A terms Flashcards
Abdomen
The area between the diaphragm and pelvis
Abdominal cavity
Superior portion of the abdominopelvic cavity, contains the stomach, spleen, liver, gallbladder, most of the small intestine, and part of the large intestine
Abdominal thrust maneuver
Heimlich maneuver
Abdominopelvic cavity
Inferior cavity in the torso/ventral cavity
Abduction
Movement away from axis or midline of body
Abortion
Premature loss or removal of an embryo or fetus from the uterus
Abrasion
A portion of skin that has been scraped away
Absorption
Intake of fluids or other substances by cells of the skin or mucus membranes
Accomodation
Change in the curvature of the eye lens to adjust for distance
Acetabulum
The rounded portion of the hip bone that receives the head if the femur
Acetylcholine (ACh)
A neurotransmitter released by many peripheral nervous system neurons and some central nervous system neurons
Acid
A proton donor or a substance that disassosiates into hydrogen ions and antions characterized by an excess of hydrogen ions, pH less than 7
Acidosis
A condition in which blood pH is below 7.35
Acini
Masses of cells in pancreas that secret digestive enzymes
Acromegaly
Condition caused by hypersecretion of human growth hormone during adulthood, characterized by thickened bones and enlargement of other tissues
Acrosome
A dense lysosome-like body in he head of a sperm cell that contains enzymes that facilitate the penetration of sperm cell into a secondary oocyte
Actin
The contractile protein that is part of thin filaments in muscle fibers
Action potential
An electrical signal hat propagates along the membrane of a neuron or muscle fiber; a rapid change in membrane potential that involves a depolarization followed by a repolarization, also called a nerve action potential or nerve impulse
Active transport
The movement of substances across some membranes against a concentration gradient requiring the use of cell energy
Accupuncture
The insertion of a needle into a tissue for the purpose of withdrawing fluid or reliving pain, also the traditional Chinese practice
Acute
Haveing rapid onset, severe symptoms, and a short course
Adaptation
The adjustment of the pupil of the eye to light variations, the property by which a neuron relays a decreased frequency of action potentials from a receptor even though the strength of the stimulus remains constant; the decrease in perception of a sensation overtime while the stimulus is still present
Adduction
Movement toward the axis or midline of the body
Adenohypophysas
The anterior portion of the pituitary gland
Adenoids
The pharyngeal tonsils
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
The energy carrying molecule made by all living cells as a means of capturing and storing energy. ATP consists of the purine base adenine and the five carbon sugar ribose to which are added in linear array, 3 phosphate groups
Adipocyte
Fat cell derived from a fibroblast
Adipose tissue
Tissue composed of adipocytes specialized for triglyceride storage and present in the form of soft pads between various organs for support, protection, and insulation
Adrenal cortex
The outer portion of an adrenal gland, divided into 3 zone that secret mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids, and androgens
Adrenal glands
2 glands located superior to each kidney. also called the suprareanal glands
Adrenal medulla
The inner portion of an adrenal gland, made of cells that make epinephrine and norepinephrine
Adrenergic neuron
A neuron that releases epinephrine or norepinephrine at a synapse
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
a hormone made in the anterior pituitary to influence the production and secretion of some adrenal cortex hormones
Adventitia
The outermost layer of a structure or organ
Aerobic
Requiring molecular oxygen
Afferent arteriole
A kidney blood vessel that divides into one of the capillary networks (glomeruli)
Agglutination
clumping of microorganisms or blood cells, usually in reaction to antigen
Aggregated lymphatic follicules
Clusters of lymphatic nodules, most numerous in the ileum; aka Peyer’s patches
Albinism
Abnormal partial or total absence of melanin in the hair skin and eyes
Albumin
The most abundant and the smallest of the plasma proteins
Aldosterone
A mineraolcorticoid made by the adrenal cortex to control sodium/water reabsorption, and potassium excretion
Alkaline
Containing more hydroxide ions than hydrogen ions, a pH higher than 7
Alkalosis
A condition in which blood pH is higher than 7.45
Allantosis
A small, vascular membrane in a fetus (between chorion and amnion) where early blood formation takes place
Alleles
Alternate forms of one gene that control the same trait
Allergen
An antigen that causes a hypersensitive reaction
Alpha cell
A cell in the pancreatic islets, makes glucagon
Alveolar duct
Branch of a bronchiole where the alveoli and alveolar sacs are
Alveolar macrophage
A highly phagocytic cell in the alveolar walls in the lungs (aka, dust cell)
Alveolar pressure
Air pressure in the lungs
Alveolar sac
A cluster of alveoli that share an opening
Alveolus
A small hollow or cavity, either an air sac in the lungs, or a milk producing portion of the mammary gland
Alzheimer’s disease
Disabling neurologic disorder characterized by dysfunction and death of cerebral neurons resulting in wide spread intellectual impairment, personality changes, and fluctuations in alertness
ameneria
the absence of menstration
amino acid
an organic acid containing an acidic carboxyl group and a basic amino group that is the building unit from which proteins are formed
amnesia
a lack or loss of memory
amnion
the innermost extraembryonic membrane a thin, transparent sac, that holds the fetus suspended in amniotic fluid, also called the bag of waters
amniotic fluid
fluid in the amniotic cavity, the space between the developing embryo or fetus and amnion, the fluid is initially produced as a filtrate from maternal blood, and later includes fetal urine
amphiarthrosis
a slightly movable articulation in which the articulating bony surfaces are separated by fibrous connective tissue or fibrocartilage to which both are attached, types are syndesmosis and symphysis
anabolism
synthetic energy requiring reactions whereby small molecules are built up into larger ones
anaerobic
not requiring molecular oxygen
anal canal
the terminal 2 or 3 centimeters of the rectum, opens to the exterior through the anus
anal triangle
the subdivision of the female or male perineum that contains the anus
analgesia
pain relief
anaphase
3rd stage of mitosis in which the chromatids the have separated at the centromeres move to opposite poles of the cell
anaphylaxis
an allergic reaction in which IgE antibodies attach to mast cells and basophils, making them cause increased blood permeability, smooth muscle contractions, and increased mucus production
anatomical position
of the body universally used in anatomical discriptions
anatomic dead space
spaces of the nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles that contain 150 mL of tidal volume, the air does not reach the alveoli to participate in gas exchange
anatomy
the study of the structure of the body and the relation of its parts to each other
angrogen
substance producing or stimulating masculine characteristics such as the male hormone testosterone
anemia
condition of the blood in which the number of functional red blood cells or their hemoglobin content is below normal
