Phalanx (pi. phalanges). One of the bones of the fingers or toes. Pharynx. The musculo-membranous tube situated back of the nose, mouth, and larynx. Phrenic. Pertaining to the diaphragm or diaphragmatic region, surface, etc. Pia Mater. The vascular membrane enveloping the surface of the brain and spinal cord. Pigment. A coloring matter, or dye-stuff; as in skin and eye. Pisiform (bone). Pea-shaped bone of the wrist. Placenta. Organ on the wall of the uterus to which embryo is attached by umbilical cord for nourishment from third month until birth. Plantar. Referring to the sole of the foot. Plasma. The fluid part of blood and lymph. Platysma Myoides (muscle). Broad muscle covering neck. Pleura. Serous membrane covering lungs and inner surface of thoracic cavity. Pollicis. Of the thumb. Polygonal. Having many angles. Polyhedral. Having many sides. Potential (energy). Capable of acting or doing work. Poupart's Ligament. Extends from anterior superior spine of iliac bone to pubic spine, lower border of aponeurosis of external oblique muscle of abdomen. Pretracheal. In front of the trachea. Prevertebral. In front of vertebral column. Proligerous (disk). Producing offspring; layer of cells in membrana granulosa surrounding ovum. Pronation. Turning palm downward, opposite supination. Pronator Quadratus (muscle). Square pronator muscle. Pronator Radii Teres (muscle). Round pronator of radius muscle. Protein or Proteid. Important and essential constituents of animal and vegetable tissues containing nitrogen. Proteolysis. Change in proteins by ferments converting them into diffusible bodies. Proteolytic Ferments. Pertaining to those ferments which convert proteins into diffusible bodies. Protoplasm. Viscid material constituting living cells, upon which all vital functions depend. Proximal. Nearest to the body or median line of the body. Pyloric. Pertaining to pylorus of stomach. Pylorus. Circular opening of stomach into duodenum. Pyramidal. Shaped like a pyramid. Pyramidalis (muscle). Muscle shaped like pyramid found at lower part and inserted into linea alba of abdominal wall. Quadratus. Squared; four-sided. Racemose. Resembling bunch of grapes. Radius (bone). Outer bone of forearm. Rami Communicantes. Branches connecting spinal nerve with sympathetic ganglia. Reflex (action). Act following immediately upon stimulus without intervention of will. Refractory (apparatus). Causing rays of light to deviate from direct course, as in eye's refractory apparatus for focusing on retina based on object distance. Renal. Pertaining to kidney. Reticular. Resembling net, formed by network, as reticular tissue. Rugae. Folds. Saccharoses. Group of carbohydrates occurring in juice of many plants. Sacrum (bone). Sacred bone; wedge-shaped bone at base of spine. Sagittal. Arrow-like, referring to anteroposterior middle plane of body or organ. Saphenous. Superficial vein lying just beneath skin and superficial fascia. Sarcolemma. Delicate membrane enveloping muscle fiber. Secretion. Act of secreting substance from materials furnished by blood for elimination or use in carrying on functions; substance secreted, as bile, sweat. Sensor or Sensory. Pertaining to or conveying sensation, as sensor nerve. Sella Turcica. Turkish saddle; pituitary fossa lodging pituitary body. Semilunar. Resembling half-moon in shape. Septum (pi. septa). Partition, dividing wall, as nasal septum. Serous (membrane). Pertaining to or resembling serum. Serum. Clear yellowish fluid separating from blood after coagulation of fibrin; any clear fluid resembling serum of blood. Sigmoid. Shaped like Greek letter 2. Sinus. Hollow or cavity. Soleus (muscle). Flat muscle of calf. Solitary. Single, existing separately. Specific Gravity. Measured weight of substance compared with equal volume of another taken as standard. Sphenoid. Wedge-shaped bone at base of skull. Spinal (nerve). Pertaining to spine or spinal cord. Spinus. Resembling or pertaining to spine. Squamous. Of shape of scale. Stellate. Star-shaped. Sternohyoid (muscle). From sternum to hyoid bone. Sternomastoid (muscle). From sternum to mastoid. Sternothyroid (muscle). From sternum to thyroid cartilage. Sternum. Breast bone. Stratified. Formed into layer or layers. Striated. Striped. Stroma. Tissue forming framework for necessary part of organ or tissue. Stylohyoid. Pertaining to styloid process of temporal bone and hyoid bone. Styloid. Resembling pillar. Sub. A prefix denoting under or beneath. Sulcus. Furrow or groove. Superciliary. Pertaining to eyebrow. Supination. Turning palm upward, opposite pronation. Sutural. Pertaining to suture. Suture. Seam