1. Terminology in Health Care and Public Health Settings
Unit 1c
Understanding Medical Words
Understanding Medical Words, Part 1. In Part I, we will cover some general concepts regarding medical terminology, but will primarily focus on word roots and combining vowels.
Component 3/Unit 1c
Health IT Workforce Curriculum Version 1/Fall 2010 1

2. Describing the Body – Cell Types
Connective tissue – bones, ligaments, tendons
Epithelial tissue – covers body surfaces, inside and outside
Muscle tissue – moves the body
Nervous tissue – carries messages from brain and spinal column
Describing the Body – Cell Types
The body is composed of different types of cells. The cells come together to form tissues. A tissue is formed when like cells are grouped together and function together to perform a specific activity. The body has four types of tissues:
Connective tissue supports and protects the body structure. Bones, ligaments, tendons are forms of connective tissue.
Epithelial tissue covers body surfaces, inside and outside. The skin, lining of the stomach and intestines are examples of epithelial tissue.
Muscle tissue helps the body move. Skeletal muscles are one examples of muscle tissue.
Nervous tissue carries messages from brain and spinal column and allows information to be sent between the brain and the rest of the body through a network of nerves.
Component 3/Unit 1c
Health IT Workforce Curriculum Version 1/Fall 2010

3. Describing the Body – Systems
Integumentary system = skin, hair, nails, sweat and oil glands
Musculoskeletal system = muscles, bones, cartilage
Cardiovascular system = heart and blood vessels
Describing the Body – Systems
Cells form into tissues; tissues form into organs and organs form into systems. A system is composed of several organs functioning together in a coordinated manner. The body is divided into various systems. These include:
The Integumentary system. This body system includes the skin, hair, nails, sweat and oil glands. It receives sensory information for the sensations of pain, touch, and temperature. It protects the internal organs from infection and trauma and regulates the body temperature by sweating.
Musculoskeletal system. This body systems includes muscles, bones, and cartilage. It supports the body and produces body movement.
Cardiovascular system. This body includes the heart and blood vessels. It pumps blood throughout the body to transport nutrients, oxygen and wastes.
Component 3/Unit 1c
Health IT Workforce Curriculum Version 1/Fall 2010

4. Describing the Body – Systems
Respiratory system = lungs and airways
Nervous system = brain, spinal cord, nerves
Urinary system = kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra
Describing the Body – Systems
Respiratory system. This system includes the lungs and airways. It obtains oxygen and removes carbon dioxide from the body.
Nervous system. This system includes the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. It receives information from the body relating to the senses and pain, touch, temperature, and body position. It coordinates body movement and stores and interprets memory and emotion.
Urinary system. This system includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Its function relates to excreting urine and waste products.
Component 3/Unit 1c
Health IT Workforce Curriculum Version 1/Fall 2010

5. Describing the Body – Systems
Female reproductive system = ovaries, vagina, fallopian tubes, uterus, mammary glands
Male reproductive system; testes, penis, prostate gland, vas deferens, seminal vesicles
Describing the Body – Systems
Female reproductive system. This system includes the ovaries, vagina, fallopian tubes, uterus, and mammary glands. This system secretes hormones, produces ova, and regulates menstruation, pregnancy, and milk production from the breasts.
Male reproductive system. This system includes the testes, penis, prostate gland, vas deferens, and seminal vesicles. This system secretes hormones and produces sperm.
Sometimes, these two systems are combined and referred to generally as the Reproductive System.
Component 3/Unit 1c
Health IT Workforce Curriculum Version 1/Fall 2010

