| Question | Answer |
| abdomen | the body cavity containing the major organs. located below the diaphram, above the pelvis. |
| abduction | movement of a limb AWAY from the body |
| acetabulum | the depression on the lateral pelvis. 3 component bones join to house the femoral head. |
| acetylcholine | an excitatory neurotransmitter used in the peripheral and central nervous system. |
| acetylcholinesterase | the enzyme that causes muscle relaxation by decomposition of acetylcholine. |
| acid | a substance that increases the concentration of hydrogen ions in a water solution. |
| acidosis | a pathologic condition resulting from the accumulation of acids in the body. |
| acromioclavicular separation (AC separation) | an injury caused by distraction of the clavicle away from the acromion process of the scapula. |
| acromion process | the tip of the shoulder and the site of attachment for both the clavicle and various shoulder muscles |
| action potentials | an electrochemical event where stimulation of a nearby cell could cause excitation of another cell. |
| active transport | method used to move compounds across a cell membrain. usually against a concentration gradient and requiring the expenditure of energy. |
| adam's apple | the firm prominence in the upper part of the larynx formed by the thyroid cartilage. |
| adaptation | the temporary or permanent reduction of sensitivity to a particular stimulus. |
| adduction | movement of a limb TOWARD the midline |
| adenosine triphosphate (ATP) | the nucleotide involved in energy metabolism; used to store energy. |
| adipose tissue | fat tissue that lies beneath the skin, between muscles, around kidneys, behind the eyes, in certain abdominal membranes, on the heart's surface, and around certain joints.\ |
| adrenal cortex | the outer layer of the adrenal glad; produces hormones. is a key part of water and salt balance regulation. |
| adrenal glands | Endocrine glands. Located ontop of the kidneys. release adrenaline when stimulated by the sympathetic nervous system. |
| adrenaline | hormone produced by the adrenal glands. mediates fight-or-flight. AKA Epinephrine |
| adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) | hormone that targets the adrenal cortex to secrete cortisol (a glucocorticoid) |
| aerobic metabolism | metabolism that can proceed only in the presence of oxygen. |
| afferent arterioles | final branches of the interlobular arters of the kidneys. lead TO the nephrons. |
| after-image | the perception of a stimuli is still present after the stimuli is removed. |
| afterload | the pressure in the aorta against which the Left Ventricle must pump blood. |
| agonal gasps | slow, gasping respirations. indicating life-threatening cerebral injury or ischemia |
| agonist | a substance that mimics the actions of a specific neurotransmitter or hormone by binding the specific receptor of the naturally occurring substance. |
| agranulocytes | Leukocytes that lack granules. |
| albumins | the smallest of plasma proteins. make up approximately 60% of protein weight. |
| alkalosis | a pathogenic condition resulting from the accumulation of bases in the body. |
| alleles | variant forms of a gene which can be identical or slighly different in DNA sequence |
| allergen | substance causing allergic reaction AKA an antigen |
| alpha cells | cells located in the islets of Langerhans that secrete glucagon |
| alpha effects | stimulation of alpha receptors that result in vasoconstriction. |
| alveolar ducts | ducts formed from division of the respiratory bronchioles in the lower airway. each duct ends in clusters AKA alveoli |
| alveoli | the air sacs of the lungs in which the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place. |
| alveolocapillary membrane | very thin membrane, consisting of only one cell layer. lies between the alveolus and capillary, through which respiratory exchange between the alveolus and the blood vessel occurrs. |
| amblyopia | lazy eye. causes loss of depth perception. one fails to send adequate signals to the vision center. |
| anabolism | the synthesis of larger molecules for smaller ones |
| anaerobic metabolism | metabolism that takes place in the ABSENCE of oxygen. causes lactic acid |
| anatomic position | pt faces you, arms at side, palms forward |
| anatomy | the study of the structure of an organism and it's parts |
| androgens | male sex hormones mostly produced by the testicular interstital cells |
| anions | ions with a negative charge |
| antagonist | a molecule that blocks the ability of a given chemical to bind to its receptor, preventing a biologic response |
| anterior | the front surface of the body |
| anterior cavity | Aqueous chamber; portion of the eyeball filled with the aqueous humor. the hummor determines intraocular pressure. |
| antibodies (immunoglobulin) | proteins within plasma that react with antigens |
| aorta | the principal artery leaving the left side of the heart and carrying freshly oxygenated blood to the body. |
| aortic arch | one of the 3 described portions of the aorta. the section between the ascending and descending portions that gives rise to the right brachiocephalic, left common carotid and left subclavian arteries |
| aortic valve | semilunar valve that regulates blood flow from the left ventricle to the aorta |
| apex (plural) | the pointed extremity of a conical structure |
| apneustic center | a portion of the pons that assists in creating longer slower respirations |
| appendicular skeleton | the portion of the skeletal system that comprises the arms, legs, pelvis and shoulder girdle |
| appendix | a small tubular structure that is attached to the lower border of the cecum in the LRQ of the abdomen |
| aqueous humor | watery fluid filling the anterior eye cavity |
| arachnoid | the middle membrane or the three meninges that enclose the brain and spinal cord |
| areolar tissue | the type of tissue that binds skin to underlying organs and fills in spaces between muscles. |
| arteries | the blood vessele that carries blood away from the heart |
| arterioles | the smallest branches of arteries leading to the cast network of capillaries |
| ascending aorta | the first of three portions of the aorta; originates from the left ventricle and branches into the right and left main coronary arteries |
