Anatomy and Physiology Flashcards
abduction
moving away from the body midline (the opposite of adduction) (ex. spreading the arms)
abortion
termination of pregnancy before viability; my be spontaneous (naturally occurring) or medically/surgically induced
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
decreased immunity resulting from infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), leaving victim susceptible to opportunistic diseases
acromegaly
overproduction of the growth hormone after puberty, resulting in wide, large face, hands, and feet
active transport
movement of molecules from area of lower to area of higher concentration
Addison Disease
hyposecretion of cortisol by the adrenal cortex, resulting in muscle atrophy, tissue weakness, and skin pigmentation
adduction
moving toward the body midline (opposite site of abduction) (ex bringing arms to the sides)
adrenal glands
endocrine glands located on top of each kidney
alveoli (singular alveolus)
air sacs at the ends of the bronchioles where the exchange of gases occurs
Alzheimer Disease
degenerative disorder of the brain beginning with dementialike symptoms and progressing to a non functioning of neuron fibers that prevents communication between cells for ordinary tasks (such as swallowing) which results in death
amenorrhea
absence of menstrual flow
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
progressive disease of the motor neurons, causing muscle atrophy and weakness; also known as Lou Gehrig Disease
anabolism
phase of metabolism in which cells are built or repaired
anaphase
third phase of mitosis; duplicated chromosomes separate, and one of each begins to move toward opposite centrioles or poles
anatomy
the study of body structure
anemia
abnormally low hemoglobin or red blood cells, decreasing oxygen supply to the tissues; many causes and types; the main symptoms are fatigue and weakness
aneurysm
congenital or traumatic weakness of the vessel wall demonstrated by a “bubble” or outpouching caused by pressure of blood; an abdominal aortic aneurysm is also called AAA
angina pectoris
severe constricting chest pain from lack of blood supply to the heart; associated with coronary heart disease
anorexia
diminished appetite and aversion to food
antepartum
time before delivery
anterior
in front (ventral)
antibody
a substance produced in the body in response to the presence of an antigen
antigen
a substance (bacteria/virus) that causes the formation of antibodies
anus
the final portion of the digestive tract, where feces are excreted
aorta
the largest body artery, consists of three parts: ascending, aortic arch, and descending
aponeurosis
broad sheet of muscle fibers attaching muscle to muscle or muscle to skeletal bones, such as the skull
appendicular skeleton
consists of the bones of the upper and lower extremities and the girdle attaching them to the axial skeleton
arrhythmias
abnormal heart rhythms
arteriosclerosis
hardening of the arteries and loss of elasticity resulting from thickening of the vessel wall
arthritis
inflammation of the joints
asthma
an episode chronic respiratory disorder resulting from constricted bronchi; associated with allergens, infection, pollutants, cold air, exercise, or stress; characterized by wheezing and low oxygen levels
astigmatism
impaired vision resulting from irregular curve of cornea
atelectasis
a decrease or absence of air in part or all of the lung and alveoli, resulting in a collapse of these structures
atherosclerosis
the most common form of arteriosclerosis; irregular fatty deposits on arterial wall result in narrowing and occlusion of vessel
atrioventricular (AV) node
located at the lower right of the atrial septum, it picks up the impulse or signal from the sinoatrial (SA) node that causes atrial contraction
axial skeleton
consists of the bones of the skull, spine, and chest
Bell palsy
unilateral facial muscle paralysis (drooping of eye and mouth) resulting from dysfunction of the seventh cranial nerve
benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
nonmalignant enlargement of the prostate
bile
a substance produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder that aids in digestion and fat absorption
body
organism; a group of systems working together to maintain life
body cavities
spaces within the body that house internal organs
botulism
serious food poisoning; usually found in contaminated canned foods, caused by Clostridium botulinum bacteria
brain
an organ acting as the primary center for regulating and coordinating body functions and activities
bronchi (singular bronchus)
tubes from trachea entering the lungs that subdivide into two more branches in the lungs
bronchioles
smaller branches of the bronchi
bronchitis
chronic or acute inflammation of the bronchi
Bulimia nervosa
eating disorder characterized by binge eating and purging
bundle branches
two branches extending from the bundle of His in the heart that carry the electrical impulse down the ventricular septum
bundle of His
specialized cells in the cardiac ventricular septum that carry the electrical impulse from the atrioventricular (AV) node; should the sinoatrial and AV nodes fail, the bundle of His may initiate the impulse
cardiovascular system
