Medical Terminology Vocab-Chapter 2 Flashcards
Anatomical Reference Systems
Terms used to describe the location of body planes, directions, and cavities.
Structures of the Body
The cells, tissues, and glands that form the body systems that work together to enable the body to function properly.
Genetics
The genetic components that transfer characteristics from parents to their child.
Tissues
A group of similarly specialized cells that work together to perform specific functions.
Glands
A group of specialized cells that is capable of producing secretions.
Body Systems and Related Organs
Organs are somewhat independent parts of the body that perform specific functions. Organs with related functions are organized into body systems.
Pathology
The study of the nature and cause of disease that involve changes in structure and function.
Abdominal Cavity
The body cavity that contains the major organs of digestion
Anatomy
The study of the structures of the body
Physiology
The study of the functions of the structures of the body
Anatomic Position
Describes the body standing in the standard position
Body Planes
Imaginary verticals and horizontal lines used to divide the body into sections for descriptive purposes
Midsagittal Plane
Divides the body into equal left and right halves
Transverse Plane
Divides the body into superior and inferior portions
Frontal Plane
Divides the body into anterior or ventral and posterior or dorsal portions
Sagittal Plane
A vertical plane that divides the body into unequal left and right portions
Adenectomy
The surgical removal of a gland
Adenocarcinoma
A malignant tumor that originates in glandular tissue
Adenoma
A benign tumor that arises in or resembles glandular tissue
Adenomalacia
Abnormal softening of a gland
Adenosclerosis
Abnormal hardening of a gland
Cephalic
Toward the head
Caudal
Toward the feet
Ventral Surface
Front of the body
Posterior
Situated in the back or on the back part of an organ
Dorsal Surface
Back of the body
Proximal
Refers to a structure being closer to the root of the limb than another structure in that limb
Distal
Refers to a structure being further away from the root of the limb than another structure in that limb
Medial
Refers to a structure being closer to the midline or median plane of the body than another structure of the body
Lateral
Refers to a structure being farther away from the midline than another structure of the body
Ventral
Refers to the front, or belly side, of the organ or body
Dorsal
Refers to the back of the organ or body
Anterior
Situated in the front, on the front or forward part of an organ
Anaplasia
A change in the structure of cells and in their orientation to each other
Anomaly
A deviation from what is regarded as normal
Aplasia
The defective development or congenital absence of an organ or tissue
Bloodborne Transmission
The spread of a disease through contact with blood or other body fluids contaminated with blood
Chromosome
A genetic structure located within the nucleus of each cell
Communicable Disease
Any disease transmitted from one person to another either directly or by indirect contact with contaminated objects
Superior
Uppermost, above, or towards the head
Inferior
Lowermost, below, or toward the feet
Congenital Disorder
An abnormal condition that exists at the time of birth
Cytoplasm
The material located with the cell membrane that is not part of the nucleus
Dysplasia
Abnormal development or growth of cells, tissues, or organs
Endemic
Referring to the ongoing presence of a disease, such as the common cold, within a population, group, or area
Endocrine Glands
Glands that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream
Epidemic
A sudden and widespread outbreak of a disease within a specific population group or area
Epigastric Region
The region located above the stomach
Etiology
The study of the causes of diseases
Exocrine Glands
Glands that secrete chemical substances into ducts leading either to other organs or out of the body
Functional Disorder
Produces symptoms for which no physiological or anatomical cause can be identified
Genetic Disorder
A pathological condition caused by an absent or defective gene
Geriatrician
A physician who specializes in the care of older people
Hemophilia
A group of hereditary bleeding disorders in which a blood clotting factor is missing
Histology
The microscopic study of the structure, composition, and function of tissues
Homeostasis
The process through which the body maintains a constant internal environment
Hyperplasia
The enlargement of an organ or tissues because of an abnormal increase in the number of cells in the tissues
Hypertrophy
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 the cells in the tissues
Hypogastric Region
The region of the abdomen that is located below the stomach
Hypoplasia
The incomplete development of an organ or tissue usually due to a deficiency in the number of cells
Iatrogenic Illness
Unfavorable response due to prescribed medical treatment
Idiopathic Disorder
An illness without known cause
Infectious Disease
Illness caused by a living pathogenic organisms such as bacteria and viruses
