DRE Anatomy & Physiology Terms

Question 1

VOLUNTARY NERVE

Answer 1

A motor nerve that carries messages to a muscle that we consciously control.

Question 2

INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM

Answer 2

The skin and accessory structures, hair and nails. Functions include protection, maintenance of body temperature, excretion of waste, and sensory perceptions.

Question 3

AXON

Answer 3

The part of a neuron (nerve cell) that sends out a neurotransmitter.

Question 4

ARTERY

Answer 4

The strong, elastic blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart.

Question 5

HYPOTENSION

Answer 5

Abnormally low blood pressure. Do not confuse this with hypertension.

Question 6

SYSTOLIC

Answer 6

The highest value of blood pressure. The blood pressure reaches its systolic value when the heart is fully contracted (systole), and blood is sent surging into the arteries.

Question 7

DIASTOLIC

Answer 7

The lowest value of blood pressure. The blood pressure reaches its diastolic value when the heart is fully expanded, or relaxed (Diastole).

Question 8

HYPERGLYCEMIA

Answer 8

Excess sugar in the blood.

Question 9

BRADYCARDIA

Answer 9

Abnormally slow heart rate.

Question 10

PALLOR

Answer 10

An abnormal paleness or lack of color in the skin.

Question 11

HYPOTHERMIA

Answer 11

Decreased body temperature.

Question 12

CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (CNS)

Answer 12

A system within the body consisting of the brain, the brain stem, and the spinal cord.

Question 13

SYNAPSE (or Synaptic Gap)

Answer 13

The gap or space between two neurons (nerve cells).

Question 14

DOWNSIDE EFFECT

Answer 14

An effect that may occur when the body reacts to the presence of a drug by producing hormones or neurotransmitters to counteract the effects of the drug consumed.

Question 15

HYPOGLYCEMIA

Answer 15

An abnormal decrease of blood sugar levels.

Question 16

ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

Answer 16

The network of glands that do not have ducts and other structures. They secrete hormones into the blood stream to affect a number of functions in the body.

Question 17

AFFERENT NERVES

Answer 17

Also called “Sensory Nerves.” Nerves that carry messages to the brain, from the various parts of the body, including notably the sense organs (eyes, ears, etc.). Sensory nerves are also known as afferent nerves.

Question 18

SPHYGMOMANOMETER

Answer 18

A medical device used to measure blood pressure. It consists of an arm or leg cuff with an air bag attached to a tube and a bulb for pumping air into the bag, and a gauge for showing the amount of air pressure being pressed against the artery.

Question 19

NERVE

Answer 19

A cord-like fiber that carries messages either to or from the brain. For drug evaluation and classification purposes, a nerve can be pictured as a series of “wire-like” segments, with small spaces or gaps between the segments.

Question 20

HYPERTENSION

Answer 20

Abnormally high blood pressure. Do not confuse this with hypotension.

Question 21

HORMONES

Answer 21

Chemicals produced by the body’s endocrine system that are carried through the blood stream to the target organ. They exert great influence on the growth and development of the individual, and that aid in the regulation of numerous body processes.

Question 22

AUTONOMIC NERVE

Answer 22

A motor nerve that carries messages to the muscles and organs that we do not consciously control. There are two kinds of autonomic nerves, the sympathetic nerves and parasympathetic nerves.

Question 23

PULSE RATE

Answer 23

The number of expansions of an artery per minute.

Question 24

PARASYMPATHOMIMETIC DRUGS

Answer 24

Drugs that mimic neurotransmitter associated with the parasympathetic nerves. These drugs artificially cause the transmission of messages that produce lower blood pressure, drowsiness, etc.

Question 25

NEUROTRANSMITTER

Answer 25

Chemicals that pass from the axon of one nerve cell to the dendrite of the next cell, and that carry messages across the gap between the two nerve cells.

Question 26

SYMPATHETIC NERVE

Answer 26

An autonomic nerve that commands the body to react in response to excitement, stress, fear, etc. The brain uses sympathetic nerves to send "wake up calls" and "fire alarms" to the muscles, tissues and organs.

Question 27

PHYSIOLOGY

Answer 27

Physiology is the branch of biology that deals with the functions and activities of life or living matter and the physical and chemical phenomena involved.

Question 28

PARASYMPATHETIC NERVE

Answer 28

An autonomic nerve that commands the body to relax and to carry out tranquil activities. The brain uses parasympathetic nerves to send "at ease" commands to the muscles, tissues, and organs.

Question 29

HYPERTHERMIA

Answer 29

Increased body temperature.

Question 30

BLOOD PRESSURE

Answer 30

The force exerted by blood on the walls of the arteries. Blood pressure changes continuously, as the heart cycles between contraction and expansion.

Question 31

HOMEOSTASIS

Answer 31

Dynamic, self-regulating process by which the body maintains a balanced or constant state while adjusting to internal and external conditions.

Question 32

TOLERANCE

Answer 32

An adjustment of the drug user's body and brain to the repeated presence of a drug. As tolerance develops, the user will experience diminishing psychoactive effects from the same dose of the drug. As a result, the user typically will steadily increase the dose he or she takes, in an effort to achieve the same psychoactive effect.

Question 33

PULSE

Answer 33

The rhythmic dilation and relaxation of an artery that results from the beating of the heart.

Question 34

ARRHYTHMIA

Answer 34

An abnormal heart rhythm.

Question 35

DENDRITE

Answer 35

The part of a neuron (nerve cell) that receives a neurotransmitter.

Question 36

VEIN

Answer 36

A blood vessel that carries blood back to the heart from the body tissues

Question 37

EFFERENT NERVES

Answer 37

Also called "Motor Nerves." Nerves that carry messages away from the brain, to the body's muscles, tissues, and organs. Motor nerves are also known as efferent nerves.

Question 38

WITHDRAWAL

Answer 38

This occurs in someone who is physically addicted to a drug when he or she is deprived of the drug. If the craving is sufficiently intense, the person may become extremely agitated, and even physically ill.

Question 39

NEURON

Answer 39

A nerve cell. The basic functional unit of a nerve. It contains a nucleus within a cell body with one or more axons and dendrites.

Question 40

BRADYPNEA

Answer 40

Abnormally slow rate of breathing.

Question 41

SYMPATHOMIMETIC DRUGS

Answer 41

Drugs that mimic the neurotransmitter associated with the sympathetic nerves. These drugs artificially cause the transmission of messages that produce elevated blood pressure, dilated pupils, etc.

Question 42

TACHYPNEA

Answer 42

Abnormally rapid rate of breathing.

Question 43

KOROTKOFF SOUNDS

Answer 43

A series of distinct sounds produced by blood passing through an artery, as the external pressure on the artery drops from the systolic value to the diastolic value.

Question 44

TACHYCARDIA

Answer 44

Abnormally rapid heart rate.