Med Term 2 Flashcards
Used to describe the locations of the structural units of the body
Anatomic reference systems
Study of the structures of the body
Anatomy
Study of the functions of the structures of the body
Physiology
nature or physical
physi
the body assuming that the individual is standing in the standard position
anatomic position
imaginary vertical and horizontal lines used to divide the body into sections for descriptive purposes
Body planes
an up and down plane that is right angle to the horizon
vertical plane
the sagittal plane that divides the body into equal left and right halves
midsagittal plane, or midline
a vertical plane that divides the body into unequal left and right portions
sagittal plane
a vertical plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior portions
frontal plane, or coronal plane
a flat crosswise plane, such as the horizon
horizontal plane
a horizontal plane that divides the body into superior and inferior portions
transverse plane
referes to the front, or belly side of the organ or body
ventral
belly side of body
ventr
referes to the back of the organ or body
dorsal
back of the body
dors
situated in the front, also, on the front or forward part of an organ
anterior
front or before
anter
pertaining to
-ior, -ic, -al, -ar, -eal, -tics, -ose
situated in the back, also, on the back part of an organ
posterior
back or toward the back
poster
uppermost, above, or toward the head
superior
lowermost, below, or toward the feet
inferior
toward the head
cephalic
head
cephal
toward the lower part of the body
caudal
tail or lower part of the body
caud
situated nearest the midline or beginning of a body structure
proximal
situated farthest from the midline or beginning of a body structure
distal
the direction toward, or nearer, the midline
medial
the direction toward or nearer the side and away from the midline
lateral
relating to, or having, two sides
bilateral
spaces within the body that contain and protect internal organs
body cavities
located along the back of the body and head, contains organs of the nervous system
dorsal cavity
within dorsal cavity, within the skull, surrounds and protects the brain
cranial cavity
pertaining to the skull
cranial
within dorsal cavity, within the spinal column, surrounds and protects the spinal cord
spinal cavity
cavity located along the front of the body, containing the body organs that maintain homeostasis
ventral cavity
the process through which the body maintains a constant internal environment
homeostasis
constant
home/o
control
-stasis
within the ventral cavity, surrounds and protects the heart and the lungs.
thoracic cavity, chest cavity, thorax
muscle that separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities
diaphragm
within the ventral cavity, contains primarily the major organs of digestion
abdominal cavity, or abdomen
within the ventral cavity, the space formed by the hip bones and it contains primarily the organs of the reproductive and excretory systems
pelvic cavity
refers to the abdominal and pelvic cavities as a single unit
abdominopelvic cavity
means abdomen
abdomin/o
means pelvis
pelv
means relating to the groin, and the entire lower area of the abdomen
inguinal
the crease at the junction of the trunk with the upper end of the thigh
groin
descriptive system that divides the abdomen and lower portion of the thorax into nine parts
regions of the thorax and abdomen
regions located on the left and right sides of the body and are covered by the lower ribs
hypochondriac regions
cartilage
chondr/i
region located above the stomach
epigastric region
above
epi-
regions located on the left and right sides near the inward curve of the spine, also, area of back between ribs and pelvis
lumbar regions
lower back
lumb
region surrounding the umbilicus
umbilical region
belly button or navel
umbilicus
regions on the left and right sides over the hip bones
iliac regions
hip bone
ili
region located below the stomach
hypogastric region
divided into four
quadrant
multilayered membrane that protects and holds the organs in place within the abdominal cavity
peritoneum
thin layer of tissue that covers a surface, lines a cavity, or divides a space or organ
membrane
the outer layer or the peritoneum that lines the interior of the abdominal wall
parietal peritoneum
cavity wall
parietal
the inner layer of the peritoneum that surrounds the organs of the abdominal cavity
visceral peritoneum
relating to the internal organs
visceral
a fused double layer of the parietal peritoneum that attaches parts of the intestine to the interior abdominal wall
mesentery
located behind the peritoneum
retroperitoneal
behind
retro-
peritoneum
periton
inflammation of the peritoneum
peritonitis
study of anatomy, physiology, pathology, and chemistry of the cell
cytology
the tissue that surrounds and protects the contents of the cell by separating them from its external environment
