BODY STRUCTURE
Medical Terminology
Ms Spriggs
Body Structure and Organization
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The body is organized for its smallest element
called the cell.
The entire body is made of cells that vary in size,
shape, and function.
All cells need food, water, and oxygen to live and
function
Cells
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The basic structure of a cell includes three parts:
 Cell
Membrane
 Nucleus
 Cytoplasm
 Oranelles
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Mitochondria
Ribosomes
Lysosomes
Tissues
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Groups of cells that work together to perform the
same task.
There are four types of tissue:
 Connective
holds and connects body parts together
 Epithelial covers the internal and external body
surfaces (Skin and linings of internal organs)
 Muscle expands and contracts allowing the body to
move.
 Nervous carries messages to and from the brain and
spinal cord from all parts of the body.
Organs
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Groups of tissue that work to gether to perform a
specific function
Systems
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Groups of organs that work together to perform one of
the body’s major functions
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Integumatry
Musculoskeletal
Cardiovascular
Respiratory
Nervous
Urinary
Reproductive
Blood
Lymphatic and Immune
Digestive
Endocrine
Sensory
Cavities
Cavities
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The body has to main cavities (spaces)
 Dorsal
Cavity
 Cranial
Cavity
 Spinal Cavity
 Ventral
Cavity
 Thoracic
Cavity
 Diaphragm
 Abdominal Cavity
 Pelvic Cavity
Directional Terms
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Directional Terms locate a portion of the body or
describe a position of the body.
 Anterior
or Ventral
 Posterior or Dorsal
Directional Terms
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Some terms indicate a position relative to something
else.
Inferior
 Superior
 Lateral
 Medial
 Deep
 Superficial
 Proximal
 Distal
 Supine
 Prone
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Planes of the Body
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There are 3 Imaginary Planes of the body
 Frontal
(Coronal)
 Sagittal (Lateral)
 Midsagittal
 Transverse
(Medial)
(Cross-sectional)
Directions
Regions of the Body
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Doctors use two standard sections to describe the
middle portion of the body.
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Quadrants are the larger section and divided into four (4)
quarters with the navel being the center point.
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RUQ, RLQ, LUQ, LLQ
Regions are the smaller divisions of the abdominal and
pelvic area. Nine (9) regions
Right and Left Hypochondriac
 Right and Left Lumbar
 Right and Left Inguinal (iliac)
 Epigastric
 Umbilical
 Hypogastric
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Quadrants
Quadrants
Regions