The Human Body - Vocabulary Flashcards
A field of study that focuses on the physical structure of the body and its systems
Anatomy
Examines the normal functions and activities of the biological components of the body
Physiology
The study of functional changes that accompany a particular disease or syndrome
Pathophysiology
Navel
Umbilicus
The body cavity that contains many of the major organs of digestion and excretion
Abdomen
Location of the abdomen
Below the diaphragm and above the pelvis
The depression on the lateral pelvis where its three component bones join, in which the femoral head fits snugly
Acetabulum
The nucleotide involved in energy metabolism; used to store energy
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
Endocrine glands located on 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; 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
Alpha-adrenergic receptors
The air sacs of the lungs in which the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place
Alveoli
Metabolism that takes place in the absence of oxygen; the main by-product is lactic acid
Anaerobic metabolism
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 of bones in synovial joints
Articular cartilage
Contact surfaces on the ends of bones
Articular surfaces
One of the two upper chambers of the heart
Atrium
The part of the nervous system that regulates functions, such as digestion and sweating, that are not controlled voluntarily
Autonomic nervous system
The part of the skeleton comprising the skull, vertebral column, and rib cage
Axial skeleton
Extensions of a neuron that carry impulses away from the nerve cell body to the dendrites (receivers) on another neuron
Axons
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 (BP)
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
Brainstem
The heel bone
Calcaneus
The tiny blood vessels between the arterioles and venues that permit transfer of oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, and waste between body tissues and the blood
Capillary vessels
The heart muscle
Cardiac muscle
A measure of the volume of blood circulated by the heart in 1 minute
Cardiac output (CO)
How is cardiac output calculated?
Multiplying the stroke volume by the heart rate
The major artery that supplies blood to the head and brain
Carotid artery
Small bones that compose the wrist
Carpals
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
A set of chemical reactions that supplies cells with energy. Include both anaerobic and aerobic metabolism
Cellular metabolism
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 and bathes the meninges
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
The largest part of the three subdivisions of the brain, sometimes called the gray matter; made up of several lobes that control movement, hearing, balance, speech, visual perception, emotions, and personality
Cerebrum
The portion of the vertebral 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 of the eaten foods with added stomach acids
Chyme
The complex arrangement of connected tubes, including the arteries, arterioles, capillaries, venues, and veins, that moves blood, oxygen, nutrients, carbon dioxide, and cellular waste throughout the body
Circulatory system
The collarbone; 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 (frontal) plane
The hip bones
Coxae
Coxae singular
Coxa
The part of the skull that encloses the brain and is composed of eight bones
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 are 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
Substances 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 thin, leaf-shaped valve that allows air to pass into the trachea but prevents food and liquid from entering
Epiglottis
A substance produced by the body, and a drug produces by pharmaceutical companies that increases the pulse rate and blood pressure; the drug of choice for an anaphylactic reaction
Epinephrine
Epinephrine is commonly called ___
Adrenaline
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
Expiratory reserve volume
Average expiratory reserve volume of the average adult man
About 1200 mL
The straightening of a joint
Extension
The tubes that connect each ovary with the uterus and are the primary location for fertilization of the ovum
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 for the hip joint
Femoral head
The thighbone; the longest and one of the strongest bones in the body
Femur
The smaller of the two bones that form the lower leg, located on the lateral side
Fibula
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 bones of the cranium that form the forehead
Frontal bones
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
Heart rate (HR)
An oxygen-carrying protein found in red blood cells
Hemoglobin
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
An abnormally high level of carbon dioxide in the bloodstream
Hypercapnia
Hypercapnia is also called ___
Hypercarbia
A condition in which the circulatory system fails to provide sufficient circulation to maintain normal cellular functions
Hypoperfusion
Hypoperfusion is also called ___
Shock
Deficient oxygen concentration in the tissues
Hypoxia
A “backup system” to control respiration; senses drops in the oxygen level in the blood
Hypoxic drive