cell membrane
the material within the cell membrane that is not part of the nucleus
cytoplasm
formative material of cells
-plasm
a structure within the cell, surrounded by the nuclear membrane, that controls the activities of the cell and helps cell division
nucleus
unspecialized cells that are able to renew themselves for long periods of time by cell division
stem cells
undifferentiated cells found among differentiated cells in a tissue or organ
adult stem cells, somatic stem cells
not having a specialized function or structure
undifferentiated
having a specialized function or structure
differentiated
blood forming
hemopoietic
cell rejection between donor and recipient
graft versus host disease
undifferentiated cells that are unlike any specific adult cell, but can form any adult cell
embryonic stem cells
where embryonic stem cells come from, found in umbilical cord and placenta
cord blood
a fundamental physical and functional unit of heredity, controlling heredity disorders and physical traits
gene
the study of how genes are transferred from parents to their children
genetics
means producing
gene
a specialist in the field of genetics
geneticist
gene that can be inherited from either parent to result in a specific genetic condition or characteristic
dominant gene
gene that must be inherited from BOTH parents to result in a specific condition or trait
recessive gene
the complete set of genetic information of an individual
genome
the genetic structures located within the nucleus of each cell, made up of DNA molecules containing the body’s genes
chromosomes
any cell in the body except the gametes
somatic cell
pertaining to the body
somatic
only type of cell that does not contain 46 chromosomes. Only has 23
sex cell, gamete
double helix structure containing thousands of genes providing information essential for heredity, physical appearance, disease risks, and other traits
DNA, deoxyribonucleic acid
a shape twisted like a spiral staircase
helix
two helixes twisted together
double helix
a change of the sequence of a DNA molecule
genetic mutation
change within the cells of the body
somatic cell mutation
change within the genes in a gamete that can be transmitted by a parent to it’s children
gametic cell mutation
the manipulating or splicing of genes for scientific or medical purposes
genetic engineering
a pathological condition cased by an absent or defective gene (some obvious at birth, some evident over time)
genetic disorder
a genetic disorder that is present at birth and affects both respiratory and digestive systems
cystic fibrosis
a genetic variation that is associated with characteristic facial appearance, learning disabilities, and physical abnormalities such as heart valve disease
Down syndrome
a group of hereditary bleeding disorders in which a blood-clotting factor is missing. Characterized by spontaneous hemorrhages or severe bleeding following an injury
hemophilia
a genetic disorder that is passed from parent to child. 50-50 chance. Nerve degeneration, uncontrolled movements and loss of some mental abilities
Huntington’s disease
term used to describe a group of genetic diseases that are characterized by progressive weakness and degeneration of skeletal muscles
Muscular dystrophy
a genetic disorder in which the essential digestive enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase is missing
Phenylketonuria
a fatal genetic disorder in which harmful quantities of a fatty substance build up in tissues and nerve cells in the brain
Tay-Sachs disease
a group or layer of similarly specialized cells that join together to perform certain specific functions
tissue
the study of the structure, composition, and function of tissues
histology
means tissue
hist
a specialist in the study of the organization of tissues at all levels
histologist
these form a protective covering for all of the internal and external surfaces of the body, and glands
epithelial tissues
the specialized epithelial tissue that forms the epidermis of the skin and the surface layer of mucous membranes
epithelium
outer layer of the skin
epidermis
specialized epithelial tissue that lines the blood and lymph vessels, body cavities, glands, and organs
endothelium
these support and connect organs and other body tissues
connective tissues
connective tissue, such as bone and cartilage, that forms the joints and framework of the body
dense connective tissues
connective tissue, aka fat, providing protective padding, insulation, and support
adipose tissue
means fat
adip
connective tissue that surrounds various organs and supports both nerve cells and blood vessels
loose connective tissue
connective tissue which are blood and lymph, that transport nutrients and waste products throughout the body
liquid connective tissues
contains cells with the specialized ability to contract and relax
muscle tissue
