Module 2: Body Structure and the
Integumentary System
Module Learning Objectives:
1. To list the levels of organization of the body
2. To identify the three planes of the body as well as its cavities, quadrants and regions
3. To list and identify terms related to direction, position, and planes of the body
4. To recognize, spell, and build words related to body structure
5. To describe diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and other terms related to body structure
6. To locate and describe the function of the major organs of the integumentary system
7. To spell and build words related to the integumentary system
8. To describe the pathological conditions, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures m and other
terms related to the integumentary system
9. To explain the pharmacology associated with the treatment of skin disorders
Overview:
This module covers two chapters of MTS.
Chapter 4 (“Body Structure”) covers the remaining introductory material that you will need to
effectively communicate with fellow medical professionals: those terms related to the basic
structural and functional organization of the body. These terms are relevant to all of the body
systems.
Chapter 5 introduces terminology specific to the integumentary system.
You will notice immediately that these (and all the following) chapters present terms in
groups: Anatomy and Physiology Key Terms; Medical Word Elements; Diseases and
Conditions; Medical, Surgical, and Diagnostic Procedures; Pharmacology; and
Abbreviations. Use these groups to categorize the terms for ease of study.
Terms presented in green tables (such as in Pharmacology) are important for you to know, but
you will not be asked to build more terms from them: you should be able to use and understand
them, but the material in green tables generally forms the foundation of more advanced medical
studies.
Body Structure
There are five levels of organization for the human body:
1. cell,
, 2. tissue,
3. organ,
4. system,
5. organism.
Cell derives from the Latin noun cella, meaning “chamber.” Cells are the “structural and
functional unit of life.”
Cells group together to perform a specialized activity and are then collectively called tissue,
which derives ultimately from the Latin verb texere, which means “to weave.”
There are four major types of tissue in the body:
1. epithelial,
2. connective,
3. muscle,
4. nervous.
Epithelial tissue generally covers and lines surfaces; the prefix epi- derives from the Greek
preposition epi meaning “upon” and the root thel- derives from the Greek noun thele, meaning
“nipple.”
Connective tissue supports and connects tissues and organs; connective derives from the Latin
verb connectere which means “to bind together.”
Muscle tissue contracts to create movement; muscle is the Anglicized form of the Latin noun
musculus.
Nervous tissue transmits electrical impulses; nervous derives from the Latin adjective nervosus
which means “sinewy” or “stringy”).
Two or more tissue types combine to form an organ, which performs a specialized function.
Organ derives from the Greek noun organon, meaning instrument or tool.
A system comprises organs and other accessory structures that have similar or related functions.
System derives from the Greek noun systema, meaning “composite whole.”
The systems combine to create the organism, the “complete living entity capable of independent
existence.” Organism derives, as does organ, from the Greek noun organon and the suffix
–ismos, meaning “condition.”
Descriptions of Body Structure
To communicate locations on the body effectively, physicians use various methods of
description.
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