unit 1 (the basics and the body) - medical vocabulary Flashcards
1
Q
abbreviation
A
shortened form of medical term or phrase
2
Q
abdominal cavity
A
portion of the ventral cavity that protects the stomach, liver, spleen, gallbladder, pancreas, and parts of the large intestine
3
Q
acids
A
chemical substances that taste sour and neutralize bases
4
Q
acronym
A
abbreviation that is formed from the initial letters of words and is pronounced as a word
5
Q
acute
A
characterized by rapid onset, severe symptoms, and short duration
6
Q
anatomical planes
A
imaginary, flat sections that are visualized on various parts of the body; are used as reference points for describing anatomical location, position, and directional movement
7
Q
anatomical position
A
a body position in which a person stands upright with the head and feet facing forward, the arms at the sides, and the palms of the hands facing forward
8
Q
anatomy
A
the study of the structures of the body
9
Q
anion
A
a negative-charged ion that conducts electrical currents to create a base
10
Q
anterior
A
an anatomical term of location that describes the “head end” of the front of the body
11
Q
auscultation
A
use of a stethoscope to listen to sounds within body cavities
12
Q
autoimmune
A
a classification of disease in which the immune system reacts to its own healthy tissue in the same way it reacts to foreign antigens
13
Q
bases
A
chemical substances that react with acids to form salts
14
Q
benign
A
nonrecurring or nonmalignant; a term for cancers in which the patient has a good chance of survival
15
Q
body cavity
A
a space within the body that contains and protects internal organs and other body structures
16
Q
body system
A
a group of organs that work together to perform a specific function
17
Q
cardiac muscle
A
muscle tissue that is found only in the heart and that is responsible for the heart’s pumping action
18
Q
cardiovascular system
A
the body system that pumps oxygenated blood throughout the body, carries carbon dioxide to the lungs, and carries other chemical waste products to the kidneys and lungs
19
Q
cation
A
a positive-charged ion that conducts electrical currents to create an acid
20
Q
caudal
A
related to or near the tail or inferior end of the body
21
Q
cell
A
the basic structural unit of the body
22
Q
cell division
A
the process by which cells reproduce; aids the growth and development of cells and replaces old, dead, or damaged cells
22
Q
cell division
A
the process by which cells reproduce; aids the growth and development of cells and replaces old, dead, or damaged cells
23
Q
cell membrane
A
plasma membrane, semipermeable membrane that separates the cell from its external environment
24
cephalic
related to the cranium or near the head
25
chromosome
a rod-shaped structure in the nucleus of the cell that contains genes
26
chronic
an illness or injury characterized by long duration and slow progression
27
combining form
a root word + a combining vowel
28
combining vowel
the vowel attached to the end of a root word
29
condition
a short-term health problem
30
congenital
condition that is present at birth that may be the result of either genetic or environmental factors
31
connective tissue
body tissue that supports and connects organs and other body tissues
32
convalescence
a period of gradual recovery after illness or injury
33
cranial cavity
the portion of the dorsal cavity that is located within the skull; protects the brain
34
cytology
the study of the formation, structure, and function of cells
35
cytoplasm
gel-like material between cell nucleus and cell membrane that contains the organelles needed for cell function
36
debilitating
having a weakening or fatiguing effect
37
diagnosis
the identification of a health condition
38
diagnostic testing
use of lab tests, X-rays, and other tests or procedures to help diagnose a condition or disease
39
diaphragm
a large muscle that separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity; used in breathing
40
digestive system
the body system that is responsible for the ingestion, breakdown, and absorption of nutrients into the body; also responsible for the removal of solid waste products
41
disease
a long-term health problem
42
distal
located away from a point of origin
43
dorsal
back of the body
44
dorsal cavity
protects the organs and tissues within the backside of the body
45
electrolytes
compounds made up of ions, which conduct electrical currents in the cell cytoplasm
46
endemic
a disease that is ongoing and restricted to a certain population, group, or area of land
47
endocrine system
the body system that produces hormones and regulates some body functions
48
endogenous
originating within the body
49
epidemic
a sudden, widespread outbreak of a disease within a population, group, or area of land
50
epigastric region
the abdominal region above the stomach
51
epithelial cells
flat, square cells that cover the skin and also line the digestive tract and other hollow organs
52
epithelial tissue
body tissue that forms the skin covering the surface of the body, lines the internal organs, and makes up certain glands
53
erect
the normal standing body position
54
etiology
the study of the causes of the pathological conditions
55
exogenous
