TERMS PERTAINING TO THE BODY AS A WHOLE 57

SUFFIXES
The following are some new suffixes introduced in this chapter. See the Glossary at the end of the book, for
additional suffixes meaning “pertaining to.”

SUFFIX MEANING SUFFIX MEANING

-eal pertaining to -ose pertaining to, full of

-iac pertaining to -plasm formation
-ior pertaining to -somes bodies
-ism process, condition -type picture, classification

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
Be sure to check your answers with the Answers to Practical Applications on page 65.

SURGICAL PROCEDURES

Match the surgical procedure in Column I with a reason for performing it in Column II. Note: You are
not looking for the exact meaning of each surgical procedure, but rather why it would be performed.
COLUMN I COLUMN II 2
Procedures Indications

1. Craniotomy ____ A. Emergency effort to remove foreign material from the windpipe
B. Inspection and repair of torn cartilage in the knee
2. Thoracotomy ____ C. Removal of a diseased or injured portion of the brain
3. Diskectomy ____ D. Inspection of lymph nodes* in the region between the lungs
E. Removal of a squamous cell† carcinoma in the voice box
4. Mediastinoscopy ____ F. Open heart surgery, or removal of lung tissue
G. Inspection of abdominal organs and removal of diseased tissue
5. Tracheotomy ____
H. Relief of symptoms from a bulging intervertebral disk
6. Laryngectomy ____
7. Arthroscopy ____
8. Peritoneoscopy ____

*Lymph nodes are collections of tissue containing white blood cells called lymphocytes.
†
A squamous cell is a type of epithelial cell.
 58 TERMS PERTAINING TO THE BODY AS A WHOLE

X-RAY VIEWS

Circle the correct answers in the following sentences related to each x-ray view of the chest.

FIGURE A 1. This is a/an (coronal, sagittal, axial) view. The

heart lies (anterior, posterior, dorsal) to the
vertebrae.

Vertebra

Heart

Lung

FIGURE B 2. This is a/an (coronal, sagittal, axial) view. It is a/an

(CT, traditional x-ray) image.
Right Left

Lungs Heart
2 Bone of rib

Vertebra

FIGURE C 3. This is a/an (coronal, sagittal, axial) view. It is a/an

(lateral, transverse, anterior/posterior) image.

Lung
Ribs

Heart
 TERMS PERTAINING TO THE BODY AS A WHOLE 59

EXERCISES
Remember to check your answers carefully with the Answers to Exercises, page 64.

A The listed terms are parts of a cell. Match each term with its correct meaning.
cell membrane DNA mitochondria
chromosomes endoplasmic reticulum nucleus
cytoplasm genes
1. material of the cell located outside the nucleus and yet enclosed by the cell membrane
__________________________________________________________________________________
2. regions of DNA within each chromosome _______________________________________________
3. small sausage-shaped structures that are the principal source of energy for the cell
__________________________________________________________________________________
4. network of canals within the cytoplasm; the site of protein synthesis _________________________
5. structure that surrounds and protects the cell ___________________________________________
6. control center of the cell, containing chromosomes ______________________________________
7. chemical found within each chromosome _______________________________________________
8. rod-shaped structures in the nucleus that contain regions called genes _______________________ 2
B Use medical terms or numbers to complete the following sentences.
1. A picture of chromosomes in the nucleus of a cell is a/an _________________________________.
2. The number of chromosomes in a normal male’s muscle cell is ____________________________.
3. The number of chromosomes in a female’s egg cell is ____________________________________.
4. The process of building up proteins in a cell is __________________________________________.
5. Complex nutrients are broken down to similar substances and energy is released _____________.
6. The total of the chemical processes in a cell is __________________________________________.
7. A scientist who studies tissues is a/an _________________________________________________.
8. The medical term for internal organs is _______________________________________________.
 60 TERMS PERTAINING TO THE BODY AS A WHOLE

C Match each of the listed body parts or tissues with its correct description below.
adipose tissue pharynx trachea
cartilage pituitary gland ureter
epithelial tissue pleura urethra
larynx thyroid gland uterus
1. voice box ________________________________________________________________________
2. membrane surrounding the lungs ____________________________________________________
3. throat ___________________________________________________________________________
4. tube from the kidney to the urinary bladder ____________________________________________
5. collection of fat cells _______________________________________________________________
6. endocrine organ located at the base of the brain ________________________________________
7. windpipe ________________________________________________________________________
8. flexible connective tissue attached to bones at joints _____________________________________
9. skin cells that cover the outside of the body and line internal organs ________________________
10. endocrine gland surrounding the windpipe in the neck ___________________________________
11. womb ___________________________________________________________________________
12. tube leading from the urinary bladder to the outside of the body ___________________________
2
D Name the five cavities of the body.
1. cavity surrounded by the skull _______________________________________________________
2. cavity in the chest surrounded by the ribs _____________________________________________
3. cavity below the chest containing the stomach, liver, and gallbladder _______________________
4. cavity surrounded by the hip bones ___________________________________________________
5. cavity surrounded by the bones of the back ____________________________________________

