Terms Pertaining to the Body as a Whole Medical Terminology Terms Pertaining to the Body as a Whole

Structure of the Body Cell – fundamental unit of all living things Different types of cells include muscle cells, epithelial cells (skin), nerve cells, fat cells. Cells are specialized throughout the body to carry out their individual functions

Tissue A group of similar cells working together to do a specific job Histologist – a scientist who specializes in the study of tissue Some types are: epithelial, muscle, connective and nerve tissue

THE HEART Organs Structures composed of several kinds of tissue The medical term for internal organs is visceral THE HEART

Body Systems Groups of organs working together to perform complex functions The Digestive System consists of mouth, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, pancreas, liver and gall bladder

Body Cavities Cavity – a space within the body that contains internal organs (viscera) Ventral (front) cavities: (thoracic, abdominal, pelvic) Dorsal (back) cavities: (cranial, spinal)

The Diaphragm The diaphragm is a muscular wall that separates the abdominal and thoracic cavities.

Pleura The pleural cavity is the space between the membranes that surround each lung. Each pleural cavity is lined with a double folded membrane or pleura.

Mediastinum The centrally located area outside of and between the lungs. It contains the heart, aorta, trachea, esophagus, thymus gland, bronchial tubes, and lymph nodes

Abdominopelvic Regions

Abdominal Quadrants RUQ: Right lobe of Liver, Gallbladder, pancreas, parts of small and large intestines LUQ: Left lobe of Liver, stomach, spleen, pancreas, parts of small and large intestines RLQ: Part of small and large intestines, right ovary, right fallopian tube, appendix, right ureter LLQ: Part of small and large intestines, left ovary, left fallopian tube, left ureter

Spinal Column Vertebra (vertebrae plural) – back bones Spinal Column consists of 5 divisions Cervical – neck region (7) Thoracic – chest region (12) Lumbar – flank region (5) Sacral – 5 bones fused to form sacrum Coccygeal – 4 bones fused to form coccyx or tailbone

Spinal Column

Planes of the Body Frontal (Coronal) – divides body into anterior and posterior

Planes of the Body Sagittal (Lateral) – divides body into left and right

Planes of the Body Transverse or Cross sectional – divides body into upper and lower portions

Positional and Directional Terms Medical term for “lying on the back Supine Medical Term for “lying on the belly” Prone

Positional and Directional Terms Medical term for above another structure Superior Medical term for below another structure Inferior

Positional and Directional Terms Medical term for on the surface Superficial Medical term for away from the surface Deep

Positional and Directional Terms Medical term for pertaining to the side Lateral Medical term for pertaining to the middle Medial

Positional and Directional Terms Pertaining to the front side of the body Anterior or ventral Pertaining to the back side of the body Posterior or dorsal

Positional and Directional Terms Medical term for near the beginning of a structure or point of attachment Proximal Medical term for far from the beginning of a structure or point of attachment Distal