the body system containing the heart and blood vessels to circulate blood, transport nutrients, and remove waste from tissues
carpals
eight wrist bones
cartilage
firm but often flexible connective tissue found primarily in joints, thorax walls, larynx, and airway passages and ears
catabolsim
the phase of metabolism in which cells are broken down
cataract
a cloudy or opaque lens that impairs sight;usually corrected by surgery
caudal
the location near the sacral region of the spinal column
cecum
the upper portion of the large intestine; contains the appendix
celiac disease
damages the small intestine and interferes with the absorption of nutrients characterized by intolerance to gluten
cells
the structural and functional units of life
central nervous system (CNS)
made up of the brain and spinal cord; integrates sensory information and responses
centriole
rod-shaped material in the cytoplasm that begins cell division
cerebellum
“little brain”; portion of the brain involved in synergic control of skeletal muscles and coordination of voluntary muscular movements; connected to the cerebrum, brain stem, and spinal cord by the pons
cerebral palsy
loss of mental function, sensation, or control of movement resulting from birth injury or defect
cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
clear fluid that flows through the brain and spinal cord and into the subarachnoid spaces of the meninges; it cushions and supports nervous tissue and transports nutrients and waste products from the cells
cerebrovascular accident (CVA)
stroke; occlusion or hemorrhage of vessel(s) in the brain, resulting in impairment of mental functions or paralysis or both
cerebrum
the largest part of the brain, divided into right and left hemispheres by the longitudinal fissure
Cheyne-Stokes respiration
an irregular breathing pattern of slow and shallow, then rapid and deep respirations, with pauses for 20 to 30 seconds, frequently occurs before death
chlamydia
the most prevalent sexually transmitted disease, caused by Chlamydia trachomatis
cholelithiasis
gallstones
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
a usually progressive respiratory system disorder with irreversible obstruction of air exchange in the bronchi, alveoli, and lungs; emphysema is a form of COPD
cilia
hairlike processes that trap and move foreign particles
circumcision
surgical removal of foreskin
circumduction
drawing an imaginary circle with a body structure (the arms)
cirrhosis
end-stage liver disease with interference with blood flow, resulting in jaundice, portal hypertension, and liver failure
clavicle
collar bone joining the sternum at the anterior and the scapula laterally
cochlea
snail-shaped tube in ear containing receptor for hearing
colitis
inflammation of the colon
collagen
a fibrous protein found in the dermis, connective tissues, tendons, and ligaments; it is sometimes referred to as the body’s glue, providing strength and flexibility
Colles fracture
displaced fracture of the distal radius, proximal to the wrist
colon
largest portion of the large intestine; divides into four parts; ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, and sigmoid
concussion
mild head injury (MHI) or mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) resulting in subtle or more serious physical, cognitive, or emotional signs and symptoms
congestive heart failure (CHF)
venous and pulmonary congestion and general edema (swelling) resulting from decreased blood circulation
conjunctivitis
inflammation of the conjunctiva caused by infection or irritation
coronary artery disease (CAD)
arteriosclerosis or atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries, usually leading to myocardial ischemia (damage to tissue)
Cowper glands
two small glands located at the base of the penis that secrete lubricant during intercourse
cranial
location associated with the head
cretinism
hypothyroidism; decreased secretion of thyroxine in infants resulting in failure of physical and mental development
Crohn disease
chronic inflammatory disease of ileum or colon resulting in diarrhea, pain, weight loss, and sometimes rectal bleeding
croup
acute viral infection, usually in infants, characterized by barking cough
cryprochidism
failure of testes to descend into the scrotum
Cushing Syndrome
overproduction of cortisol by the adrenal cortex, resulting in round face, overweight, thin skin, and high blood glucose
cystic fibrosis
a genetic disorder producing abnormally thick mucous secretions that block and impair the bronchi, pancreatic and bile ducts, and intestines
cytoplasm
colloidal substance (protoplasm) found in the cell; holds other structures in place
dendrites
neuron fibers conducting impulses to the cell body
dermis
deeper layer of skin containing nerves, blood vessels, and other skin structures or appendages
diabetes mellitus
most common endocrine disorder; low production of insulin, resulting in cells retaining sugar; two types : insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (type 1) and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (type 2 diabetes
diabetic retinopathy
damage to the retina in diabetic patients from hemorrhage of vessels
dialysis
a form of osmosis that removes certain impurities from the blood (two types: peritoneal and hemodialysis)
diaphragm
