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.
Epiglottis
A leaf-shaped structure that prevents food and foreign matter from entering the trachea.
Epinephine
A hormone produced by the body. As a medication, it dilates respiratory passages and is used to relieve sever allergic reactions.
Exhalation
A passive process in which the intercostal (rib) muscles and the diaphragm relax, causing the chest cavity to decrease in size and air to flow out of the lungs.
Femoral Artery
The major artery supplying the leg.
Femur
The large bone of the thigh.
Fibula
The lateral and smaller bone of the lower leg.
Fowler Position
A sitting position
Gallbladder
A sac on the underside of the liver that stores bile produced by the liver.
Humerus
The bone of the upper arm, between the shoulder and the elbow.
Hypoperfusion
Inadequate perfusion of the cells and tissues of the body caused by insufficient flow of blood through the capillaries. Also called shock.
Ilium
The superior and widest portion of the pelvis.
Inferior
Away from the head; usually compared with another structure that is closer to the head.
Inhalation
An active process in which the intercostal (rib) muscles and the diaphragm contract, expanding the size of the chest cavity and causing air to flow into the lungs.
Insulin
A hormone produced by the pancreas or taken as a medication by many diabetics.
Involuntary Muscle
Muscle that responds automatically to brain signals but cannot be consciously controlled.
Ischium
The lower, posterior portions of the pelvis.
Joint
The point where two bones come together.
Kidneys
Organs of the renal system used to filter blood and regulate fluid levels in the body.
Large Intesine
The muscular tube that removes water from waste products received from the small intestine and moves anything not absorbed by the body towards excretion from the body.
Larynx
The voice box.
Lateral
To the side, away from the midline of the body.
Ligament
Tissue that connects bone to bone.
Liver
The largest organ of the body, which produces bile to assist in breakdown of fats and assists in the metabolism of various substances in the body.
Lungs
The organs where exchange of atmospheric oxygen and waste carbon dioxide take place.
Malleolus
Protrusion on the side of the ankle.
Mandible
The lower jaw bone.
Manubrium
The superior portion of the sternum.
Maxillae
The two fused bones forming the upper jaw.
Medial
Toward the midline of the body.
Metacarpals
the hand bones.
Metatarsals
the foot bones.
Mid-Axillary Line
A line drawn vertically from the middle of the armpit to the ankle
Mid-Clavicular Line
The line through the center of each clavicle.
Midline
An imaginary line drawn down the center if the body, dividing it into the right and left halves.
Muscle
Tissue that can contract to allow movement of a body part.
Musculoskeletal System
The system of bones and skeletal muscles that support and protect the body and permit movement.
Nasal Bone
The nose bones.
Nasopharynx
The area directly posterior to the nose.
Nervous System
The system of brain, spinal cord, and nerves that govern sensation, movement, and thought.
Orbits
The bony structures around the eyes; the eye sockets.
Oropharynx
The area directly posterior to the mouth.
Ovaries
Egg-producing organs within the female reproductive system.
Palmer
Referring to the palm of the hand.
Pancreas
A gland located behind the stomach that produces insulin and juices that assist in digestion of food in the duodenum of the small intestine.
Patella
The kneecap
Pelvis
The basin-shaped bony structure that supports the spine and is the point of proximal attachment for the lower extremities.
Penis
The organ of male reproduction responsible for sexual intercourse and the transfer of sperm.
Perfusion
The supply of oxygen to, and removal of waste from, the cells and tissues of the body as a result of the flow of blood through the capillaries.
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
The nerves that enter and leave the spinal cord and travel between the brain and organs without passing through the spinal cord.
Peripheral Pulses
The radial, brachial, posterior tribal, and dorsalis pedis, which can be felt at peripheral (outlying) points of the body.
Phalanges
The toe bones and the finger bones.
Pharynx
The area directly posterior to the mouth and nose.
Physiology
The study of body function.
Plane
A flat surface formed when slicing through a solid object.
Plantar
Referring to the sole of the foot.
Plasma
The fluid portion of the blood.
Platelets
Components of the blood; membrane-enclosed fragments of specialized cells.
Posterior
The back of the body or body part.
Posterior Tibial Artery
Artery supplying the foot, behind the medial ankle.
Prefix
Word part added to the beginning of a root or word to modify or qualify its meaning.
Prone
Lying face down.
Proximal
Closer to the torso.
Pubis
The medial anterior portion of the pelvis.
Pulmonary Arteries
The vessels that carry deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle of the heart to the heart to the lungs.
Pulse
The rhythmic beats caused as waves of blood moves through out and expand the arteries.
Radial Artery
Artery of the lower arm. It is felt when taking the pulse at the wrist.
Radius
The lateral bone of the forearm.
