Medical terminology 2 – Flashcards
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anatomic reference system
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descriptive terms used to describe the location of body planes, directions and cavaties
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cytology
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the structure of cells, chromosomes, DNA, and genetics
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histology
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the study of tissues, which are composed of cells that join together to perform specific functions
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glands
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specialized cells that secrete material used elsewhere in the body
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organs
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body parts organized into systems according to function
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pathology
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study of structual and functional changes caused by disease
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anatomy
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the study of the structures of the body
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physiology
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the study of the functions of the body
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vertical plane
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an up-and-down line at a right angle to the horizon
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sagittal plane
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any vertical plane parallel to the midline that divides the body into unequal left and right portions
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midsagittal plane
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the vertical plane that divides the body, from top to bottom, into equal right and left halves
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horizontal plane
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a flat crosswise line like the horizon
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ventral
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refers to the front or belly side of the body or organ
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dorsal
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refers to the back of the body or organ
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anterior
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means situated in the front. It also means on the forward part of an organ
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posterior
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means situated in the back. It also means on the back part of an organ
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superior
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means uppermost, above, or toward the head.
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inferior
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means lowermost, below, or toward the feet
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cephalic
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means toward the head
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caudal
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means toward the lower part of the body
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proximal
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means situated nearest the midline or beginning of a body structure
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distal
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means situated farthest from the midline or beginning of a body structure
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medial
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means the direction toward or nearer the midline
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lateral
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means the direction toward or nearer the side and away from the midline
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body cavity
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a space within the body that contains and protects the internal organs
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cranial cavity
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located within the skull and protects the brain
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spinal cavity
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located within the spinal column and protects the spinal cord
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thoracic cavity
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(the chest cavity) protects the heart and lungs
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diaphragm
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seperates the thoracic and abdominal cavities
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abdominal cavity
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contains primarily the major organs of digestion
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pelvic cavity
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the space formed by the pelvic bones, contains primarily the organs of the reproductive and excretory systems
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peritoneum
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the membrane that protects and supports (suspends in place) the organs located in the abdominal cavity.
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parietal peritoneum
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the outer layer of this membrane that lines the abdominal cavity
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visceral peritoneum
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the inner layer of this membrane that surrounds the organs of the abdominal cavity
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visceral
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relating to the internal organs
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mesentery
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layer of the peritoneum that suspends parts of the intestine within the abdominal cavity
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retroperitoneal
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means located behind the peritoneum of the abdominal cavity
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peritonitis
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an inflammation of the peritoneum
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ascites
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an abnormal accumulation of clear or milky serous (watery) fluid in the peritoneal cavity
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laparoscopy
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the visual examination of the interior of the abdomen with the use of a laparoscope; involves the use of a laparoscope plus instruments inserted into the abdomen through small incisions
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cystic fibrosis
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a genetic disorder of the exocrine glands
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down syndrome
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a genetic syndrome characterized by varying degrees of mental retardation and multiple physical abnormalities
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hemophilia
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a group of hereditary bleeding disorders in which one of the factors needed to clot the blood is missing; genetic transmission is from a mother to her son
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hudington's disease
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a hereditary disorder with symptoms that first appear in midlife and cause the irreversible and progressive loss of muscle control and mental ability; the HD gene, which can be detected through genetic testing, is a dominant gene. This means that 50% of those inheriting it will develop the disease
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muscular dystrophy
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a group of genetic diseases characterized by progressive weakness of muscle fibers
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phenylketonuria
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genetic disorder in which an essential digestive enzyme is missing; can be detected by a blood test at birth. If it is not detected and treated early, causes severe mental retardation
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sickle cell anemia
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serious genetic disorder caused by genes that produce abnormal hemoglobin in the red blood cells
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tay-sachs disease
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a hereditary disease marked by progressive physical degeneration, mental retardation, and early death
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congenital disease
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an abnormal condition that exists at the time of birth and may be caused by a developmental disorder before birth, prenatal influences, premature birth, or injuries during birth
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developmental disorder
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may result in an anomaly or malformation such as the absence of a limb or the presence of an extra toe at birth
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anomaly
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a deviation from what is regarded as normal
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prenatal influences
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are the mother's health and the prenatal care she receives
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birth injuries
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congential disorders that were not present before the events surrounding the time of birth
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cerebral palsy
