Introduction to Health Science Chapter 5

plural

(of a word or form) denoting more than one, or (in languages with dual number) more than two.

physiology

A branch of biology that deals with the functions, mechanisms, and activities of organisms at the cellular or organ system level.

frontal plane

A coronal plane (also known as the frontal plane) is any vertical plane that divides the body into ventral and dorsal (belly and back) sections. It is one of the three main planes of the body used to describe the location of body parts in relation to each other.

mnemonic device

A mnemonic is a memory aid for something, often taking the form of a rhyme or an acronym. As an adjective, mnemonic describes something related to memory. "Spring forward, Fall back" is a mnemonic device to help you remember which way to set your clocks for daylight savings time.

prefix

A prefix employed in medical terminology. Medical words are often put together, cobbled from two or more building blocks. Among these building blocks are the prefixes.

sagittal plane

A sagittal plane is an anatomical plane which divides the body into right and left parts. The plane may be in the center of the body and split it into two halves or away from the midline and split it into unequal parts.

abdominal quadrant

Abdominal quadrants are the four major regions into which the abdomen is divided. These four quadrants are named after their location and are known as: The Right Upper Quadrant, or RUQ. The Right Lower Quadrant, or RLQ. The Left Upper Quadrant, or LUQ.

suffix

About Medical Suffixes. This dictionary is a section of Suffix Prefix Dictionary, one of the most comprehensive online dictionaries of biological and medical suffixes and prefixes. The suffix lists accessed from the links above provide definitions, examples, and etymologies for a wide variety of suffixes used in biology and medicine.

body plane

An anatomical plane is a hypothetical plane used to transect the human body, in order to describe the location of structures or the direction of movements. The sagittal plane or median plane (longitutinal, anteroposterior) is a plane parallel to the sagittal suture.

superior

In medical terminology superior means above, referring to a part of the body that is situated above another or directed upwards. More specifically it means towards the head. superior (superioris), latin. a little correction: part of the body what is above the middle (mid-plane).

body system

In the human body: cells combine to form tissues. tissues combine and form organs. a group of organs combine to form a body system. a body system is a group of organs that work together to accomplish a bodily function.

deep

Medical Definition of Deep. Deep: In anatomy, away from the surface or further into the body. As opposed to superficial. The bones are deep to the skin. For a more complete listing of terms used in medicine for spatial orientation, please see the entry to "Anatomic Orientation Terms".

thoracic cavity

Medical Definition of thoracic cavity. : the division of the body cavity that lies above the diaphragm, is bounded peripherally by the wall of the chest, and contains the heart and lungs.

medical terminology

Medical terminology is language used to precisely describe the human body including its components, processes, conditions affecting it, and procedures performed upon in. It is to be used in the field of medicine.

proximal

Something that is proximal is situated closest to the point of attachment or origin. In medicine, it means closest to the center of the body. The opposite of proximal is distal and these terms are also used in geology.

standard anatomical position

Standard anatomical position. Because animals can change orientation with respect to their environment, and because appendages (arms, legs, tentacles, etc.) can change position with respect to the main body, it is important that anatomical terms of location refer to the organism when it is in its standard anatomical position.

superficial

Superficial in medical terms means affecting or being on the surface (as in "superficial wound"). The word denotes something that is not deep. For instance, a wart is a superficial lesion. A breast tumor, in contrast, is deeper, and not superficial.

abdominopelvic cavity

The abdominopelvic cavity is a body cavity that consists of the abdominal cavity and the pelvic cavity. It contains the stomach, liver, pancreas, spleen, gallbladder, kidneys, and most of the small and large intestines. It also contains the urinary bladder and internal reproductive organs.

combining vowel

The combining vowel is a word part, usually an o, used to ease pronunciation. The combining vowel is placed to connect two word roots. Placed to connect a word root and a suffix. Not placed to connect a prefix and a word root.

cranial cavity

The cranial cavity, or intracranial space, is the space formed inside the skull. It is part of the dorsal body cavity. The brain occupies the cranial cavity, which is lined by the meninges and which contains cerebrospinal fluid to cushion blows. ... The capacity of an adult human cranial cavity is 1,200-1,700 cm3.

cell

The definition of a cell is a small area in a prison where criminals are kept behind bars. An example of a cell is where a murderer is locked up. A cell is defined as the smallest unit of an organism with a nucleus.