| astigmatism | irregularities in the shape of the lense causing vision disturbance. |
| astrocytes | neuroglia found usually between neurons and blood vessels |
| atlanto-occipital joint | the location where the atlasx articulates with the occipital condyles |
| atlas | C1- supports the head |
| atomic number | whole number representing the number of positively charged protons in the nuclues of an atom |
| atomic weight | the total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom |
| atoms | smallest complete units of an element that have elements properties |
| atrioventricular node (AV node) | the site located in the AV junction that is responsible for transiently slowing electrical conduction. |
| atrioventricular valves | mitral and tricuspid valves throught which blood flows from the atria to the ventricles |
| atrium | one of 2 upper chambers of the heart |
| auditory ossicles | the bones that function in hearing and are located deep withing cavities of the temporal bone |
| autonomic nervous systen (ANS) | regulates functions, such as digestion and sweating. involuntary functions |
| autosomes | chromosomes that do not carry genes that determine sex |
| avascular | lacking blood vessels |
| axial skeleton | the skull, spinal column and rib cage |
| axillary vein | the vein formed by the basilic and cephalic veins, which drains into the subclavian vein |
| axis | C2- allows the head to rotate |
| axons | extensions from neurons that send out electrochemical messages |
| b lymphocytes (B cells) | lympphocytes that exist in blood, and are abundant in the lymph nodes, bone marrow, intestinal lining and spleen |
| baroreceptors | receptors in the blood vessels, kidneys, brain and heart that respond to changes in pressure in the heart/main arteries to maintain homeostasis |
| basal metabolic rate | the rate at which nutrients are consumed |
| base | a substance that decreases the concentration of hydrogen ions |
| basement membrane | anchors epithelial tissues to connective tissue |
| basilic vein | one of two major veins in of the arm, combines with the cephalic vein to form the axillary vein |
| basophils | WBC's that work to durring an immune response |
| beta cells | located in the islets of Langerhans that secrete insulin |
| beta effects | stimulation of beta receptors that result in inotropic, dromotropic and chronotropic states |
| bilateral | both sides of the midline |
| bile ducts | convey bile between the liver and intestine |
| bilirubin | a waste product of red blood cell destruction that under-goes further metabolism in the liver |
| binocular vision | the merging of two images into one |
| blood | pumps from the heart, throught the arteries, to the veins, into the capillaries. consists of plasma, RBC's, WBC's and platelets |
| blood pressure | pressure that is exerted against the arteries as it passes through them |
| bone marrow | a substance that manufactures most RBC's |
| bony labyrinth | collection of hollows in the bone of the inner ear that protect the inner ear from extraneous stimulation |
| brachial artery | major vessel in the upper extremity that supplies blood to the arm |
| brain | controlling organ of the body and centure of conciousness. functions include include perception, contol of reactions to the environment, emotion responses and judgement |
| brainstem | the area of the brain between the spinal cord and cerebrum, surrounded by the cerebellum. controlls functions necessary for life respirations, etc |
| bronchioles | fine subdivisions of the bronchi that give rise to the alveolar ducts |
| bronchospasm | constirction of the airway passages into the lungs |
| bruit | an abnormal "wooshing-like" shound indicating turbulent blood flow within a blood vessel |
| buffer | any substance that can reversibly bind H+ |
| buffer system | fast-acting defenses for acid-base changes |
| bulbourethral glands | Cowpers glands, located inferior to the prostate gland. secretes lubricating fluid that prepares the penis for intercourse |
| bundle of his | a continuation of the AV node |
| bursa | small fluid-filled sac located a tendon and a bone that cushions and protects the joint |
| calcaneus | heel bone |
| calcitonin | hormone produced by the parafollicular cells of the thyroid glad. regulates calcium levels in the body |
| calorie | the amount of heat needed to raise the temp of a gram of water by 1*C |
| cancellous bone | consists of a lacy network of bony rods called trabeculae |
| capillaries | tiny blood vessels between the arterioles and venules that permit transfer of oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients and waste between the body tissues and the blood |
| carbohydrates | provide much of the energy required by the bodys cells and for formation of cell structure |
| cardiac cycle | begins with the onset of cardiac muscle contraction and ends just proior to the beginning of the next contraction |
| cardiac muscle tissue | striated muscle of myocardium, containing dark intercalated disks at the junctions of abutting fibers. |
| cardiac output | the volume of blood pumped through the circulatory system in 1 minute |
| carotid artery | major artery that supplies blood to the head and brain |
| carotid bifurcation | the point which the common carotid branches into the internal and external carotids |
| carpometacarpal joint | the thumb joint |
| cartilage | provides cushion between joints. also forms the nasal septum and parts of the outer ear |
| cartilaginous joints | those connected by hyaline cartilage, or fibrocartilage, such as the joints that separate the vertebrae |
| catabolism | the breakdown of larger molecules into smaller ones |
| cataract | clouding of the lense of the eye or it's surrounding transparent membranes |
| catecholamines | hormones produced by the adrenal medulla (epinephrine and norepinephrine) that assist the body with physical and emotional stress. increase blood pressure, heart reat and respiratory rate. |
| cations | Ions with a positive charge |
| cecum | the first part of the large intesting, into which the ileum opens |
| cell membrane | the cell wall. selectively permeable layer of cells that surround intracellular contents |
| cellular immune response | tell-mediated immunity. t-cells attach to foreigh, antigen-bearing cells such as bacterial cells and interact with direct cell-to-cell contact |
