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Medical Terminology Definitions
Medical Terminology Definitions
54
Medical
Professional
06/19/2010

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Term
chromatin
Definition

 

structural component of the nucleic acids & proteins

 

Chromatin condenses to form chromosomes during cell division.

Term
Chromosome
Definition

Thread like structures within the nucleus composed of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) molecule that carries hereditary information encoded in genes

 

Each sperm & each egg has 23 unpaired chromosomes. After fertilization, each cell of the embryo then has 46 chromosomes (23 pairs). In each pair of chromosomes, one chromosome is inherited from the father & the other from the mother.

Term
cytoplasm
Definition

Jellylike substance found within the cell membrane composed of proteins, salts, water, disolved gases, & nutrients

 

All cellular structures, including the nucleus & organelles, are embedded in cytoplasm.

Term

deoxyribonucleic acid

DNA

Definition

molecule that holds genetic information capable of replicating & producing an exact copy whenever the cell devides

Term
diaphragm
Definition

a muscular wall that devides the thoracic cavity from the abdominopelvic cavity

 

Alternating contraction & relaxation of the diaphragm is essential to the breathing process.

Term
metabolism
Definition

sums of all physical & chemical changes that take place in a cell or an organism

 

Metabolism includes the building up (anabolism) & breaking down (catabolism) of body constituents.

Term
organelle
Definition

cellular structure that provides a specialized function, such as the nucleus (reproduction), ribosomes (protein synthesis), Golgi apparatus (removal of material from the cell), & lisomes (digestion)

 

The membranes of many organelles act as a site of chemical reactions.

Term
pathology
Definition

the study of the nature of diseases, their causes, development, & consequences

 

Pathology as a branchof medicine includes the use of laboratory methods rather than clinical examination of signs & symptoms to study the cause, nature, & development of disease.

Term
peristalsis
Definition

rythmic contraction & relaxation of the walls of a tubular organ to propel its contents onward

Term
tissues
Definition

groups of cells that perform a specialized activity

Term
histology
Definition
the study of tissues
Term
epithelial tissue
Definition

covers surfaces of organs, lines cavities & canals, forms tubes & ducts, provides the secreting portions of glands, & makes up the epidermis of the skin. It is composed of cells arranged in a continuous sheet consisting of one or more layers.

Term
connective tissue
Definition

supports & connects other tissues & organs. It is made up od diverse cell types, including fibroblasts, fat cells, & blood.

Term
muscular tissue
Definition
provides the contractile tissue of the body, which is responsible for movement
Term
nervous tissue
Definition

transmits electrocal impulses as it relays information throughout the entire body

Term
anatomical position
Definition

a body posture used to locate anatomical parts in relation to eac other. In this position, the body is erect & the eyes are looking forward. The upper limbs hang to the sides, with the palms facing forward. The lower limbs are parallel, with toes pointing straight ahead. No matter how the body is actually positioned - standing or lying down, facing forward or backward - or how the limbs are actually placed, the positions & relationships of a structure are always described as if the body were in the anatomical position.

Term
planes of the body
Definition

an imaginary flat surface that anatomists use to identify different sections of the body

 

Most commonly used planes of the body include:

midsagittal (median) right & left halves

coronal (frontal) anterior & posterior halves

transverse (horizontal) superior & inferior halves

 

Term
quadrants
Definition

four divisions of the lower torso used to show topographical location.

 

They provide a means of locating specific sites for descriptive & diagnostic purposes.

Term
abdominopelvic regions
Definition

left hypochondriac reagion -- upper left reagion under the ribs

epigastric region -- region above the stomach

right hypochondriac region -- upper right region under the ribs

left lumbar region -- left middle lateral region

umbillical region -- region of the navel

right lumbar region -- right middle lateral region

left inguinal (iliac) region -- left lower lateral region

hypogastric region -- lower middle region under the navel

right inguinal (iliac) region -- right lower lateral region

Term

Right Upper Quadrant

RUQ

Definition

major structures include:

right lobe of liver

gallbladder

part of pancreas

part of small & large intestines

Term

Left Upper Quadrant

LUQ

Definition

major structures include:

left lobe of liver

stomach

spleen

part of pancreas

part of small & large intestines

Term

Right Lower Quadrant

RLQ

Definition

major sturtures include:

part of the small & large intestines

appendix

right ovary

right fallopian tube

right ureter

Term

Left Lower Quadrant

LLQ

Definition

major structures include:

part of small & large intestines

left ovary

left fallopian tube

left ureter

Term
abduction
Definition

movement away from the midsagittal (median) plane of the body or one of its parts

Term
adduction
Definition

movement toward the midsagittal (median) plane of the body or one of its parts

Term
medial
Definition

pertaining to the midline of the body or structure

Term
lateral
Definition
pertaining to a side
Term

superior

(cephalad)

Definition
toward the head or upper portion of a structure
Term

inferior

(caudal)

Definition

away from the head, or toward the tail or lower part of a structure

Term
proximal
Definition

nearer to the center (trunk of the body) or to the point of attachment to the body

Term
distal
Definition

further from the center (trunk of the body) or from the point of attachment to the body

Term

anterior

(ventral)

Definition

front of the body

Term

posterior

(dorsal)

Definition
back of the body
Term
parietal
Definition
pertaining to the outer wall of a cavity
Term
visceral
Definition

pertaining to the viscera, or eternal organs, especially the abdominal organs

Term
prone
Definition
lying on the abdomen, face down
Term
supine
Definition
lying horizontally on the back, face up
Term
inversion
Definition
turning inward or upside down
Term
eversion
Definition
turning outward
Term
palmar
Definition
pertaining to the palm of the hand
Term
plantar
Definition
pertaining to the sole of the foot
Term
superficial
Definition

toward the surface of the body

(external)

Term
deep
Definition

away from the surface of the body

(internal)

Term
homeostasis
Definition

a stable internal environment that provides a narrow range of temperature, water, acidity, & salt concentration

Term
disease
Definition

when homeostasis is disrupted & cells, tissues, organs, or systems are unable to function effectively

Term
signs
Definition
objective indicators that are observable
Term
symptom
Definition

subjective indicators that is only experienced by the patient

Term
etiology
Definition

the study of the cause or origin of disease or disorder

Term

diagnosis

Dx

Definition

establishing the cause & nature of a disease

Term
prognosis
Definition

the prediction of the course of a disease & its probable outcome

Term
idiopathic
Definition

any disease which cause is unknown

Term
inflammation
Definition

body defense against injury, infection, or allergy that is marked by redness, swelling, heat, pain, & sometimes loss of function

 

Inflammation is one mechanism used by the body to protect against invasion by foreign organisms & to repair injured tissue.

Term
morbid
Definition

diseased

pertaining to a disease

Term
nuclear medicine
Definition

branch of medicine concerned with the use of radioacti8ve substances for diagnosis, treatment, & research

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