Glossary in ANAPHY book pt. 1 Flashcards
Abdominal
pertaining to the anterior body trunk inferior to the ribs.
Accommodation
(1) adaptation in response to differences or changing needs; (2) adjustment of the eye for seeing objects at close range.
Acetylcholine (ACh)
a chemical transmitter substance released by certain nerve endings.
Acid
a substance that liberates hydrogen ions when in an aqueous solution; proton donor; compare with base.
Acid-base balance
the maintenance of proper pH in the body; involves buffers, the respiratory system, and the kidneys.
Acidosis
a condition in which the blood has an excess hydrogen ion concentration and a decreased pH; also called ketoacidosis.
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)
immunodeficiency caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) attacking T cells; symptoms include severe weight loss, night sweats, swollen lymph nodes, and opportunistic infections.
Acromial
pertaining to the point of the shoulder.
Acrosome
an enzyme-containing structure covering the nucleus of the sperm.
Actin
one of the principal contractile proteins found in muscle; makes up the thin filaments.
Action potential
an electrical event occurring when a stimulus of sufficient intensity is applied to a neuron or muscle cell, allowing sodium ions to move into the cell and reverse the polarity.
Active immunity
immunity produced by an encounter with an antigen; provides immunological memory.
Active site
region on the surface of a globular protein (such as an enzyme) where it interacts with other molecules of complementary shape and charge (such as substrate).
Active transport
net movement of a substance across a membrane against a concentration or electrical gradient; requires release and use of cellular energy.
Adaptive defense system
branch of the immune system that targets specific antigen; involves B and T lymphocytes and antigen- presenting cells; also called specific defense system.
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
the compound that is the important intracellular energy source; cellular energy.
Adipose tissue
fat.
Adrenal glands
hormone-producing glands located superior to the kidneys; each consists of a medulla and a cortex.
Aerobic respiration
respiration in which oxygen is consumed and glucose is broken down entirely; water, carbon dioxide, and large amounts of ATP are the final products.
Afferent
carrying to or toward a center.
Agglutinins
antibodies in blood plasma that cause clumping of corpuscles or bacteria.
Agglutinogens
(1) antigens that stimulate the formation of a specific agglutinin; (2) antigens found on red blood cells that are responsible for determining the ABO blood group classification.
Albumin
a protein found in virtually all animals; the most abundant plasma protein.
Alkalosis
a condition in which the blood has a lower hydrogen ion concentration than normal and an increased pH.
Allergy
overzealous immune response to an otherwise harmless antigen, resulting in tissue damage; also called hypersensitivity.
Alveolus
(1) a general term referring to a small cavity or depression; (2) an air sac in the lungs.
Amino acid
an organic compound containing nitrogen, carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen; the building block of protein.
Amphiarthrosis
a slightly movable joint.
Anabolism
the energy-requiring building phase of metabolism in which simpler substances are combined to form more complex substances.
Anaerobic glycolysis
a process in which glucose is broken down in the absence of oxygen, resulting in the formation of 2 ATP molecules and lactic acid.
Anatomical position
reference point for regional and directional terminology; standing, feet parallel, palms facing forward.
Anatomy
the science of the structure of living organisms.
Anemia
reduced oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood caused by a decreased number of erythrocytes or decreased percentage of hemoglobin in the blood.
Antebrachial
pertaining to the forearm.
Antecubital
anterior surface of the elbow.
Antibody
a specialized substance produced by the body that can provide immunity against a specific antigen.
Antigen (Ag)
any substance — including toxins, foreign proteins, or bacteria — that, when introduced to the body, is recognized as foreign and activates the immune system.
Antigen-presenting cells (APCs)
cells that display portions of foreign antigens to T cells; include dendritic cells, macrophages, and B lymphocytes.
Antimicrobial proteins
defensive proteins that assist the innate defenses by attacking microbes directly or by preventing their reproduction; see complement and interferon.
Aorta
the major systemic artery; arises from the left ventricle of the heart.
Apocrine gland
the less numerous type of sweat gland. Its secretions contain water, salts, fatty acids, and proteins.
Aponeurosis
fibrous or membranous sheet connecting a muscle and the part it moves.
Appendicular skeleton
bones of the limbs and limb girdles that are attached to the axial skeleton.
Aqueous humor
the watery fluid in the anterior chambers of the eye.
Arachnoid granulation
special projections of the arachnoid mater that protrude through the dura mater; site of cerebrospinal fluid absorption into the dural venous sinuses.
Arachnoid mater
middle layer of the meninges; has weblike extensions attach to the inner layer, the pia mater.
Arrector pili
tiny, smooth muscles attached to hair follicles; when activated, they cause the hair to stand upright.
Arteriole
minute artery.
Arteriosclerosis
any of a number of proliferative and degenerative changes in the arteries leading to their decreased elasticity and hardening; end stage of atherosclerosis.
Artery
a vessel that carries blood away from the heart.
Arthritis
inflammation of the joints.
