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Nurse Aide I H Terms
Nurse Aide I Module H-Body Systems Definition List
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Benign tumor | a non-cancerous growth that does not spread to other parts of the body. |
| Cell Theory | all living things are made of cells, cells are the basic unit of life, and all cells come from pre-existing cells. |
| Cells | the basic structural and functional units of all living organisms. |
| Chemotherapy (chemo) | a treatment that uses powerful drugs to kill or stop the growth of cancer cells. |
| Connective tissue | body tissue that supports, binds, and connects other tissues and organs. |
| Epithelial tissue | covers the body’s surfaces, lines organs and cavities, and forms glands. |
| Malignant tumor | a cancerous growth that can invade nearby tissues and spread to other parts of the body. |
| Metastasis | the spread of cancer cells from the original site to other parts of the body. |
| Muscle tissue | a type of body tissue that contracts to produce movement. |
| Neoplasia | the abnormal and uncontrolled growth of new cells or tissue, forming a tumor. |
| Nerve tissue | specialized tissue that transmits electrical signals between the brain, spinal cord, and the rest of the body. |
| Organ | a group of tissues working together to perform a specific function in the body. |
| Organelle | a specialized structure within a cell that performs a specific function. |
| Organism | a living being made up of one or more cells that can carry out life processes. |
| Orthostatic Hypotension | a sudden drop in blood pressure when a person stands up from sitting or lying down. |
| Radiation | the use of high-energy rays to kill cancer cells or shrink tumors. |
| System | a group of organs that work together to perform a major function in the body. |
| Tissue | a group of similar cells that work together to perform a specific function. |
| Tumor | an abnormal mass of tissue that forms when cells grow uncontrollably. |
| Avoidable pressure injury | skin damage caused by unrelieved pressure that could have been prevented with proper care. |
| Bedfast | a person is unable to get out of bed without help. |
| Bony Prominences | areas where bones stick out close to the skin, making them prone to pressure injuries. |
| Deep tissue pressure injury | damage to the skin and underlying tissue caused by prolonged pressure, often appearing as a dark bruise. |
| Dermatitis | inflammation of the skin that causes redness, itching, and rash. |
| Dermis | the thick inner layer of skin that contains blood vessels, nerves, and sweat glands. |
| Eczema | a skin condition that causes itchy, red, and inflamed patches. |
| Epidermis | the outermost layer of the skin that protects the body from the environment. |
| Friction | the rubbing of skin against a surface, which can cause irritation or injury. |
| Integumentary System | includes the skin, hair, nails, and glands that protect the body and regulate temperature. |
| Pressure injury (pressure ulcer) | damage to the skin and underlying tissue caused by prolonged pressure. |
| Pressure injury stage 1 | is a red, non-blanchable area of intact skin indicating early tissue damage. |
| Pressure injury stage 2 | a partial-thickness loss of skin involving the epidermis and/or dermis, appearing as a shallow open sore or blister. |
| Pressure injury stage 3 | a full-thickness skin loss where fat tissue may be visible, but bone, muscle, or tendon are not exposed. |
| Pressure injury stage 4 | a full-thickness skin and tissue loss with exposed bone, muscle, or tendon. |
| Shear | when skin and underlying tissues slide in opposite directions, causing injury to blood vessels and tissue. |
| Shingles (Herpes Zoster) | a painful skin rash caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus. |
| Stasis Dermatitis | skin inflammation and irritation caused by poor blood flow, usually in the lower legs. |
| The 30 degree lateral position | is a side-lying position where the body is tilted 30 degrees to reduce pressure on bony prominences. |
| Unavoidable pressure injury | skin damage that occurs despite proper care and preventive measures. |
| Unstageable pressure injury | a wound covered by dead tissue or scabs, making it impossible to see the full depth and stage. |
| Abduction | the movement of a body part away from the midline of the body. |
| Adduction | the movement of a body part toward the midline of the body. |
| Amputation | the surgical removal of a body part, such as a limb or finger. |
| Arthritis | inflammation of the joints that causes pain, stiffness, and swelling. |
| Ball-and-socket joint | a joint where a rounded bone fits into a cup-shaped socket, allowing movement in many directions. |
