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Structure & Mechanisms

Running head: STRUCTURE & MECHANISMS

Structure & Mechanisms

Hassan Rizvi

CTU Online

Jennifer Lame

BIO121

11-07-2008
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Structure & Mechanisms

Structure & Mechanisms

An understanding of the human body anatomy and physiology is very important

to correct application throughout the medical field for medical terminology. The anatomy

and physiology of the human body is two separate but very interlinked subjects.

Anatomy deals with the structure and an organization of the different systems while

physiology deals with the mechanisms involved in the functioning of these systems.

The major systems of the human body are Central Nervous System (CNS),
Cardiovascular System (CVS), Gastrointestinal System (GIT), Respiratory System
(RESP). Although different in structure and organization, these systems work in close
association and their proper functioning is very dependent on the integrity of the other
system.
The CNS consists of the brain and spinal cord with all the nerves, sensory and
motor neurons and tracts involved. It is responsible for the proper functioning of the
different senses of a person, tone of the body, sensory and motor reflexes, sympathetic
and parasympathetic nervous system and its control of blood pressure and the
contractions and secretions within the body. These functions of the CNS are closely
linked to one another and any insult to these functions can lead to different kinds of
diseases like stroke, paraplegia, multiple sclerosis, motor and sensory neuropathies and
cranial nerve lesions.
The CVS consists of heart and the blood vessels. It’s involved in pumpind the
oxygenated blood throughout the body and receiving the de-oxygenated blood from
different body parts for purification. This function is regulated by a tight blood pressure
control by the tone of the different blood vessels and also the pressures in the heart for
optimal functioning. Any damage to these organs can lead to hypertension, heart failure,
MI. ischemia of the limbs, aneurysms, etc.
The GIT consists of the alimentary tract from mouth to anus. It is responsible for
the digestion, absorption and excretion of the food that we eat. Any damage to this
system can lead to peptic ulcer, gastric cancer, malabsorption syndromes, inflammatory
diseases of the bowel, etc.
It's clear from the above- mentioned brief description that anatomical organization
of the human organ systems and their physiological functions are very closely linked to
one another. The majority of the patients come with problems of these systems and as a
front office medical assistant it's very important to have a thorough understanding of
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Structure & Mechanisms

these principles in order to give the patients a proper insight to their problems, counsel
them and maintain optimal office visits and follow ups. Their understanding is also very
important when dealing with the insurance companies for reimbursement issues.

The common medical terminologies used in health services are:

Arthritis: A condition of inflammation of the joints.

MI: A condition of ischemic damage to the heart

Pneumonia: An infection of the lung tissue.

Meningitis: An infection of the brain covering called as meninges.

Arthroscopy: A procedure of draing out the fluid from the joint cavity.
Leminectomy: A procedure of removing a bony cartilage.
Blepharitis: Inflammation of the eye lids.
Otitis media: Infection and inflammation of the middle ear cavity.

COPD: A condition of chronic lung infection, commonly seen in smokers.

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Structure & Mechanisms

References

Medical terminology. Retrieved November 05, 2008, from pubmed web site:

http://www.pubmed.gov