Medical Terminology - Key Terms and Definitions (P-Z)

Question 1

Parietal layers

Answer 1

Outermost layer of the pleura that connects to the thoracic wall, mediastinum, and diaphragm.

Question 2

Pericardium

Answer 2

A membrane that separates the heart from other mediastinal structures; consists of two distinct, fused sublayers: the fibrous pericardium and the parietal pericardium.

Question 3

Peritoneum

Answer 3

Serous membrane that lines the abdominopelvic cavity and covers the organs found there.

Question 4

Physiology

Answer 4

The branch of biology that deals with the normal functions of living organisms and their parts.

Question 5

Pleura

Answer 5

The membrane that wraps around the outside of your lungs and lines the inside of your chest cavity.

Question 6

Posterior (or dorsal)

Answer 6

Describes the back or direction toward the back of the body.

Question 7

Prefix

Answer 7

Word part at the beginning of a medical term that changes the word root’s meaning.

Question 8

Prone

Answer 8

Face down.

Question 9

Proximal

Answer 9

Describes a position in a limb nearer to the point of attachment or the body’s trunk.

Question 10

Sagittal plane

Answer 10

Divides the body vertically from right to left.

Question 11

Serous membrane

Answer 11

One of the thin membranes that covers the walls and organs in the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.

Question 12

Serous space

Answer 12

The very thin, fluid-filled space between the parietal and visceral layers.

Question 13

Spinal cavity

Answer 13

The space in vertebrae through which the spinal cord passes.

Question 14

Suffix

Answer 14

A word part added to the end of a word that changes the meaning of the word root.

Question 15

Superficial

Answer 15

Describes a position closer to the surface of the body.

Question 16

Superior (or cranial)

Answer 16

Describes a position above or higher than another part of the body proper.

Question 17

Supine

Answer 17

Face up

Question 18

Synovial membrane

Answer 18

A thin layer that lines the inner surface of the joint cavity at a synovial joint; produces the synovial fluid.

Question 19

Thoracic cavity

Answer 19

The space in the chest that contains organs, blood vessels, nerves, and other important body structures. It is divided into three main parts: right pleural cavity, left pleural cavity, and mediastinum. The five organs in your thoracic cavity are your heart, lungs, esophagus, trachea, and thymus.

Question 20

Tissue membrane

Answer 20

A thin layer or sheet of cells that covers the outside of the body, the organs, internal passageways that lead to the exterior of the body, and the lining of the moveable joint cavities.

Question 21

Tissue

Answer 21

An assembly of similar cells and their extracellular matrix from the same embryonic origin that together carry out a specific function.

Question 22

Transverse plane

Answer 22

Divides the body horizontally into upper and lower.

Question 23

Visceral layer

Answer 23

Innermost layer of the pleura that is superficial to the lungs and extends into the lung fissures.

Question 24

Word root

Answer 24

The foundational meaning of a word.