CH 6: Anatomy and Physiology Flashcards
acetabulum (AS-uh-TAB-yuh-lum)
the pelvic socket into which the ball at the proximal end of the femur fits to form the hip joint.
acromioclavicular (ah-KRO-me-o-klav-IK-yuh-ler)
joint the joint where the acromion and the clavicle meet.
acromion (ah-KRO-me-on)
process the highest portion of the shoulder.
alveoli (al-VE-o-li)
the microscopic sacs of the lungs where gas exchange with the bloodstream takes place.
anatomy
the study of body structure.
aorta (ay-OR-tah)
the largest artery in the body. It transports blood from the left ventricle to begin systemic circulation.
appendix
a small tube located near the junction of the small and large intestines in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen, the function of which is not well understood. Its inflammation, called appendicitis, is a common cause of abdominal pain.
arteriole (ar-TE-re-ol)
the smallest kind of artery.
artery
any blood vessel carrying blood away from the heart.
atria (AY-tree-ah)
the two upper chambers of the heart. There is a right atrium (which receives unoxygenated blood returning from the body) and a left atrium (which receives oxygenated blood returning from the lungs). Singular atrium.
automaticity (AW-to-muh-TISS-it-e)
the ability of the heart to generate and conduct electrical impulses on its own.
autonomic nervous system
the division of the peripheral nervous system that controls involuntary motor functions.
bladder
the round, saclike organ of the renal system used as a reservoir for urine.
blood pressure
the pressure caused by blood exerting force against the walls of blood vessels. Usually arterial blood pressure (the pressure in an artery) is measured. See also diastolic blood pressure; systolic blood pressure.
brachial artery
artery of the upper arm; the site of the pulse checked during infant CPR.
bronchi
the two large sets of branches that come off the trachea and enter the lungs. There are right and left bronchi. Singular bronchus.
buffer system
a system that helps manage the pH of the body to maintain it at a normal level.
calcaneus (kal-KAY-ne-us)
the heel bone.
capillary
a thin-walled, microscopic blood vessel where the oxygen/carbon dioxide and nutrient/waste exchange with the body’s cells takes place.
cardiac conduction system
a system of specialized muscle tissues that conducts electrical impulses that stimulate the heart to beat.
cardiac muscle
specialized involuntary muscle found only in the heart.
cardiovascular system
the system made up of the heart (cardio) and the blood vessels (vascular). Sometimes called the circulatory system.
carotid arteries
the large neck arteries, one on each side of the neck, that carry blood from the heart to the head.
carpals
the wrist bones.
central nervous system (CNS)
the brain and spinal cord.
central pulses
the carotid and femoral pulses, which can be felt in the central part of the body.
clavicle
the collarbone.
coronary arteries
blood vessels that supply the muscle of the heart (myocardium).
cranium
the top, back, and sides of the skull.
cricoid (KRIK-oid) cartilage
the ring-shaped structure that forms the lower portion of the larynx.
dermis (DER-mis)
the inner (second) layer of skin, rich in blood vessels and nerves, found beneath the epidermis.
diaphragm
the muscular structure that divides the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity; a major muscle of respiration.
diastolic blood pressure
the pressure in the arteries when the left ventricle is refilling.
digestive system
system by which food travels through the body and is digested, or broken down, into absorbable forms.
dorsalis pedis artery
artery supplying the foot, lateral to the large tendon of the big toe.
endocrine system
system of glands that produce chemicals called hormones that help to regulate many body activities and functions.
epidermis
the outer layer of skin.
epiglottis
a leaf-shaped structure that prevents food and foreign matter from entering the trachea.
epinephrine (EP-uh-NEF-rin)
a hormone produced by the body. As a medication, it dilates respiratory passages and is used to relieve severe allergic reactions.
exhalation
a passive process in which the intercostal (rib) muscles and the diaphragm relax, causing the chest cavity to decrease in size and air to flow out of the lungs.
femoral artery
the major artery supplying the leg.
femur
the large bone of the thigh.
fibula
the lateral and smaller bone of the lower leg.
gallbladder
a sac on the underside of the liver that stores bile produced by the liver
humerus
the bone of the upper arm, between the shoulder and the elbow.
hypoperfusion
inability of the body to adequately circulate blood to the body’s cells to supply them with oxygen and nutrients; a life-threatening condition. Also called shock. See also perfusion.
ilium
the superior and widest portion of the pelvis.
inhalation
an active process in which the intercostal (rib) muscles and the diaphragm contract, expanding the size of the chest cavity and causing air to flow into the lungs.
insulin
a hormone produced by the pancreas or taken as a medication by many diabetics.
involuntary muscle
muscle that responds automatically to brain signals but cannot be consciously controlled.
ischium
the lower, posterior portions of the pelvis.
joint
the point where two bones come together.
kidneys
organs of the renal system used to filter blood and regulate fluid levels in the body.
large intestine
the muscular tube that removes water from waste products received from the small intestine and moves anything not absorbed by the body toward excretion from the body.
larynx
the voice box.
ligament
tissue that connects bone to bone.
liver
the largest organ of the body, which produces bile to assist in breakdown of fats and assists in the metabolism of various substances in the body.
lungs
the organs where exchange of atmospheric oxygen and waste carbon dioxide takes place.