originating outside the body
56
fat cells
cells that contain large, empty spaces for fat storage in the body
57
fowler's position
a semi-sitting body position
58
frontal plane
the vertical plane that divides the body into front and back sections (coronal plane)
59
genes
parts of a chromosome that contain DNA
60
genetic
inherited or passed on from one's parents
61
genetic disorder
a disease or condition caused by a defective gene (hereditary disorder)
61
genetic disorder
a disease or condition caused by a defective gene (hereditary disorder)
62
genetics
the study of the ways in which genes are transferred from individuals to their offspring and of the role that genes play in the health of the offspring
63
health information technician
a healthcare worker who organizes and manages health information data by ensuring its accuracy, accessibility, and security in both paper and electronic systems
64
histology
the study of structure and function of tissues
65
hypersensitivity
condition in which the body's immune system has an exaggerated response to an antigen
66
hypogastric region
the abdominal region below the umbilical region (pelvic region)
67
iatrogenic
a term for diseases or conditions that arise as a complication of medical or surgical intervention
68
idiopathic
a term for diseases and conditions that have unknown etiologies
69
immunological
pertaining to a reaction between an antigen and an antibody
70
infectious
capable of causing an infection
71
inferior
closer to the soles of the feet
72
inflammatory
marked or caused by inflammation (redness, heat, fever, and swelling)
73
inspection
observation of one or more areas of the body
74
integumentary system
the body system that protects the body by functioning as a physical barrier, regulates temperature and fluid control, produces vitamin D, and provides sensory information
75
ions
charged particles that conduct electrical currents in the cytoplasm of a cell
76
ischemic
a term for conditions or diseases that are caused by a temporary deficiency in blood flow to an organ or tissue
77
knee-chest
the body position of laying facedown with knees bend while resting on the knees and chest
78
lateral
anatomical term of being farther from the midline, or the body position of lying on the right or left side
79
left lower quadrant (LLQ)
abdominal quadrant that contains parts of the small and large intestines; left ovary, left fallopian tube, and left side of uterus in females; the left ureter; the left side of the bladder; left side of the reproductive organs in males
80
left upper quadrant (LUQ)
abdominal quadrant that contains the liver (left lobe), stomach, spleen, part of pancreas, and parts of the small and large intestines
81
lymphatic system
the body system that works with the immune system to protect the body from harmful microorganisms and that maintains a proper balance of blood and lymphatic fluid in the body
82
malignant
a term for cancers that tend to spread, get progressively worse, and become life threatening
83
manifestation
the ways in which a disease prevents or shows itself (clinical presentation)
84
medial
near midline, or center, of body
85
medical assistant
a healthcare worker who performs administrative and clinical tasks in a healthcare setting, typically in a physician's office
86
medical coder
a healthcare worker who assigns special codes to patient medical records based on the type of evaluation and treatment received by the patient
87
medical terminology
the language of science and healthcare - used by professionals to communicate clearly, concisely, and effectively
88
meiosis
the process by which sex cells divide
89
metabolic
a term for disorders that interfere with the chemical processes involved in converting food to energy and in sustaining life
90
midsagittal plane
the vertical plane that divides the body into equal left and right halves
91
mitosis
the process by which most body cells divide
92
muscle cells
long, slender cells found within muscle tissue; contain fibers that allow muscular tissue to contract and relax
93
muscle tissue
body tissue that specializes in contracting to produce bodily movement
94
muscular system
the body system that allows voluntary and involuntary body movement and produces body heat through energy generated by muscles
95
neoplastic
a term describing new, abnormal growth that may or may not be cancerous
96
nerve cells
long cells with several fibrous extensions by which nerve impulses are carried
97
nervous system
the body system that transmits messages about sensory stimuli between the brain and other parts of the body
98
nervous tissue
body tissue that is made up of neurons, which receive and conduct electrochemical impulses between the brain and other parts of the body
99
nosocomial
an infection acquired in a hospital setting that was not present upon admission
100
nosocomial
an infection acquired in a hospital setting that was not present upon admission
101
nucleus
the controlling structure of the cell that is responsible for the cell's main function and reproduction
102
nutritional
relating to chemical processes in the body that occur after ingesting food
103
observation
the process of looking at a patient, asking questions, and gathering data
104
olfaction
