Medical Terminology Flashcards
abdominal quadrants
Four divisions of the abdomen used to pinpoint the location of a pain or injury (RUQ) (LUQ) (RLQ) (LLQ)
ACETABULM
The pelvic socket into witch the ball at the proximal end of the femur fits to form the hip joint
acromiclavicular (ah-kro-me-o-klav-ik-yuh-ler) Joint
The joint where the and acromion the clavicle meet
acromion process
the highest portion of the shoulder
alveoli
the microscopic sacs of the lungs where gas exchange with the bloodstream takes place
anatomical position
the standard reference position for the body in the study of anatomy in this position the body is standing erect facing the observer with arms down at the sides and the palms of the hands forward
anatomy
the study of body structure
anterior
the front of the body or body part
aorta
the largest artery in the body it transports blood from the left ventricle to begin systemic circulation
appendix
a small tube loated near the junction of the small and large intestines in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen the function of which is not well understood its infl
arteriole (ar-te-re-ol)
The smallest kind of artery
atria (ay-tree-ah)
the two upper chambers of the heart there is a right atrium (which receives unoxygenated blood returning from the body) and a left atrium (which receives oxygenated blood returning from the lungs)
automaticity
the ability of the heart to generate and conduct electrical impulses on its own
autonomic nervous system
the division of the peripheral nervous system that controls involuntary motor functions
bilateral
on both sides
bladder
the round sac like organ of the renal system used as a reservoir for urine
blood pressure
the pressure caused by blood exerting force against the walls of blood vessels. Usually arterial blood pressure (the pressure in an artery) is measured. There are two types Diastolic blood pressure and systolic blood pressure.
brachial artery
artery of the upper arm the site of the pulse checked during infant CPR
bronchi
the two large sets of branches that come off the trachea and enter the lungs there are right and left bronchi singular bronchus
calcaneus
the heel bone
capillary
a thin walled microscopic blood vessel where the oxygen/carbon dioxide and the nutrient/waste exchange with the body’s cells takes place
cardiac conduction system
a system of specialized muscle tissues that conducts electrical impulses that stimulate the heart to beat
cardiac muscle
specialized involuntary muscle found only in the heart
cardiovascular system
the system made up of the heart and the blood vessels the circulatory system sometimes called the circulatory system
carotid arteries
the large neck arteries one on each side of the neck that carry blood from the heart to the head
carpals
the wrist bone
central nervous system
the brain and spinal cord
central pulses
the carotid and femoral pulses which can be felt in the central part of the body
clavicle
the collarbone
combining form
a word root with an added vowel that can be joined with other words roots or suffixes to form a new word
compound
a word formed from two or more whole words
coronary arteries
blood vessels that supply the muscle of the heart
cranium
the top back and sides of the skull
cricoid cartilage
the ring shaped structure that forms the lower portion of the larynx
dermis
the inner (second) layer of skin rich in blood vessels and nerves found beneath the epidermis
diaphragm
the muscular structure that divides the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity a major muscle of respiration
diastolic blood pressure
the pressure in the arteries when the left ventricle is refilling
digestive system
system by which food travels through the body and is digested or broken down into absorbable forms
distal
farther away from the torso
dorsal
referring to the back of the body or the back of the hand or foot a synonym for posterior
dorsalis pedis artery
artery supplying the foot lateral to the large tendon of the big toe
endocrine system
system of glands that produce chemicals called hormones that help to regulate many body activities and functions
epidermis
the outer layer of skin
epiglottis
a leaf shaped structure that prevents food and foreign matter from entering the trachea
epinephrine
a hormone produced by the body as a medication it dilates respiratory passages and is used to relieve severe allergic reactions
exhalation
a passive process in which the intercostal (rib) muscles and the diaphragm relax causing the chest cavity to decrease in size and air to flow out of the lungs
femoral artery
the major artery supplying the leg
femur
the large bone of the thigh
arteriole (ar-te-re-ol)
The smallest kind of artery
atria (ay-tree-ah)
the two upper chambers of the heart there is a right atrium (which receives unoxygenated blood returning from the body) and a left atrium (which receives oxygenated blood returning from the lungs)
automaticity
the ability of the heart to generate and conduct electrical impulses on its own
autonomic nervous system
the division of the peripheral nervous system that controls involuntary motor functions
bilateral
on both sides
bladder
the round sac like organ of the renal system used as a reservoir for urine
blood pressure
the pressure caused by blood exerting force against the walls of blood vessels. Usually arterial blood pressure (the pressure in an artery) is measured. There are two types Diastolic blood pressure and systolic blood pressure.