or joint uniting bones of skull. Symphysis (pubes). Line of junction of two bones; symphysis pubis: line of junction of two bodies of pubic bones located at front of true pelvis. Synarthrosis. Form of joint in which bones are firmly bound together and immovable, no synovial membrane. Syndesmosis. Joint held together by ligaments. Synovia. Clear alkaline lubricating fluid secreted by cells of synovial membrane found within a synovial sac. Tactile. Pertaining to sense of touch. Temporal (bone). Pertaining to temple, as temporal bone, artery, etc. Tendo Achillis. Common tendon of gastrocnemius and soleus muscles. Tensor Vaginae or Fasciae Femoris. Stretcher of sheath of thigh. Tentorium Cerebelli. Partition of dura mater between cerebrum and cerebellum. Thenar. Palm of hand; fleshy prominence of palm corresponding to base of thumb, also called thenar eminence (ball of the thumb). Thermal. Pertaining to heat. Thoracic. Pertaining to or situated in thorax or chest. Thyrohyoid (muscle). From thyroid cartilage to hyoid bone. Thyroid. Shield-shaped; pertaining to thyroid gland, cartilage, etc. Tibia (bone). Large bone on inner side of leg. Tissue. Arrangement of similar cells and fibers forming distinct structure entering as such into formation of organ or organism. Tonicity. Condition of normal tone or tension of organs; state of tone. Trabecula (pi. se). Fibrous bands extending from capsule into interior of an organ. Trachea. Windpipe. Transitional. Denoting change from one shape to another. Trapezium (bone). First bone of second row of wrist, resembling trapezium in shape. Triceps (muscle). Three-headed muscle. Tuberculum or Tubercle. Small nodule; rounded prominence on a bone. Tuberosity. Protrusion on a bone. Tympanic (membrane). Pertaining to tympanum. Ulna (bone). Bone on inner side of forearm. Unciform (bone). Hook-shaped bone in second row of wrist. Unipolar. Having but one pole or process, as unipolar nerve cell. Urea. Chief nitrogenous constituent of urine and principal end-product of tissue metabolism. Uriniferous (tubules). Tubules which carry or convey urine from kidney substance to pyramids of kidney. Vagina. Sheath; musculomembranous canal extending from vulval opening to mouth of cervix of uterus, ensheathing latter and penis during coitus. Valvulae Conniventes. Small transverse folds of mucous membrane of small intestine. Vasodilator. Nerves which when stimulated cause dilatation of blood vessels.
Key Takeaways
- Understanding medical terminology is crucial for effective communication in healthcare and survival situations.
- The placenta plays a critical role in fetal development, providing nourishment from the third month until birth.
- Knowledge of anatomical structures such as the pharynx, pleura, and sphenoid bone aids in identifying injuries or conditions.
Practical Tips
- Learn key medical terms to enhance your ability to communicate effectively during emergencies.
- Recognize the importance of the placenta for fetal health and survival.
- Understand anatomical structures like the pharynx and pleura to identify potential injury sites in trauma situations.
Warnings & Risks
- Improper use of medical terminology can lead to misunderstandings or misdiagnoses, potentially worsening a situation.
- Ignoring the critical role of the placenta during pregnancy can result in severe complications for both mother and child.
Modern Application
While this chapter focuses on anatomical terms from over a century ago, understanding these definitions remains crucial today. Medical language has evolved but retains many historical roots. Knowledge of anatomical structures is invaluable in emergency situations where clear communication with medical professionals can be life-saving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the significance of the placenta during pregnancy?
The placenta, an organ attached to the uterine wall and connected to the embryo by the umbilical cord, provides nourishment from about the third month until birth. It plays a critical role in fetal development.
Q: How does understanding anatomical terms like 'pleura' benefit survival scenarios?
Understanding anatomical terms such as pleura (the serous membrane covering lungs and inner surface of thoracic cavity) helps identify potential injury sites, aiding in proper triage and treatment during emergencies.
Q: What is the importance of knowing medical terminology for survival preparedness?
Knowing medical terminology enhances communication with healthcare professionals, ensuring accurate descriptions of injuries or conditions, which can be crucial in emergency situations.