Medical Terminology

Anatomy and Positions

Definitions

Anatomy – physical structures of the body

Physiology – how the body structures work and the functions of the body structures.

Human body structure

1. Chemicals – atoms and molecules

2. Cells – are the building blocks of the body

3. Tissues

4. Organs

5. Body systems

Types of cells

Blood cells – e.g. white blood cells called leucocyte

Muscle cells

Nerve cells

Bone cells

Medical terminology re cells

Cyt/o = combining form for cell

cyte = suffix for cell

Path/o = combining form meaning disease

Path/o/logy means …….

Cytology

Cyt / o / logy

root word combining suffix

cell form study of

Cytology means study of cellsPg 9,10

Tissues

Connective tissue – connects body structures to other tissues e.g. fat tissue, bone tissue

Epithelial tissues – forms the skin and lines body organs for protection e.g. stomach

Muscle tissue – responsible for movement

Nerve tissue –relays info from one body part to another

Hist/o =combining form of tissuepg10

Organs

Composed of two or more different types of tissues

Organs perform special functions

e.g. stomach - responsible for breaking

down food

lungs – responsible for breathing

heart – responsible for circulating blood

to body parts

Systems

Are groups of organs working together to perform a particular function

1. Digestive system2. Skeletal system3. Muscular system4. Nervous system5. Cardiovascular system6. Respiratory system7. Urinary system8. Reproductive system9. Integumentary system (skin)

Positional Terms pg13

Term Meaning Example

Anterior

(ventral)

•more to the front than another structure•describes the front part/surface

•sternum is anterior to the heart•umbilicus is on anterior surface of body

Posterior

(dorsal)

•more to the back•describes the back surface of the body

•spinal column is posterior to the abdomen•heel is in posterior section of foot

Central close to the middle heart is in the central part of thoracic cavity (chest)

Medial towards the middle of the body/away from the side

umbilicus is medial to the hips

Lateral towards the side of the body / away from the middle

hips are lateral to the umbilicus

peripheral away from the centre point limbs are peripheral to the body

Positional Terms

Term Meaning Example

Superficial at, or close to the surface of the body Superficial blood vessels are close to the surface

Distal Further away form the point of attachment, midline) or nearer to an extremity

Fingers are distal to the midline of the body

Proximal closer to the point of attachment /or midline of the body

Shoulder is proximal to the body midline

Inferior Lower in the body than another structure or surface; away from the head

ankle is inferior to the knee

Superior Above another area of body or towards the head

Head is superior to the trunk

Internal inside the body or an organ Cochlea is an internal part of the ear

External Outside the body or organ Ear lobe is an external part of ear

Movement Terms

Term Meaning Term Meaning

Abduct move away from Adduct move towards

Afferent conducting away Efferent conducting towards

Extension increases the angle flexion decreases the angle

Hyperextension

over extension lateral rotation

to turn to the side

Pronation palm down supination palm up

Movement Terms

Flexion – angle of joint is decreased

Extension – angle of joint is increased

Hyperextension – further increase in angle of joint

Abduction – moves away from midline of body

Adduction – moves towards midline of body

Body Planes

Midsaggital plane – divides left and right

Transverse plane – divides upper (superior) and lower (inferior)

Coronal plane – divides front (anterior) and back (posterior)

Pg 14

Directional Terms

Root word Meaning Root word Meaning

anter,anteri before.front poster,posteri back,behind

cephal head up,upward

caud (kawd) tail,down

dextr right sinitr left

proxim near dist away

superi above inferi below

medi middle later side

vetr belly dors back

Body Cavities

1.Dorsal cavity – back of bodyConsists of: a) cranial cavity (holds brain) b) spinal cavity (holds spinal cord)

2. Ventral cavity – front of body Consists of: a) thoracic cavity – heart, lungs b) abdominal cavity – digestive organs, kidneys c) pelvic cavity – reproductive and bladder

Pg 16

Abdominal Quadrants

Right upper quadrant (RUQ)

Left upper quadrant (LUQ)

Right lower quadrant (RLQ)

Left lower quadrant (LLQ)pg16