term | definition |
anabolism | Process of building up complex materials (proteins) from simple materials. |
catabolism | Process of breaking down complex materials (foods) to form simpler substances and release energy. |
cell membrane | Structure surrounding and protecting the cell. It determines what enters and leaves the cell. |
chromosomes | Rod-shaped structures in the nucleus that contain regions of DNA called genes. |
cytoplasm | All the material that is outside the nucleus and yet contained within the cell membrane. |
DNA | Chemical found within each chromosome. Arranged like a sequence of recipes in code, it directs the activities of the cell. |
endoplasmic reticulum | Structure (canals) within the cytoplasm. Site in which large proteins are made from smaller protein pieces. |
ribosomes | Found on the endoplasmic reticulum. |
genes | Regions of DNA within each chromosome. |
karyotype | Picture of chromosomes in the nucleus of a cell. The chromosomes are arranged in numerical order to determine their number and structure. |
metabolism | The total of the chemical processes in a cell. It includes both catabolism and anabolism. |
mitochondria | Structures in the cytoplasm in which foods are burned to release energy (where catabolism occurs). |
nucleus | Control center of the cell. It contains chromosomes and directs the activities of the cell. |
adipose tissue | Collection of fat cells. |
cartilage | Flexible connective tissue attached to bones at joints. |
epithelial cell | Skin cells that cover the external body surface and line the internal surfaces of organs. |
histologist | Specialist in the study of tissues. |
larynx | Voice box; located at the upper part of the trachea. |
pharynx | Throat. The pharynx is the common passageway for food and air. |
pituitary gland | Endocrine gland at the base of the brain. |
thyroid gland | Endocrine gland that surrounds the trachea in the neck. |
trachea | Windpipe. |
ureter | One of two tubes, each leading from a single kidney to the urinary bladder. Spelling clue: ureter has two e's and there are two of them. |
urethra | Tube from the urinary bladder to the outside of the body. Spelling clue: urethra has one e and there is only one urethra. |
uterus | The womb. The organ that holds the embryo and fetus as it develops. |
viscera | Internal organs. |
abdominal cavity | Space below the chest containing organs such as the liver, stomach, gallbladder, and intestines. |
abdomen | Another name for abdominal cavity. |
cranial cavity | Space in the head containing the brain and surrounded by the skull. |
cranial | Pertaining to the skull. |
diaphragm | Muscle separating the abdominal and thoracic cavities. |
dorsal (posterior) | Pertaining to the back. |
mediastinum | Centrally located space between the lungs. |
pelvic cavity | Space below the abdomen, containing portions of the intestines, rectum, urinary bladder, and reproductive organs. |
pelvic | Pertaining to the hip bone. |
peritoneum | Membrane surrounding the organs in the abdomen. |
pleura | A double-layered membrane surrounding each lung. |
pleural cavity | Space between the pleural membranes and surrounding each lung. |
spinal cavity | Space within the spinal column and containing the spinal cord. |
spinal canal | Another name for the spinal cavity. |
thoracic cavity | Space in the chest containing the heart, lungs, bronchial tubes, trachea, esophagus, and other organs. |
ventral (anterior) | Pertaining to the front. |
hypochondriac regions | Upper right and left regions beneath the ribs. |
epigastric region | Upper middle region above the stomach. |
lumbar regions | Middle right and left regions near the waist. |
umbilical region | Central region near the navel. |
inguinal regions | Lower right and left regions near the groin. |
iliac regions | Another name for inguinal regions. |
hypogastric region | Lower middle region below the umbilical region. |
RUQ | Right upper quadrant. |
LUQ | Left upper quadrant. |
RLQ | Right lower quadrant. |
LLQ | Left lower quadrant. |
cervical division | Neck region (C1-C7) |
thoracic division | Chest region (T1-T12) |
lumbar division | Loin (waist) region (L1-L5) |
sacral division | Region of the sacrum (S1-S5) |
coccygeal division | Region of the coccyx (tailbone). |
vertebra | A single backbone. |
vertebrae | Backbones. |
spinal column | Bone tissue surrounding the spinal cavity. |
