Human Body Flashcards
The body cavity that contains the major organs of digestion and excretion. It is located below the diaphragm and above the pelvis.
Abdomen
The depression on the lateral pelvis where its three component bones join, in which the femoral head fits snugly.
Acetabulum
A firm prominence of cartilage that forms the upper part of the larynx. It is more prominent in men than in women. Also called the thyroid cartilage.
Adam’s Apple
The nucleotide involved in energy metabolism; used to store energy.
Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)
Endocrine glands located on the top of the kidneys that release adrenaline when stimulated by the sympathetic nervous system.
Adrenal Glands
Pertaining to nerves that release the neurotransmitter norepinephrine or noradrenaline (such as adrenergic nerves, adrenergic response); also pertains to the receptors acted on by norepinephrine.
Adrenergic
Metabolism that can proceed only in the presence of oxygen.
Aerobic Metabolism
Abnormal breathing pattern characterized by slow, gasping breaths, sometimes seen in patients in cardiac arrest.
Agonal gasps
Portions of the nervous system that, when stimulated, can cause constriction of blood vessels.
Apha-adrenergic receptors
The air sacs of the lungs in which the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place.
Avleoli
The position of reference in which the patient stands facing forward, arms at the side, with the palms of the hands forward.
Anatomic position
The main artery leaving the left side of the heart and carrying freshly oxygenated blood to the body.
Aorta
The portion of the skeletal system that comprises the arms, legs, pelvis, and shoulder girdle.
Appendicular Skeleton
A small, tubular structure that is attached to the lower border of the cecum in the lower right quadrant of the abdomen
Appendix
The smallest branches of arteries leading to the vast network of capillaries
Arterioles
A pearly layer of specialized cartilage covering the articular surfaces (contact surfaces on the ends) of bones in synovial joints.
Articular Cartilage
One of the two upper chambers of the heart.
Atrium
The part of the nervous system that regulates functions, such as digestion and seating, that are not controlled voluntarily
Autonomic Nervous System
The part of the skull, spinal column, and rib cage.
Axial Skeleton
A joint that allows internal and external rotation, as well as bending.
Ball-and-Socket Joint
Portions of the nervous system that, when stimulated, can cause an increase in the force of contraction of the heart, an increased heart rate, and bronchial dilation.
Beta-adrenergic receptors
The large muscle that covers the front of the humerus.
Biceps
The ducts that convey bile between the liver and the intestine.
Bile Ducts
The pressure that the blood exerts against the walls of the arteries as it passes through them.
Blood Pressure
The major vessel in the upper extremities that supplies blood to the arm.
Brachial Artery
The controlling organ of the body and center of consciousness; functions include perception, control of reactions to the environment, emotional responses, and judgment.
Brain
the area of the brain between the spinal cord and cerebrum, surrounded by the cerebellum; controls functions that are necessary for life, such as respiration.
Brain Stem
the tiny blood vessels between the arterioles and venules that permit transfer of oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, and waste between body tissues and the blood.
Capillary vessels
Cardiac muscle
The heart muscle
A measure of the volume of blood circulated by the heart in 1 minute, calculated by multiplying the stroke volume by the heart rate.
Cardiac Output
The major artery that supplies blood to the head and brain.
Carotid Artery
The smooth connective tissue that forms the support structure of the skeletal system and provides cushioning between bones; also forms the nasal septum and portions of the outer ear.
Cartilage
The first part of the large intestine, into which the ileum opens.
Cecum
The brain and spinal cord.
Central Nervous system (CNS)
One of the three major subdivisions of the brain, sometimes called the little brain coordinates the various activities of the brain, particularly fine body movements.
Cerebellum
Fluid produced in the ventricles of the brain that flows in the subarachnoid space that bathes the meninges.
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
The largest part of the three subdivisions of the brain, sometimes called the gray matter; made up of serval lobes that control movement, hearing, balance, speech, visual perceptions, emotions, and personality.
Cerebrum
The portion of the spinal column consisting of the first seven vertebrae that lie in the neck.
Cervical Spine
Thin bands of fibrous tissue that attach to the valves in the heart and prevent them from inverting.
Chordae Tendineae
The substance that leaves the stomach. It is a combination of all the eaten foods with added stomach acids.