Inguinal
Relating to the groin; refers to the entire lower portion of the abdomen including the groin
Mesentery
The fused double layer of the parietal peritoneum that attaches parts of the intestine to the interior abdominal wall
Nosocomial Infection
A disease acquired in a hospital or clinical setting
Pandemic
A disease outbreak occurring over a large geographic area, possibly worldwide
Peritoneum
The multilayered membrane that protects and holds the organs in place within the abdominal cavity
Peritonitis
Inflammation of the peritoneum
Phenylketonuria
A genetic disorder in which the essential digestive enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase is missing
Retroperitoneal
Located behind the peritoneum
Stem Cells
Specialized cells that renew themselves for long periods of time through cell division and can be transformed into cells with specific functions
Umbilicus
The pit in the center of the abdominal wall that marks where the umbilical cord was attached before birth
Vector-borne Transmission
The spread of a disease due to the bite of a vector capable of transmitting that disease
Coronal Plane
Divides the body into front and back sections
Parietal
Cavity wall
Visceral
Relating to the internal organs
Cytology
The study of the anatomy, physiology, pathology and chemistry of the cell
Cytologist
A specialist in the study and analysis of cells
Cell Membrane
The tissue that surrounds and protects the contents of a cell from the external environment
Nucleus
A structure within the cell. Two important functions: controls the activities of the cell and helps the cell divide
Undifferentiated
Not having a specialized function or structure
Differentiated
Having a specialized function or structure
Somatic Stem Cells
Adult stem cells that are undifferentiated cells found among differentiated cells in a tissue or organ. Primary role is to maintain and repair the tissue in which they are found
Hemopoietic
Blood forming
Graft-Versus-Host Disease
A systemic disorder that occurs when the graft’s immune cells recognize the host as foreign and attack the recipient’s body cells
Embryonic Stem Cells
Undifferentiated cells that are unlike any specific adult cell; can form any adult cell
Gene
A fundamental physical and functional unit of heredity
Dominant Gene
A gene inherited from either parent, the offspring will inherit that genetic condition or characteristic. Won’t gain the trait if only carrying one recessive gene
Recessive Gene
When the same recessive gene is inherited from both parents, the offspring will have that condition
Genome
Complete set of genetic information of an organism
Somatic
Pertaining to the body
Somatic Cell
Any cell in the body except the gametes(sex cells)
Gamete
Sex cells(sperm or egg)
Genetic Mutation
A change of the sequence of a DNA molecule
Cystic Fibrosis
A genetic disorder that is present at birth and affects both respiratory and digestive systems
Down Syndrome
A genetic variation that is associated with a characteristic facial appearance, learning disabilities, developmental delays, and physical abnormalities such as heart valve disease
Huntington’s Disease
A genetic disorder that is passed from parent to child, this condition causes nerve degeneration
Muscular Dystrophy
Progressive weakness and degeneration of the skeletal muscles that control movement
4 Main Types of Tissue
Epithelial, Connective, Muscle and Nerve
Epithelial Tissue
A protective covering for all of the internal and external surfaces of the body(also forms glands)
Epithelium
The specialized epithelial tissue that forms the epidermis of the skin and the surface layer of mucous membranes
Endothelium
The specialized epithelial tissue that lines the blood and lymph vessels, body cavities, glands and organs
Connective Tissue
Supports and connects organs and other body tissues
Dense Connective Tissue
Bone and cartilage, forms joints and framework of the body
Adipose Tissue
Fat, provides protective padding, insulation, and support
Loose Connective Tissue
Surrounds various organs and supports both nerve cells and blood vessels
Liquid Connective Tissue
Blood and lymph, transport nutrients and waste products throughout the body
Muscle Tissue
Contains cells with the specialized ability to contract and relax
Nerve Tissue
Contains cells with the specialized ability to react to stimuli and to conduct electrical impulses
Adenoids
A mass of gland-like lymphoid tissue at the back of the upper pharynx
Vector
Insects, or animals such as flies, mites, fleas, ticks, rats, and dogs
Premature Birth
A birth that occurs earlier than 37 weeks of development
Birth Injuries
Congenital disorders that were not present before the events surrounding the time of birth
Internist
A physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases and disorders of the internal organs
Pediatrician
A physician who specializes in diagnosing, treating and preventing diseases and disorders of infants and children
Physician Assistant
A licensed professional who works under the supervision of a physician
Acuity
Refers to the level of severity of an illness
