UTC Medical Terminology & Anatomy 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The retroperitoneal space contains which of the following organs?
- Liver and gallbladder
- Stomach and spleen
- Kidneys and aorta (Correct answer)
- Small intestine and appendix
Correct answer: Kidneys and aorta
The kidneys, aorta, inferior vena cava, and pancreas (partially) are retroperitoneal, lying behind the peritoneal cavity.
Question 2: What does the combining form 'cholecysto-' specifically refer to?
- Common bile duct
- Gallbladder (Correct answer)
- Liver
- Pancreatic duct
Correct answer: Gallbladder
Cholecysto- refers specifically to the gallbladder; cholecystitis means inflammation of the gallbladder.
Question 3: The term 'hyperechoic' describes a structure that appears as what on ultrasound?
- Darker than surrounding tissue
- Brighter than surrounding tissue (Correct answer)
- The same brightness as surrounding tissue
- Completely black
Correct answer: Brighter than surrounding tissue
Hyperechoic structures reflect more sound waves than surrounding tissue and appear brighter (whiter) on the ultrasound image.
Question 4: Which term describes the movement of a limb away from the midline of the body?
- Adduction
- Abduction (Correct answer)
- Flexion
- Extension
Correct answer: Abduction
Abduction is the movement of a limb away from the body's midline, while adduction brings it toward the midline.
Question 5: The porta hepatis is the anatomical region where which structures enter and exit the liver?
- Hepatic veins and lymphatics
- Portal vein, hepatic artery, and bile duct (Correct answer)
- Inferior vena cava and hepatic veins
- Splenic vein and superior mesenteric vein
Correct answer: Portal vein, hepatic artery, and bile duct
The porta hepatis ('gate of the liver') is the hilum where the portal vein, hepatic artery, and bile duct enter or exit the liver.
Question 6: The suffix '-ectomy' in medical terminology means:
- Incision into
- Visual examination of
- Surgical removal of (Correct answer)
- Abnormal condition of
Correct answer: Surgical removal of
The suffix '-ectomy' means surgical removal or excision, as in cholecystectomy (removal of the gallbladder).
Question 7: In sonographic anatomy, the term 'echopenic' or 'hypoechoic' describes tissue that:
- Produces stronger echoes than surrounding tissue
- Produces fewer echoes and appears darker than surrounding tissue (Correct answer)
- Contains no internal echoes at all
- Produces echoes identical to surrounding tissue
Correct answer: Produces fewer echoes and appears darker than surrounding tissue
Hypoechoic tissue produces fewer echoes than surrounding tissue and appears darker, but not completely black like anechoic structures.
UTC Medical Terminology & Anatomy 3
The retroperitoneal space contains which of the following organs?