6. Describing the Body – Systems
Blood system = blood and all components
Lymphatic & immune system = lymph, lymph glands, lymphatic vessels
Digestive system = all organs of digestion and excretion
Endocrine system = hormone glands
Describing the Body – Systems
Blood system. This system includes the blood and all components. The functions of this system is to transport oxygen, protect against pathogens, and controls bleeding.
Lymphatic & immune system. This system includes the lymph, lymph glands, and lymphatic vessels. This system is key in recognizing and destroying disease-causing organisms and abnormal cells.
Digestive system. This system includes all organs of digestion and excretion. It digests food, absorbs nutrients into the blood, and excretes undigested wastes. It receives sensory information for the sense of taste.
Endocrine system. This system includes all of the various hormone glands. It produces and secretes hormones into the blood that direct other body organs.
Component 3/Unit 1c
Health IT Workforce Curriculum Version 1/Fall 2010

7. Describing the Body – Systems
Sensory system = eyes, ears, all body parts related to the five senses
Seeing
Smelling
Hearing
Tasting
Feeling
Describing the Body – Systems
Sensory system. This system includes the eyes, ears, and all body parts related to the five senses of Seeing, Smelling, Hearing, Tasting, and Feeling.
Some parts of this system may be included within other body systems. Primary components of this system are the eyes and ears.
Component 3/Unit 1c
Health IT Workforce Curriculum Version 1/Fall 2010

8. Health IT Workforce Curriculum Version 1/Fall 2010
Body Cavities
Cranial – contains brain
Spinal – contains spinal cord
Thoracic – contains heart, lungs, and associated structures
Abdominopelvic – contains digestive, excretory, reproductive organs and structures
Body Cavities
A cavity is a hollow space and is surrounded by ones or muscles that support and protect the organs and structures within the cavity. There are four body cavities:
Cranial – The cranial cavity contains the brain.
Spinal – The spinal cavity contains spinal cord.
Thoracic – The thoracic cavity contains the heart, lungs, and associated structures
Abdominopelvic – The abdonimopelvic cavity contains digestive, excretory, reproductive organs and structures.
Component 3/Unit 1c
Health IT Workforce Curriculum Version 1/Fall 2010

9. Health IT Workforce Curriculum Version 1/Fall 2010
Directional Terms
Anterior or ventral = front
Posterior or dorsal = back
Inferior = below
Superior =above
Lateral = side
Medial = middle
Directional Terms
Directional terms help to describe one process, organ, or system as it relates to another. They also assist in discussing the position or location of the patient’s complaint.
Common directional terms include:
Anterior or ventral is the front of the body.
Posterior or dorsal is the back of the body.
Inferior is below another structure; moving more toward the feet
Superior is above another structure; moving more toward the head
Lateral is along side another structure;
Medial refers to the middle or near middle of the body or structure
Component 3/Unit 1c
Health IT Workforce Curriculum Version 1/Fall 2010

10. Health IT Workforce Curriculum Version 1/Fall 2010
Directional Terms
Proximal = near trunk or point of attachment
Distal = away from trunk or point of attachment
Supine = lying on spine face upward
Prone = lying on stomach with face down
Directional Terms
Additional directional terms include:
Proximal located near the trunk or point of attachment to the body
Distal located is away from trunk or point of attachment to the body
Supine refers to the position when you are lying on your spine with your face upward.
Prone refers to lying on your stomach with your face down.
Component 3/Unit 1c
Health IT Workforce Curriculum Version 1/Fall 2010

11. Health IT Workforce Curriculum Version 1/Fall 2010
Tell me, Detective . . .
A dead body is discovered lying in the prone position in an alleyway. Which of the following observations can you make without moving the body?
Puncture wound below the navel.  
Laceration in the pectoral region.  
Crush injury to sternum.  
Gunshot wound to right buttock.  
Tell me, Detective . . .
So let’s see how these terms might be used.
A dead body is discovered lying in the prone position in an alleyway. Which of the following observations can you make without moving the body?
Puncture wound below the navel.  
Laceration in the pectoral region.  
Crush injury to sternum.  
Gunshot wound to right buttock.
The correct answer is a gunshot wound to right buttock. Remember that Prone means lying face down.  
Component 3/Unit 1c
Health IT Workforce Curriculum Version 1/Fall 2010