spinal cord | Nervous tissue within the spinal cavity. |
disk (disc) | A pad of cartilage between vertebrae. |
anterior (ventral) | Front side of the body. |
deep | Away from the surface. |
distal | Far from the point of attachment to the trunk or far from the beginning of a structure. |
frontal (coronal) plane | Vertical plane dividing the body or structure into anterior and posterior portions. |
inferior (caudal) | Below another structure. |
medial | Pertaining to the middle or near the medial plane of the body. |
posterior (dorsal) | Back side of the body. |
prone | Lying on the belly (face down, palm down). |
proximal | Near the point of attachment to the trunk or near the beginning of a structure. |
sagittal (lateral) plane | Lengthwise, vertical plane dividing the body or structure into right and left sides. |
midsagittal plane | Divides the body or structure into right and left halves. |
superficial | On the surface. |
superior (cephalic) | Above another structure. |
supine | Lying on the back (face up, palm up). |
transverse (cross-sectional or axial) plane | Horizontal plane dividing the body or into upper and lower portions. |
abdomin/o | abdomen |
adip/o | fat |
anter/o | front |
bol/o | to cast (throw) |
cervic/o | neck (of the body or of the uterus) |
chondr/o | cartilage (a type of connective tissue) |
chrom/o | color |
coccyg/o | coccyx (tailbone) |
crani/o | skull |
cyt/o | cell |
dist/o | far, distant |
dors/o | back portion of the body |
hist/o | tissue |
ili/o | ilium (part of the pelvic bone) |
inguin/o | groin |
kary/o | nucleus |
later/o | side |
lumb/o | lower back (side and back between the ribs and the pelvis) |
medi/o | middle |
nucle/o | nucleus |
pelv/o | hip, pelvic cavity |
poster/o | back, behind |
proxim/o | nearest |
sacr/o | sacrum |
sarc/o | flesh |
spin/o | spine, backbone |
thel/o | nipple |
thorac/o | chest |
trache/o | trachea, windpipe |
umbilic/o | navel, umbilicus |
ventr/o | belly side of the body |
vertebr/o | vertebrae, backbones |
viscer/o | internal organs |
ana- | up |
cata- | down |
epi- | above |
hypo- | below |
inter- | between |
meta- | change |
-eal | pertaining to |
-iac | pertaining to |
-ior | pertaining to |
-ism | process |
-ose | pertaining to, full of |
-plasm | formation |
-somes | bodies |
-type | picture, classification |
abdominal | Pertaining to the abdomen. |
adipose | Pertaining to fat. |
anterior | Pertaining to the front. |
anabolism | Process of casting up (building-up or synthesizing process in a cell). |
cervical | Pertaining to the neck. |
chondroma | Tumor of cartilage. |
chondrosarcoma | Flesh tumor (malignant) of cartilage. |
chromosomes | "Color bodies"; contain genetic material and are located in the nucleus of a cell. |
coccygeal | Pertaining to the coccyx (tailbone). |
craniotomy | Incision of the skull. |
cytoplasm | Contents (formation) of the cell (apart from the nucleus and cell membrane). |
distal | Pertaining to far (from the beginning of a structure). |
dorsal | Pertaining to the back. |
histology | Study of tissues. |
iliac | Pertaining to the ilium. |
inguinal | Pertaining to the groin. |
karyotype | Picture (classification) of the nucleus (and it's chromosomes). |
lateral | Pertaining to the side. |
lumbosacral | Pertaining to the lumbar and sacral regions. |
medial | Pertaining to the middle. |
nucleic | Pertaining to the nucleus. |
posterior | Pertaining to the back, behind. |
proximal | Pertaining to near the beginning of a structure. |
sacral | Pertaining to the sacrum. |
sarcoma | Tumor of the flesh tissue (malignant). |
spinal | Pertaining to the spine, backbone. |
epithelial cell | Cell covering the surface of the skin and inner lining of body cavities and tubes. |
thoracic | Pertaining to the chest. |
thoracotomy | Incision of the chest. |
tracheal | Pertaining to the windpipe (trachea). |
umbilical | Pertaining to the navel. |
ventral | Pertaining to the belly side of the body. |
vertebral | Pertaining to the vertebrae. |
visceral | Pertaining to internal organs. |
anabolic | Pertaining to casting up; building up substances (proteins) in the cell. |
catabolism | Process of casting down; breaking down material (food) in the cell to release energy. |
epigastric | Pertaining to above the stomach. |
hypochondriac regions | Pertaining to under the rib cartilages (area of the abdomen). |
intervertebral | Pertaining to between the vertebrae. |