Respiratory, circulatory, digestive Flashcards
Alveoli
air sacs in the lungs
Asthma
an allergic condition that causes narrowing of the airways and difficulty breathing.
Bronchiole
a very small air tube
Concentration gradient
a difference in concentration of a solution, often between the inside and outside of a cell; also called diffusion gradient
Emphysema
a disease of the lungs that damages the alveoli; caused by long term exposures to irritants
Epiglottis
a cartilage flap at the base of the pharynx that covers the trachea during swallowing
larynx
The structure at the top of the trachea that contains the vocal cord
Oesophagus
the tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach
Pharynx
the throat; the pharynx joins the mouth cavity to the oesophagus and larynx
Pleura
a membrane covering the surface of the lungs
Pleural fluid
thin layer of fluid within the pleura that allows the lungs to move during breathing
Primary bronchi
the first branching from the trachea, entering the left and right lungs
Respiratory system
the system specialised to facilitate the intake of oxygen and the removal of carbon dioxide
Secondary bronchi
the division of the primary bronchi, taking air into each lobe of the lungs
Terminal bronchioles
the end of the bronchioles before they form alveoli
Tertiary bronchi
the division of the secondary bronchi
Trachea
the tube that takes air from the throat to the lungs; the windpipe
Tuberculosis
a lung infection caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Ventilation
the process of inhalation and exhalation; breathing
Vocal cord
membrane in the larynx that vibrates, producing sounds
ABO blood group system
A method of classifying blood types according to the antigens on the surface of the red blood cells
aggulination
The clumping together of micro-organisms or of blood cells
antibody
A substance produced in response to a specific antigen; it combines with the antigen to neutralise or destroy it
Antigen
any substance produced in response to a specific antigen; it combines with the antigen to neutralise or destroy it
Antigen
any substance capable of antibodies when introduced into the tissue
Arteriole
a very small artery
Atrial systole
contraction of the atria of the heart
Atrioventricular valves
valves within the heart that ensures the blood flows through it in one direction only
Autologous transfusion
a transfusion using the patient’s own blood
Biconcave
shaped concave on both sides, dipping inwards in the centre
Blood clotting
formation of a blood clot; also known as coagulation
Capillary
a microscopic blood vessel that links arterioles and venules
Carbaminoheamoglobin
a molecule resulting from a combination of carbon dioxide and haemoglobin
Cardiac cycle
the cycle of events that occurs in one complete heartbeat
Cardiac muscle
the muscle that forms the wall of the heart
Cardiac output
the volume of blood pumped from one ventricle of the heart in one minute
chordae tendineae
Tendon-like structures that connect papillary muscle to valves
circulation
The movement of blood through the heart and blood vessels
circulatory system
The body’s transport system, consisting of the heart, blood, blood vessels, lymph and lymph vessels
clot
Blood cells, platelets and plasma trapped together in a mesh of fibrin
clot retraction
Contraction of the fibrous threads of a blood clot
Clotting factors
chemical substances in blood plasma that allow blood to clot
Coagulation
the process of blood becoming gel-like; also called clotting
Cryoprecipitate
a blood product used in transfusions; produced by freezing the plasma and thawing it slowly
Diastole
the period of relaxation of the heart, during which it fills with blood
Fibrin
an insoluble protein that forms blood clots by holding blood cells, platelets and plasma together in a mesh
Formed element
any cell or cell-like structure in the blood
Haematocrit
the ratio of red blood cells to the total volume of blood
Haemoglobin
the pigment in red blood cells to the total volume of blood
Haemoglobin
the pigment in red blood cells; it is involved in the transport of oxygen and some carbon dioxide through the body
Haemophilia
an inherited disorder in which the blood clots slowly or not at all
Heart
a hollow, muscular organ that pumps blood
Heart rate
the number of heartbeats per minute
Immunoglobulins
a group of proteins, antibodies are immunoglobins
lymph
Colourless fluid that circulates through the lymphatic vessels before returning to the blood
lymph node
An oval or bean-shaped structure found on the lymphatic vessels; it is involved in protection against infection; also called a lymph gland
lymphatic system
A system of vessels that drains excess fluid from the tissues; also called the lymph system
lymphatic vessel
A large vessel that collects lymph from the lymph capillaries; lymphatics vessels join up and eventually return lymph to the blood
lymphocyte
A type of white blood cell; also found in lymph nodes and in lymph
lymphoid tissue
Tissue containing many lymphocytes and macrophages; found mostly in the lymph nodes but also in the bone marrow, tonsils, spleen and thymus
macrophage
A phagocytic cell derived from a monocyte
metabolic wastes
Substances produced by cells that cannot be used and that would be harmful if allowed to accumulate
oxygenated blood
Oxygen combined with haemoglobin
