Medical Terminology Basic

 "It is important to know what you are looking at and the proper terms to use when dealing with medical stuff."

'''-Capt. Don (EMT-B)'''

Basic
This is the Basic Medical Terminology Module.

Positions of the Body
Depending on how we look at the body there are different terms for it. We do not call it the same thing when someone is face down as we do when they are on their side or on their back.

Anatomical Position
This is the anatomical position of the human being. Standing up facing forward with the arms slightly spread out and the palms facing forward.

You can see the entire front of the body when someone is in the anatomical position.

For a better look at the picture click it!

Supine Position
In the supine position a person is lying face up on their back.

This is the position you want your patient in when giving CPR.

Prone Position
When a person is lying face down on their stomach they are in the prone position. CPR can not be given in the prone position, the patient must be supine.

Lateral Recumbent Positions
When a person is on their side, either right or left, they are in the lateral recumbant position. This is a very important position as it will prevent a person from blocking their own airway with saliva or vomit, to an extent. A person in this position for longer than 30 minutes could suffer injury from impaired blood flow.

People often sleep in a similar position.

Fowlers Position
When a person is lying on their back with their upper body elevated 45 to 60 degrees.

Anything less than 45 degrees is often called the semi-fowlers position.

Trendelenberg Position
When a person is lying on his back and his feet are elevated above his head.

This is a controversial position, sometimes used in shock management, and perhaps should be left up to the responding EMS.

The Shock Position
Only the feet and legs are elevated abouth 12 inches.

Midline
When looking at the body via the anatomical position it divides the body strait down the middle and divides the person into two seperate sides from head to feet.

Midaxillary Line
When looking at the body in profile it extends from the armpit down to the ankle.

Anterior
This is the front of the body.

Posterior
This is the back of the body.

Superior
Toward the head or above a point of reference

Inferior
Toward the feet or below a point of reference.

Dorsal
Toward the back or backbone.

Ventral
Toward the front or belly.

Medial
Toward the midline.

Lateral
This is either the left or right.

Bilateral
Both the left and right.

Left and Right
This always refers to the patient's left and right and not yours.

Plantar
This is the sole of the foot.

Palmar
This is the palm of the hand.

Quadrants of the Abdomen
The abdomen of the human body is devided into four quadrants:

Right upper quadrant
Liver, right kidney, colon, pancreeas and gallbladder

Right lower quadrant
Colon, small intestines, major artery and vein to the right leg, ureter and appendix

Left upper quadrant
Liver, spleen, left kidney, stomach, colon and pancreas

Left lower quadrant
Colon, small intestines, major artery and vei, to the left leg, and ureter

Midline Area*
Aorta, pancreas, small intestines, bladder and spine.


 * clearly there are going to be overlapping organs and points that, as you can see, do not fit into just one quadrant.

TEST
Everything you need to know to pass this test is located above.

1) Anatomical Position:

A) is lying face up on their back.

B) Standing up facing forward

C) When a person is on their side, either right or left

2) Midaxillary Line:

A) divides the body strait down the middle and divides the person into two separate sides from head to feet.

B) When looking at the body in profile it extends from the armpit down to the ankle.

C) Divides the left of the skull from the right of the skull.

3) Dorsal

A) Toward the head or above a point of reference

B) Toward the feet or below a point of reference.

C) Toward the back or backbone.

4) The plantar is the palm of the hand:

True or False

5) An injury to the right upper quadrant of the abdomen could injure:

A) colon or apendix

B) The liver or the spleen

C) pancreas or gallbladder

6) Medial means, toward the midline.

True or False

The Trendelenberg position is not considered controversial.

True or False

7) If a person lying on their back with their upper body elevated 45 to 60 degrees is the Fowler's position, what is it called when they are elevated just under 45 degrees?

A) The extreme Fowler's

B) The modified Fowler's

C) The semi-Fowler's

8) In the shock position how man inches are the feet and legs supposed to be elevated?

A) 7

B) 21

C) 12

9) What quadrant of the abdomen is the brain located in?

A) midline area

B) upper left

C) the skull

D) none of the above

10) What position must the body be in to recieve CPR?

A) prone

B) recumbant

C) supine

Instructions
Please send all answers into cptdon@sbcglobal.net : Attention Academy!

Please include your name and any other SMC information that you can.

Disclaimer
This is an open "book" test. It is up to you how much you learn and retain. It is encouraged that you continue your learning beyond SMCA.

This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, emergency treatment or formal first-aid training. Don't use this information to diagnose or develop a treatment plan for a health problem or disease without consulting a qualified health care provider. If you're in a life-threatening or emergency medical situation, seek medical assistance immediately.