| Bone Marrow | the soft tissue inside bones that produces blood cells |
| Bones | hard, rigid structures that support the body and protect internal organs. |
| Cardiac Muscle | the specialized muscle tissue that makes up the heart and contracts to pump blood. |
| Cartilage | a flexible, rubbery connective tissue that cushions joints and shapes body structures. |
| Closed fracture | a broken bone that does not break through the skin. |
| Contracture | the permanent tightening of muscles, tendons, or skin that limits movement. |
| Dorsiflexion | the movement that bends the foot upward toward the shin. |
| Extension | the straightening movement that increases the angle between body parts. |
| External Rotation | the turning of a body part away from the center of the body. |
| Flexion | bending movement that decreases the angle between two body parts. |
| Fracture | a break or crack in a bone. |
| Hinge joint | a joint that allows movement in one direction, like bending and straightening. |
| Hip Fracture | a break in the upper part of the thigh bone near the hip joint. |
| Internal Rotation | the turning of a body part toward the center of the body. |
| Involuntary muscle | muscle that works automatically without conscious control, like the heart or digestive muscles. |
| Joints | places where two or more bones meet and allow movement. |
| Ligaments | strong bands of tissue that connect bones to other bones at joints. |
| Muscle atrophy | is the wasting or loss of muscle tissue due to inactivity or disease. |
| Muscle Strain | an injury where muscle fibers are stretched or torn |
| Muscles | tissues that contract to produce movement in the body. |
| Musculoskeletal System | is made up of bones, muscles, ligaments, and joints that support and move the body. |
| Open fracture (compound fracture) | a broken bone that pierces through the skin. |
| Opposition | the movement of the thumb across the palm to touch the fingers. |
| Osteoarthritis | a chronic joint disease that causes cartilage to break down, leading to pain and stiffness. |
| Osteoporosis | a condition where bones become weak and brittle, increasing the risk of fractures |
| Overflow incontinence | loss of urine due to bladder overflow or distention |
| Retention | inability to completely empty the bladder |
| Stress incontinence | loss of urine with sneezing or coughing |
| Ureters | two narrow tubes that connect the kidneys to the urinary bladder |
| Urethra | a tube located between the urinary bladder to the outside of the body |
| Urge incontinence | involuntary loss of urine from a sudden urge to void |
| Urinary Bladder | muscular sac that stores the urine until it passes from the body |
| Urinary Incontinence | inability to control the bladder leading to |
| Urinary System | removes waste from the blood and maintains the body’s fluid and electrolyte balance through the production and excretion of urine. |
| Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) | an infection in the urinary system, commonly caused by bacteria, leading to symptoms like burning during urination, frequent urges to urinate, and cloudy or strong-smelling urine. |
| Urine | Liquid waste excreted by the kidneys that contains water, salts, and waste products filtered from the blood. |
| Urine straining | The process of pouring urine through a filter to catch and observe particles like kidney stones. |
| Cystocele | A condition where the bladder drops down into the vaginal wall due to weakened pelvic muscles. |
| Prolapse | The slipping or falling down of an organ from its normal position, often through an opening or cavity. |
| Rectocele | A condition where the rectum bulges into the back wall of the vagina due to weakened pelvic muscles. |
| Reproductive System | responsible for producing offspring and includes organs and structures involved in sexual reproduction and hormone production. |
| Uterine prolapse | When the uterus slips down into or outside the vagina due to weakened pelvic muscles. |
| Diabetes Mellitus (DM, diabetes) | a chronic condition where the body cannot properly use or produce insulin, causing high blood sugar levels. |
| Endocrine System | produces hormones that regulate body functions like growth, metabolism, and reproduction through glands such as the thyroid and adrenal glands. |
| Gestational diabetes | a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy and usually goes away after the baby is born. |
| Glands | Organs that produce and release hormones or other substances to regulate body functions, |
| Hyperglycemia | a condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal. |
| Hypoglycemia | a condition where blood sugar levels are lower than normal. |
