B Terms Flashcards
B cell
A lymphocyte that can become a antibody-producing plasma or memory cell
Babinski sign
extension of the big toe in response to stimulation of the outer margin of foot sole; normal up to 18 months of age
Back
the posterior part of the body, the dorsum
ball and socket joint
a synovial joint made of a ball shape that rotates in a cup shape of another bone, aka spheroid joint
Baroreceptor
Nerve cell able to respond to changes in blood, air, or fluid pressure
basal ganglia
paired clusters of cell bodies, make up the central grey matter of each cerebral hemisphere, aka cerebral nuclei
basal metabolic rate (BMR)
metabolic rate as measured when awake, at rest, and fasting
base
a nonacid or proton acceptor, characterized by an excess of hydroxide ions and a pH greater than 7
basement membrane
thin, extracellular layer between epithelium and connective tissue, made of basal lamina and reticular lamina
basilar membrane
an inner ear membrane separating the cochlear duct from the scala tympani on which the spiral organ rests
basophil
a type of white blood cell characterized by a pale nucleus and large granules that stain purple-blue with basic dyes
belly
the abdomen, or fleshy part of a skeletal muscle
benign
favorable for recovery, or mild
beta cell
a cell in the pancreatic islets/islets of Langerhans in the pancreas that make insulin
bicuspid valve
an atrioventricular valve on left side of heart, aka mitral valve
bilateral
pertaining to 2 sides of the body
bile
a liver secretion made of water, bile salts, bile pigments, cholesterol, lecithin, and several ions. emulsifies lipids before digestions
bilirubin
an orange pigment resulting from hemoglobin breakdown, excreted as waste in the bile
biopsy
removal of material from the body for (usually microscopic) examination
blastocyst
in embryonic development, a hollow ball of cells
blatomere
on of the cells resulting from the cleavage of a fertilized ovum
blind spot
area in the retina where there are no photoreceptors due to the optic nerve
blood-brain barrier (BBB)
a barrier made of special capillaries and astrocytes the prevents passage of materials into the cerebrospinal fluid and brain
blood-testis barrier (BTB)
a barrier made of Sertoli cells to prevent the an immune response against spermatogenic cells
body fluid
body water and its disolved substances, is about 60% of total body weight
bolus
a soft, rounded mass, usually food, that is swallowed
brachial plexus
a network of nerve axons of the anterior rami of nerves C5, C6, C7, C8, and T1. supply the upper limb
bradycardia
a slow (under 60 bpm) heart rate
broad ligament
a double fold of parietal peritoneum attaching uterus to pelvic cavity side
Broca’s area
motor area of the brain in the frontal lobe that translates thought into speech
bronchial tree
the trachea, bronchi, and their branching structures up to and including the terminal bronchioles
bronchioles
branches of the bronchi
bronchitis
inflammation of the bronchi causing too much mucus production and a cough
bronchoscopy
visual examination of the interior of the trachea and bronchi
buccal
pertaining to the cheek or mouth
buffer system
a pair of chemicals the resist changes in pH
bulbourethral gland
on of a pair of glands located inferior to the prostate gland the secrete an alkaline fluid into the cavernous urethra
bulk flow
the movement of a large number of ions, molecules, or particles in the same direction due to pressure changes
bundle branch
one of 2 atrioventricular bundle branches made of specialized muscle fibers to transmit electrical signals to the ventricles
Bursa
a sac of synovial fluid located at friction point, especially about joints
