Human Physiology Concepts Quiz

Pandemic

• An epidemic that is geographically widespread.

Pelvic Cavity

• The space formed by the hip bones.
• Contains primarily the organs of the reproductive and excretory systems.

Peritoneum

• Membrane that lines the abdominal cavity.
• Inflammation of the peritoneum is called peritonitis.

Phenylketonuria (PKU)

• A genetic disorder.
• An essential digestive enzyme is missing.

Physiology

• The study of body function.
• Posterior means toward the back.

Proximal

• Closer to the point of attachment.

Retroperitoneal

• Located behind the peritoneum.

Thoracic Cavity

• Contains the heart and lungs.

Transverse Plane

• A horizontal division of the body into upper and lower portions.

Umbilicus

• The navel, or belly button.

Ventral

• Toward the belly.

Stem Cells

• Unspecialized cells that can renew themselves for a long time.
• Able to renew themselves by cell division.

Vector-borne Transmission

• The use of an animal to spread an organism from one person or place to another.

Hemophilia

• A genetic disorder affecting clotting ability.
• Severe bleeding from minor injuries.
• Often inherited and primarily affects males.

Histology

• The microscopic study of tissues.
• Examines tissue to study their structure, function, and abnormalities.

Homeostasis

• The process of maintaining a relatively stable internal environment in organisms.

Hyperplasia

• An increase in the number of cells in a tissue or organ.

Hypertrophy

• An increase in the size of cells, which enlarges the tissue or organ.
• Often seen in muscle tissue due to exercise.

Hypogastric Region

• Area of the abdomen below the umbilical (navel) region and above the pubic region.
• Also called the suprapubic region.

Hypoplasia

• Undervelopment of an organ or tissue.
• Results in a smaller than normal organ or tissue size.
• Usually due to a developmental anomaly.

Iatrogenic Illness

• Illness caused by medical examination, treatment, or diagnostic procedures.

Idiopathic Disorder

• A disease or condition with an unknown cause.

Infectious Disease

• A disease caused by pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites).
• Can spread directly or indirectly between individuals.
• Examples: flu, tuberculosis, malaria

Inguinal Region

• The groin region, where the lower abdomen meets the thigh.
• Includes structures like the inguinal ligament and canal.

Medial

• Refers to a position closer to the midline of the body.

Mesentery

• A fold of the peritoneum that attaches intestines to the abdominal wall.
• Provides stability, and carries blood vessels, nerves, and lymphatics to the intestines.

Midsagittal/Median Plane

• Divides the body into equal left and right halves.

Nosocomial Infection

• An infection acquired in a hospital or healthcare facility.
• Not present at the time of admission.

Communicable Disease

• A disease that spreads from person to person.

Congenital Disorder

• A condition present at birth, often due to genetic or environmental factors.

Cytoplasm

• The gel-like material inside a cell, excluding the nucleus.

Distal

• Farther from the center of the body or a point of attachment.

Dorsal

• Refers to the back or rear side of the body.

Dysplasia

• Abnormal growth or development of cells or tissues.

Endemic

• A disease that is regularly found in a specific area or group.

Endocrine Glands

• Glands that release hormones directly into the bloodstream.

Epidemic

• A widespread outbreak of a disease in a specific area.

Epigastric Region

• The upper middle area of the abdomen.

Etiology

• The study of disease causes.

Exocrine Glands

• Glands that release substances through ducts to surfaces or body cavities.

Functional Disorder

• A condition with impaired function but no structural abnormalities.

Genetic Disorder

• A disease caused by DNA abnormalities.

Geriatrician

• A doctor specializing in elderly care.

Adenectomy

• Surgical removal of a gland.

Adenocarcinoma

• A cancerous tumor of glandular tissue.

Adenoma

• A noncancerous (benign) tumor of glandular tissue.

Adenomalacia

• Abnormal softening of a gland.

Adenosclerosis

• Abnormal hardening of a gland.

Anaplasia

• A change in the structure of cells and their orientation to each other.

Anatomy

• The study of body structure

Anomaly

• A deviation from normal structure or function

Ansoteric

• Front of the body

Aplasia

• Lack of development

Caudal

• Toward the tail

Cephalic

• Toward the head

Chromosome

• Threadlike structure of nucleic acids and proteins carrying genetic information.

Bloodborne Transmission

• Spread of a disease by contact with blood or other blood-contaminated body fluids.

Exo-

• Out of, outside, away from

Histo-

• Tissue

-ologist

• Specialist

-ology

• Science or study of

Path/o (-pathy)

• Disease, suffering, feeling, emotion

Plas/i, Plas/o (-plasia)

• Development, growth, formation

Poster/o

• Behind, toward the back

-stasis, -static

• Control, maintenance of a constant level