MedTerm.Chapter.2-Human Body in Health and Disease

abdominal cavity

the body cavity that contains the major organs of digestion

adenocarcinoma

a malignant tumor that originates in glandular tissue

adenoma

a benign tumor that arises in or resembles glandular tissue

anaplasia

a change in the structure of cells and in their orientation to each other

adenectomy

surgical removal of a gland

adenomalacia

abnormal softening of a gland

adenosclerosis

abnormal hardening of a gland

anomaly

a deviation from what is regarded as normal

anatomy

the study of the structures of the body

anterior

situated in front

aplasia

the defective development, or the congenital absence, of an organ or tissue

atresia

the congenital absence or narrowing of a normal body opening or passage

bloodborne transmission

the spread of a disease through contact with blood or other body fluids that are contaminated with blood

caudal

toward the lower part of the body

cephalic

toward the head

chromosome

a genetic structure located within the nucleus of each cell

communicable disease

Any disease transmitted from one person to another either directly or by indirect contact with contaminated objects.

congenital disorder

an abnormal condition the exists at the time of birth

cytoplasm

the material located within the cell membrane that is not part of the nucleus

distal

situated farthest from the midline or beginning of a body structure

dorsal

back of the body or organ

dysplasia

abnormal development or growth of cells, tissues, or organs

endemic

Referring to the ongoing presence of a disease, such as the common cold, within a population, group, or area.

endocrine gland

the glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream

epidemic

a sudden and widespread outbreak of a disease within a specific population group or area

epigastric region

the region located above the stomach

etiology

study of the cause of disease

exocrine glands

glands that secrete chemical substances into ducts leading either to other organs or out of the body

functional disorder

produces symptoms for which no physiological or anatomical cause can be identified

genetic disorder

a pathological condition caused by an absent or defective gene

genome

complete set of genetic information in an organism

geriatrician

a physician who specializes in the care of older people

hemophilla

a group of hereditary bleeding disorders in which a blood-clotting factor is missing

histology

the microscopic study of the structure, composition, and function of tissues

Homeostasis

the processes through which the body maintains a constant internal environment

hyperplasia

the enlargement of an organ or tissue because of an abnormal increase in the number of cells in the tissues

hypertrophy

a general increase in the bulk of a body part or organ that is due to an increase in the size, but not in the number, of cells in the tissues

hypogastric region

the region of the abdomen that is located below the stomach.

hypoplasia

the incomplete development of an organ or tissue usually due to a deficiency in the number of cells

iatrogenic illness

an unfavorable response due to prescribed medical treatment

idiopathic disorder

an illness without known cause

infectious disease

illness caused by living pathogenic organisms such as bacteria and viruses

inguinal

relating to the groin, refers to the entire lower area of the abdomen

intensivist

a physician specializing in the care of critically ill patients in the ICU

medial

the direction toward or nearer the midline

mesentery

the fused double layer of the parietal peritoneum that attaches parts of the intestine to the interior abdominal wall

midsagittal plane

the vertical plane that divides the body, from top to bottom, into equal left and right halves

nosocomial infection

a disease acquired in a hospital or clinical setting

pandemic

A disease outbreak occurring over a large geographic area, possibly worldwide.

pathology

the study of disease, nature, and cause

pelvic cavity

the space formed by the hip bones; contains primarily the organs of the reproductive and excretory systems

peritoneum

a multilayered membrane that protects and holds the organs in place within the abdominal cavity

peritonitis

inflammation of the peritoneum

Phenylketonuria

a genetic disorder in which the essential digestive enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase is missing

physiology

the study of the functions of the body strictures

posterior

situated in back or on the back part of an organ

proximal

situated nearest the midline or beginning of a body structure

retroperitoneal

located behind the peritoneum

stem cells

unspecialized cells that renew themselves for long periods of time through cell division

thoracic cavity

the cavity that surrounds and protects the heart and the lungs; also known as the chest cavity

syndrome

a set of signs and symptoms that occur together as a part of a specific disease process

transverse plane

the horizontal plane that divides the body into upper and lower portions

umbilicus

the pit in the center of the abdominal wall that marks where the umbilical cord was attached before birth

vector-borne transmission

The spread of a disease due to the bite of a vector capable of transmitting that disease.

ventral

refers to the front or belly side of the body or organ