Complete Terms Flashcards
decrease in the seriousness of a disorder or in the severity of pain and other symptoms
abatement
area between the diaphragm and the pelvis
abdomen
cavity that contains the stomach, spleen, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, small intestine, and most of the large instestine
abdominal cavity
first aid procedure for choking (Heimlich)
abdominal thrust maneuver
inferior component of the ventral body cavity
abdominopelvic cavity
movement away from the midline
abduction
premature loss or removal of an embryo or nonviable fetus
abortion
localized collection of pus and liquefied tissue in a cavity
abscess
taking up of liquids by cells of the skin or mucous membranes
absorption
metabolic state in which ingested nutrients are being taken up by the blood or lymph from the GI tract
absorptive state
duct of the pancreas that empties into the duodenum
accessory duct (duct of Santorini)
change in the curvature of the eye lens to adjust for vision at various distances
accommodation
rounded cavity on the external surface of the hip bone that receives the head
acetabulum
neurotransmitter that stimulates skeletal muscle contraction
acetylcholine
pH less than 7
acid
condition where blood pH is between 7.35 and 6.80
acidosis
masses of cells in the pancreas that secrete digestive enzymes
acini
inflammation of sebaceous glands that begins at puberty
acne
acne lesions in order of severity
comdones, papules, pustules, cysts
pertaining to sound or hearing
acoustic
deficiency of helper T cells
AIDS
hypersecretion of hGH during adulthood
acromegaly
dense granule in the head of a spermatozoa that contains enzymes that facilitate the penetration into an ovum
acrosome
contractile protein that makes up thin filaments in muscle fibers
actin
wave of negativity that self-propagates along the outside surface of the membrane of a neuron
action potential
movement of substances across cell membranes against the concentration gradient
active transport
clearness, sharpness (vision)
acuity
insertion of a needle into a tissue for the purpose of drawing fluid or relieving pain
acupuncture
rapid onset, severe symptoms, and a short course
acute
adjustment of the pupil to light variations
adaptation
hyposecretion of glucocorticoids causing muscle weakness, mental lethargy, weight loss, low blood pressure, and dehydration
Addison’s disease
movement towards the midline
adduction
anterior portion of the pituitary gland
adenohypophysis
pharyngeal tonsils
adenoids
energy-carrying molecule manufactured in all living cells as a way to capture and store energy
adenosine triphosphate
enzyme in the postsynaptic membrane that is activated when certain neurotransmitters bind in its active site, converts ATP into cyclic AMP
adenylate cyclase
firm contact between the plasma membrane of a phagocyte and an antigen
adherence
abnormal joining of two parts to each other
adhesion
fat cell
adipocyte
outer portion of the adrenal gland, divided into three portions
adrenal cortex
two glands superior to each kidney
adrenal glands
inner portion of the adrenal gland that secrete epinephrine and norepinephrine
adrenal medulla
nerve fiber that release norepinephrine at a synapse when stimulated
adrenergic fiber
hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland that stimulates the adrenal cortex
adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
hormone secreted by the pineal gland that may stimulate aldosterone secretion
adrenoglomerulotropin
outermost covering of a structure or organ
adventitia
requiring oxygen
aerobic
blood vessel of the kidney that breaks up into the capillary network called a glomerulus
afferent arteriole
neuron that carries an impulse toward the central nervous system
afferent neuron
persistence of a sensation even though the stimulus has been removed
afterimage
clumping of microorganisms or blood corpuscles, typically antigen/antibody reaction
agglutination
aggregated lymph nodules that are most numerous in the ileum
aggregated lymphatic follicles
progressive failure of the body’s homeostatic mechanisms
aging
loss of the ability to recognize the meaning of stimuli from various senses
agnosia
inability to write
agraphia
abnormal partial or total absence of pigment from the skin, hair, and eyes
albinism
most abundant and smallest of the plasma proteins, functions to regulate osmotic pressure of plasma
albumin
albumin in the urine
albuminuria
mineralcorticoid produced by the adrenal cortex that brings about sodium and water reabsorption
aldosterone
condition caused by hypersecretion of aldosterone characterized by muscle paralysis, high blood pressure, and edema
aldosteronism
pertaining to nutrition
alimentary
pH of more than 7
alkaline
condition in which blood pH is between 7 and 8
alkalosis
small vascularized membrane between the chorion and amnion of the fetus
allantois
antigen that evokes a hypersensitivity reaction
allergen
sensitive to an allergen
allergic
muscle fibers of a motor unit contract to their fullest extent or not at all
all or none principle
cell in the islets of Langerhans that secretes glucagon
alpha cell