use of the sense of smell to detect abnormalities
105
opportunistic
a term for diseases or conditions that do not take hold unless the immune system is in a weakened state
106
organ
a collection of tissues working together to perform a particular function
107
organelles
specialized structures that allow specific functions to occur in cells
108
organism
a life form made up of interdependent parts, all of which work together to maintain life
109
palpation
application of light or firm pressure on the skin above internal organs or structures to check for abnormalities
110
pathologist
a physician who specializes in the study of disease
111
pathophysiology
the study of disease processes that happen inside the body
112
patient history
the written description of symptoms in a patient's record
113
pelvic cavity
the portion of the ventral cavity that protects the urinary bladder, urethra, portions of the large intestine, and the reproductive organs
114
percussion
tapping areas on the surface of the body to produce a vibrating sound
115
pH
a measurement of how much acid or base is present
116
physical examination
the process of assessing a patient's health and signs and symptoms of disease (a physical)
117
physiology
the study of how the structures of the body function
118
posterior
the tail/rear end of the body
119
prefix
a single letter or group of letters attached to the front of a root word (location, time, or number)
120
prognosis
a forecast or prediction of the probable course and outcome of a disease or condition
121
prone
the body position of lying flat with the face down
122
proximal
located near a point of origin
123
quadrants
the 4 areas of the abdominopelvic cavity, divided by 2 imaginary lines that intersect at the belly button
124
reproductive systems
the body systems in males and females that allow human beings to produce offspring
125
respiratory system
the body system that transports life-sustaining oxygen through the body to the organs and tissues of the body, expels carbon dioxide, filters airborne pollutants and microorganisms from the respiratory tract, and regulates the pH levels in the body
126
right and left hypochondriac regions
upper part of the abdomen on both sides of the epigastric region beneath the cartilage of the lower ribs
127
right and left iliac regions
the lower part of the abdomen, starting between the iliac crests (inguinal regions)
128
right and left lumbar regions
abdominal region of the back lateral to the lumbar spine (lower back)
129
right lower quadrant (RLQ)
the abdominal quadrant that contains parts of the small and large intestines; the right ovary, right fallopian tube, and right side of the uterus in females; the right ureter; right side of the bladder; right side of the reproductive organs in males
130
right upper quadrant (RUQ)
the abdominal quadrant that contains the liver (right lobe), gallbladder, part of the pancreas, and portions of the small and large intestines
131
root word
central part of a medical word (body part)
132
sagittal plane
the vertical plane that divides the body into unequal left and right sections
133
signs
objective observations used to diagnose diseases
134
sims' position
the body position of lying on the side with the hip and knee straight, and the other hip and knee bent or flexed
135
skeletal muscle
muscle tissue that is attached to bone and works with the skeletal system to generate movement at will (voluntary muscle)
136
skeletal system
the body system that provides support and shape for the body, protects internal organs and tissues, produces red blood cells, and stores minerals such as calcium
137
smooth muscle
muscle tissue that is not consciously controlled, but that enables alternating contracting and stretching motions (visceral/involuntary muscle)
138
spinal cavity
the portion of the dorsal cavity that is located within the spinal column; protects the spinal cord
139
suffix
a single letter or group of letters attached to the end of a root word (condition, disease, diagnostic or surgical treatment, or therapeutic remedy)
140
superior
located closer to the top of the head
141
supine
the body position of laying flat with the face up
142
symbols
marks that have specific meanings and are used to save time when recording data
143
symptoms
the patient’s awareness of abnormalities and discomfort that indicate disease; based on subjective perceptions
144
syndrome
a set of signs or symptoms that occur together as a part of a disease process
145
terminal
a term for diseases for which there are treatments but no cures
146
thoracic cavity
the portion of the ventral cavity that protects the heart, lungs, esophagus, and major blood vessels of the chest (chest cavity)
147
tissue
a combination of similar cells
148
transverse plane
the horizontal plane that divides the body into upper and lower sections
149
umbilical region
the abdominal region surrounding the belly button, or umbilicus
150
urinary system
the body system that filters blood to remove waste products and regulates electrolyte and fluid balance in the body
151
ventral
describes the 'belly" side of the front of the body
152
ventral cavity
the body cavity that protects the organs and tissues within the front side of the body