muscle tissue separating thoracic and abdominal cavities that contracts and expands during respiration, allowing lungs to fill and empty air
diastole
relaxation portion of the cardiac cycle
diffusion
movement of molecules from area of higher to lower concentration
digestion
physical and chemical processes changing food into simple nutrients to be utilized by the cells for energy and building materials and into solid waste to be eliminated from the body
digestive system
body system containing mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, rectum, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas; the system ingests and processes food and eliminates solid waste products
distal
away from the origin of a structure
diverticula (singular diverticulum)
abnormal pouches in the walls of an organ, usually the colon
diverticulosis
diverticula of the colon
dorsal
posterior; in back
dorsiflexion
pointing the toes up
duodenum
upper portion of small intestine, separated from the stomach by the pyloric sphincter
dwarfism
decreased growth hormone, resulting in abnormally small size
eclampsia
toxemia of pregnancy, with high blood pressure, albuminuria, oliguria, seizures, and sometimes coma
ectopic pregnancy
extrauterine pregnancy; implantation of fertilized ovum outside the uterus; most commonly in the ovarian tubes
ejaculatory duct
passage formed by the seminal vesicles and vas deferns allowing semen to enter the urethra
elimination
excretion of the solid waste products of digestion in the form of feces
embolus (plural emboli)
a detached thrombus or other substance occluding a vessel
emphysema
a form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that impedes respiration; characterized by irreversible loss of elasticity in alveoli
endocardium
inner layer of the heart
endocrine system
body system containing glands and related structures that produce and secrete hormones into the bloodstream or into its own surrounding tissues
endometriosis
condition caused by endometrium tissue located outside the uterus that causes pain and, sometimes, cyst formation
enteritis
inflammation of the small intestine
enuleation
removal of the eyeball
enuresis
involuntary discharge of urine
enzymes
proteins that act as catalysts to increase the speed of digestion
epicardium
outer layer of the heart
epidermis
surface layer of skin containing strata and melanin
epididymis
two coiled tubules on the posterior of the testes that store and carry sperm from the testes to the vas deferns
epiglottis
flaplike structure covering larynx during swallowing
epilepsy
abnormal electrical activity of the brain resulting in seizure
erythrocytes
red blood cells (RBCs); contain hemoglobin to carry oxygen; mature cells do not have a nucleus
esophagus
tube from the pharynx to the stomach
eustachian tube
connects middle ear with throat and pharynx; equalizes pressure on tympanic membrane
eversion
turning wrists or ankles outward, away from the body (the opposite of inversion)
exocrine gland
a gland that excretes its product through a duct to an environment external to itself or into the bloodstream
exophthalmia
protrusion of the eyeballs, usually resulting from an endocrine disorder
expiration
exhalation; letting air out of the lungs
extension
bringing the limbs or phalanges toward a straight position (the opposite of flexion)
extracellular fluid
body fluid outside the cell
fallopian tubes
oviducts; canals leading from the ovaries to the uterus where fertilization of the ova by the sperm occurs
femur
thigh bone; the body’s largest, longest, and strongest bone
fertilization
impregnation of the female ovum (egg) with the male sperm
fetus
term given after the first trimester to a developing baby in the uterus
fibroids
nonmalignant tumors of the uterus
fibula
smaller lower leg bone, lateral to tibia
filtration
process of moving fluid containing dissolved particles through a membrane; an example is kidney filtration
flagella
whiplike processes on the cell surfaces; accommodate cell movement
flexion
bending (the opposite of extension), such as closing the fingers of the hand
fluid balance
the regulation of the amount and composition of the body’s fluids
frontal plane
imaginary line or cut of the body made in line with the ears and then down the middle of the body, resulting in a front and a back portion; also called coronal plane
gallbladder
pear-shaped sac located on the inferior surface of the liver, stores bile to aid in digestion and fat absorption
gamete
male (sperm) or female (ovum) reproductive cell
ganglion
marked swelling of gray matter, located outside the central nervous system, containing cells of neurons
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
backflow of stomach acids into the esophagus due to an incompetent esophageal sphincter, resulting in burning and discomfort; can lead to ulcers
gential herpes
painful and incurable viral infection of the male or female genital tract’s mucous membrane
genitalia
external sex organs
genital warts
infection caused by the human papilloma virus; believed to be a precursor of female cervical cancer
gestation
period of pregnancy
giantism
overproduction of the growth hormone; resulting in abnormally large size
giardiasis
infectious diarrhea caused by Giardia lamblia in contaminated water
glans penis
acorn-shaped head of penis