papillary muscles
Muscles in the ventricles of the heart that anchor the valves
pericardium
Membrane enclosing the heart
phagocytic cell
Cell that can engulf and digest micro-organisms and cell debris
plasma
the fluid part of the blood in which the cells are suspended
plasma cell
Cell that develops from a B cell and produces antibodies
Platelet
one of the formed elements of blood; a fragment of cytoplasm enclosed in a membrane but lacking a nucleus; also called a thrombocyte
Platelet concentrate
a component of blood used in transfusions
red cell concentrate
A compound of blood used in transfusions; produced by spinning blood in a centrifuge
Rh blood group system
A method of classifying blood types according to the antigens on the surface of the red blood cells
semilunar valve
Valve preventing blood from flowing back into the ventricles; located at the start of the aorta and the pulmonary artery
Septum
the partition between the left and right sides of the heart
Serum
the protein-rich fluid that separates out when blood co-agulates
Sternum
the breastbone
Stroke volume
the volume of blood pumped from the left ventricle during one contraction
Systole
the period when heart muscle contracts
Transfusion
The transfer of blood, or of some of the components of blood, into the circulation of a person
vasoconstriction
Decrease in the diameter of blood vessels, restricting the flow of blood
vasodilation
Increase in the diameter of blood vessels, increasing the flow of blood
Vasodilator
substance that produces a local widening, or dilation, of blood vessels
Ventricular systole
the phase of the heartbeat when the ventricles contract
Venue
small vein
Whole blood
blood taken from a donor, with a chemical added to prevent clotting; used in transfusions
Active transport
the use of energy to move substances, usually ions, across a cell membrane
Alimentary canal
the tube via which food passes through the body, consisting of the mouth, oesophagus, stomach and intestines; also called the digestive tract
Bile
a secretion of the liver, stored in the gall bladder and released into the small intestine
Bile salts
substances that break fats into tiny droplets
Bolus
a ball-like structure of food and saliva
Canine
the pointed tooth between the incisors and premolars
Chemical digestion
the breakdown of food to small molecules by chemicals
Chyme
the semifluid mass of partially digested food that leaves the stomach
Circular muscle
Smooth muscles fibres arranged in a circle around an organ, such as the stomach
coeliac muscle
an autoimmune disease due to the immune system reacting to gluten
Colorectal cancer
cancer in the colon and rectum; also called bowel cancer
Deoxyribonuclease
an enzyme in pancreatic juice that digests DNA
Digestion
the mechanical and chemical breakdown of food to small molecules that can be absorbed into the body
Digestive system
the system that breaks down the food taken into the body ready for absorption into the cells
Elimination
removal of indigestible material, bacteria and bile pigments from the body
Emulsify
to mix two liquids that would not normally mix
Gastric gland
the secretory unit of the stomach in gastric pits; produces gastric juice
Gastric juice
the digestive juice secreted by the glands of the stomach
Incisor
the narrow-edge tooth at the front of th mouth; used for cutting
Ingestion
the intake of food, liquids or drugs into the mouth
Intestinal juices
the digestive juice secreted by the glands of the small intestine
Lacteal
a lymph capillary in the small intestine; it absorbs fat from the digested food
Large intestine
the part of the intestine between the small intestine and the anus; it is made up of the caecum, colon and rectum
Longitudinal muscle
smooth muscle with fibres arranged lengthwise along an organ
Mastication
the process of chewing; to grind or crush food with the teeth
Mechanical digestion
the mechanical breakdown of food into smaller particles
Microvilli
microscopic projections from the membrane of cells’ lining of the small intestine; they increase surface area for absorption
Mucosa
a mucous membrane that forms the internal lining of the alimentary canal
Oesophagus
the tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach
Pancreatic amylase
an enzyme in pancreatic juice that breaks down fats
Peristalsis
waves of muscular contraction that push food along the alimentary canal
Pharynx
the throat; the pharynx joins the mouth cavity to the oesophagus and larynx
Pyloric sphincter
a ring of smooth muscle between the stomach and the duodenum
Ribonuclease
an enzyme in pancreatic juice that digests RNA
Saliva
a fluid secreted into the mouth by salivary glands to begin digestion of food
Salivary gland
gland in the mouth that secretes saliva
Segmentation
a process occurring in the small intestine which uses the contraction of circular muscles to push the chyme into segments, mixing it with digestive juices
Small intestine
the longest part of the alimentary canal; receives material from the stomach
Stomach
a muscular organ that receives food from the oesophagus, and mixes it with acid and enzymes to form chyme
Trypsin
an enzyme in pancreatic juice that breaks down protein; also known as pancreatic amylase
villi
Projections from the internal lining of the small intestine; also, projections of the chorion that grow into the lining of the uterus