contains cells with the specialized ability to react to stimuli and to conduct electrical impulses
nerve tissue
the defective development, or congenital absense, of an organ or tissue
aplasia
means without
a-
means formation
-plasia
the incomplete development of an organ or tissue usually due to a deficiency in the number of cells
hypoplasia
a change in the structure of cells and in their orientation to each other. tumor formation
anaplasia
means excessive
ana-
abnormal development or growth of cells, tissues, or organs
dysplasia
enlargement of an organ or tissue because of an abnormal increase in the number of cells in the tissues
hyperplasia
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
hypertrophy
means development
-trophy
a group of specialized epithelial cells that are capable of producing secretions
gland
glands, such as sweat glands, that secrete chemical substances into ducts that lead either to other organs or out of the body
exocrine glands
glands which produce hormones and do not have ducts. Secreted directly into the blood stream, transported elsewhere
endocrine glands
the inflammation of a gland
adenitis
means gland
aden
a malignant tumor that originates in glandular tissue
adenocarcinoma
means cancerous
carcin
means harmful, capable of spreading, and potentially life threatening
malignant
a benign tumor that arises in, or resembles, glandular tissue
adenoma
means not life threatening
benign
the abnormal softening of a gland
adenomalacia
any disease condition of a gland
adenosis
the abnormal hardening of a gland
adenosclerosis
the surgical removal of a gland
andenectomy
a somewhat independent part of the body that performs a specific function
organ
the study of the nature and cause of disease that involves changes in structure and function
pathology
disease, suffering, feeling, and emotion
path/o, -pathy
specialist in the laboratory analysis of tissue samples to confirm or establish a diagnosis
pathologist
means after death
postmortem
postmortem examination
autopsy
the study of the causes of diseases
etiology
means cause
eti-
a disease producing microorganism such as a virus
pathogen
the spread of a disease
transmission
means that a pathogen is possibly present
contamination
any condition that is transmitted from one person to another, either by direct or indirect contact with contaminated objects
communicable disease, contagious disease
capable of being transmitted
communicable
situations in which a susceptible person is infected by contact with a contaminated surface
indirect contact transmission
the spread of a disease through contact with blood or other body fluids that are contaminated with blood
bloodborne transmission
occurs through contact with contaminated respiratory droplets spread by a cough or sneeze.
airborne transmission
caused by eating or drinking contaminated food or water that has not been properly treated to remove contamination or kill pathogens that are present
food-borne and waterborne transmission
the spread of certain disease due to the bite or a vector
vector-borne transmission
the specialist in the study of outbreaks of disease within a population group
epidemiologist
above
epi-
population
dem
the ongoing presence of a disease within a population.
endemic
a sudden and widespread outbreak of a disease within a specific population group or area
epidemic
an outbreak of a disease occurring over a large geographic area, possibly worldwide
pandemic
means within
en-
means entire
pan-
produces symptoms for which no physiological or anatomical cause can be identified
functional disorder
an unfavorable response due to prescribed medical treatment
iatrogenic illness
an illness without known cause
idiopathic disorder
means peculiar to the individual
idi/o
means without known cause
idiopathic
an illness caused by living pathogenic organisms such as bacteria and viruses
infectious disease
a disease acquired in a hospital or clinical setting
nosocomial infection
hospital acquired
nosocomial
produces symptoms caused by detectable physical changes in the body
organic disorder
an abnormal condition that exists at the time of birth
congenital disorder
existing at birth
congenital
can result in an anomaly or malformation such as the absence of a limb or presence of an extra toe
developmental disorder, birth defect
a deviation from what is regarded as normal
anomaly
describes the congenital absence of a normal opening or the failure of a structure to be tubular
atresia
congenital absence of the opening at the bottom end of the anus
anal atresia
the mother’s health, behavior, and the prenatal medical care she does, or does not, receive before delivery
prenatal influences
birth defects often develop if a pregnant woman contracts this viral infection early in her pregnancy
rubella
caused by the mother’s consumption of alcohol during the pregnancy.
fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)
