Medical Terminology: Language of Medicine - Chapter 2

Lecture Title: Medical Terminology: Language of Medicine - Chapter 2

The information provided is credited to various sources, including the book “Language of Medicine” and Wikipedia.

Introduction

• Chapter Focus: Terms pertaining to the body as a whole.
• Goals:
  • Define terms related to body’s structural organization.
  • Identify body cavities and recognize contained organs.
  • Locate and identify anatomical and clinical divisions of the abdomen.
  • Locate and name anatomical divisions of the back.
  • Understand terms describing positions, directions, and planes of the body.
  • Learn new word elements for understanding medical terms.

Lesson 2.1: Structural Organization and Body Cavities

Objectives:

• Define terms related to structural organization.
• Identify body cavities and recognize organs within those cavities.
• Locate and identify the anatomical and clinical divisions of the abdomen.

Structural Organization

• Cells: Fundamental unit of all living things.
  • Parts of a Cell:
    • Cell Membrane: Surrounds and protects the cell; regulates passage of substances.
    • Nucleus: Controls cell operations, cell division; defines cell structure and function.
    • Chromosomes: Rod-like structures within the nucleus, containing genes.
      • Human Body Cells: 23 pairs of chromosomes.
      • Gene: Contains DNA, regulates cell activities.
      • Karyotype: Photograph of chromosomes arranged by size, shape, number, used to determine abnormalities (e.g., trisomy 21 in Down syndrome).
    • Cytoplasm: Material outside the nucleus, enclosed by the membrane; contains apparatus for cell function.
    • Mitochondria: Principal source of energy via catabolism.
    • Endoplasmic Reticulum: Network of canals manufacturing proteins; associated with ribosomes (protein synthesis).
  • Metabolism: Combination of anabolism and catabolism.
    • Anabolism: Building up large proteins from amino acids.
    • Catabolism: Breaking down complex foods into simpler substances, releasing energy.

Types of Cells

• Muscle Cells: Contain fibers aiding in contracting and relaxing.
• Nerve Cells: Carry impulses, have various fibrous extensions.
• Epithelial Cells: Provide protection, line organs.
• Fat Cells: Store fat.

Tissues

• Types of Tissues:
  • Epithelial Tissue: Forms linings of internal organs, skin surface.
  • Muscle Tissue: Voluntary (arms, legs) and Involuntary (heart, digestive system).
  • Connective Tissue: Adipose, cartilage, bone, blood.
  • Nerve Tissue: Conducts impulses.

Organs & Systems

• Organ: Combination of tissues performing specific functions.
  • Viscera: Internal organs (e.g., liver, stomach, intestines, pancreas, spleen, gallbladder).
• Organ Systems: 11 main systems maintaining life.
  • Digestive System: Processes food, absorbs nutrients.
  • Urinary System: Excretes waste, regulates fluid composition.
  • Respiratory System: Exchanges gases, regulates acid-base balance.
  • Reproductive System: Reproduction, maintains sexual characteristics.
  • Endocrine System: Produces hormones, regulates metabolism.
  • Nervous System: Transmits impulses, regulates bodily functions.
  • Cardiovascular System: Transports nutrients and gases, maintains fluid balance.
  • Muscular System: Facilitates movement, pumps blood, moves materials.
  • Skeletal System: Supports, protects, facilitates movement, stores minerals, produces blood cells.
  • Integumentary System: Protects body, regulates temperature, receives sensory information.
  • Lymphatic/Immune System: Defends against pathogens, transports tissue fluid.

Body Cavities

Main Cavities

• Dorsal Cavity: Located posteriorly, includes cranial and spinal cavities.
• Ventral Cavity: Largest cavity, includes thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.

Details of Cavities

• Cranial Cavity: Contains brain, pituitary gland, and cerebrospinal fluid.
• Spinal Cavity: Contains spinal cord and nerves.
• Thoracic Cavity:
  • Pleural Cavities: Surround each lung.
  • Mediastinum: Contains heart, aorta, trachea, esophagus, thymus gland, bronchial tubes, lymph nodes.
• Abdominopelvic Cavity:
  • Abdominal Cavity: Stomach, intestines, spleen, pancreas, liver, gallbladder.
  • Pelvic Cavity: Parts of intestines, bladder, rectum, reproductive organs.

Anatomical Divisions

Abdomen

• Quadrants:
  • Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ): Liver, gallbladder, part of pancreas, intestines.
  • Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ): Appendix, small intestine, ovary, ureter.
  • Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ): Liver, stomach, spleen, part of pancreas, intestines.
  • Left Lower Quadrant (LLQ): Intestines, ovary, ureter.

Back

• Cervical: Neck region (C1–C7).
• Thoracic: Chest region (T1–T12), each joined to a rib.
• Lumbar: Lower back region (L1–L5).
• Sacral: Fused vertebrae (S1–S5) forming sacrum.
• Coccygeal: Tailbone, composed of four fused pieces.

Planes of the Body

• Sagittal Plane: Divides body into left and right.
• Coronal (Frontal) Plane: Divides body into anterior (front) and posterior (back).
• Axial (Transverse) Plane: Divides body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower).

Terminology

Comb Form (Prefix & Suffix)

• Common Combining Forms:
  • Abdomen/o: abdomen
  • Anter/o: front
  • Cervic/o: neck (body/uterus)
  • Cyt/o: cell
  • Hist/o: tissue
  • Lumb/o: lower back
  • Pelv/i: pelvis
  • Sacr/o: sacrum
  • Thorac/o: chest
• Common Prefixes:
  • Ana-: up
  • Cata-: down
  • Epi-: above
  • Hypo-: below
• Common Suffixes:
  • -eal, -iac, -ior: pertaining to
  • -ism: process/condition
  • -plasm: formation
  • -somes: bodies
  • -type: picture/classification

Conclusion

• Quizzes: Practice questions for reinforcement of knowledge.
• Review: Go over video and materials as needed to remember terms and their meanings.

Note: This summary captures all key concepts from the chapter to help with understanding and memorizing the medical terminology related to the body as a whole.