Ch 2 Gen A&P Glossary Flashcards
Abductor digti minimi
foot muscle that allows the little toe to flex and move
abductor hallucis
foot muscle that moves the big toe away from the other toes
abductors
muscles that draw a body part away from the midline of the body; separate the fingers in the hand
adductors
muscles that draw a body part toward the midline of the body; draw the fingers together in the hand
anabolism
process of simple molecules combining to form a complex molecule; requires energy
anatomy
study of human body structures, how the body parts are organized and the science of the interconnected structures of organisms, or of their parts
aorta
largest artery in the body
arteries
thick-walled flexible tubes that carry oxygenated blood away from the heart of the arterioles
arterioles
small arteries that deliver blood to capillaries
autonomic nervous system
part of the nervous system that controls involuntary muscle action and regulates the action of the smooth muscles, glands, blood vessels, heart, and breathing
belly
middle part of the muscle
bicep
muscle that produces the contour of the front and inner side of the upper arm; lifts the forearm and flexes the elbow
blood
fluid that travels through the circulatory system to supply oxygen and nutrients to cells and tissues and to remove carbon dioxide and waste from them
blood vessels
tubelike structures that circulate blood throughout the body including arteries, arterioles, capillaries, venules, and veins
body systems
groups of body organs acting together to perform one or more functions
brain
one of the body’s most complex organs that control all the body’s functions
buccinator
muscle muscle of the cheek between the upper and lower jaw that compresses the cheeks and expels air between the lips
capillaries
tiny blood vessels that connect the smaller arteries to the venules, bring nutrients to the cells, and carry away waste materials
carpus
the wrist; flexible joint composed of small, irregular bones called carpals
catabolism
process of breaking complex molecules down into simple molecules; release energy
cell membrane
thin layer of tissue that surrounds the cell; it protects the interior of the cell from its surroundings and is semipermeable, meaning it allows certain substances to enter the cell
cells
basic units of all living things
central nervous system
controls voluntary muscle actions and consists of the brain, spinal cord, spinal nerves, and cranial nerves
cervical vertebrae
seven bones located below the skull; provide support, structure and flexibility to the neck