| Pancreas | produces digestive enzymes and hormones like insulin to regulate blood sugar levels. |
| Type 1 diabetes | a chronic condition where the pancreas produces little or no insulin due to an autoimmune attack on insulin-producing cells. |
| Type 2 diabetes | a chronic condition where the body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn't produce enough, causing high blood sugar levels. |
| Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) | a disease caused by the HIV virus that weakens the immune system, making the body vulnerable to infections and certain cancers. |
| Graves Disease | an autoimmune disorder that causes the thyroid gland to produce too much hormone, leading to hyperthyroidism. |
| Immune System | protects the body from harmful bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens by identifying and attacking them. |
| Lupus | an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues, causing inflammation and damage. |
| Phantom pain | pain felt in a limb or body part that has been amputated or is no longer present. |
| Phantom sensation | the feeling that an amputated or missing body part is still present, even though it is not there. |
| Pivot Joint | allows rotational movement around a single axis, like the joint between the first and second cervical vertebrae (neck). |
| Plantar Flexion | the movement that points the toes downward away from the shin, like pressing a gas pedal. |
| Pronation | the rotation of the forearm or foot so that the palm or sole faces downward or backward. |
| Prosthesis | an artificial device that replaces a missing body part, such as a limb or tooth. |
| Rheumatoid Arthritis | a chronic autoimmune disease that causes inflammation, pain, and swelling in the joints. |
| Skeletal muscle | a type of voluntary muscle attached to bones that enables body movement. |
| Smooth Muscle | involuntary muscle found in walls of internal organs that controls movements like digestion and blood flow. |
| Sprain | an injury to a ligament caused by stretching or tearing, usually due to a sudden twist or trauma. |
| Supination | the rotation of the forearm or foot so that the palm or sole faces upward or forward. |
| Synovial membrane | joints and produces synovial fluid to lubricate and reduce friction between joint surfaces |
| Tendons | tough bands of connective tissue that connect muscles to bones and help transmit the force needed for movement. |
| Total Knee Replacement (TKR) | a surgical procedure where a damaged knee joint is replaced with artificial components to restore function and reduce pain. |
| Voluntary muscle | is muscle tissue that you can control consciously to produce movement, such as skeletal muscle. |
| Brain | is the control center of the nervous system that processes information, controls body functions, and enables thought, memory, and emotion. |
| Brainstem | controls basic life functions such as breathing, heartbeat, and blood pressure. |
| Central nervous system (CNS) | consists of the brain and spinal cord and controls most functions of the body and mind. |
| Cerebral cortex | is the outer layer of the brain responsible for thinking, memory, voluntary movement, and sensory perception. |
| Cerebrovascular accident (CVA, stroke) | occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is blocked or interrupted, causing brain damage. |
| Cerebellum | controls balance, coordination, and fine muscle movements. |
| Cerebrum | the largest part of the brain responsible for voluntary movements, sensory perception, thinking, reasoning, and memory. |
| Cognitive impairment | a decline in mental abilities such as memory, attention, and decision-making that affects daily functioning |
| Dysphagia | difficulty swallowing or the sensation of food sticking in the throat or chest. |
| Emotional lability | rapid, unpredictable changes in mood or emotions, such as sudden laughing or crying without a clear reason. |
| Expressive aphasia | is the inability to speak or write fluently despite understanding language |
| Frontal lobe | controls voluntary movement, speech, problem-solving, judgment, and behavior. |
| Head and spinal cord injuries | are damage to the brain or spinal cord that can cause loss of function, sensation, or paralysis depending on the injury’s location and severity, |
| Hemiparesis | weakness or partial paralysis affecting one side of the body. |
| Hemiplegia | paralysis of one side of the body, usually caused by brain injury or stroke. |
| Left hemisphere of the cerebrum | controls the right side of the body and is responsible for language, logic, and analytical thinking |
| Nerves | are bundles of fibers that transmit electrical signals between the brain, spinal cord, and the rest of the body. |
