NBCMI - National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters Medical Terminology: Anatomy Questions and Answers

Question 1

A physician describes a patient's rash as being 'distal' to the knee. For accurate interpretation, where should the interpreter understand the rash is located?

Accepted Answer

On the lower leg or foot

Answer

The anatomical term 'distal' refers to a position farther from the center of the body or from the point of attachment. In this case, the area distal to the knee is down the leg, which includes the lower leg and foot.

Question 2

During an intake, a patient points to their lower back and complains of pain. The provider documents this as pain in the 'lumbar region.' Which part of the body does this term specify?

Accepted Answer

The area of the spine in the lower back, between the ribs and the pelvis

Answer

The term 'lumbar' refers to the lower part of the back, specifically the five vertebrae (L1-L5) located between the thoracic (rib) cage and the sacrum (pelvis). It is the area commonly referred to as the lower back.

Question 3

Which of the following organs is located within the thoracic cavity?

Accepted Answer

Lungs

Answer

The thoracic cavity, enclosed by the rib cage, primarily contains the heart and the lungs. The stomach, liver, and kidneys are located inferior to the diaphragm in the abdominopelvic cavity.

Question 4

A radiology report for a CT scan states that images were taken in the 'coronal plane.' How does this plane divide the body?

Accepted Answer

Into front (anterior) and back (posterior) sections

Answer

The coronal plane, also known as the frontal plane, is a vertical plane that divides the body or any of its parts into anterior (front) and posterior (back) portions. This is distinct from the sagittal plane (left/right) and the transverse plane (upper/lower).

Question 5

A patient is diagnosed with 'cholecystitis.' Based on the root word 'cholecyst,' the interpreter should understand this is an inflammation of which organ?

Accepted Answer

The gallbladder

Answer

The medical root 'cholecyst/o' refers to the gallbladder. The suffix '-itis' means inflammation. Therefore, cholecystitis is the inflammation of the gallbladder.

NBCMI - National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters Practice Test

NBCMI - National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters Practice Test

NBCMI - National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters Medical Terminology: Anatomy Questions and Answers