - WHOLE BODY TERMINOLOGY Flashcards
abdominal cavity
The cavity beneath the thoracic cavity that is separated from the thoracic cavity by the diaphragm; contains the liver, gallbladder, spleen, stomach, pancreas, intestines, and kidneys.
abdomin/o = abdomen
-al = pertaining to
abdominopelvic cavity
A term that describes the abdominal and pelvic cavity collectively; refers to the space between the diaphragm and the groin.
abdomin/o = abdomen
pelv/i = pelvis
-al = pertaining to
anaplasia
A change in the structure and orientation of cells, characterized by a loss of differentiation and reversion to a more primitive form.
ana- = not, without
-plasia = formation, growth
anatomical position
The standard reference position for the body as a whole: the person is standing with arms at the sides and palms turned forward; the individual’s head and feet are also pointing forward.
anterior
Pertaining to the front of the body or toward the belly of the body.
aplasia
A developmental failure resulting in the absence of any organ or tissue.
a- = not, without
-plasia = formation, growth
cardiac muscle
The muscle that makes up the muscular wall of the heart.
cardi/o = heart
-ac = pertaining to
caudal
Pertaining to the tail.
cell
The smallest and most numerous structural unit of living matter.
cell membrane
The semipermeable barrier that is the outer covering of a cell.
cervical vertebrae
The first seven segments of the spinal column; identified as C1 through C7.
cervic/o = neck
-al = pertaining to
chromosomes
The threadlike structures within the nucleus that control the functions of growth, repair, and reproduction for the body.
coccyx
The tailbone. Located at the end of the vertebral column, the coccyx results from the fusion of four individual coccygeal bones in the child.
connective tissue
Tissue that supports and binds other body tissue and parts.
cranial
Pertaining to the skull or cranium. crani/o = skull -al = pertaining to
cranial cavity
The cavity that contains the brain.
crani/o = skull
-al = pertaining to
cytology
The study of cells. cyt/o = cell -logy = the study of
cytoplasm
A gel-like substance that surrounds the nucleus of a cell. The cytoplasm contains cell organs, called organelles, which carry out the essential functions of the cell. cyt/o = skull -plasm = living substance
deep
Away from the surface and toward the inside of the body.
distal
Away from or farthest from the trunk of the body or farthest from the point of attachment of a body part.
dorsal
Pertaining to the back.
dors/o = back
-al = pertaining to
dorsum
The back or posterior surface of a part; in the foot, the top of the foot.
dors/o = back
-um = noun ending
dysplasia
Any abnormal development of tissues or organs.
dys = bad, difficult, painful, disordered
-plasia = formation, growth
epigastric region
The region of the abdomen located between the right and left hypochondriac regions in the upper section of the abdomen, beneath the cartilage of the ribs.
epi = upon, over
gastr/o = stomach
-ic = pertaining to
epithelial tissue
The tissue that covers the internal and external organs of the body; it also lines the vessels, body cavities, glands, and body organs.
frontal plane
Any of the vertical planes passing through the body from the head to the feet, perpendicular to the sagittal planes and dividing the body into front and back portions.
genes
Segments of chromosomes that transmit hereditary characteristics.
histologist
A medical specialist who specializes in the study of tissues.
hist/o = tissue
-logist = one who specializes
hyperplasia
An increase in the number of cells of a body part.
hyper = excessive
-plasia = formation, growth
hypochondriac region
The right and left regions of the upper abdomen, beneath the cartilage of the lower ribs; located on either side of the epigastric region.
hypo = under, below, beneath, less than normal
chondr/i = cartilage
-ac = pertaining to
hypogastric region
The middle section of the lower abdomen, beneath the umbilical region. hypo = under, below, beneath, less than normal gastr/o = stomach -ic = pertaining to
hypoplasia
Incomplete or underdeveloped organ or tissue, usually the result of a decrease in the number of cells.
hypo = under, below, beneath, less than normal
-plasia = formation, growth
inferior
Below or downward toward the tail or feet.
inguinal region
“iliac region”
The right and left regions of the lower section of the abdomen; also called the iliac region.
inguin/o = groin
-al = pertaining to
intervertebral disc
A flat, circular, plate-like structure of cartilage that serves as a cushion (or shock absorber) between the vertebrae.
inter = between
vertebr/o = vertebra
-al = pertaining to
lateral
Toward the side of the body, away from the midline of the body.
later/o = side
-al = pertaining to
long axis
The long axis of the body; the imaginary line created by directing a vertical line through the middle of the body from the top of the head to a space equidistant between the feet; essentially in the middle of the body.
lumbar region
The right and left regions of the middle section of the abdomen.
lumb/o = loins
-ar = pertaining to
lumbar vertebrae
The largest and strongest of the vertebrae of the spinal column, located in lower back. The lumbar vertebrae consists of five large segments of the movable part of the spinal column; identified as L1 through L5.
lumb/o = loins, lower back
-ar = pertaining to
lysosomes
Cell organs (or organelles) that contain various types of enzymes that function in the intracellular region.