Chyme
The complex arrangement of connected tubes, including the arteries, arterioles, capillaries, venules, and veins that moves blood, oxygen, nutrients, carbon dioxide and cellular waste throughout the body.
Circulatory System
The collar bone; it is lateral to the sternum and anterior to the scapula.
Clavicle
The last three or four vertebrae of the spine; the tail bone.
Coccyx
An imaginary plane where the body is divided into front and back parts.
Coronal plane
The area of the head above the ears and eyes; the skull. The cranium contains the brain.
Cranium
A firm ridge of cartilage that forms the lower part of the larynx.
Cricoid Cartilage
A thin sheet of fascia that connects the thyroid and cricoid cartilages that make up the larynx
Cricothyroid Membrane
Any portion of the airway that does contain air and cannot participate in gas exchange, such as the trachea and bronchi.
Dead Space
the inner layer of the skin, containing hair follicles, sweat glands, nerve endings, and blood vessels.
Dermis
A muscular dome that forms the undersurface of the thorax separating the chest from the abdominal cavity. contraction of this (and the chest wall muscles) brings air into the lungs. relaxation allows air into the lungs. Relaxation allows air to be expelled from the lungs.
Diaphragm
The relaxation, or period of relaxation, of the heart, especially of the ventricles.
Diastole
Movement of a gas from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.
Diffusion
The processing of food that nourishes the individual cells of the body.
Digestion
The artery on the anterior surface of the foot between the first and second metatarsals.
Dorsalis Pedis Artery
The complex message and control system that integrates many body functions, including the release of hormones.
Endocrine System
Substance designed to speed up the rate of specific biochemical reactions.
Enzymes
The outer layer of skin, which is made up of cells that are sealed together to form a watertight protective covering for the body.
Epidermis
A thing, leaf-shaped valve that allows air to pass into the trachea but prevents food and liquid from entering.
Epiglottis
A hormone produced by the adrenal medulla that has a vital role in the function of the sympathetic nervous system.
Epinephrine
A collapsible tube that extends from the pharynx to the stomach; muscle contractions propel food and liquids through it to the stomach.
Esophagus
The amount of air that can be exhaled following a normal exhalation; average volume is about 1,200ml in the average adult man.
Expiratory Reserve Volume
The straightening of a joint.
Extension
Long, slender tubes that extend from the uterus to the region of the ovary on the same side and through which the ovum passes from the ovary to the uterus.
Fallopian tubes
The major artery of the thigh, a continuation of the external iliac artery. It supplies blood to the lower abdominal wall, external genitalia, and legs. It can be palpated in the groin area.
Femoral Artery
The proximal end of the femur, articulating with the acetabulum to form the hip joint
Femoral Head
The thigh bone; the longest and one of the strongest bones in the body.
Femur
The bending of a joint
Flexion
A large opening at the base of the skull through which the brain connects to the spinal cord.
Foramen Magnum
The portion of the cranium that forms the forehead.
Frontal Bone
A sac on the undersurface of the liver that collects bile from the liver and discharges it into the duodenum through the common bile duct.
Gallbladder
The reproductive system in men and women
Genital System
The deepest layer of the epidermis where new skin cells are formed.
Germinal Layer
A bony prominence on the proximal lateral side of the thigh, just below the hip joint.
Greater Trochanter
The small organs that produce hair.
Hair follicles
A hollow muscular organ that pumps blood throughout the body.
Heart
The number of heartbeats during a specific time (usually 1 minute)
Heart Rate
Joints that can bend and straighten but cannot rotate; they restrict motion to one plane
Hinge Joints
Substances formed in specialized organs or glands and carried to another organ or group of cells in the same organism; they regulate many body functions, including metabolism, growth, and body temperature.
Hormones
The supporting bone of the upper arm.
Humerus
The pressure of water against the walls of its container.
Hydrostatic pressure
A “ backup system” to control respiration; senses drops in the oxygen level in the blood.
Hypoxic drive
One of three bones that fuse to form the pelvic ring.
ilium
One of the two largest veins in the body; carries blood from the lower extremities and the pelvis and the abdominal organs to the heart.
Inferior vena cava
The amount of air that can be inhaled after a normal inhalation; the amount of air that can be inhaled in addition to the normal tidal volume.
Inspiratory Reserve Volume
