Medical Terminology and Body Terminology

Introduction

• The importance of understanding medical terminology in the context of anatomy and physiology.
• Focus on learning word parts, whole medical terms, and common abbreviations.

Anatomy vs. Physiology

• Anatomy: Study of body structure.
• Physiology: Study of body function.
• Importance of homeostasis in physiology.

Levels of Structural Organization

• Chemical Level: Atoms and molecules (e.g., water, proteins).
• Cellular Level: Basic unit of life, e.g., human cells consist of membranes, cytoplasm, and organelles.
• Tissue Level: Group of similar cells performing a specific function.
• Organ Level: Composed of two or more tissue types, e.g., heart, lungs.
• Organ System Level: Group of organs performing major functions (e.g., cardiovascular system).
• Organismal Level: Independently functioning living being.

Organ Systems

• 11 organ systems: Skeletal, muscular, nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, urinary, reproductive, and integumentary system.
• Organs often function in multiple systems.

Anatomical Position

• Standardized body position for reference: standing upright, feet shoulder-width apart, arms by the sides, palms forward.

Directional Terms

• Anterior (Ventral): Front of the body.
• Posterior (Dorsal): Back of the body.
• Superior (Cranial): Above another part.
• Inferior (Caudal): Below another part.
• Lateral: Toward the side.
• Medial: Toward the middle.
• Proximal: Nearer to the point of attachment.
• Distal: Further from the point of attachment.
• Superficial: Closer to the surface.
• Deep: Farther from the surface.

Body Planes

• Sagittal Plane: Divides the body into right and left.
• Frontal (Coronal) Plane: Divides the body into front and back.
• Transverse Plane: Divides the body into upper and lower parts.

Body Cavities

• Dorsal Cavity: Cranial cavity (brain) and spinal cavity (spinal cord).
• Ventral Cavity: Thoracic cavity (lungs, heart) and abdominopelvic cavity (digestive organs, reproductive organs).

Membranes

• Tissue Membranes: Connective and epithelial membranes cover body surfaces and organs.
  • Synovial Membranes: Line joint cavities.
  • Mucous Membranes: Line body cavities open to the exterior.
  • Serous Membranes: Line body cavities closed to the exterior, reduce friction for organ movement.

Key Terms

• Homeostasis: Maintaining a stable internal environment.
• Anterior/Posterior: Front/Back.
• Superior/Inferior: Above/Below.
• Lateral/Medial: Side/Middle.
• Proximal/Distal: Nearer/Farther from point of attachment.
• Superficial/Deep: Closer/Farther from surface.

Practice

• Practice using directional terms with a partner.
• Locate body planes, cavities, and regions using anatomical terminology.