| Nervous system | controls and coordinates body activities by transmitting signals between the brain, spinal cord, and nerves throughout the body. |
| Neurons | are specialized cells that transmit electrical signals throughout the nervous system to communicate information. |
| Occipital lobe | the part of the brain responsible for processing visual information. |
| Paraplegia | paralysis that affects the lower half of the body, typically caused by spinal cord injury. |
| Parietal lobe | processes sensory information such as touch, temperature, pain, and spatial awareness. |
| Paresis | partial weakness or incomplete paralysis of a muscle or group of muscles. |
| Parkinson's Disease | a progressive nervous system disorder that affects movement, causing tremors, stiffness, and difficulty with balance and coordination. |
| Peripheral nervous system | consists of nerves outside the brain and spinal cord that connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body. |
| Quadriplegia | paralysis of all four limbs and the torso, usually caused by injury to the cervical spinal cord. |
| Receptive aphasisa | the inability to understand spoken or written language despite being able to hear or see it. |
| Right hemisphere of the cerebrum | controls the left side of the body and is responsible for creativity, spatial ability, and recognizing faces and emotions, |
| Sensory Organs | are body parts like the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and skin that detect stimuli and send information to the brain for processing. |
| Spinal Cord | a long bundle of nerves that transmits messages between the brain and the rest of the body and controls reflexes. |
| Temporal lobe | processes hearing, language comprehension, and memory. |
| Angina pectoris (angina) | is chest pain or discomfort caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscle. |
| Arteries | are blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood away from the heart to the body’s tissues. |
| Atherosclerosis | is the buildup of fatty deposits (plaque) inside arteries that narrows and hardens them, restricting blood flow. |
| Cardiovascular System | is the body system that transports blood, nutrients, oxygen, and waste through the heart, blood vessels, and blood. |
| Congestive Heart Failure | a condition in which the heart is unable to pump blood effectively, causing fluid buildup in the lungs and other parts of the body. |
| Coronary Artery Disease | a condition where the coronary arteries become narrowed or blocked due to plaque buildup, reducing blood flow to the heart muscle, |
| Hypertension | a condition where the force of the blood against the artery walls is consistently too high, often leading to heart problems if untreated. |
| Myocardial Infarction (MI, heart attack) | is a medical emergency that occurs when blood flow to part of the heart is blocked, causing damage to the heart muscle. |
| Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) | a condition where narrowed blood vessels reduce blood flow to the limbs, usually the legs, causing pain and circulation problems. |
| Varicose Veins | are swollen, twisted veins that are visible under the skin, usually in the legs, caused by weakened or damaged valves that affect blood flow. |
| Veins | are blood vessels that carry blood back to the heart, usually low in oxygen except for the pulmonary veins. |
| Apnea | a temporary pause in breathing, often occurring during sleep and potentially leading to decreased oxygen levels in the body. |
| Asthma | a chronic respiratory condition where the airways become inflamed and narrowed, causing breathing difficulty, wheezing, and coughing. |
| Bradypnea | an abnormally slow breathing rate, typically fewer than 12 breaths per minute in adults. |
| Cheyne-Stokes | an abnormal breathing pattern characterized by a gradual increase and then decrease in breathing depth followed by periods of apnea. |
| Chronic bronchitis | a long-term inflammation of the bronchial tubes, causing persistent cough and mucus production. |
| Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) | a progressive lung disease that makes it hard to breathe due to airflow blockage from chronic bronchitis and emphysema. |
| Cyanosis | a bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes caused by low oxygen levels in the blood. |
| Dyspnea | the feeling of shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. |
| Emphysema | a chronic lung condition where the air sacs (alveoli) are damaged, leading to shortness of breath and reduced oxygen exchange. |
| Exhale | the process of breathing out air from the lungs. |
| Expiration | the process of releasing air out of the lungs during breathing. |