receptor found on visceral effectors innervated by most sympathetic postganglionic axons
alpha receptor
disorder caused by decreased levels of alveolar PO2 as altitude increases
altitude sickness
structure in the lungs consisting of the alveolar wall and basement membrane and a capillary endothelium and basement membrane
alveolar-capillary membrane
branch of respiratory bronchiole around which alveoli and alveolar sacs are arranged
alveolar duct
cell found in the alveolar walls of the lungs that is highly phagcytic
aveolar macrophage (dust cell)
collection of alveoli that share a common opening
aveolar sac
small hollow or cavity; air sac in the lungs; milk-secreting portion of a mammary gland
alveolus
disabling neurological disorder characterized by dysfunction and death of specific cerebral neurons resulting in memory impairment
Alzheimer’s disease
absence of menstruation
amenorrhea
organic acid that is the basic unit of proteins
amino acid
lack or loss of memory
amnesia
removal of amniotic fluid by inserting a needle into the amniotic cavity
amniocentesis
innermost fetal membrane, thin transparent sac that holds the fetus suspended in fluid
amnion
articulation midway between diarthrosis and synarthrosis, in which the articulating bony surfaces are separated by an elastic substance to which both are attached so that mobility is slight but multidirectional
amphiarthrosis
saclike dilation of a canal
ampulla
progressive neuromuscular disease characterized by degeneration of motor cells in the spinal cord
amyotrophic
synthetic energy requiring reactions whereby small molecules are built up into larger ones
anabolism
not requiring oxygen
anaerobic
terminal 2 to 3 centimeters of the rectum
anal canal
longitudinal fold in the mucous membrane of the anal canal that contains a network of arteries and veins
anal column
absence of normal pain
analgesia
subdivision of the perineum that contains the anus
anal triangle
accelerated production of antibodies upon a subsequent exposure to an antigen after the initial exposure
anamnestic response
third stage of mitosis in which the chromatids that have been separated move to opposite poles
anaphase
hypersensitivity reaction that brings about blood permeability, smooth muscle contraction, and increased mucus production
anaphlyaxis
end to end union of blood vessels, lymph vessels, or nerves
anastomosis
position of the body universally used in anatomical descriptions, arms at the side, palms facing outward
anatomical position
study of structure of the body and the relationship of its parts to each other
anatomy
substance producing or stimulating male characteristics
androgen
below normal number of red blood cells or hemoglobin
anemia
total or partial loss of feeling
anesthesia
saclike enlargement of blood vessel caused by a weakening of its wall
aneurysm
pain in the chest related to reduced coronary circulation
angina pectoris
x-ray examination of blood vessels after injection of a radiopaque substance into the common carotid artery
angiography
either of two forms of a protein association with regulation of blood pressure
angiotensin
negatively charged ion
anion
restriction of tongue movements by a short frenulum
ankyloglossis
abnormality
anomaly
defect of vision
anopsia
loss of appetite and strange eating patterns
anorexia nervosa
loss of the sense of smell
anosmia
deficiency of oxygen
anoxia
muscle that has an action opposite that of the agonist and yields to the agonist
antagonist
before childbirth
antepartum
near to the front of the body
anterior
structure composed of axons of motor fibers that emerges from the anterior aspect of the spinal cord and extends laterally to join a posterior root, forming a spinal nerve
anterior root
chemical produced by a microorganism that is able to inhibit or kill another organism
anitbiotic
substance produced by certain cells in the presence of a specific antigen that combines with the antigen to destroy it
antibody
substance that prevents, suppresses, or delays the clotting of blood
anticoagulant
substance that inhibits urine formation
antidiuretic
hormone produced in the posterior pituitary gland that stimulates water reabsorption from kidney cells into the blood and vasoconstriction of arterioles
antidiuretic hormone
substance that when introduced into the tissues or blood induces the formation of antibodies or reacts with them
antigen
ring of fibrous tissue and cartilage that encircles the pulpy substance of an intervertebral disk
anulus fibrosus
daily urine output of less than 50 ml
anuria
distal end of the digestive system
anus
main systemic trunk of the arterial system of the body, emerges from the left ventricle
aorta
receptor on or near the arch of the aorta that responds to alterations in blood levels of oxygen, CO2, and hydrogen ions
aortic body
reflex concerned with maintaining normal general systemic blood pressure
aortic reflex
loss of ability to communication through speech
aphasia
procedure in which blood is removed from the body, components are selectively separated, the undesired component is removed, and the remainder, and the remainder is returned to the body
apheresis
