Vocabulary From Anatomy and Physiology Flashcards
1
Q
Lysozyme
A
antimicrobial enzyme present in some body fluids
2
Q
Ischaemia
A
Impaired blood supply to a body part
3
Q
Bronchodilation
A
widening of the larger airways and bronchioles
4
Q
Articulation
A
joint
5
Q
Haemostasis
A
Cessation of blood flow
6
Q
Autorhythmicity
A
ability of a tissue to generate its own electrical signals
7
Q
Adaptation
A
Lessening of response by sensory receptors to prolonged stimulation
8
Q
Infection
A
Invasion of body tissues by pathogenic organisms
9
Q
Superior
A
describes a body part or structure that is near the body surface
10
Q
Cilia (sing. cilium)
A
microscopic cell extensions for moving materials through the lumen of a tube
11
Q
Amino acid
A
Building block of protein
12
Q
Mole
A
in chemistry, the quantity of a substance representing its molecular weight in grams
13
Q
Tachycardia
A
abnormally fast heart rate
14
Q
Metabolic pathway
A
Sequence of metabolic steps in cellular biochemistry
15
Q
Blastocyst
A
hollow ball of cells that embeds in the uterine wall during fetal development
16
Q
Appendicular skeleton
A
shoulder girdle, upper limbs, pelvic girdle and lower limbs
17
Q
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
A
Molecular store of chemical energy for chemical reactions
18
Q
Inflammation
A
Non-specific tissue response to damage
19
Q
Ligament
A
band of connective tissue that binds one bone to another
20
Q
Leukopenia
A
low blood white cell count
21
Q
Nephron
A
structure in the kidneys responsible for the formation of urine
22
Q
Immunity
A
Body defence mechanisms against a specific disease
23
Q
Plasma
A
clear, straw-coloured liquid portion of the blood
24
Q
Supination
A
turning the palm to face forwards
25
Presbyopia
stiffening of the lens, usually due to ageing, which impairs the ability of the eye to change focus (accommodate)
26
Rotation
movement of a body part around its long axis
27
Chromosome
sausage-shaped structure consisting of a tightly coiled molecule of DNA visible at the end of interphase
28
Exocytosis
Process by which materials are expelled from a cell
29
Carbohydrate
any of a group of organic compounds that includes the sugars and starches
30
Motor nerve or neurone
Efferent nerve that carries impulses from the central nervous system to muscles or glands
31
Polyuria
production of large quantities of urine
32
Haematemesis
vomiting of blood
33
Osteon
Structural unit of compact bone
34
Chronic
long-standing or recurring
35
Thrombosis
inappropriate, pathological formation of stationary blood clots within blood vessels
36
pH scale
scale of measurement of acidity or alkalinity
37
Sphincter
circle of muscle surrounding an internal passageway or orifice, used to regulate passage through the opening
38
Mitosis
process of cell division giving two identical daughter cells
39
Metaphase
second phase of mitosis
40
Mediastinum
region between the lungs, containing the heart, great vessels, trachea and other important structures
41
Voluntary control
conscious control of a body function
42
Agranulocyte
white blood cell with no granules in its cytoplasm (ie lymphocytes)
43
Epidermis
outermost layer of the skin
44
Circadian rhythm
Regular, predictable fluctuation of a physiological function over a 24-hour period
45
Zygote
fertilised egg formed by fusion of an ovum and spermatozoon
46
Anaerobic
not requiring oxygen
47
Norepinephrine
Alternative name for noradrenaline
48
Platelet (thrombocyte)
small cell fragment involved in blood clotting
49
Intracellular
inside a cell
50
Auditory
related to hearing
51
Hypothermia
Abnormally low body temperature (core temp <35C
52
Capacitance vessel
vessel that can expand to contain large quantities of blood at low pressure (veins)
53
Afterload
resistance to blood flow from the heart, determined mainly by the diameter of the arteries
54
Integumentary
of the skin
55
Enzyme
Protein substance that speeds up (catalyses) chemical reactions
56
Protein
large polypeptide
57
Anaphase
third phase of mitosis
58
Insensible water loss
loss of water through the skin and respiratory tract
59
Haemolysis
Breakdown of red blood cells
60
Co-dominance
situation when more than one form of a gene is dominant
61
Systemic circulation
blood supply to all body organs except for the pulmonary arteries and veins
