Chapter 2

Terms Pertaining to the Body as a Whole

The Language of Medicine

Cytology
the study of formation, structure and function of cells

cell
the fundamental unit of all living things

Cell membrane
Surrounds and protects the cell and regulates what passes into
and out of the cell

Nucleus
Controls the operations of the cell

Chromosomes
Rod shaped structures within the nucleus that contain regions
of DNA called genes
Body cells contain 23 pairs of chromosomes.
Sex cells contain 23 unpaired chromosomes.

Genes
Regions of DNA within each chromosome

DNA
A chemical within each chromosome, arranged like a sequence
of recipes in code, it regulates the activities of the cell.

Karyotype
A picture of the chromosomes in the nucleus of a cell to
determine their number and structure
Amniocentesis
Surgical puncture to remove fluid from the amniotic sac

Cytoplasm
All the material outside the nucleus and enclosed by the cell
membrane, it carries on the work of the cell

Mitochondria
Structures in the cytoplasm in which food is burned to release
energy

Cata bol ism

The process of breaking down complex materials to form
simpler ones and release energy

Endoplasmic reticulum
Structures/canals within the cytoplasm where proteins are
made from simpler ones

Ana bol ism

The process of building up complex materials, such as proteins
from simpler ones

Meta bol ism

The total of chemical processes occurring in a cell (anabolism
and catabolism)

Body cavities

Crani al cavity
Thoracic cavity

Pleura
Pleural cavity

Mediastinum

Diaphragm

Abdominal cavity
Peritoneum

Pelvic cavity

Spinal cavity

Abdominopelvic cavity
Dorsal
Ventral

Abdominal
Pertaining to the abdomen

Adipose
A collection of fat cells

Anterior
Pertaining to the front

Anabolism
The process of building up complex materials (proteins) from
simple ones

Cervical
Pertaining to the neck of the body or the neck of the uterus
Chondroma
A benign tumor of cartilage

Chondrosarcoma
Malignant tumor of cartilage cells

Chromosomes
Threadlike structures in a cell nucleus that carry the genetic
information in the form of genes

Coccygeal
Pertaining to the coccyx/tailbone

Craniotomy
Incision of the skull

Cytoplasm
The substance that surrounds the nucleus and is contained
within the cell membrane

Distal
Situated away from the origin or point of attachment

Dorsal
Pertaining to the back portion of the body

Histology
Study of tissue

Iliac
Pertaining to the ilium / pelvic bone

Inguinal
Pertaining to the groin

Karyotype
A picture of the chromosomes in the nucleus of a cell

Lateral
Pertaining to the side

lumbosacral
pertaining to the lower back and sacral region

medial
pertaining to the middle or medial plane of the body

nucleic
pertaining to the nucleus

pelvic
pertaining to the pelvis/hip bone

posterior
pertaining to the back

proximal
near the point of attachment to the trunk or the beginning of a
structure

sacral
pertaining to the sacrum

sarcoma
cancerous tumor of connective tissue

spinal
pertaining to the spine/backbone
epithelial cells
cells that cover the outside of the body/skin and line the
internal organs and cavities

thoracic
pertaining to the chest

thoracotomy
incision of the chest

tracheal
pertaining to the trachea/windpipe

umbilical
pertaining to the umbilicus/navel

ventral
pertaining or situated at the front of the body

vertebral
pertaining to the vertebrae

visceral
pertaining to the internal organs

Prefixes

anabolic
building up complex materials (proteins) from simpler ones

catabolism
the process of breaking down complex materials (food) to form
energy
epigastric
pertaining to above the stomach

hypochondriac regions
the upper right and left regions beneath the ribs

intervertebral
pertaining to between the vertebrae

metabolism
chemical processes in the cell that include both anabolism and
catabolism