temporary cessation of breathing
apnea
portion of the respiratory center in the pons that sends stimulatory impulses to the inspiratory area that activate and prolong inspiration and inhibit expiration
apneustic area
type of gland in which the secretory products gather at the free end of the secreting cell and are pinched off to become the secretion
apocrine gland
sheetlike layer of dense, regularly arranged connective tissue joining one muscle with another or bone
aponeurosis
inflammation of the vermiform appendix
appendicitis
growth due to surface deposition of material, as in the growth in diameter of cartilage and bone
appositional growth
watery fluid that fills the anterior cavity of the eye
aqueous humor
middle of the meninges of the brain
arachnoid layer
berrylike tuft of arachnoid that protrudes into the superior sagittal sinus and through which the CSF enters the bloodstream
arachnoid villus
treelike appearance of the white matter of the cerebellum when seen in the midsagittal section
arbor vitae
most superior portion of the aorta
arch of the aorta
without reflexes
areflexia
pigmented ring around the nipple or the breast, or tiny opening
areola
portion of the upper extremity from the shoulder to the elbow
arm
smooth muscles attached to hairs, contraction results in goose bumps
arrector pili
irregular heart rhythm
arrhythmia
roentgenogram of an artery after injection of a radiopaque substance into the blood
arteriogram
small arterial branch that delivers blood to a capillary
arteriole
blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart
artery
inflammation of a joint
arthritis
study of joints
arthrology
process of viewing a joint
arthroscopy
sleevelike structure around a synovial joint composed of a fibrous capsule and a synovial membrane
articular capsule
hyaline cartilage attached to articular bone surfaces
articular cartilage
fibrocartilage pad between articular surfaces of bones and some synovial joints (meniscus)
articular disc
where two bones join
articulation
deposition of seminal fluid within the vagina or cervix by artifical means
artificial insemination
device that generates and delivers electrical signals to the heart to maintain a regular rhythm
artificial pacemaker
small cartilages of the larynx that articulate with the cricoid cartilage
arytenoid cartilages
portion of the large intestine that passes upward from the cecum to the lower edge of the liver where it bends at the hepatic flexure to become the transverse colon
ascending colon
serous fluid in the peritoneal cavity
ascites
free from infectious material
aseptic
unconsciousness due to interference with the oxygen supply of the blood
asphyxia
remove by suction
aspirate
portion of the cerebral cortex connected by many motor and sensory fibers to other parts of the cortex
association area
nerve cell lying completely within the CNS that carries impulses from sensory neurons to motor neurons
association neuron
inability to recognize objects or forms by touch
astereognosis
lack or loss of strength
asthenia
irregularity of the lens or cornea, causing images to be blurry
astigmatism
neuroglial cell have a star shap that supports neurons in the brain and attached neurons to blood vessels
astrocyte
lack of muscular coordination
ataxia
collapsed or airless state of all of part of the lung
atelecstasis
fatty substance deposited on the walls of arteries
atherosclerosis
unit of matter that comprises a chemical element, consists of nucleus and electrons
atom
total number of protons and neutrons in an atom
atomic weight
abnormal closure of a passage
atresia
asynchronous contraction of the atria that results in cessation of atrial pumping
atrial fibrillation
portion of the conduction system that is split into right and left bundle branches (bundle of His)
atrioventricular bundle
portion of the conduction system that is made up of a compact mass of conduction cells located near the orifice of the coronary sinus in the right atrial wall
atrioventricular node
superior chamber of the heart
atrium
wasting away, decrease in size
atrophy
one of the three small bone of the ear: malleus, incus, or stapes
auditory ossicle
tube that connects the middle ear with the nose and nasopharynx of the throat (Eustachian tube)
auditory tube
outer ear or appendage of the cardiac atria
auricle
listening to body sounds
auscultation
immune response against one’s own body
autoimmunity
spontaneous self-destruction of cells by their own digestive enzymes
autolysis
cluster of sympathetic or parasympathetic cell bodies located outside the CNS
autonomic ganglion
visceral efferent neurons that transmit impulses from the CNS to smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and glands
autonomic nervous system
extensive network of sympathetic and parasympathetic fibers: cardiac, celiac, and pelvic
autonomic plexus
examination of a body after death
autopsy
automatic adjustment of blood flow in a given region of the body in response to tissue needs
autoregulation
any chromosome excluding sex chromosomes
autosome
deficiency of a vitamin in the diet
avitaminosis
small hollow beneath the arm (armpit)
axilla