62
Glycogen
Very high-molecular weight form of glucose used for storage
63
Catabolism
breaking down of larger molecules into smaller ones
64
Parietal layer (cf. visceral layer)
layer of serous membrane lining a body cavity
65
Telophase
fourth (final) phase of mitosis
66
Translation
production of protein from messenger RNA
67
Alkali
Substance that accepts hydrogen ions in water or solution
68
Systolic blood pressure
pressure recorded in the systemic circulation (often at the arm) when the pressure is at its highest, immediately following ventricular contraction; the higher of the two measurements used to denote a blood pressure recording
69
Sensory nerve or neurone
afferent nerve that carries impulses to the central nervous system
70
Myelin
Fatty substance that surrounds the axons of myelinated nerves
71
Sagittal plane
Imaginary vertical line dividing the body into right and left halves, either down the midline (midsagittal) or on either side of the midline (sagittal)
72
cardiac
of the heart
73
Baroreceptor
sensory receptor sensitive to pressure (stretch)
74
Osmoreceptors
specialised sensory receptors sensitive to solute concentration
75
Carcinogen
Cancer-causing substance
76
Menopause
time of the female lifespan when reproductive function ceases
77
Hyposecretion
Abnormally low secretion of a body product, e.g. hormone
78
Non-specific defence
defence mechanisms of the body that are effective against different types of threat, e.g. the skin, inflammation, complement
79
Striated
describes the microscopic appearance of a striped pattern on skeletal and cardiac muscle cells
80
Abscess
Pus-filled cavity within tissue
81
Sign
abnormality observed by people other than a patient
82
Presbycusis
irreversible hearing loss, usually due to ageing, which results from degradation of the cochlea and begins with an inability to hear high-pitched sounds
83
Adhesions
Fusion of two separate tissue layers with fibrous tissue, usually following inflammation
84
Telomere
non-coding section of DNA that caps and protects the ends of each chromosome
85
Dilation
widening of a tube or vessel due to relaxation of circular muscle in its wall
86
Diuresis
passing of urine
87
Fertilisation
penetration of an ovum by a spermatozoon to form a zygote that can grow into a fetus
88
Anatomical position
position in which the body is upright, with the head facing forwards, the arms at the sides with the palms of the hands facing forwards, and the feet together
89
Diastole
Resting period of the heart or its individual chambers
90
Fibre
Muscle cell; in nutrition, the indigestible part of the diet also known as non-starch polysaccharide
91
Vein
Blood vessel that carries blood towards the heart
92
Syndrome
collection of signs and symptoms that tend to occur together
93
Bronchoconstriction
Narrowing of the larger airways and bronchioles
94
Dominant
in genetics, the preferential expression of one form of a gene over another
95
Sympathetic nervous system
division of the autonomic nervous system that prepares the body for 'fight or flight'
96
Arrhythmia
abnormal heart rhythm
97
Sliding filament theory
accepted mechanism by which actin and myosin filaments within muscle cells slide over one another to permit muscle shortening (contraction)
98
Glia
Nervous tissue that supports neurones
99
Glucose
simple sugar used by cells for energy
100
Gustation
taste
101
Resistance vessel
blood vessel, usually an arteriole, with a thick layer of smooth muscle in its tunica media, which constricts or dilates to regulate blood flow and blood pressure
102
Malignant
cancerous
103
Medial
describes a structure that is nearer to the midline
104
Neuromuscular junction
synapse between a motor nerve and a skeletal muscle cell
105
Prognosis
likely outcome of a disease
106
Gluconeogenesis
Production of glucose from non-carbohydrate molecules
107
Compound
Molecule containing more than one element
108
Senescence
cell ageing and the decline in function that accompanies it
109
Necrosis
Cell death caused by an injury or a pathological condition
110
Homeostasis
maintenance of a stable internal environment
111
Aneurysm
weakness in the wall of an artery
112
Hypersecretion
Abnormally high secretion of a body product, e.g. a hormone
113
Autosome
