Anatomy and Medical Terminology Questions and Answers Flashcards

What is the function of the lymphatic system relevant to medical laboratory testing?

Answer: Drainage of tissue fluid, immune cell transport, and absorption of dietary fats

The lymphatic system drains excess interstitial fluid, transports lymphocytes and immune cells, and absorbs dietary fats through lacteals in the intestine, with all of these functions having laboratory implications.

The medical term 'erythrocytosis' refers to which condition?

Answer: An increase in the number of red blood cells above normal

'Erythrocytosis' combines 'erythro-' (red) + 'cyt-' (cell) + '-osis' (condition/process), indicating an abnormal increase in the number of red blood cells.

In medical terminology, the suffix '-centesis' refers to what type of procedure?

Answer: Surgical puncture to remove fluid

'-centesis' means surgical puncture to aspirate or remove fluid. Examples include thoracentesis (chest fluid), paracentesis (abdominal fluid), and arthrocentesis (joint fluid).

Which organ system is assessed by measuring creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in the laboratory?

Answer: Renal (urinary) system

Creatinine and BUN are nitrogenous waste products filtered by the kidneys. Elevated levels indicate impaired renal (kidney) function.

What does the combining form 'cyto-' mean in medical terminology?

Answer: Cell

The combining form 'cyto-' is derived from Greek 'kytos' meaning hollow vessel or cell. It refers to cells in medical terminology, as in cytology (study of cells) and cytoplasm (cell contents).

The anatomical term 'antecubital' refers to what location on the body?

Answer: The inner aspect of the elbow

Antecubital means 'in front of the elbow' — it refers to the inner fold of the elbow, the primary venipuncture site in adults.