Module 1: HB Terminology
Basic Anatomical Terminology – Clinical Observational Techniques:
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Visualization: Observe the body surface (abnormalities in size, shape, angulation)
Palpitation: feel body surface with hands (pulses, breathing rates, temp)
Auscultation: listen to body sounds (abnormal fluid in lungs)
Percussion: tap on surface of body and listen to echo (air in intestines)
Planes and Sections:
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Sagittal Plane: divides the body or and organ into left
and right sides.
Mid-sagittal Plane: produces equal halves.
Para-sagittal Plane: Produces unequal sections.
Module 1: HB Body Cavities
The Dorsal Cavity:
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The meninges (special protective coverings) line the dorsal body cavity.
Two subdivisions:
o Cranial cavity: holds the brain, formed by the skull.
o Vertebral Cavity: Contains the spinal cord and spinal nerve roots, formed by the
vertebral column.
The Ventral Cavity:
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Two subdivisions:
o Thoracic cavity: contains heart and lungs.
 Encircled by ribs, sternum, vertebral column and muscle.
 Divided into two pleural cavities by the mediastinum.
o Abdominopelvic cavity: contains digestive tract, urinary bladder, reproductive
organs, rectum.
Pleural Cavities
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Visceral pleura clings to lung wall.
Parietal pleura lines chest wall.
Module 1: HB Medical Imaging
Conventional Radiography:
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A single burst of X-rays.
Shows dense tissues (bone)
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Poor resolution of soft tissues (dark)
Computerised Topography:
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Moving, slicing Xray beam
Image produced on a video monitor of a cross-section through body.
Computer generated images.
Multiple scans used to make 3-D images.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging:
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Body exposed to high energy magnetic field.
Protons in hydrogen align themselves relative to magnetic field.
Best for viewing soft tissues.
Ultrasound (sonography):
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High-frequency waves emitted by hand-held device.
Used for feotal ultrasounds and examination of pelvic and abdominal organs, heart and
blood.
Positron Emission Tomography:
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Substance that emits positively charged particles is injected into the body.
Collision with negatively charged electrons in tissues releases gamma rays.
o Cancer cells have a higher metabolic rate than normal cells
Endoscopic Techniques:
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Use of an endoscopic – a fibre-optic device to visually inspect the interior of the body.
Module 1: The Organelles
Cells can differ in their structure, shape, function and life-span according to their location and
specialization.
Three Key Components of the Cell
1. Plasma Membrane:
i.
Outer cell membrane.
ii.
A double row of phospholipid molecules.
i. Functions: Acts as a barrier separating the intracellular and extracellular
fluid, controls flow of substances into and out, helps identify other cells,
participates in intracellular signalling
2. Cytoplasm:
i.
Cytosol: the intracellular fluid
ii.
Cytoskeleton
iii.
Organelles
3. Nucleus:
i.
Holds most of the genetic material.
Summary of Phospholipids:
o
o
o
Comprises 75% of the cell membrane lipids.
Phospholipid bilayer = 2 parallel layers of molecules
Each molecule is amphipathic (has polar and non-polar regions)