| Inhale | the process of drawing air into the lungs during breathing. |
| Inspiration | the process of taking air into the lungs during breathing. |
| Lobes | are distinct sections or divisions of an organ, such as the lungs, which have multiple lobes separated by fissures. |
| Lower Respiratory Tract | includes the trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, and lungs, responsible for gas exchange and air delivery deep into the lungs. |
| Lungs | are paired organs in the chest that take in oxygen from the air and remove carbon dioxide from the blood. |
| Pneumonia | an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs, causing them to fill with fluid or pus. |
| Pursed-lip breathing | a breathing technique where air is slowly exhaled through tightly pressed lips to help keep airways open and improve breathing efficiency. |
| Respiratory System | the body system responsible for taking in oxygen and removing carbon dioxide through the lungs and airways. |
| Tachypnea | an abnormally fast breathing rate, typically more than 20 breaths per minute in adults. |
| Thorax | the chest area of the body, enclosed by the ribs, sternum, and spine, containing the heart and lungs. |
| Upper Respiratory Infection (URI, cold) | a common infection that affects the nose, throat, and airways, causing symptoms like sneezing, coughing, and a sore throat. |
| Upper Respiratory Tact | includes the nose, nasal cavity, pharynx, and larynx, responsible for filtering, warming, and humidifying inhaled air. |
| Bowel Movement (feces, stool, BM) | the process of passing solid waste (feces) from the digestive tract out of the body through the rectum and anus. |
| Colostomy | a surgical procedure that creates an opening (stoma) in the abdominal wall to divert waste from the colon to an external bag. |
| Constipation | a condition characterized by infrequent, difficult, or painful bowel movements |
| Defecation | the process of eliminating solid waste (feces) from the rectum through the anus. |
| Diarrhea | the condition of having frequent, loose, or watery bowel movements. |
| Enema | a procedure where liquid is inserted into the rectum to stimulate bowel movement or relieve constipation |
| Digestive System | the body system that breaks down food into nutrients the body can absorb and uses for energy, growth, and repair. |
| Esophagus | the muscular tube that connects the throat (pharynx) to the stomach, allowing food and liquids to pass down. |
| Fecal Impaction | a severe blockage in the rectum caused by hardened stool that cannot be passed naturally. |
| Feces | are the solid waste products eliminated from the digestive tract through the anus. |
| Flatulence | the buildup and release of gas from the digestive system through the rectum. |
| Gastritis | the inflammation of the stomach lining, often causing pain, nausea, and indigestion. |
| Gastric ulcer (peptic ulcer) | an open sore that develops on the lining of the stomach due to damage from stomach acid. |
| Gastroesopageal reflux disease | a chronic condition where stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, causing heartburn and irritation. |
| Incontinence of stool | the inability to control bowel movements, leading to unintentional leakage of feces |
| Intestines (small and large) | are long, tube-like organs where the small intestine absorbs nutrients from food, and the large intestine absorbs water and forms stool. |
| Peristalsis | the series of wave-like muscle contractions that move food through the digestive tract. |
| Ulcerative Colitis | a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation and ulcers in the inner lining of the colon and rectum. |
| Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH) | a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland that can cause difficulty with urination. |
| Chronic Kidney Diseaase (CKD) | the gradual loss of kidney function over time, leading to the buildup of waste and fluid in the body. |
| Cystitis | inflammation of the bladder, often caused by a urinary tract infection, resulting in pain and frequent urination. |
| Dysuria | painful or difficult urination. |
| Functional incontinence | the inability to reach the bathroom in time due to physical or mental impairments, despite having normal bladder control. |
| Hematuria | the presence of blood in the urine. |
| Kidney Stones (renal calculi) | are hard deposits of minerals and salts that form inside the kidneys and can cause severe pain when passing through the urinary tract. |
| Kidneys | are bean-shaped organs that filter waste and excess fluids from the blood to form urine. |
| Nephritis | inflammation of the kidneys, which can impair their ability to filter waste from the blood. |