Academic Knowledge: Medical Terminology and Body Organization Chapter 5 Academic Knowledge: Medical Terminology and Body Organization

Warm-Up What medical terms or word parts do you know? Do you know of any songs or other fun memory tricks for learning this type of information? Golden Pixels LLC/Shutterstock.com

Study Skills: Memory Techniques Mnemonic devices can be used to remember information Connect information to different senses Basic memory techniques Acronyms Spelling sequence Vivid/unusual images Rhythm and rhyming Drama and humor An image of playing cards could help you remember that cardi = heart. Michael D Brown/Shutterstock.com

Most medical terms come from Greek and Latin. Medical Terminology Healthcare workers must know how to read, write, and understand medical terminology Abbreviations Shortened way to write or say medical words and phrases Different facilities have different abbreviations Never invent your own abbreviations Most medical terms come from Greek and Latin. Steinar/Shutterstock.com

Understanding Word Parts

Think Further Why is it important for healthcare professionals to study medical terminology? What makes medical terms different from other English words? Examples: One letter can change the entire meaning of a body part or drug name. Misspelling a medical term can create confusion and may result in an incorrect diagnosis or procedure. You cannot rely on a computer to find your errors because spell-checkers may not recognize medical terminology. Plural words in medical terminology are not created with the same rules as Standard English.

Body Organization and Related Terms Anatomy describes the physical structures of the body Physiology describes the functions and inner workings of the body Each level of organization in the body builds on the next to form a larger structure Body Scientific International, LLC

Cells and Organelles Cells are the smallest living things, which join to form tissues and contain organelles Body Scientific International, LLC

Body Tissues Groups of cells of the same type working together for the same purpose Four main types Connective tissue: provides supports, absorbs shock Nervous tissue: conducts impulses to and from organs Muscular tissue: important for movement Epithelial tissue: forms the skin and membranes Digital Storm/Shutterstock.com

Body Organs and Systems Organs—groups of tissues working together for the same purpose Body systems—groups of organs working together to perform a vital function Body systems work together to help the human body control, move, support, protect, and reproduce SLIC MEN R RED acronym spells out the body systems

Think Further Explain how the parts of a cell can be compared to a factory. The cell membrane is like the walls of a factory, and the vacuoles are like doors of the loading dock. Cytoplasm is like the air contained in a factory. The nucleus is the factory’s main office and the nucleolus is the factory manager. Ribosomes are assembly teams that follow DNA (building plans). Endoplasmic reticulum is the conveyer belt, the Golgi apparatus is the mailing room, mitochondria are power stations, and lysosomes are the janitors. How can the parts of a body be compared to the parts of a house? The structure of a house is like the skeletal system. The plumbing system is like the circulatory system. The air conditioning is like the respiratory system. The electrical systems are like the nervous system. Both a house and a human body need all of their systems to function comfortably. Can you think of any other useful comparisons?

Body Directions Standard anatomical position (SAP): standing erect, facing forward, with palms facing forward Directional terms: Anterior and posterior Medial and lateral Superior and inferior Superficial and deep Proximal and distal Ventral and dorsal Left and right (from patient’s perspective) Specific terms (e.g., cranial, caudal) Body Scientific International, LLC

Body Regions Areas of the body that have specific names Used as points of reference for anatomy Four abdominal quadrants Nine abdominal regions Body Scientific International, LLC

Body Cavities Hollow spaces that contain organs and are separated by membranes Ventral (front) cavity contains: Thoracic (chest) cavity Abdominopelvic cavity Dorsal (back) cavity contains: Cranial cavity (brain) Middle ear, orbital, nasal, oral Spinal cavity (spinal cord) Body Scientific International, LLC

Body Planes Provide views of the body as if cut into sections Frontal plane (divided into front and back) Sagittal plane (divided into right and left) Midsagittal plane (divided exactly down the middle) Transverse plane (divided into top and bottom) Body Scientific International, LLC

Critical Thinking Distinguish between body regions, body directions, and body planes. Why are these terms useful in anatomy? Body regions: areas of the body with a specific name Body directions: describe body parts or their position in reference to standard anatomical position Body planes: flat or level surfaces seen by cutting away part of the body through surgery or medical imaging All of these terms serve as reference points so that healthcare workers can discuss anatomy in common, understandable terms