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Anatomy: the study of the internal and external structures

Microscopic anatomy: study of structures that can be seen and examined only with magnification aids.

​Cytology: study of cellular structures

​Histology: study of tissue samples Macroscopic anatomy (gross anatomy): the study of structures visible to the naked eye.

Physiology: study focused on the functions and processes of the various structures that make up the human body.

Medical Terminology (words): most medical term is made up of three parts—roots, prefixes and suffixes

​Root: the basic structure on which the word in built, the “heart” of the word

​Prefixes: come before the root and change the meaning (not always present)

​Suffixes: come after the root and change the meaning Metric System: international measuring system based on the power of ten (often used in health care)

English (Imperial) System: measuring system that includes ounces, pounds, inches, feet, gallons (occasionally used in medicine)

Disease: literally means “not at ease”

Signs: definitive, objective, obvious indicators of an illness. Signs can be measured and expressed as numbers.

Vital signs: common, measurable indicators that are essential to life and include pulse, blood pressure, body temperature and respiratory rate. Vital signs standard values can change according to age and sex.

Symptoms: more subjective and difficult to measure consistently. Ex. pain