Chapter 6 Anatomy and Physiology Flashcards
Acetabulum
The pelvic socket into which the ball at the proximal end of the femur fits to form the hip joint.
Acromioclavicular Joint
The joint where the acromion and the clavicle meet.
Acromion Process
The highest portion of the shoulder.
Alveoli
The microscopic sacs of the lungs where gas exchange with the bloodstream takes place.
Anatomy
The study of body structure.
Aorta
The largest artery of the body. It transports blood from the left to the right ventricle to begin the 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.
Arteriole
The smallest kind of artery.
Artery
Any blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart.
Atria
The two upper chambers of the heart.
Automaticity
The ability of the heart to generate and conduct its own electrical impulses.
Autonomic nervous system
The division of the peripheral nervous system that controls involuntary motor functions.
Bladder
The round sac-like organ of the renal system used as a reservoir for urine.
Blood pressure
The pressure caused by the blood exerting force against the walls of the blood vessels.
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.
Calcaneus
The heel bone.
Capillary
A thin walled, microscopic blood vessel where the oxygen/carbon dioxide and nutrient/waste exchange with the body’s cells take place.
Cardiac conduction system
A system of specialized muscle tissues that conducts electrical impulses that stimulate the heart to beat.
Cardiac muscles
Specialized involuntary muscles found only in the heart.
Cardiovascular system
The system made up of the heart and blood vessels.
Carotid arteries
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
The brain and the spinal cord.
Central pulses
The carotid and femoral pulses which can be felt in a central part of the body.
Clavicle
The collarbone.
Coronary arteries
Blood vessels that can be felt in the central part of the body.
Cranium
Top, back, and sides of the skull.
Cricoid cartilage
The ring-shaped structure that forms the lower portion of the larynx.
Dermis
The inner second later 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 broken down into absorbable forms.
Dorsalis pedis artery
Artery supplying the foot, lateral to the large tendon of the big toe.
Endocrine
System of glands that produce chemicals called hormones that help to regulate the many body activities and functions.
Epidermis
The outer layer of the skin.
Epiglottis
A leaf shaped structure that prevents food and foreign matter from entering the trachea.
Epinephrine
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 intercostal muscles and the diaphragm relax, causing the chest cavity to decrease in size forcing air out of the lungs.
Femoral artery
The major artery suppling 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.
Humorous
The bone of the upper arm, between the shoulder and the elbow.
Hypo perfusion
The 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 known as shock.
Ilium
The superior and widest portion of the pelvis.
Inhalation
An active process in which the intercostal muscle and diaphragm contract, expanding the size of the chest cavity causing air to flow into the lungs.
Insulin
A hormone produced by the pancreas or taken as medication by many diabetics.
Involuntary muscle
Muscle that responds automatically to the brain signals but can not be consciously controlled.
Ischium
The lower, posterior portions of the pelvis.
Joint
Where to 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 the waste products received from the small intestine and moves anything not absorbed by the body toward excretion.
Larynx
The voice box.
Ligament
Tissue that connects bone to bone.
Liver
The largest organ of the body, which produces bile to assist in the breakdown of fats and assists in the metabolism of various substances in the body.
Lungs
The organ where exchange of atmospheric oxygen and waste carbon dioxide take place.
Lymphatic system
The system composed of organs, tissues, and vessels that help to maintain the fluid balance of the body and contribute to the body’s immune system.
Malleolus
The protrusion on the side of the ankle. This refers to both the lateral and medial versions.
Mandible
The lower jawbone.
Manubrium
the superior portion of the sternum.
Maxillae
The two fused bones forming the upper jaw.
Metacarpals
The hand bones.
Metatarsals
The foot bones.
Muscle
Tissue that can contract to allow movement.
Musculoskeletal system
The system of bones and skeletal muscles that support and protect the body and permit movement.
Nasal bones
The nose bones.
Nasopharynx
The area directly posterior to the nose.
Nervous system
The system of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves that govern sensation, movement, and thought.
Orbits
The boney structures around the eyes.
Oropharynx
The area directly posterior to the mount
Ovaries
Egg-producing organs within the female reproductive system.
Pancreas
A gland located behind the stomach that produces insulin and juices that assist in the digestion of food in the duodenum of the small intestine.
Patella
The kneecap.
Pelvis
The basin-shapped bony structure that supports the spine and is the 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
The nerves that enter and leave the spinal cord and travel between he brain and organs without passing through the spinal cord.
Peripheral pulses
The radial, brachial, posterior tibal, 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.
Physiology
The study of body fiction.
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 pulse
Artery of the lower arm; the artery felt when taking a 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.
Respiration
The process of moving oxygen and carbon dioxide between circulating blood and the cells.
Scapula
The shoulder blade.
Skeleton
The bones of the body.
Skin
The layer of tissue between the body and external environment.
Skull
The boney structure of the head
Small intestine
The muscular tube between the stomach and the large intestine, divided unto the duodenum, jejunum, and the ileum, which 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 upper left 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 beings.
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 bone
Tendon
Tissue that connects muscle to bone.
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
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
The tubes 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 to the heart.
Venae Cavae
Superior and inferior, these two major veins return blood from the body to the right atrium.
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.
Venule
The smallest kind of vein.
Vertebrae
The thirty-three bones of the spinal column.
Voluntary muscle
Muscle that can be consciously controlled.
White blood cells
Components of blood. The produce substances which help fight infection.
Xiphoid process
The inferior portion of the sternum.
Zygomatic arches
Bones that form the structure of the cheeks.