organ

The definition of an organ is a part of the body that has a specific function. An example of a organ is the liver. An organ is defined as a large wind keyboard musical instrument. An example of organ is the instrument most often played in church.

dorsal cavity

The dorsal body cavity is located along the dorsal (posterior) surface of the human body, where it is subdivided into the cranial cavity housing the brain and the spinal cavity housing the spinal cord. The two cavities are continuous with one another.

spinal cavity

The spinal canal (or vertebral canal or spinal cavity) is the space in the vertebral column formed by the vertebrae through which the spinal cord passes. It is a process of the dorsal body cavity.

anatomy

The study of human or animal form, by observation or examination of the living being, examination or dissection of dead specimens, microscopic examination, and/or textbooks.

transverse plane

The transverse plane is an imaginary plane that divides the body into superior and inferior parts. It is perpendicular to the coronal and sagittal planes. It is one of the planes of the body used to describe the location of body parts in relation to each other. The other two commonly used terms are the coronal plane and the sagittal plane.

ventral

The ventral fins are on the fishes belly. adjective. The definition of ventral is the lower part or belly of an animal or plant.

tissue

There are four basic kinds of tissue in the body: epithelium; connective tissues including adipose tissue, blood, bone, and cartilage; muscle tissue; and nerve tissue. The definition information for tissue is provided by Stedman's. You can search our medical dictionary here.

ventral cavity

a hollow hole underneath the stomach

ribosomes

a minute particle consisting of RNA and associated proteins, found in large numbers in the cytoplasm of living cells. They bind messenger RNA and transfer RNA to synthesize polypeptides and proteins.

endoplasmic reticulum

a network of membranous tubules within the cytoplasm of a eukaryotic cell, continuous with the nuclear membrane. It usually has ribosomes attached and is involved in protein and lipid synthesis.

nucleolus

a small dense spherical structure in the nucleus of a cell during interphase.

vacuole

a space or cavity in the protoplasm of a cell. contractile vacuole a small fluid-filled cavity in the protoplasm of certain unicellular organisms. It gradually increases in size and then collapses; its function is thought to be respiratory and excretory.

organelle

a specialized cellular part (as a mitochondrion or nucleus) that has a specific function and is considered analogous to an organ.

abdominal region

abdominal region n. Any of the subdivisions of the abdomen, including the right or left hypochondriac, the right or left lateral, the right or left inguinal, and the epigastric, umbilical, or pubic regions.

acronyms

an abbreviation formed from the initial letters of other words and pronounced as a word

signal cavity

an empty space within a solid object, in particular the human body:

mitochondria

an organelle found in large numbers in most cells, in which the biochemical processes of respiration and energy production occur. It has a double membrane, the inner layer being folded inward to form layers (cristae).

lysosomes

an organelle in the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells containing degradative enzymes enclosed in a membrane.

golgi apparatus

complex of vesicles and folded membranes within the cytoplasm of most eukaryotic cells, involved in secretion and intracellular transport.

DNA

eoxyribonucleic acid, a self-replicating material present in nearly all living organisms as the main constituent of chromosomes. It is the carrier of genetic information.

posterior

further back in position; of or nearer the rear or hind end, especially of the body or a part of it.

cell membrane

he semipermeable membrane surrounding the cytoplasm of a cell.

inferior

lower in rank, status, or quality.

midsagittal plane

medical Definition of midsagittal plane. :the median vertical longitudinal plane that divides a bilaterally symmetrical animal into right and left halves — called also median plane.

anterior

nearer the front, especially situated in the front of the body or nearer to the head.

caudal

of or like a tail.

lateral

of, at, toward, or from the side or sides

dorsal

of, on, or relating to the upper side or back of an animal, plant, or organ.

body region

one part of the body that is excluded from the other parts

cranial

relating to the skull or cranium.

distal

situated away from the center of the body or from the point of attachment.

medial

situated in the middle, in particular.

nucleus

the central and most important part of an object, movement, or group, forming the basis for its activity and growth.

body cavity

the division of the body cavity that lies above the diaphragm, is bounded peripherally by the wall of the chest, and contains the heart and lungs.

cytoplasm

the material or protoplasm within a living cell, excluding the nucleus.