Medical Terminology and Anatomy and Physiology (Chapter 5) Flashcards
Abdominal Quadrants
Four divisions of the abdomen used to pinpoint the location of a pain or injury: The right upper quadrant (RUQ), the left upper quadrant (LUQ), the right lower quadrant (RLQ), the left lower quadrant (LLQ).
Acetabulum
The pelvic socket into which the ball joint at the proximal end of the femur fits to form the hip joint
Acromioclavicular Joint
The joint where the acromion and the clavicle meet.
Acromion Process
The highest portion of the shoulder.
Alveoli
The microscopic sacs of the lungs where gas exchange with the bloodstream takes place.
Anatomical Position
The standard reference position for the body in the study of anatomy. In this position, the body is standing erect, facing the observer, with arms down at the sides and the palms of the hands forward.
Anatomy
The study of the body structure.
Anterior
The front of the body or body part.
Aorta
The largest artery in the body. It transports blood from the left ventricle to begin systemic circulation.
Appendix
A small tube located near the junction of the small and large intestines in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen, the function of which is not well understood. Its inflammation, called appendicitis, is a common cause of abdominal pain.
Arteriole
The smallest kind of artery.
Artery
Any blood vessel carrying blood away from the heart.
Atria
The two upper chambers of the heart. The right atrium receives unoxygenated blood returning from the body and the left atrium receives oxygenated blood returning from the lungs.
Automaticity
The ability of the heart to generate and conduct electrical impulses on its own.
Autonomic Nervous System
The devision of the peripheral nervous system that controls involuntary motor functions.
Bilateral
On both sides.
Bladder
The round sac-like organ of the renal system used as a reservoir for urine.
Blood Pressure
The pressure caused by blood exerting force against the walls of blood vessels. Usually arterial blood pressure is measured; diastolic blood pressure and systolic blood pressure.
Brachial Artery
Artery of the upper arm; the site of the pulse checked during infant CPR.
Bronchi
The two large sets of branches that come off the trachea and enter the lungs. There are right and left bronchi.
Calcaneus
The heel bone.
Capillary
A thin-walled, microscopic blood vessel where the oxygen/carbon dioxide and nutrient/waste exchange with the body’s cells takes place.
Cardiac Conduction System
A system of specialized muscle tissues that conducts electrical impulses that stimulate the heart to beat.
Cardiac Muscle
Specialized involuntary muscle found only in the heart.
Cardiovascular System
The system made up if the heart and the blood vessels; the circulatory system. Sometimes called the circulatory system.
Carotid Arteries
The large neck arteries, one on each side of the neck, that carry blood from the heart to the head.
Carpals
The wrist bones
Centra Nervous System
The brain and the spinal cord.
Central Pulses
The carotid and femoral pulses, which can be felt in the central part of the body.
Clavicle
The collarbone
Combining Form
A word root with an added vowel that can be joined with other words, roots, or suffixes to form a new word.
Compound
A word formed from two or more whole words.
Coronary Arteries
Blood vessels that supply the muscle of the heart.
Cranium
The top, back, and sides of the skull.
Cricoid Cartilage
The ring-shaped structure that forms the lower portion of the larynx.
Dermis
The inner (second) layer of the skin, rich in blood vessels and nerves, found beneath the epidermis.
Diaphram
The muscular structure that divides the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity. A major muscle of respiration.
Diastolic Blood Pressure
The pressure in the arteries when the left ventricle is refilling.
Digestive System
System by which food travels through the body and is digested, or broken down into absorbable forms.
Distal
Farther away from the torso.
Dorsal
Referring to the back of the body or the back of the hand or foot. A synonym for posterior.
Dorsalis Pedis Artery
Artery supplying the foot, lateral to the large tendons of the big toe.
Endocrine System
System of glands that produce chemicals called hormones that help to regulate many body activities and functions.
Epidermis
The outer layer of skin.