Chapter 5-Medical Terminology

Physiology

The study of body function.

Study of the function of the living body and its parts, or how the body works is called: (A) sociology. (B) anatomy. (C) psychology. (D) physiology.

(D) physiology.

Plane

A flat surface formed when slicing through a solid object.

Mid-Axillary Line

A line drawn vertically from the middle of the armpit to the ankle.

Proximal

Closer to the torso.

Unilateral

Limited to one side.

Prone

Lying facedown.

Supine

Lying on the back.

Recovery Position

Lying on the side. Also called lateral recumbent position.

Bilateral

On both sides.

Ventral

Referring to the front of the body. A synonym for anterior.

Torso

The trunk of the body, or the body without the head and the extremities.

Lateral

To the side, away from the midline of the body.

Superior

Toward the head.

Medial

Toward the midline of the body.

Prefix

Word part added to the beginning of a root or word to modify or qualify its meaning.

Suffix

Word part added to the end of a root or word to complete its meaning.

Your patient has bilateral femur fractures. This means that: (A) both femurs are fractured. (B) one femur is fractured. (C) One femur is fractures in multiple places. (D) the femur is fractured lengthwise.

(A) both femurs are fractured.

The word part "brady-" is considered what part of a medical term? (A) Suffix. (B) Prefix. (C) Root. (D) Phrase.

(B) Prefix.

The transverse plane divides the body into what two halves? (A) Medical/lateral. (B) Superior/inferior. (C) Distal/proximal. (D) Anterior/posterior.

(B) Superior/inferior.

Which of the following statements BEST uses the term "distal"? (A) The elbow is distal to the wrist. (B) The ankle is distal to the hip. (C) The nose is distal to the ear. (D) The shoulder is distal to the elbow.

(B) The ankle is distal to the hip.

When a patient is found lying on his or her stomach, facedown, this is referred to as: (A) supine. (B) prone. (C) recovery. (D) lateral.

(B) prone.

The study of the body's structures is referred to as: (A) polyintegration. (B) pathophysiology. (C) anatomy. (D) physiology.

(C) anatomy.

In the lateral recumbent position, the patient is lying: (A) on the back with the upper body elevated. (B) on the back with the lower body elevated. (C) on the right or left side with knees flexed. (D) face down on the stomach.

(C) on the right or left side with knees flexed.

The "normal anatomical position" means that the patient is: (A) standing erect, facing forward, arms outstretched, palms backward. (B) lying on the back, arms down at the sides, palms forward. (C) standing erect, facing forward, arms down at the sides, palms forward. (D) lying on the back, arms outstretched, palms facing forward.

(C) standing erect, facing forward, arms down at the sides, palms forward.

"-ist" refers to: (A) above normal. (B) below normal. (C) pertaining to. (D) one who specializes in.

(D) one who specializes in.

Fowler Position

A sitting position.

Compound

A word formed from two or more whole words.

Combining Form

A word root with added vowel that can be joined with other words, roots, or suffixes to form a new word.

Midline

An imaginary line drawn down the center of the body, dividing it into right and left halves.

Inferior

Away from the head, usually compared with another structure that is closer to the head.

Distal

Farther away from the torso.

Root

Foundation of a word that is not a word that can stand on its own.

Abdominal Quadrants

Four divisions of the abdomen used to pinpoint the location of a pain or injury: the right upper quadrant (RUQ), the left upper quadrant (LUQ), the right lower quadrant (RLQ), and the left lower quadrant (LLQ).

Dorsal

Referring to the back of the body or the back of the hand or foot. A synonym for posterior.

Palmar

Referring to the palm of the hand.

Plantar

Referring to the sole of the foot.

Posterior

The back of the body or body part.

Anterior

The front of the body or body part.

Mid-Clavicular Line

The line through the center of each clavicle.

Anatomic Position

The standard reference position for the body in the study of anatomy. In this position, the body is standing erect, facing the observer, with arms down at the sides and the palms of the hands forward.

Anatomy

The study of body structure.