brachial artery
artery of the upper arm the site of the pulse checked during infant CPR
bronchi
the two large sets of branches that come off the trachea and enter the lungs there are right and left bronchi singular bronchus
calcaneus
the heel bone
capillary
a thin walled microscopic blood vessel where the oxygen/carbon dioxide and the nutrient/waste exchange with the body’s cells takes place
cardiac conduction system
a system of specialized muscle tissues that conducts electrical impulses that stimulate the heart to beat
cardiac muscle
specialized involuntary muscle found only in the heart
cardiovascular system
the system made up of the heart and the blood vessels the circulatory system sometimes called the circulatory system
carotid arteries
the large neck arteries one on each side of the neck that carry blood from the heart to the head
carpals
the wrist bone
central nervous system
the brain and spinal cord
central pulses
the carotid and femoral pulses which can be felt in the central part of the body
clavicle
the collarbone
combining form
a word root with an added vowel that can be joined with other words roots or suffixes to form a new word
compound
a word formed from two or more whole words
coronary arteries
blood vessels that supply the muscle of the heart
cranium
the top back and sides of the skull
cricoid cartilage
the ring shaped structure that forms the lower portion of the larynx
dermis
the inner (second) layer of skin rich in blood vessels and nerves found beneath the epidermis
diaphragm
the muscular structure that divides the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity a major muscle of respiration
diastolic blood pressure
the pressure in the arteries when the left ventricle is refilling
digestive system
system by which food travels through the body and is digested or broken down into absorbable forms
distal
farther away from the torso
dorsal
referring to the back of the body or the back of the hand or foot a synonym for posterior
dorsalis pedis artery
artery supplying the foot lateral to the large tendon of the big toe
endocrine system
system of glands that produce chemicals called hormones that help to regulate many body activities and functions
epidermis
the outer layer of skin
epiglottis
a leaf shaped structure that prevents food and foreign matter from entering the trachea
epinephrine
a hormone produced by the body as a medication it dilates respiratory passages and is used to relieve severe allergic reactions
exhalation
a passive process in which the intercostal (rib) muscles and the diaphragm relax causing the chest cavity to decrease in size and air to flow out of the lungs
femoral artery
the major artery supplying the leg
femur
the large bone of the thigh
fibula
the lateral and smaller bone of the lower leg.
Fowler position
a sitting up position
gallbladder
a sac on the underside of the liver that stores bile produced by the liver
humerus
the bone of the upper arm between the shoulder and the elbow
hypoperfusion
inadequate perfusion of the cells and tissues of the body caused by insufficient flow of the blood through the capillaries also called shock
ilium
the superior and widest portion of the pelvis
inferior
away from the head usually compaiired with another structure that is closer to the head
inhalation
an active process in which the intercostal (rib) muscles and the diaphragm contract expanding the size of the chest cavity and causing air to flow into the lungs
insulin
a hormone produced by the pancreas or taken as a medication by many diabetics
involuntary muscle
muscle that responds automatically to brain signals but cannot be consciously controlled
ischium
the lower posterior portions of the pelvis
joint
the point where two bones come together
kidneys
organs of the renal system used to filter blood and regulate fluid levels in the body
large intestine
the muscular tube that removes water from waste products received from the small intestine and moves anything not absorbed by the body toward excretion from the body
lrynx
the voice box
lateral
to the side away from the midline of the body
ligament
tissue that connects bone to bone
liver
the largest organ of the body which produces bile to assist in the breakdown of fats and assists in the metabolism of various substances in the body
lungs
the organs where exchange of astmospheric oxygen and waste carbon dioxide take place
malleolus
protrusion on the side of the ankle the lateral malleolus at the lower end of the fibula is seen on the outer ankle the medial malleolus at the lower end of the tibia seen on the inner ankle
mandible
the lower jaw bone
manubrium
the superior portion of the sternum
maxillae
the two fused bones forming the upper jaw
medial
toward the midline of the body
metacarpals
the hand bones
metatarsals
the bood bone
mid axillary line
a line drawn vertically from the middle of the armpit to the ankle
mid vlavicular line
the line through the center of each clavicle
midline
an imaginary line drawn down the center of the body dividing it into right and left halves
muscle
tissue that can contract to allow movement of a body part
musculoskeletal system
the system of bones and skeletal muscles that support and protect the body and permit movement
nasal bones
the nose bones
nasopharynx
the area directly posterior to the nose
nervious system
the system of brain spinal cord and nerves that govern sensation movement and thoughts
orbits
the bony structures around the eyes the eye sockets
oropharynx
the area directly posterior to the mouth
ovaries
egg producing organs within the female reproductive system
palmar
referring to the palm of the hand
pancreas