process of a nerve cell that carries an impulse away from the cell body
axon
terminal branch of an axon and its collateral
axon terminal
extension of the great toe in response to stimulation of the outer margin of the sole of the foot, normal up to 1.5 years
Babinski sign
posterior part of the body
back
increased heart rate that follows increased pressure or distention of the right atrium
Bainbridge reflex
synovial joint in which the rounded surface of one bone moves within a cup-shaped depression of another bone
ball and socket joint
nerve cell capable of responding to changes in blood pressure
baroreceptor
rate of metabolism measured under standard conditions
basal metabolic rate
paired clusters of cell bodies that make up the central gray matter in the cerebrum
basal ganglia
broadest part of a pyramidal structure, or pH more than 7
base
thin extracellular layer consisting of basal lamina secreted by epithelial cells and reticular lamina secreted by connective tissue cells
basement membrane
membrane in the cochlea of the inner ear that separates the cochlear duct from the scala tympani and on which the organ of Corti rests
basilar membrane
white blood cell characterized by a pale nucleus and granules, stains dark purple
basophil
lymphocyte that develops into a plasma cell that produces antibodies or a memory cell
B cell
abdomen, gaster, prominent, fleshy part
belly
non-cancerous
benign
cell in the islets of Langerhans that secretes insulin
beta cell
receptor found on visceral effectors innervated by most sympathetic postganglionic axons; stimulation leads to inhibition
beta receptors
AV valve on the left side of the heart
bicuspid valve (mitral valve)
having two branches
bifurcate
pertaining to both sides of the body
bilateral
secretion of the liver that emulsifies fats
bile
gallstones formed by the crystallization of cholesterol in bile
biliary calculi
red pigment that is one of the end products of hemoglobin breakdown in the liver cells
bilirubin
excessive levels of bilirubin in the urine
bilirubinuria
green pigment that is one of the first products of hemoglobin breakdown in the liver cells, converted to bilirubin or excreted as waste
biliverdin
process by which an individual gets constant signals about various body functions
biofeedback
removal of tissue for examination
biopsy
fluid-filled cavity within the blastocyst
blastocel
hollow ball of cells, development of an embryo, forming cell
blastocyst
one of the cells resulting from the cleavage of the fertilized ovum
blastomere
early stage in the development of a zygote
blastula
time required for cessation of bleeding from a small skin puncture; from 4 to 8 minutes
bleeding time
spasm of the eyelids
blepharism
area in the retina at the end of the optic nerve in which there are no light receptor cells
blind spot
fluid that circulates through the heart and body
blood
special mechanism that prevents the passage of materials from the blood to the CSF and brain
blood brain barrier
isolated mass and cord of mesenchyme in the mesoderm from which blood vessels develop
blood island
force exerted by blood against the arteries
blood pressure
systemic veins that contain large amounts of blood that can be quickly moved to parts requiring blood
blood reservoir
barrier formed by sustentacular cells that prevents an immune response against antigens produced by spermatozoa and developing cells by isolating the cells from the blood
blood testis barrier
space within the body that contains various organs
body cavity
soft rounded mass of food that is swallowed
bolus
series of cavities within the petrous portion of the temporal bone, forming the vestibule, cochlea, and semicircular canals of the inner ear
bony labyrinth
slow heartbeat
bradycardia
network of nerve fibers of the anterior rami of spinal nerves C5-T1
brachial plexus
mass of nervous tissue located inside the cranium
brain
noninvasive procedure that measures and displays the electrical activity of the brain,used to diagnose epilepsy
brain electrical activity mapping (BEAM)
calcium deposits in the pineal gland laid at puberty
brain sand
portion of the brain immediately superior to the spinal cord, made up of the medulla oblongata, pons, and midbrain
brain stem
motor area of the brain in the frontal lobe that translates thoughts into speech
Broca’s area
branches of the respiratory passageway
bronchi
allergic reaction characterized by smooth muscle spasms in bronchi resulting in wheezing
bronchial asthma
trachea, bronchi, and their branching structures
bronchial tree
loss of normal tissue and expansion of lung air passages
bronchiectasis
branch of a tertiary bronchus dividing into terminal bronchioles
bronchiole
inflammation of the bronchi
bronchitis
cancer originating in the bronchi
bronchogenic carcinoma
x-ray of the lungs and bronchi
bronchogram
smaller division of a lobe of a lung supplied by its own branches of a bronchus
bronchopulmonary segment
instrument used to examine the interior of the bronchi of the lungs
bronchoscope
one of the two large branches of the trachea
bronchus
pertaining to the cheek
buccal
pair of chemicals, a weak acid and a weak base, that resist changes in pH