E Select from the following to define the terms listed on the next page.
space surrounding each lung
space between the lungs
muscle separating the abdominal and thoracic cavities
membrane surrounding the abdominal organs
area below the umbilicus (as well as below the stomach)
area above the stomach
area of the navel
areas near the groin
nervous tissue within the spinal cavity
bony tissue surrounding the spinal cavity
pad of cartilage between two adjoining vertebrae
 TERMS PERTAINING TO THE BODY AS A WHOLE 61
1. hypogastric region ________________________________________________________________
2. mediastinum _____________________________________________________________________
3. spinal cord _______________________________________________________________________
4. diaphragm _______________________________________________________________________
5. intervertebral disk ________________________________________________________________
6. pleural cavity _____________________________________________________________________
7. spinal column ____________________________________________________________________
8. inguinal regions __________________________________________________________________
9. peritoneum ______________________________________________________________________
10. umbilical region __________________________________________________________________
11. epigastric region __________________________________________________________________

F Name the five divisions of the back.

1. region of the neck _________________________________________________________________
2. region of the chest ________________________________________________________________
3. region of the waist ________________________________________________________________
4. region of the sacrum ______________________________________________________________
2
5. region of the tailbone ______________________________________________________________

G Give the meanings of the following abbreviations.

1. LLQ ____________________________________________________________________________
2. L5–S1 __________________________________________________________________________
3. RUQ ____________________________________________________________________________
4. C3–C4 __________________________________________________________________________
5. RLQ ____________________________________________________________________________

H Give the opposites of the following terms.

1. deep _______________________________ 4. medial _____________________________
2. proximal ____________________________ 5. dorsal ______________________________
3. supine ______________________________ 6. superior ____________________________
 62 TERMS PERTAINING TO THE BODY AS A WHOLE

I Select from the following medical terms to complete the sentences below.
distal midsagittal transverse (axial)
frontal (coronal) proximal vertebra
inferior (caudal) superior (cephalic) vertebrae
lateral
1. The kidney lies ______________________ to the spinal cord. (Hint: to the side of)
2. The ___________ end of the thigh bone (femur) joins with the kneecap (patella).
3. The ___________ plane divides the body into an anterior and a posterior portion.
4. Each backbone is a/an ______________________ .
5. Several backbones are ______________________ .
6. The diaphragm lies __________________________ to the organs in the thoracic cavity.
7. The __________________________ plane divides the body into right and left halves.
8. The ______________________ end of the upper arm bone (humerus) is at the shoulder.
9. The ________________________ plane divides the body into upper and lower portions.
10. The pharynx is located ____________________________________________ to the esophagus.

J Use slashes to divide the following terms into component parts, and give meanings for each.
1. craniotomy ______________________________________________________________________
2
2. cervical _________________________________________________________________________
3. chondroma ______________________________________________________________________
4. chondrosarcoma __________________________________________________________________
5. nucleic __________________________________________________________________________

K Give the medical term for the following definitions. Pay attention to spelling!
1. space below the chest containing the liver, stomach, gallbladder, and intestines
_________________________________________________________________________________
2. flexible connective tissue attached to bones at joints _____________________________________
3. rod-shaped structures in the cell nucleus, containing regions of DNA _______________________
4. muscle separating the abdominal and thoracic cavities ___________________________________
5. voice box ________________________________________________________________________
6. vertical plane dividing the body into right and left sides __________________________________
7. pertaining to the neck _____________________________________________________________
8. tumor (benign) of cartilage _________________________________________________________
9. control center of the cell; directs the activities of the cell _________________________________
10. pertaining to the windpipe __________________________________________________________
 TERMS PERTAINING TO THE BODY AS A WHOLE 63

L Complete each term based on the meaning provided.

1. pertaining to internal organs: __________________________ al
2. tumor of flesh tissue (malignant): __________________________ oma
3. pertaining to the chest: __________________________ic
4. picture of the chromosomes in the cell nucleus: __________________________ type
5. sausage-shaped cellular structures in which catabolism takes place: mito _____________________
6. space between the lungs: media __________________________
7. endocrine gland at the base of the brain: __________________________ary gland
8. pertaining to skin (surface) cells: epi__________________________
9. pertaining to far from the beginning of a structure: __________________________al
10. on the surface of the body: super__________________________

M Circle the correct term to complete each sentence.

1. Dr. Curnen said the (inguinal, superior, superficial) wound barely scratched the surface.
2. Because the liver and spleen are on opposite sides of the body, the liver is in the (RUQ, LUQ, LLQ)
of the abdominopelvic cavity and the spleen is in the (RUQ, LUQ, RLQ).
3. When a gynecologist performs a pelvic examination, the patient lies on her back in the (ventral,
dorsal, medial) lithotomy position (Figure 2-19). 2
4. Sally complained of pain in the area surrounding her navel. The doctor described the pain as
(periumbilical, epigastric, hypogastric).
5. After sampling the fluid surrounding her 16-week-old fetus and reviewing the chromosomal
picture, the doctor explained to Mrs. Jones that the fetus had trisomy 21. The diagnosis was made
by analysis of an abnormal (urine sample, x-ray film, karyotype).
6. The (spinal, sagittal, abdominal) cavity contains digestive organs.
7. The emergency department physician suspected appendicitis when Brandon was admitted with
sharp (LLQ, RLQ, RUQ) pain.