any one of the chromosomes in pairs 1-22 (all but the sex chromosomes)
114
Secondary wound healing
repair of tissue after extensive damage; a more complex and intense process than primary wound healing
115
cardiac output (CO)
amount of blood ejected by one ventricle every minute: CO = heart rate (HR) x stroke volume (SV)
116
Erythropoiesis
production of red blood cells
117
Filtration
Movement of small molecules, by hydrostatic pressure, through a selectively permeable membrane
118
Lactation
production of breast milk
119
Tunica intima
lining of blood vessels (also called endothelium)
120
Hormone
Substance secreted by an endocrine gland that is transported in the blood and acts on specific target cells elsewhere in the body
121
Hypertension
Abnormally high blood pressure
122
Olfaction
sense of smell
123
Semipermeability (selective permeability)
property of a cell membranes that allows passage of some substances but not others
124
Flexion
reduction of the angle between two bones, bending a limb
125
Pulse
pressure wave generated by the heart, felt along an arterial wall where that artery lies close to the body surface
126
Essential nutrient
nutrient that must be eaten in the diet
127
Teratogen
any substance or agent knows to cause abnormal fetal development
128
Basal metabolic rate
energy use of the body when at rest in a warm environment, without having eaten for 12 hours
129
Arteriole
small artery
130
Hypertonic
Describes a solution with a solute concentration higher than body fluids
131
Pulse pressure
diastolic blood pressure subtracted from the systolic value
132
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
fluid bathing the brain and spinal cord
133
Squamous
flattened (epithelial cells)
134
Lateral
Describes a structure further from the midline or at the side of the body
135
Citric acid cycle (Krebs)
important sequence of aerobic metabolic reactions in cellular energy production
136
Iatrogenic
Describes a condition resulting from a healthcare intervention
137
Efferent
Carrying or travelling away from an organ
138
Superficial
describes a body part or structure that is near the body surface
139
Medulla
inner layer of a gland or structure
140
Deglutition
swallowing
141
Renal
of the kidneys
142
Glucocorticoids
Group of steroid (fat-based) adrenal cortex hormones essential for life
143
Element
chemical whose atoms are all of the same type
144
Gamete
Ovum or spermatozoon (reproductive cell)
145
Melaena
Blood in the faeces
146
Anastomosis
joining of two tubes, e.g. in blood vessels where there are no capillary beds; following surgery
147
Isometric
describes muscle work where the tension in the muscle rises but the muscle does not shorten, e.g. if trying to lift a weight that is too heavy to move
148
Diffusion
movement of substances down a concentration gradient, which does not require energy or the presence of a membrane
149
Reticulocyte
immature red blood cell
150
Inspiration (cf. expiration)
physical process of breathing in
151
Meatus
Opening into a passage
152
Accommodation
Focusing adjustment of the eyes to view close objects
153
Transcription
production of messenger RNA from DNA
154
Mucosa or mucous membrane
lining of body tracts
155
Pleural
related to the lungs
156
Cytoplasm
contents of a cell except the nucleus (ie cytosol plus organelles)
157
Constriction
narrowing of a tube or vessel due to contraction of circular muscle in its wall
158
Interphase
phase of the cell cycle when there is no division
159
Inferior
Describes a body part or structure that is closer to the soles of the feet
160
Venule
small vein
161
Lymph
Watery fluid drained by the lymphatic system from the tissue spaces
162
Involuntary
not under conscious control
163
Haploid
Describes a cell with 23 chromosomes (half the total chromosome complement)
164
Tunica media
middle layer of tissue in larger blood vessels
165
Trophoblast
outer cell layer of the blastocyst that forms the placenta
166
Synapse
junction between a nerve and the cell it supplies
167
Organelle
intracellular structure that carries out a specific function
168
Scar tissue
non-functional tissue that replaces damaged tissue
169
Communicable
describes a disease that is transferable from one person to another
170
Stratified