buffer system
expanded portion of the base of the corpus spongiosum
bulb of penis
pair of glands located inferior to the prostate gland on either side of the urethra that secrete alkaline fluid
bulbourethral glands
disorder characterized by uncontrollable overeating followed by forced vomiting or laxatives
bulimia
blisters beneath or within the epidermis
bullae
two branches of the atrioventricular bundle made of specialized muscle fibers that transmit electrical impulses to the ventricles
bundle branch
lateral deviation of the great toe that produces inflammation and thickening of the bursa
bunion
injury caused by heat
burn
sac of synovial fluid located at friction points
bursa
inflammation of a bursa
bursitis
two fleshy masses on the posterior side of the lower trunk
buttocks
state of ill health, malnutrition, and wasting away
cachexia
tendon at the back of the heel (Achilles tendon)
calcaneal tendon
hormone produced by the thyroid gland that lowers blood calcium levels
calcitonin
stone of crystallized material formed within the body
calculus
growth of new bone tissue in and around a fractured area
callus
unit of heat
calorie
cuplike division of the kidney pelvis
calyx
small canal in bones
canaliculus
malignant tumor of epithelial origin tending to spread
cancer
functional changes that sperm undergo in the female reproductive tract that allows them to fertilize an ovum
capacitation
microscopic blood vessel located between an arteriole and a venule through which materials are exchanged
capillary
organic compound containing carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen
carbohydrate
hypoxia due to increased levels of carbon monoxide
carbon monoxide poisoning
substance that causes cancer
carcinogen
invasive procedure in which a catheter is introduced into a vein and threaded through blood vessels to reach the heart
cardiac catheterization
complete heartbeat
cardiac cycle
organ specialized for contraction, forms the wall of the heart
cardiac muscle
angular notch in the anterior border of the left lung
cardiac notch
volume of blood pumped from one ventricle of the heart in one minute
cardiac output
maximum percentage that cardiac output can increase above normal
cardiac reserve
compression of the heart due to excessive fluid or blood in the pericardial sac that could result in heart failure
cardiac tamponade
ligament of the uterus, extends laterally from the cervix
cardinal ligament
group of neurons in the medulla from which cardiac nerves arise, impulses release epinephrine, increases heart rate
cardioacceleratory center
group of neurons in the medulla from which parasympathetic fibers that reach the heart via the vagus nerve arise, impulses release acetylcholine, decreases heart rate
cardioinhibitory center
study of the heart
cardiology
technique used to restore life or consciousness to a person
cardiopulmonary resuscitation
receptor on or near the carotid sinus that responds to alterations in blood levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen ions
carotid body
dilated region of the internal carotid artery immediately above the bifurcation of the common carotid that contains receptors that monitor blood pressure
carotid sinus
reflex concerned with maintaining normal blood pressure
carotid sinus reflex
eight wrist bones
carpus
connective tissue consisting of chondrocytes in lacunae embedded in a dense network of collagenous and elastic fibers
cartilage
joint without a joint cavity where articulating bones are held tightly together by cartilage
cartilaginous joint
small mass of hardened material formed within a cavity in the body and then discharged
cast
removal of the testes
castration
chemical reactions that break down complex organic compounds into simple ones with energy
catabolism
loss of transparency of the lens of the eye
cataract
tube that can be inserted into a body cavity through a canal or vessel, used to remove fluids and introduce medication
catheter
positively charged ion
cation
taillike collection of root of spinal nerves at the inferior end of the spinal canal
cauda equina
pouch at the proximal end of the large intestine
cecum
basic structural and functional unit of all organisms
cell
lifeless, temporary, constituent in the cytoplasm of a cell, opposed to an organelle
cell inclusion
component of immunity in which specially sensitized T cells attach to antigens to destroy them
cellular immunity (cell-mediated immunity)
calcified tissue covering the root of a tooth
cementum
area in the brain where a particular function is localized
center
area in the cartilage model of a future bone where the cartilage cells hypertrophy and secrete enzymes that result in the calcification of their matrix, resulting in death of the cartilage cells
center of ossification
circular channel running longitudinally in the center of an osteon of mature compact bone
central canal
cuplike depression in the center of the macula lutea of the retina, containing cones only
central fovea
brain and spinal cord
central nervous system
paired cylindrical organelles within a centrosome, function in cell division
centrioles
