Human Anatomy vocab Flashcards
accessory / auxiliary
this term is applied to a lesser structure that resembles a similar organ in structure and function, such as the accessory pancreatic duct
albumin
a protein found in blood plasma
alimentary canal
the digestive system tube from the mouth to the anus, including the mouth or buccal cavity, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, and small and large intestines
anatomy
the branch of science dealing with the study of the structure of the body
anastomoses
the connection between vessels; the union of 2 vessels going to the same body part
anterior / ventral
before or in front of; refers to the front side of the body or structure
appendicular skeleton
the 126 bones that make up the pectoral girdle, upper extremities, pelvic girdle, and lower extremities
articulation
the connection between 2 or more bones; a joint
axial skeleton
the 80 bones composing the skull, vertebrae, thorax, and hyoid bone; the central structure to which the appendicular skeleton is attached
bilateral symmetry
refers to the symmetry of paired organs or to an organism whose right and left halves are similar images of each other
biliary
pertaining to bile
biliary tract
the organs (liver and gall bladder) and ducts that participate in the secretion, storage, and delivery of bile to the duodenum
bladder
a membranous sac or receptacle for secretion or excretion
buccal
relating to the cheek or mouth
cardiology
the study of the heart
carotid canal
the canal or passageway in the temporal bone through which the internal carotid artery passes
central
situated at or pertaining to a center or central point
colon
the part of the large intestine beginning with the ascending colon and ending with the sigmoid colon
conchae
means shell; ridges in the walls of the nasal cavity
condyle
a curved protuberance at the end of a bone forming part of a structure
deep
below the surface or toward the central part of a structure
cystic
of or pertaining to a sac like structure
curvature
a normal or abnormal bending away; an arc
detoxification
reduction of the harmful properties of a poisonous substance
distal
farther away from the point of attachment or from the trunk; opposite of proximal
dorsal
posterior; toward the back; opposite of anterior
eminence
a prominence or projection
endocrine
pertaining to a ductless gland that secretes directly into the bloodstream
exocrine
pertaining to a gland that delivers its secretion through a duct
external
pertaining to the exterior; the opposite of internal
external auditory meatus
the lateral, outer opening of the ear or auditory canal
fontanel
a temporarily unossified area on the surface of the cranium of an infant
fossa
a shallow depression
gland
a secretory organ or structure that can manufacture a secretion
heterocrine
a gland that has both endocrine and exocrine functions
histology
the study of tissues
inferior
beneath; lower; undersurface of an organ or a structure below another structure. the opposite of superior
integumentary
relating to the outer surface of a structure
internal
within the body; within or on the inside; the opposite of external
islets of langerhans / pancreatic islets
clusters of cells in the pancreas that produce insulin
joint
the connection between 2 bones; an articulation
lateral
pertaining to the side of the body, away from the median plane
lobes
well defined parts of an organ separated by boundaries
mandibular fossa
the depression in the temporal bone into which the condyle of the mandible fits
meatus
a passage or opening through a bone
medial
pertaining to the middle, toward the median plane of the body
myology
the study of muscles
nares
openings of the nose; nostrils
nasal septum
the partition that divides the nasal cavity
neurology
the study of the nervous system
oral
pertaining to the mouth
orifice
the entrance or outlet of any anatomical structure; an opening
ossicles
any small bone
parietal
pertaining to, or forming, the wall of a cavity
pectoral
pertaining to the front of the chest
peripheral
located at. or pertaining to, the outer surface of the body or body part; located away from the center
perpendicular
at right angles to another surface
pH / potential of hydrogen
a number signifying the acidity or alkalinity of a solution
portal
an entrance to an organ
posterior / dorsal
behind or in back of; refers to the back side of the body or structure; opposite of anterior
protuberance
an anatomic landmark that appears as a blunt projection
proximal
nearest to the point of attachment of a limb to the trunk of the body, the opposite of distal
pubic symphysis
the slightly moveable junction of the anterior portion of the os coxae
pyloric sphincter
the smooth muscle around the exit of the stomach into the duodenum
respiratory
referring to the organ system that carries out the gas exchange
salivary
pertaining to or or the formation of saliva
salivary gland
one of the 3 pair of glands that secretes saliva into the mouth
septum
a wall dividing 2 cavities
serum
blood plasma, excluding the clotting factors; the watery, amber colored portion of the blood after coagulation occurs
sesamoid bone
bone shaped like a sesame seed, a bone embedded in a tendon
sinus
a paranasal cavity within a bone; a dilated channel for venous blood
sphincter
a circular muscle constricting an orifice
superficial
pertaining to or situated near the surface of the body or body part
superior
toward the top of the head; a structure situated above another structure; the opposite of inferior
suprarenal / adrenal
located on the superior portion of the kidney
sutural
relating to the line of the union in an immovable articulation, such as between the cranial bones
symphysis
a joint in which the bones are connected by fibrocartilage
system
a group of organs arranged for the performance of a specific function
tunic
a covering or layer
urinary
pertaining to the secretion or storage of urine
urinary system
composed of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra, the function of which is to filter wastes from the bloodstream
valve
any one of various membranous structures in a hollow organ or passage that temporarily closes to permit the flow of fluid in one direction only
vascular
pertaining to or composed of vessels
vascular system
the blood vessels, including arteries, capillaries, veins, and lymphatics
ventral
located toward the front of the body; anterior
vermiform appendix
a narrow, worm shaped tube connected to the cecum
visceral
pertaining to the internal organs contained within a cavity
viscosity
resistance to the flow of a liquid
zygomatic
pertaining to the cheekbone