Lysosomes destroy bacteria by digesting them.
McBurney’s point
A point on the right side of the abdomen, about two-thirds of the distance between the umbilicus and the anterior bony prominence of the hip.
medial
Toward the midline of the body.
medi/o = middle
-al = pertaining to
mediolateral
Pertaining to the middle and side of a structure.
medi/o = middle
later/o = side
-al = pertaining to
membrane
A thin layer of tissue that covers a surface, lines a cavity, or divides a space, such as the peritoneum that lines the abdominal wall.
midline of the body
The imaginary “line” created when the body is divided into equal right and left halves.
midsagittal plane
The plane that divides the body (or a structure) into right and left equal portions.
mitochondria
Cell organs (or organelles), which provide the energy needed by the cell to carry on its essential functions.
muscle tissue
The tissue capable of producing movement of the parts and organs of the body by contracting and relaxing its fibers.
navel
The umbilicus; the belly button
neoplasia
The new and abnormal development of cells that may be benign or malignant.
neo- = new
-plasia = formation, growth
nervous tissue
Tissue that transmits impulses throughout the body, thereby activating, coordinating, and controlling the many functions of the body.
nucleus
The central controlling body within a living cell that is enclosed within the cell membrane.
nucle/o = nucleus
-us = noun ending
organ
Tissues arranged together to perform a special function.
pelvic cavity
The lower front cavity of the body, located beneath the abdominal cavity; contains the urinary bladder and reproductive organs.
pelv/i = pelvis
-ic = pertaining to
peritoneum
A specific serous membrane that covers the entire abdominal wall of the body and is reflected over the contained viscera.
peritone/o = peritoneum
-um = noun ending
plane
Imaginary slices (or cuts) made through the body as if a dividing sheet were passed through the body at a particular angle and in a particular direction, permitting a view from a different angle.
plantar
Pertaining to the sole or bottom of the foot.
posterior
Pertaining to the back of the body.
pronation
A movement that allows the palms of the hands to turn downward and backward.
prone
Laying facedown on the abdomen.
proximal
Toward or nearest to the trunk of the body or nearest to the point of attachment of a body part.
proxim/o = near
-al = pertaining to
ribosomes
Cell organs (or organelles) that synthesize proteins; often called the cell’s “protein factories.”
sacrum
The singular triangular-shaped bone that results from the fusion of the five individual sacral bones of the child.
sacr/o = sacrum
-um = noun ending
skeletal muscle
Muscle that is attached to bone and is responsible for the movement of the skeleton.
skelet/o = skeleton
-al = pertaining to
smooth muscle
Muscle found in the walls of the hollow internal organs of the body such as the stomach and intestines.
spinal cavity
The cavity that contains the nerves of the spinal cord; also known as the spinal canal.
spin/o = spine
-al = pertaining to
superficial
Pertaining to the surface of the body or near the surface.
superior
Above or upward toward the head.
supination
A movement that allows the palms of the hands to turn upward or forward.
supine
Lying horizontally on the back, face up.
system
Organs that work together to perform the many functions of the body as a whole.
thoracic cavity
The chest cavity, which contains the lungs, heart, aorta, esophagus, and trachea.
thorac/o = chest
-ic = pertaining to
thoracic vertebrae
The second segment of 12 vertebrae that make up the vertebral bones of the chest; identified at T1 through T12.
thorac/o = chest
-ic = pertaining to
tissue
A group of cells that performs specialized functions.
transverse plane
Any of the planes cutting across the body perpendicular to the sagittal and the frontal planes, dividing the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) portions.
umbilical region
The region of the abdomen located in the middle section of the abdomen, between the right and left lumbar regions and directly beneath the epigastric region.
umbilic/o = navel
-al = pertaining to
umbilicus
The navel; also called the belly button.
umbilic/o = navel
-us = noun ending
ventral
Pertaining to the front; belly side.
ventr/o = belly, front side
-al = pertaining to
visceral
Pertaining to the internal organs.
viscer/o = internal organs
-al = pertaining to
visceral muscle
See smooth muscle. Muscle found in the walls of the hollow internal organs of the body such as the stomach and intestines.
viscer/o = internal organs
-al = pertaining to