describes tissues that have several cell layers
171
Neurone
Nerve cell
172
Internal respiration
exchange of gases in the tissues
173
Saltatory conduction
'Jumping' of a nerve impulse along a myelinated nerve axon, from one node of Ranvier to the next
174
Ribonucleic acid (RNA)
molecule used to transfer genetic instructions from DNA to cytoplasmic ribosomes
175
Granulocyte
General term for a white blood cell without cytoplasmic granules
176
Pressure ulcer
damage to superficial tissues caused by prolonged pressure and interrupted blood supply, usually over a bony prominence
177
Chemotaxis
Movement of a cell towards a chemical attractant
178
Tissue fluid
fluid between body cells, also known as interstitial fluid
179
Anterior (ventral)
describes a body part or structure lying to the front
180
Aetiology
cause of a disease
181
Hypotension
Abnormally low blood pressure
182
Hilum
indented area of an organ where blood vessels, nerves and ducts enter and leave
183
Dehydration
Excessive loss of body water
184
Lipolysis
breakdown of fat
185
Diaphysis
Shaft of a long bone
186
Chromatin
Uncoiled state of chromosomes during interphase
187
Haemopoiesis
production of blood cells
188
Hypertrophy
Increase in cell size resulting in enlargement of an organ or body part
189
Oedema
tissue swelling due to collection of fluid in the intercellular spaces
190
Mastication
chewing
191
Proximal
nearer the origin of a body part or point of attachment of a limb
192
Specific defence mechanisms
immunity; the body's protective mechanisms raised against a specific threat or antigen
193
Osmosis
movement of water down its concentration gradient across a semipermeable membrane
194
Phagocytosis
Defence mechanism by which body cells consume and destroy foreign materials; 'cell eating'
195
Thrombus (pl. thrombi)
stationary blood clot
196
Plexus
network formed by a collection of nerves or blood vessels
197
Systole
contraction period of the heart or its individual chambers
198
Cortex
Outer layer of a gland or structure
199
Menarche
Onset of puberty in females, marked by the start of menstruation
200
Ingestion
Taking in of substances orally, i.e. through the mouth
201
Peripheral resistance
force against which the blood has to push to move through the arterial circulation, determined mainly by the diameter of the arterioles
202
Commensal
Harmless microorganism that lives in the body or on its surfaces, which may bring advantages to its host, e.g. by producing vitamins or preventing the growth of pathogens
203
Polymorphonuclear leukocyte
general term for a white blood cell with an irregular nucleus (i.e. basophils, eosinophils and neutrophils)
204
Embryo
in humans, the developing offspring in the first eight weeks of development after fertilisation, following which it is referred to as the fetus
205
Stroke volume
volume of blood ejected by the ventricle when it contracts
206
Metabolism
All the chemical reactions that take place within the body
207
Peptidase
enzyme that breaks down protein
208
Granulation tissue
Newly formed repair tissue following tissue damage
209
Insertion (cf. origin)
point where a muscle is attached to the bone it moves
210
Genome
All the genes in a cell
211
Phospholipid
Fat-based molecule containing phosphate, essential to the structure of the cell membrane
212
Pinocytosis
ingestion of small vacuoles into a cell; 'cell drinking'
213
Gestation
The process of intrauterine development, between conception and birth
214
Haemorrhage
Profuse blood loss
215
Diastolic blood pressure
pressure recorded in the systemic circulation (often at the arm) when the pressure is at its lowest, corresponding to relaxation of the myocardium; the lower of the two measurements used to denote a blood pressure recording
216
Radiation
transmission of energy in waves
217
Alkalosis
Situation when blood pH rises above the normal pH range
218
Gene
Area on a chromosome that codes for one particular protein
219
Organic
Molecule or substance containing carbon
220
Meiosis
Process of cell division by which gametes are formed
221
Inversion
turning of the soles of the feet to face each other
222
Metastasis (pl. metastases)
secondary deposit from a primary malignant tumour
223
Fibroblast
Connective tissue cell that produces collagen fibres
224
Extension