Articular cartilage
hyaline cartilage covering the epiphysis of a bone at a joint.
Asthma
disease or allergic response characterized by bronchial spasms and difficult breathing.
Astigmatism
a visual defect
resulting from irregularity in the lens or cornea of the eye causing the image to be out of focus.
Astrocyte
type of CNS supporting cell; assists in exchanges between blood capillaries and neurons.
Atherosclerosis
changes in the walls of large arteries consisting of lipid deposits on the artery walls; the early stage of arteriosclerosis and increased rigidity.
Atlas
the first cervical vertebra; articulates with the occipital bone of the skull and the second cervical vertebra (axis).
Atom
the smallest part of an element; indivisible by ordinary chemical means.
Atomic mass number
the sum of the number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom; also known as mass number.
Atomic number
the number of protons in an atom.
Atomic symbol
a one-or two-letter symbol indicating a particular element.
Atrioventricular (AV) node
a specialized mass of conducting cells located at the atrioventricular junction in the heart.
Atrioventricular (AV) valves
two valves set between the atria and ventricles to prevent backflow; includes the mitral (bicuspid) on the left and the tricuspid on the right.
Atrium
a chamber of the heart receiving blood from the veins; superior heart chamber.
Atrophy
a reduction in size or wasting away of an organ or cell resulting from disease or lack of use.
Auricle
the external part of the ear surrounding the auditory canal; also called pinna.
Autonomic nervous system
the division of the nervous system that functions involuntarily; innervates cardiac muscle, smooth muscle, and glands; also called involuntary nervous system.
Axial skeleton
the skull, vertebral column, ribs, and sternum.
Axilla
armpit; pertaining to axillary region.
Axis
(1) the second cervical vertebra; has a vertical projection called the dens around which the atlas rotates; (2) the imaginary line about which a joint or structure revolves.
Axon
neuron process that carries impulses away from the nerve cell body; efferent process; the conducting portion of a nerve cell.
Axon terminal
one of multiple ends of the axon that branch from the motor neuron axon; interacts with the sarcolemma of different muscle cells to form neuromuscular junctions.
B cells
lymphocytes that oversee humoral immunity; their descendants differentiate into antibody-producing plasma cells; also called B lymphocytes.
Ball-and-socket joint
multiaxial synovial joint in which the rounded head of one bone fits into a socket (depression) on the other.
Basal metabolic rate (BMR)
the rate at which energy is expended (heat produced) by the body per unit time under controlled (basal) conditions: 12 hours after a meal, at rest.
Basal nuclei
gray matter areas deep within the white matter of the cerebral hemispheres; also called basal ganglia.
Base
(1) a substance that accepts hydrogen ions; proton acceptor; compare with acid; (2) the broad, posterosuperior aspect of the heart where large vessels enter or leave the heart; (3) the broad inferior area of each lung resting on the diaphragm.
Basement membrane
a thin layer of extracellular material to which epithelial cells are attached in mucosa surfaces.
Basilar membrane
the membrane in the cochlear duct that vibrates to transmit sound waves and also houses the receptor cells for hearing.
Basophils
white blood cells whose granules stain deep blue with basic dye; have a relatively pale nucleus and granular-appearing cytoplasm.
Benign
not malignant.
Bicarbonate buffer system
system composed of bicarbonate ion (HCO3–) and its salt, sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), that resists changes in blood pH.
Bile
a greenish yellow or brownish fluid produced in and secreted by the liver, stored in the gallbladder, and released into the small intestine.
Blind spot
gap in vision caused by a lack of photoreceptors at the optic disc.
Blood
liquid connective tissue composed of plasma and cells responsible for transporting substances such as nutrients and oxygen around the body.
Blood pressure
the pressure exerted by blood against the inner walls of blood vessels.
Blood sugar
the amount of glucose in the blood.
Bone markings
surface features of bones where muscles, tendons, and ligaments attach, and where blood vessels and nerves pass.
Bone remodeling
the process of repairing or maintaining bone by adding or removing bone matrix in response to damage or mechanical stress.
Bony callus
“splint” of spongy bone that replaces fibrocartilage callus during bone remodeling.
Bony thorax
bones of the thorax, including ribs, sternum, and thoracic vertebrae; also called thoracic cage.
Brachial
pertaining to the arm.
Bradycardia
slow heartrate, usually defined as a rate under 60 beats per minute.
Brain stem
the portion of the brain consist- ing of the medulla, pons, and midbrain.
Broad ligament
large ligament formed by a fold of peritoneum that encloses the ovaries and holds them in place, and suspends the uterus from the pelvis.
Bronchioles
the smallest conducting passages in the lungs.
Buccal
pertaining to the cheek.
Buffer
a substance or substances that help to stabilize the pH of a solution
Bulbourethral glands
tiny glands inferior to the prostate that produce clear mucus that neutralizes urine prior to ejaculation.
Burn
tissue damage resulting in cell death caused by electricity, chemicals, too much heat or UV radiation. Burns vary in degree of severity. See rule of nines.