lymphatic system
the system composed of organs, tissues, and vessels that helps to maintain the fluid balance of the body and contributes to the body’s immune system.
malleolus (mal-E-o-lus)
protrusion on the side of the ankle. The lateral malleolus, at the lower end of the fibula, is seen on the outer ankle; the medial malleolus, at the lower end of the tibia, is seen on the inner ankle.
mandible
the lower jawbone.
manubrium (man-OO-bre-um)
the superior portion of the sternum.
maxillae (mak-SIL-e)
the two fused bones forming the upper jaw.
metacarpals (MET-uh-KAR-pulz)
the hand bones.
metatarsals (MET-uh-TAR-sulz)
the foot bones.
muscle
tissue that can contract to allow movement of a body part.
musculoskeletal system
the system of bones and skeletal muscles that support and protect the body and permit movement
nasal bones
the nose bones.
nasopharynx (NAY-zo-FAIR-inks)
the area directly posterior to the nose.
nervous system
the system of brain, spinal cord, and nerves that governs sensation, movement, and thought.
orbits
the bony structures around the eyes; the eye sockets.
oropharynx (OR-o-FAIR-inks)
the area directly posterior to the mouth.
ovaries
egg-producing organs within the female reproductive system.
pancreas
a gland located behind the stomach that produces insulin and juices that assist in digestion of food in the duodenum of the small intestine.
patella
the kneecap.
pelvis
the basin-shaped bony structure that supports the spine and is the point of proximal attachment for the lower extremities.
perfusion
the supply of oxygen to and removal of wastes from the cells and tissues of the body as a result of the flow of blood through the capillaries.
peripheral nervous system (PNS)
the nerves that enter and leave the spinal cord and travel between the brain and organs without passing through the spinal cord.
peripheral pulses
the radial, brachial, posterior tibial, and dorsalis pedis pulses, which can be felt at peripheral (outlying) points of the body.
phalanges
the toe bones and finger bones.
pharynx
the area directly posterior to the mouth and nose. It is made up of the oropharynx and the nasopharynx.
physiology
the study of body function.
plasma
the fluid portion of the blood.
platelets
components of the blood; membrane-enclosed fragments of specialized cells.
posterior tibial artery
artery supplying the foot, behind the medial ankle
pubis
the medial anterior portion of the pelvis.
pulmonary arteries
the vessels that carry deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs.
pulmonary veins
the vessels that carry oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium of the heart.
pulse
the rhythmic beats caused as waves of blood move through and expand the arteries.
radial artery
artery of the lower arm; the artery felt when taking the pulse at the thumb side of the wrist.
radius
the lateral bone of the forearm.
red blood cells
components of the blood. They carry oxygen to and carbon dioxide away from the cells.
renal system
the body system that regulates fluid balance and the filtration of blood. Also called the urinary system.
reproductive system
the body system that is responsible for human reproduction.
respiration
the process of moving oxygen and carbon dioxide between circulating blood and the cells.
respiratory system
the system of nose, mouth, throat, lungs, and muscles that brings oxygen into the body and expels carbon dioxide.
scapula
the shoulder blade.
skin
the layer of tissue between the body and the external environment.
skull
the bony structure of the head.
small intestine
the muscular tube between the stomach and the large intestine, divided into the duodenum, the jejunum, and the ileum, that receives partially digested food from the stomach and continues digestion. Nutrients are absorbed by the body through its walls.
spleen
an organ located in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen that acts as a blood filtration system and a reservoir for reserves of blood.
sternum
the breastbone.
stomach
muscular sac between the esophagus and the small intestine where digestion of food begins.
subcutaneous layers
the layers of fat and soft tissues found below the dermis.
systolic blood pressure
the pressure created in the arteries when the left ventricle contracts and forces blood out into circulation.
tarsals
the ankle bones.
tendon
tissue that connects muscle to bone.
testes
the male organs of reproduction used for the production of sperm.
thorax
the chest.
thyroid cartilage
the wing-shaped plate of cartilage that sits anterior to the larynx and forms the Adam’s apple.
tibia
the medial and larger bone of the lower leg.
torso
the trunk of the body; the body without the head and the extremities.
trachea
the “windpipe”; the structure that connects the pharynx to the lungs.
ulna
the medial bone of the forearm.
ureters
the tubes connecting the kidneys to the bladder.
urethra
tube connecting the bladder to the vagina or penis for excretion of urine.
uterus
female organ of reproduction used to house the developing fetus.
valve
a structure that opens and closes to permit the flow of a fluid in only one direction.
vein
any blood vessel returning blood to the heart.
venae cavae
the superior vena cava and the inferior vena cava. These two major veins return blood from the body to the right atrium. Singular vena cava.
ventilation
the process of moving gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) between inhaled air and the pulmonary circulation of blood.
ventricles
the two lower chambers of the heart. There is a right ventricle (which sends oxygen-poor blood to the lungs) and a left ventricle (which sends oxygen-rich blood to the body).
venule (VEN-yul)
the smallest kind of vein.
vertebrae
the 33 bones of the spinal column.
voluntary muscle
muscle that can be consciously controlled.
white blood cells
components of the blood. They produce substances that help the body fight infection.
xiphoid process
the inferior portion of the sternum (breastbone).
zygomatic (ZI-go-MAT-ik) arches
bones that form the structure of the cheeks.