increase in the angle between two bones, straightening a limb
225
Autoimmunity
targeting and sometimes destruction of one's own or 'self' tissues by the immune system
226
Pronation
turning the palm to face backwards
227
Hydrostatic pressure
pressure exerted by a fluid on the walls of its container, e.g. blood on the walls of blood vessels
228
Exogenous
external, not produced by the body
229
Ionising radiation
Radiation that generates ions when it passes through atoms, and can damage cells by changing the atoms in the molecules that make up living tissue, e.g. x-rays
230
Carcinoma
tumor arising from epithelial tissue
231
Axial skeleton
skull, vertebral column, sternum, and ribs
232
Puberty
stage of life in males and females when reproductive maturity is achieved
233
Anion
negatively charged ion
234
Extrinsic pathway
clotting process triggered by damaged extravascular tissues
235
Benign
non-cancerous or non-serious condition for which treatment may be required
236
Active transport
Movement of substances across a cell membrane, up the concentration gradient, and requiring energy
237
Aerobic
requiring oxygen
238
Tunica adventitia
outer, supportive lining of blood vessels
239
Acidosis
Situation when blood pH falls below the normal pH range
240
Follicle
small secretory gland
241
Elasticity
Ability of a tissue to stretch and recoil to its original length or shape
242
Endothelium
epithelium lining blood vessels
243
Peristalsis
Rhythmical contraction of smooth muscle in the walls of hollow organs and tubes, e.g. the alimentary canal
244
Epinephrine
another term for adrenaline
245
Organ
body part, composed of different tissues, that carries out specific body function
246
Allele
Form of gene carried on a chromosome
247
Hydrophilic
Water-loving
248
Faeces
Waste product of digestion excreted through the anus
249
Oxyhaemoglobin
oxygenated form of haemoglobin
250
Ion
charged atom (which has either lost or acquired electrons)
251
Tumour
mass of cells growing outside the body's normal control mechanisms
252
Costal
related to the ribs
253
Alveolus (pl. alveoli)
Air sac in the lungs; also, milk-secreting sac in the mammary glands
254
Micturition
passing urine
255
High-density lipoprotein
Lipid/protein complex in the bloodstream that is important in transporting cholesterol to the liver for disposal
256
Preload
amount of blood in the ventricle just prior to ventricular contraction, determined mainly by venous return
257
Gastric
Of the stomach
258
Retroperitoneal
lying behind the peritoneum
259
Heterozygous
In genetics, describes a form of a gene on one chromosome that is different to the form of the same gene on the other chromosome of the pair
260
Granulopoiesis
production of white blood cell
261
Mutation
Genetic change that arises during cell division
262
Macrophage
phagocytic cell usually found in connective tissue
263
Isotonic
describes muscle work where the muscle shortens as the tension rises, allowing, for example, a load to be lifted by the arm; in chemistry, solutions with a solute concentration the same as body tissues
264
Nutrient
any substance that is digested, absorbed, and used to promote body function
265
Pathogen
microorganism capable of causing disease
266
Homozygous
In genetics, describes a form of a gene on one chromosome that is the same as the form of the same gene on the other chromosome of the pair
267
Antigen
protein that stimulates the body's immunological defenses
268
Microbe
microorganism, e.g. fungus, bacterium, or virus
269
External respiration
exchange of gases in the lungs
270
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
Molecule in which the genetic code is written, and packaged into chromosomes in the nucleus
271
Expiration (cf. inspiration)
physical process of breathing out
272
Idiopathic
Describes a condition of unknown cause
273
Pyrogen
substance that causes fever
274
Myofilaments
intracellular protein threads within muscle cells, made of either actin or myosin, responsible for muscle cell contraction
275
Positive feedback (cf. negative feedback)
control mechanism that increases and accelerates any change from normal in a physiological system; much rarer than negative feedback control
276
Phenotype
expression of the genes in an individual, e.g. hair colour, height, etc.
