Medical Terminology 2

anabolism

process of building up large proteins from small protein pieces called amino acids

catabolism

process whereby complex nutrients are broken down to simpler substances and energy is released

cell membrane

structure surrounding and protecting the cell

chromosomes

rod-shaped structures made of DNA and proteins

cytoplasm

All the material of the cell between the cell membrane and the nucleus

DNA

chemical found within each chromosome

endoplasmic reticulum

network of canals within the cytoplasm of the cell

genes

regions of DNA within each chromosome

karyotype

picture of chromosomes in the nucleus of a cell

metabolism

total of the chemical processes in a cell

mitochondria

rod-shaped structures in the cytoplasm that provides the principal source of energy

nucleus

control center of the cell

adipose tissue

collection of fat cells

cartilage

flexible connective tissue attached to bones at joints

epithelial cells

skin cells that cover the outside of the body and line the internal surfaces of organs

histologist

specialist in the study of tissues

larynx

voice box

pharynx

throat

pituitary gland

endocrine gland at the base of the brain

thyroid gland

endocrine gland that surrounds the trachea in the neck

trachea

windpipe

ureter

one of the two tubes leading from the kidneys to the urinary bladder

urethra

tube from the urinary bladder to the outside of the body

uterus

The womb. The organ that holds the embryo/fetus as it develops.

viscera

the internal organs in the main cavities of the body, especially those in the abdomen, e.g., the intestines.

abdominal cavity

space below the chest containing organs such as the liver, stomach, gallbladder, and intestines; also called the abdomen

cranial

space in the head containing the brain and surrounded by the skull

diaphragm

muscle separating the abdominal and thoracic cavities. aids in breathing

dorsal (posterior)

pertaining to the back

mediastinum

centrally located space outside of and between the lungs

pelvic cavity

space below the abdomen containing portions of the intestines, rectum, urinary bladder, and reproductive organs

peritoneum

double-folded membrane surrounding the abdominal cavity

pleura

double-folded membrane surrounding each lung

pleural cavity

space between the pleural layers

spinal cavity

space within the spinal column containing the spinal cord

thoracic cavity

space in the chest containing the heart, lungs, bronchial tubes, trachea, esophagus, and other organs

ventral (anterior)

pertaining to the front

right hypochondriac region

right upper region below the cartilage of the ribs that extend over the abdomen

left hypochondriac region

left upper region below the cartilage of the ribs that extend over the abdomen

epigastric

region above the stomach

right lumbar region

right middle region near the waist

left lumbar region

left middle region near the waist

umbilical region

region near the navel or umbilicus

Right Ingunial Region

right lower region near the groin(iliac)

right iliac region

lower right region(inguinal)

left iliac region

lower left region(inguinal)

left inguinal region

left lower region near the groin (iliac)

hypogastric region

middle lower region below the umbilical

RUQ

contains the right lobe of the liver, gallbladder, part of the pancreas, parts of the large and small intestine

LUQ

contains the left lobe of the liver, the stomach, the spleen, part of the pancreas, and part of the small and large intestine

RLQ

contains parts of the small and large intestines, right ovary, right fallopian tube, appendix, right ureter

LLQ

contains parts of the small and large intestines, left ovary, left fallopian tube, left ureter

Cervical - spine

(C) neck region, C1 to C7

Thoracic - spine

(T) chest region, T1 to T12

Lumbar - spine

(L) loin/waist or flank region (between the ribs and hipbone), L1 to L5

Sacral - spine

(S) 5 bones fused to form the sacrum, one large bone, S1 to S5

Coccygeal - spine

Tailbone, composed of 4 small bones

vertebra

single backbone

vertebrae

26 small bones that make up your backbone

spinal column

bone tissue surrounding the spinal cavity

spinal cord

Nerves that run up and down the length of the back and transmit most messages between the body and brain

disc

pad of cartilage between vertebrae

ventral

front side (anterior)

dorsal

back side (posterior)

supine

lying on back

prone

lying on stomach

frontal (coronal) plane

vertical plane dividing front and back

sagittal (lateral) plane

lengthwise vertical plan that divides left and right

transverse (axial) plane

horizontal plane that divides top and bottom

abdomin/o

abdomen

adip/o

fat

anter/o

front

cervic/o

neck(of body or of uterus)

chrondr/o

cartilage

chrom/o

color

coccyg/o

coccyx (tailbone)

crani/o

skull

cyt/o

cell

dist/o

far, distant

dors/o

back of body

hist/o

tissue

ili/o

ilium (upper part of the hip bone)

inguin/o

groin

kary/o

nucleus

later/o

side

lumb/o

lower back

medi/o

middle

nucle/o

nucleus

pelv/i

pelvis

pharyng/o

pharynx

poster/o

back, behind

proxim/o

nearest

sacr/o

sacrum

sarc/o

flesh

spin/o

spine, backbone

thel/o, theli/o

nipple

thorac/o

chest

trache/o

trachea, windpipe

umbilic/o

navel, umbilicus

ventr/o

belly side of the body