a gland located behind the stomach that produces insulin and juices that assist in digestion of food in the duodenum of the small intestine
patella
the kneecap
pelvis
the basin shaped bony structure that supports the spine and is the point of proximal attachment for the lower extremities
penis
the organ of male reproduction responsible for sexual intercourse and the transfer of sperm
perfusion
the supply of exygen to and the removal of wastes from the cells and tissues of the body as a result of the flow of blood through the capillaries
peripheral nervous system
the nerves that enter and leave the spinal cord and travel between the brain and organs without passing through the spinal cord
peripheral pulses
the radial, branchial, posterior tibial, and dorsalis pedis pulses which can be felt at peripheral (outlying) points of the body
phalanges
the toe bones and finger bones
pharynx
the area directly posterior to the mouth and nose it is made up of the oropharynx and the nasopharynx
physiology
the study of body function
plane
a flat surface formed when slicing through a solid object
plantar
referring to the sole of the foot
plasma
the fluid portion of the blood
platelets
components of the blood membrane enclosed fragments of specialized cells
posterior
the back of the body or body part
posterior tibial artery
artery supplying the foot behind the medial ankle
prefix
word part added to the beginning of a root or word to modify or qualify its meaning
prone
lying face down
proximal
closer to the torso
pubis
the medial anterior portion of the pelvis
pulmonary arteries
the vessels that carry deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs
pulmonary veins
the vessels that carry oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium of the heart
pulse
the rhythmic beats caused as waves of blood move through and expand the arteries
radial artery
artery of the lower arm it is felt when taking the pulse at the wrist
radius
the lateral bone of the forearm
recovery position
lying on the side also called the lateral recovery position
red blood cells
components of the blood they carry oxygen to and carbon dioxide away from the cells
renal system
the body system that regulates fluid balance and the filtration of blood also called the urinary system
reproductive system
the body system that is responsible for human reproduction
respiration
the process of moving oxygen and carbon dioxide between circulating blood and the cells
respiratory system
the system of the nose mouth throat lunges and the muscles that brings oxygen into the body and expels carbon dioxide
root
foundation of a word that is not a word that can stand on its own
scapula
the shoulder blade
shock
see hypoperfusion
skeleton
the bones of the body
skin
layer of tissue between the body and the external environment
skull
the bony structure of the head
small intestine
the muscular tube between the stomach and the large intestine divided into the duodenum the jerjunum and the ileum which receives partially digested food from the stomach and continues digestion nutrients are absorbed by the body through its walls
spleen
an organ located in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen that acts as a blood filtration system and a reservoir for reserves of blood
sternum
the breastbone
stomach
muscular sac between the esophagus and the small intestine where digestion of food begins
subcutaneous layers
the layers of fat and soft tissues found below the dermis
suffix
word part added to the end of a root or word to complete it’s meaning
superior
towards the head
supine
lying on the back
systolic blood pressure
the pressure created in the arteries when the left ventricle contracts and forces blood out into circulation
tarsals
the ankle bones
tendon
tissue that connects muscle to bones
testes
the male organs of reproduction used for the production of sperm
thorax
the chest
thyroid cartilage
the wing shaped plate of cartilage that site anterior to the larynx and forms the adams apple
tibia
the medial and larger bone of the lower leg
torso
the trunk of the body the body without the head and the extremities
trachea
the windpipe the structure that connects the pharynx to the lungs
trendelenburg position
a position in which the patient’s feet and legs are higher than the head
ulna
the medial bone of the forearm
ureters
the tubes connecting the kidneys to the bladder
urethra
tube connecting the bladder to the vagina or penis for excretion of urine
uterus
female organ of reproduction used to house the developing fetus
vagina
the female organ of reproduction used for both sexual intercourse and as an exit from the uterus for the fetus
valve
a structure that opens and closes to permit the flow of a fluid in only one direction
vein
any blood vessel returning blood to the heart
venae cavae
the superior vena cava and the inferior vena vaca these two major veins return blood from the body to the right atrium
ventilation
the process of moving gases (o2 and co2) between inhaled air and the pulmonary circulation of blood
ventral
referring to the front of the body a synonym for anterior
ventricles
the two lower chambers of the heart there is aright ventricle (which sends oxygen poor blood to the lungs) and the left ventricle (which sends oxygen rich blood to the body) side not arteries are attached to ventricles
venule
the smallest kind of vein
vertebrae
the 33 bones of the spinal column
voluntary muscle
muscle that can be consciously controlled
white blood cells
components of the blood they produce substances that help the body fight infection
xiphoid process
the inferior portion of the sternum
zygomatic arches
bones that form the structure of the cheeks