FIGURE 2-19 Dorsal lithotomy position. Lithotomy means incision to remove a stone (lith/o = stone). This
position is used for gynecologic examinations and for removal of stones from the urinary tract.
 64 TERMS PERTAINING
T TO THE BODY AS A WHOLE

8. Susan had hiccups after rapidly eating spicy Indian food. Her physician explained that the hiccups
were involuntary contractions or spasms of the (umbilicus, diaphragm, mediastinum) resulting in
uncontrolled breathing in of air.
9. Everyone in the society pages was noticeably slimmer this year. Could the popularity of liposuction
surgery to remove unwanted (cartilage, epithelial tissue, adipose tissue) have something to do
with this phenomenon?
10. Maria’s coughing and sneezing were a result of an allergy to animal dander that affected her
(respiratory, cardiovascular, urinary) system.
11. While ice skating, Natalie fell and landed on her buttocks. She had persistent (cervical, thoracic,
coccygeal) pain for a few weeks but no broken bones on x-ray examination.

ANSWERS TO EXERCISES
A
1. cytoplasm 4. endoplasmic reticulum 7. DNA
2. genes 5. cell membrane 8. chromosomes
3. mitochondria 6. nucleus

B
1. karyotype 4. anabolism 7. histologist
2. 46 (23 pairs) 5. catabolism 8. viscera
3. 23 6. metabolism
2 C
1. larynx 5. adipose tissue 9. epithelial tissue
2. pleura 6. pituitary gland 10. thyroid gland
3. pharynx 7. trachea 11. uterus
4. ureter 8. cartilage 12. urethra

D
1. cranial 4. pelvic
2. thoracic 5. spinal
3. abdominal

E
1. area below the umbilicus
2. space between the lungs
3. nervous tissue within the spinal
cavity
4. muscle separating the abdominal
and thoracic cavities
5. pad of cartilage between two
adjoining vertebrae
6. space surrounding each lung
7. bony tissue surrounding the spinal
cavity
8. areas near the groin
9. membrane surrounding the
abdominal organs
10. area of the navel
11. area above the stomach

F
1. cervical 4. sacral
2. thoracic 5. coccygeal
3. lumbar
 TERMS PERTAINING TO THE BODY AS A WHOLE 65

G
1. left lower quadrant (of the 3. right upper quadrant (of the 5. right lower quadrant (of the
abdominopelvic cavity) abdominopelvic cavity) abdominopelvic cavity)
2. between the fifth lumbar vertebra 4. between the third and fourth
and the first sacral vertebra cervical vertebrae
(a common place for a herniated
disk)

H
1. superficial 3. prone 5. ventral (anterior)
2. distal 4. lateral 6. inferior (caudal)

I
1. lateral 5. vertebrae 8. proximal
2. distal 6. inferior (caudal) 9. transverse (cross-sectional)
3. frontal (coronal) 7. midsagittal 10. superior (cephalic)
4. vertebra

J
1. crani/o/tomy—incision of the skull
2. cervic/al—pertaining to the neck
(of the body or the cervix of the
uterus)
3. chondr/oma—tumor of cartilage 5. nucle/ic—pertaining to the
(benign or noncancerous tumor) nucleus
4. chondr/o/sarc/oma—flesh tumor of
cartilage (cancerous, malignant
tumor)

K
1. abdomen or abdominal cavity 5. larynx 8. chondroma
2. cartilage 6. sagittal—note spelling with two t’s 9. nucleus
3. chromosomes 7. cervical 10. tracheal
4. diaphragm
2
L
1. visceral 5. mitochondria—memory tip: 7. pituitary gland
2. sarcoma catabolism and mitochondria, cat 8. epithelial
3. thoracic and mouse! 9. distal
4. karyotype 6. mediastinum 10. superficial

M
1. superficial 4. periumbilical 8. diaphragm
2. RUQ; LUQ 5. karyotype 9. adipose tissue
3. dorsal; often called the 6. abdominal 10. respiratory
dorsolithotomy position 7. RLQ 11. coccygeal

Answers to Practical Applications

Surgical Procedures
1. C A trephine is a type of circular
saw used for craniotomy.
2. F
3. H Endoscopic diskectomy is
performed through a small incision
on the back, lateral to the spine. All
or a portion of the disk is removed.
4. D A small incision is made above 8. G A small incision is made near the
the breastbone and an endoscope is navel, and a laparoscope is inserted.
inserted to inspect the lymph nodes The procedure, also called
around the trachea. laparoscopy (lapar/o means
5. A abdomen) or minimally invasive
6. E surgery, is used to examine organs
7. B and perform less complex surgical
operations, such as removal of the
gallbladder or appendix or tying off
of the fallopian tubes.
X-ray Views
1. sagittal, anterior
2. axial, CT
3. coronal, anterior/posterior