277
Antimicrobial
substance or mechanism that kills or inhibits growth of microorganisms
278
Acute
of sudden onset
279
Vasoconstriction
decrease in diameter (narrowing) of a blood vessel
280
Acid
Substance that releases hydrogen ions in solution
281
Catalyst
substance that speeds up a biochemical reaction without taking part in it
282
Spinal reflex
involuntary, usually protective action controlled at the level of the spinal cord (i.e. independent of the brain)
283
Simple propagation
continuous conduction of an impulse along a non-myelinated nerve fibre
284
Plasma protein
any one of a group of important proteins synthesised by the liver and carried in the plasma, with diverse physiological functions, e.g. as antibodies or clotting proteins
285
Primary wound healing
simple repair of relatively minor tissue damage
286
Hyperventilation
Abnormally high respiratory effort, associated with loss of excessive amounts of carbon dioxide
287
Hepatic
of the liver
288
Cation
Positively charged ion
289
Defaecation
expulsion of faeces from the rectum
290
Osteopenia
age-related bone degradation
291
Artery
Blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart
292
Buffer
substance that resists a shift in the pH of body fluids
293
Differentiation
process of cell specialisation
294
Parturition
childbirth
295
Atrophy
decrease in cell size resulting in shrinkage of an organ or body parts
296
Tract
bundle of axons in the central nervous system
297
Diploid
Describes a cell with 46 chromosomes, the whole complement of 23 pairs
298
Interstitial fluid
fluid situated between body cells, also known as tissue fluid
299
Hypoventilation
Abnormally low respiratory effort, associated with retention of carbon dioxide
300
Compliance
Stretchability of a tissue
301
Hypotonic
Describes a solution with a solute concentration lower than body fluids
302
Endocrine gland
Ductless glad that secrets a hormone that travels to its target organ in the bloodstream
303
Alveolar ventilation
amount of air reaching the alveoli with each breath
304
Anaphylaxis
severest form of allergy, with multiple, potentially fatal, systematic effects
305
Glycolysis
Anaerobic breakdown of glucose to release some of its stored energy
306
Circumduction
movement of a body part to describe a cone shape
307
Intrinsic pathway
clotting process triggered by damaged blood vessels
308
Adipose tissue
fat tissue
309
Deamination
removal of the amine group from an amino acid
310
Tolerance
ability of the immune system and its defensive cells and mechanisms to identify, and not attack, 'self' tissues
311
Chemoreceptor
sensory receptor sensitive to chemicals in solution
312
Blood-brain barrier
collective term given to the physiological adaptations in the central nervous system that prevent many blood-borne substances from accessing it
313
Neoplasm
New growth, which may be benign or malignant
314
Lumen
central passageway within an internal tube or duct
315
Diapedesis
movement of an independently motile cell from one place to another
316
Ossification
Production of bone tissue
317
Mutagen
Any substance that causes mutation
318
Lipase
Enzyme that breaks down fat
319
Median plane
imaginary line that divides the body longitudinally into right and left halves
320
Osteoid
Organic constituent of bone tissue
321
Ovulation
release of a mature ovum from the ovary
322
Oncogenic
cancer-causing
323
Eversion
turning the soles of the feet outwards
324
Oxidative phosphorylation
aerobic, high energy-generating metabolic process of cellular respiration
325
Distal
further from the origin of a body part or point of attachment of a limb
326
Central nervous system
brain and spinal cord
327
Autoregulation
ability of a tissue to control its own electrical signs
328
Transverse plane
imaginary line slicing the body into an upper and a lower part
329
Endogenous
internal, produced by the body
330
Infarction
death of a region of tissue due to interruption of its blood supply
331
Karyotype
Photographic presentation of a cell's chromosomes as matched pairs in descending order of size
332
Coitus
Act of sexual intercourse
333
Capillary
Tiny blood vessel between an arteriole and a venule, which has leaky walls to allow exchange of substances between the blood and tissues
334
Flagella (sing. flagellum)
Long cell extensions used for cellular propulsion
335
Hypoxia
Inadequate levels of oxygen in the tissues
336
Pulmonary
of the lungs
337
Serous fluid
general term for protein-containing fluid secreted by certain membranes, e.g. serous pericardium and visceral pleura
338
Anabolism
synthesis of larger molecules from smaller ones
339
Incontinence
Inability to control the voiding of urine
340
Salt
product of a reaction between an acid and a base
