Week 1 - Introduction to Human Body Flashcards
Abdominal cavity
Superior portion of the abdominopelvic cavity that contains the stomach, spleen, liver, gall bladder, most of the small intestine, and part of the large intestine.
Abdominopelvic cavity
A cavity inferior to the diaphragm that is subdivided into a superior abdominal cavity and an inferior pelvic cavity.
Adrenal glands
Two glands located superior to each kidney. Also called the suprarenal (soo′-pra-RĒ-nal) glands.
Anabolism
Synthetic, energy-requiring reactions whereby small molecules are built up into larger ones.
Blood plasma
Blood plasma is the yellowish fluid component of blood that carries various substances, such as nutrients, hormones, antibodies, and waste products, throughout the body, while also helping to maintain blood pressure and pH balance.
Body cavities
Space within the body that contains various internal organs.
Cartilages
Cartilages are tough and flexible connective tissues found in various parts of the body, such as the joints, nose, ears, and respiratory system, providing support, cushioning, and enabling smooth movement.
Catabolism
Chemical reactions that break down complex organic compounds into simple ones, with the net release of energy.
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a clear fluid that surrounds and protects the brain and spinal cord, providing them with nutrients, removing waste products, and acting as a cushion against injury.
Cranial cavity
A subdivision of the dorsal body cavity formed by the cranial bones and containing the brain.
Diaphragm
Any partition that separates one area from another, especially the dome-shaped skeletal muscle between the thoracic and abdominal cavities. A dome-shaped device that is placed over the cervix, usually with a spermicide, to prevent conception.
Epididymis
A comma-shaped organ that lies along the posterior border of the testis and contains the ductus epididymis, in which sperm undergo maturation. Plural is epididymides.
Feedback system
A feedback system in the body is a communication loop that helps regulate various physiological processes by sensing changes, sending signals, and making adjustments to maintain balance or homeostasis.
Frontal plane
A plane at a right angle to a midsagittal plane that divides the body or organs into anterior and posterior portions. Also called a coronal plane.
Gall bladder
A small pouch, located inferior to the liver, that stores bile and empties by means of the cystic duct.
Gonads
Glands that produce gametes and hormones; the ovary in the female and the testis in the male.
Homeostasis
Homeostasis refers to the body’s ability to maintain a stable and balanced internal environment despite external changes, ensuring optimal functioning of biological systems.
Hypothalamus
The hypothalamus is a small region in the brain that plays a crucial role in regulating various bodily functions, such as temperature, hunger, thirst, sleep, and hormone production.
Inferior
Away from the head or towards the lower part of a structure. Also called caudal.
Joints
Points of contact between two bones, between bone and cartilage, or between bone and teeth. Also called an articulation or arthrosis.
Kidneys
Pair of reddish organs located in the lumbar region that regulate the composition, volume, and pressure of blood and produce urine.
Large intestines
The portion of the gastrointestinal tract extending from the ileum of the small intestine to the anus, divided structurally into the caecum, colon, rectum, and anal canal.
Larynx
The voice box, a short passageway that connects the pharynx with the trachea.
Liver
The liver is a large, reddish-brown organ located in the upper right abdomen that performs numerous vital functions in the body, including detoxification of harmful substances, metabolism of nutrients, production of bile for digestion, storage of vitamins and minerals, and synthesis of important proteins.
Lower limb
The appendage attached at the pelvic (hip) girdle, consisting of the thigh, knee, leg, ankle, foot, and toes. Also called the lower extremity.
Lungs
Main organs of respiration that lie on either side of the heart in the thoracic cavity.
Lymph
Fluid confined in lymphatic vessels and flowing through the lymphatic system until it is returned to the blood.
Lymph nodes
Oval or bean-shaped structures located along lymphatic vessels.
Mammary glands
Modified sudoriferous (sweat) glands of the female that produce milk for the nourishment of the young.
Median plane
A vertical plane dividing the body into right and left halves. Situated in the middle.
Mediastinum
The broad, median partition between the pleurae of the lungs that extends from the sternum to the vertebral column in the thoracic cavity.
Membrane
A thin, flexible sheet of tissue composed of an epithelial layer and an underlying connective tissue layer, as in an epithelial membrane, or of areolar connective tissue only, as in a synovial membrane.
Meninges
Three membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, called the dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater. Singular is meninx (MEN-inks). They are shock absorbing.
Metabolism
All the biochemical reactions that occur within an organism, including the synthetic (anabolic) reactions and decomposition (catabolic) reactions.
Midline
An imaginary vertical line that divides the body into equal left and right sides.
Midsagittal plane
A vertical plane through the midline of the body that divides the body or organs into equal right and left sides. Also called a median plane.
Nerves
Cordlike bundles of neuronal axons and/or dendrites and associated connective tissue coursing together outside the central nervous system.
Oblique plane
A plane that passes through the body or an organ at an angle between the transverse plane and the midsagittal, parasagittal, or frontal plane.
Pancreas
A soft, oblong organ lying along the greater curvature of the stomach and connected by a duct to the duodenum. It is both an exocrine gland (secreting pancreatic juice) and an endocrine gland (secreting insulin, glucagon, somatostatin, and pancreatic polypeptide).
Parasagittal plane
A vertical plane that does not pass through the midline and that divides the body or organs into unequal left and right portions.
Parathyroid glands
Usually four small endocrine glands embedded in the posterior surfaces of the lateral lobes of the thyroid gland.
Pelvic cavity
Inferior portion of the abdominopelvic cavity that contains the urinary bladder, sigmoid colon, rectum, and internal female and male reproductive structures.
Pericardial cavity
The pericardial cavity is a fluid-filled space located between the layers of the pericardium (a protective membrane) surrounding the heart, providing lubrication and reducing friction during heartbeats.
Pericardium
The pericardium is a protective double-layered membrane that surrounds the heart, consisting of an outer fibrous layer and an inner serous layer, and helps to prevent friction and provide support to the heart.
Peritoneum
The peritoneum is a serous membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and covers the organs within it, providing protection, support, and facilitating movement of the abdominal organs during digestion and other abdominal processes.
Pharynx
The pharynx is a muscular tube located at the back of the throat that serves as a pathway for air, food, and liquids, allowing them to pass between the nose/mouth and the esophagus or larynx.
Pineal gland
A cone-shaped gland located in the roof of the third ventricle that secretes melatonin.
Pituitary gland
The pituitary gland, located at the base of the brain, is often referred to as the “master gland” because it produces and releases hormones that regulate various bodily functions, including growth, reproduction, metabolism, and the functioning of other endocrine glands.