Medical terminology roots by body system

Cardiac → ?

Relating to the heart.

Arteries vs. Veins: Differences?

- Arteries carry oxygenated blood. - Veins carry deoxygenated blood.

What does 'myocardium' refer to?

The muscular tissue of the heart.

Fill in the blank: '______ is the upper chamber of the heart.'

Atrium.

True or False: The aorta is the smallest artery.

False. The aorta is the largest artery.

What is 'hypertension'?

A condition of abnormally high blood pressure.

Sphygmomanometer → ?

An instrument used to measure blood pressure.

What are 'valves' in the heart?

Structures that prevent backflow of blood.

Cause → Effect: 'Atherosclerosis leads to ____.'

Reduced blood flow and potential heart attack.

Coronary arteries → ?

Blood vessels supplying blood to the heart muscle.

What does 'arrhythmia' mean?

An irregular heartbeat.

Comparison: 'Blood flow in arteries vs. veins.'

- Arteries: High pressure, thick walls. - Veins: Lower pressure, thinner walls.

What is 'pericardium'?

The fibrous sac surrounding the heart.

True or False: Capillaries are the largest blood vessels.

False. Capillaries are the smallest blood vessels.

Endocardium → ?

The inner lining of the heart chambers.

What does 'ischemia' refer to?

Insufficient blood flow to a tissue.

Respiration → Definition?

The process of inhaling oxygen and exhaling carbon dioxide. Essential for cellular metabolism.

Bronchi → Function?

The main passageways that branch from the trachea to the lungs, allowing air to reach the alveoli.

True or False: Alveoli are where gas exchange occurs.

True. They are tiny air sacs in the lungs where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged.

Inspiration vs. Expiration

Inspiration: breathing in. Expiration: breathing out. Both are vital for effective respiration.

Diaphragm → Role?

A muscle that separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity, it plays a key role in breathing.

Fill in the blank: The trachea is commonly known as the _____.

Windpipe. It connects the throat to the bronchi, allowing air to flow to and from the lungs.

Oxygen → Importance?

Essential for cellular respiration, which produces energy. Without it, cells cannot function properly.

What are pleura?

Membranes surrounding the lungs that facilitate expansion and contraction during breathing.

Bronchitis → What happens?

Inflammation of the bronchial tubes, leading to cough and mucus production. Can be acute or chronic.

Ventilation vs. Perfusion

Ventilation: air reaching alveoli. Perfusion: blood flow in the lungs. Both are necessary for gas exchange.

Asthma → Symptoms?

Wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness. Caused by inflammation and narrowing of airways.

What is surfactant?

A substance that reduces surface tension in the alveoli, preventing collapse and aiding gas exchange.

Pneumonia → Define.

An infection that inflames air sacs in one or both lungs, which may fill with fluid or pus.

Carbon Dioxide → Byproduct of?

Cellular respiration. It is transported back to the lungs to be exhaled.

Cilia → Function?

Tiny hair-like structures that line the respiratory tract, helping to trap and expel foreign particles.

Hypoxia → What does it mean?

A condition in which there is a deficiency of oxygen in the tissues. Can lead to cell damage.

Mouth → Function in digestion?

The mouth is the entry point for food. It mechanically breaks down food through chewing and mixes it with saliva to begin the chemical digestion process.

Esophagus → Role?

The esophagus is a muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach, transporting food via peristalsis.

True or False: The stomach absorbs nutrients.

False. The stomach primarily digests food, while nutrient absorption occurs mainly in the small intestine.

Small intestine → Main function?

The small intestine is responsible for the majority of nutrient absorption and digestion. It consists of three parts: duodenum, jejunum, and ileum.

Pancreas → What does it produce?

The pancreas produces digestive enzymes and hormones such as insulin, crucial for digestion and blood sugar regulation.

Fill in the blank: The __ produces bile.

The liver produces bile, which aids in the emulsification and digestion of fats.

Gallbladder → Function?

The gallbladder stores and concentrates bile produced by the liver, releasing it into the small intestine during digestion.

Large intestine vs. Small intestine

- Large intestine: Absorbs water and electrolytes. - Small intestine: Absorbs nutrients and digests food.

Rectum → What is its purpose?

The rectum serves as the final section of the large intestine, storing feces before elimination.

Salivary glands → Role in digestion?

Salivary glands produce saliva, which contains enzymes that begin the digestion of carbohydrates and helps moisten food.

True or False: The stomach is an alkaline environment.

False. The stomach is acidic, with a pH around 1.5 to 3.5, which aids in digestion.

Function of fibers in the digestive tract?

Fibers aid in digestion by promoting regular bowel movements and preventing constipation.

Function of villi in the small intestine?

Villi are small, finger-like projections that increase the surface area for absorption of nutrients.

What is the role of enzymes in digestion?

Enzymes break down complex food molecules into simpler forms that can be absorbed by the body.

Constipation → Cause?

Constipation can be caused by inadequate fiber intake, dehydration, or lack of physical activity.

Gastroesophageal reflux → What occurs?

Gastroesophageal reflux occurs when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, causing heartburn and discomfort.

Neuron → What is its role?

Neurons are the fundamental units of the nervous system. They transmit signals throughout the body, facilitating communication between the brain and other parts.

Cerebrum vs. Cerebellum

Cerebrum: responsible for higher brain functions; Cerebellum: coordinates muscle movements and maintains balance.

Neurotransmitter → Function?

Neurotransmitters are chemicals that transmit signals across synapses between neurons, influencing various neurological functions.

What is the central nervous system?

The central nervous system (CNS) includes the brain and spinal cord, coordinating the body's response and processing sensory information.

Autonomic Nervous System → Main divisions?

The autonomic nervous system has two main divisions: the sympathetic (fight or flight) and parasympathetic (rest and digest) systems.

True or False: Axons transmit impulses toward the neuron.

False. Axons transmit impulses away from the neuron.

Dendrites → Role in neurons?

Dendrites receive signals from other neurons and relay them to the cell body, playing a crucial role in neural communication.

Peripheral Nervous System → Components?

The peripheral nervous system consists of all nerves outside the CNS, including cranial and spinal nerves.

What is myelin sheath?

The myelin sheath is a protective covering that surrounds axons, enhancing the speed of electrical impulses along the nerve cells.

Reflex Arc → Define it.

A reflex arc is a neural pathway that controls a reflex action, involving sensory input, processing in the spinal cord, and motor output.

Spinal Cord → Key function?

The spinal cord transmits signals between the brain and the rest of the body and is involved in reflex actions.

Somatic vs. Autonomic Nervous Systems

Somatic: controls voluntary movements; Autonomic: regulates involuntary functions like heart rate and digestion.

What are glial cells?

Glial cells support and protect neurons, providing structural support, insulation, and nutrient supply.

Sensory Neurons → Function?

Sensory neurons transmit sensory information from receptors to the central nervous system, enabling perception of stimuli.

Cause → Effect: Damage to myelin.

Cause: Damage to myelin. Effect: Slowed nerve impulse transmission, as seen in conditions like multiple sclerosis.

What are synapses?

Synapses are junctions between neurons where neurotransmitters are released, allowing communication between nerve cells.