341
Passive transport
any form of transport within the body that does not require the use of energy
342
Fistula
Abnormal passageway between two organs or an organ and the body surface
343
Convergence
Turning of the eyes inwards to focus on a close object
344
Virus
non-living particle, which may be capable of causing disease
345
Menstruation (menses)
regular shedding of the uterine lining, usually monthly, during the reproductive period of the female lifespan
346
Negative feedback (cf. positive feedback)
control mechanism that resists and reverses any change from normal in a physiological system
347
Tendon
band of fibrous tissue connecting muscle to bone
348
Epithelium
tissue that lines and covers most body organs
349
Nucleotide
Building block of nucleic acids
350
Exocrine gland
gland that secretes its product into ducts for transport
351
Parasympathetic nervous system
division of the autonomic nervous system that prepares the body for 'rest and repair'
352
Refraction
bending of light rays as they pass through a lens, e.g. the lens of the eye
353
Visceral layer
layer of serous membrane covering a body organ
354
Antibody
defensive protein synthesised by B-lymphocytes in response to the presence of antigen
355
Hydrophobic
Water-hating
356
Urine
liquid waste product made in the kidneys
357
Posterior (dorsal)
describes a body part or structure lying to the back
358
Low-density Lipoprotein
lipid/protein complex in the bloodstream that is associated with deposition of cholesterol in arterial walls
359
Peripheral nervous system
nervous tissue that is not part of the brain or spinal cord
360
Epiphysis
Each end of a long bone
361
Genotype
genetic make-up of an individual
362
Coagulation
blood clotting
363
Facilitated diffusion
form of diffusion that requires carrier proteins for transfer of substances across cell membranes
364
Trophic hormone
hormone released that causes the release of a second hormone
365
Action potential
Electrical current (impulse) conducted along a nerve cell (neurone)
366
Ossicles
Bones of the middle ear: hammer, anvil, and stirrup
367
Bacterium (pl. bacteria)
single-celled microorganism, common in the external environment
368
Symptom
abnormality described by a patient
369
Embolus
Blood clot or other substance that travels in a blood vessel and may lodge there, blocking a smaller vessel
370
Concentration gradient
situation there two areas of, for example, liquid have different concentrations of a solute
371
Intrinsic factor
protein secreted by the stomach required for absorption of vitamin B12
372
Globulin
One class of plasma protein, including antibodies
373
Isotope
form of an element that has a different number of neutrons from the principal form
374
Receptor
molecule, usually on the cell surface, that detects and responds to chemicals in the cell's external environment, e.g. a neurotransmitter. Also, a sensory nerve ending that detects physical changes in the local environment, e.g. a baroreceptor measuring pressure
375
Afferent
carrying or travelling towards an organ
376
Allergy
Targeting and destruction of harmless antigens by the immune system, often with detrimental effects on normal body tissues
377
Equilibrium
state of physiological balance or equivalence
378
Fibrinolysis
Breakdown of a blood clot
379
Electrolyte
Inorganic ion in body fluids, which conducts electricity
380
Chondrocyte
Mature cartilage cell
381
Vasodilation
increase in diameter (widening) of a blood vessel
382
Lysis
destruction of a cell, e.g. haemolysis
383
Leukocyte
general term for a white blood cell
384
Congenital
inherited
385
Sex chromosome
X or Y chromosome (pair 23)
386
Fascia
Fibrous membrane that supports, covers and separates muscles
387
Extracellular
outside a cell
388
Hypersensitivity
Abnormal immune response directed against either a harmless antigen (allergy) or a 'self' antigen (autoimmunity)
389
Deep
describes a body structure or part that is not close to the body surface
390
Pyrexia
Fever
391
Lipid
general term for any substance that does not dissolve in water but dissolves in non-polar solvents like alcohol
392
Osmotic pressure
Pressure exerted by water in a solution
393
Origin
point of attachment of a muscle to a bone that moves least during muscle contraction
394
Recessive
in genetics, a form of a gene that can only be expressed if it is present as two identical forms on the chromosome pair
395
Neurotransmitter
chemical that transmits an impulse between one nerve and the next, or between a nerve and the neuromuscular junction
396
Rugae
folds in the internal surface of a hollow organ when the organ is relaxed
397
Bradycardia
Abnormally slow heart rate
398
Prophase
first phase of mitosis