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may be caused by premature birth or be due to inadequate oxygen to the brain during birth
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stem cells
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cells with the ability to divide without limit and to give rise to specialized cells; abundant in a fetus and in the cord blood of a newborn; limited quantities in adults
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epithelial tissue
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form a protective covering for all of the internal and external surfaces of the body
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epithelium
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the specialized epithelial tissue that forms the epidermis of the skin and the surface layer of mucous membranes
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endothelium
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the specialized epithelial tissue that lines the blood and lymph vessels, body cavities, glands, and organs
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connective tissues
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support and organs and other body tissues
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adipose tissue
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provides protective padding, insulation, support, and acts as a nutrient reserve
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loose connective tissue
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surrounds various organs and supports both nerve cells and blood vessels
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muscle tissue
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contains cell material with the specialized ability to contract and relax
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nerve tissue
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contains cells with the specialized ability to react to stimuli and conduct electrical impulses
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aplasia
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means the lack of development of an organ or tissue
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hypoaplasia
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the incomplete development of an organ or tissue, but less severe in degree than aplasia
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hyperplasia
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an abnormal increase in the number of normal cells in normal arrangement in a tissue
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dysplasia
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abnormal development or growth, especially of cells
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anaplasia
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a change in the structure of cells and in their orientation to each other; characteristic of malignancy
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malignancy
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life-threatening tumor that tends to spread to distant body sites
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adenectomy
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the surgical removal of a gland
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adenitis
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inflammation of a gland
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adenoma
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a benign tumor in which the cells form recognizable glandular structures
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adenomalacia
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the abnormal softening of a gland
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adenosclerosis
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the abnormal hardening of a gland
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adenosis
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any disease condition of a gland
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reproductive system
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produces new life
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endocrine system
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integrates all body systems
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integumentary system
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protects the body against invasion by bacteria. Regulates the body temperature and water content
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nervous system
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coordinates the reception of stimuli. Transmits messages throughout the body
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urinary system
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filters blood to remove waste; maintains the electrolyte and fluid balance within the body
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digestive system
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digests ingested food so it can be absorbed into the bloodstream; eliminates solid wastes
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respiratory system
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brings oxygen into the body for transportation to the cells; removes carbon dioxide and some water waste from the body
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lymphatic system
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protects the body from harmful substances; brings oxygen and nutrients to cells; removes waste from the cells
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cardiovascular system
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pumps blood that carries oxygen and nutrients throughout the body; carries liquid waste to the lungs and kidneys
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muscular system
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holds the body erect; makes movement possible; moves body fluids and generates body heat
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skeletal system
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supports and shapes the body; protects the internal organs; forms some blood cells and stores minerals
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pathology
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the study of structural and functional changes caused by disease
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pathologist
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specializes in the laboratory analysis of tissue samples removed at operations and postmortem (after death) examinations to confirm or establish a diagnosis
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etiology
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the study of the causes of diseases
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infectious disease
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is an illness caused by a pathogenic organism
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idiopathic disease
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an illness without known cause
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organic disease
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there are pathologic physical changes that explain the symptoms being experienced by the patient. As an example, a gastric ulcer is an organic disorder
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functional disorder
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there are no detectable physical changes to explain the symptoms being experienced by the patient; as an example, a panic attack
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iatrogenic illness
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an unfavorable response to medical treatment for a different disorder
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nosocomial infection
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is a hospital-acquired infection that was not present on admission but appears 72 hours or more after hospitalization
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communicable disease
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any disease transmitted from one person to another either by direct contact or indirectly by contact with contaminated objects
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contaminated
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the possible presence of an infectious agent
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bloodborne transmission
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through contact with blood or body fluids that are contaminated with blood; examples include acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and hepatitis; bloodborne diseases are also transmitted through sexual contact
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sexually transmitted disease
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require direct person-to-person contact or contact with lesions
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airborne transmission
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through respiratory droplets such as contact with material from the cough or sneeze; examples include tuberculosis, influenza, colds, and measles
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food and waterborne transmission
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by eating or drinking contaminated food or water that has not been prepared properly to kill the contamination
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endemic
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the ongoing presence of a disease within a population, group, or area; example, the common cold is endemic because it is always present within the population
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epidemic
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a sudden and widespread outbreak of a disease within a population group or area; example, a sudden widespread outbreak of measles
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pandemic
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means occurring over a large geographic area, possibly worldwide; example, the spread of AIDS
