Vital Vocabulary – Anatomy & Physiology

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering key anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology terms from the lecture notes.

abdomen

The body cavity that contains many of the major organs of digestion and excretion; located below the diaphragm and above the pelvis.

acetabulum

The depression on the lateral pelvis where its three component bones join, in which the femoral head fits snugly.

adenosine triphosphate (ATP)

The nucleotide involved in energy metabolism; used to store energy.

adrenal glands

Endocrine glands located on top of the kidneys that release adrenaline when stimulated by the sympathetic nervous system.

adrenergic

Pertaining to nerves that release the neurotransmitter norepinephrine (noradrenaline); also refers to receptors acted on by norepinephrine.

aerobic metabolism

Metabolism that can proceed only in the presence of oxygen.

agonal gasps

Abnormal breathing pattern characterized by slow, gasping breaths, sometimes seen in patients in cardiac arrest.

alpha-adrenergic receptors

Portions of the nervous system that, when stimulated, can cause constriction of blood vessels.

alveoli

The air sacs of the lungs in which the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place.

anaerobic metabolism

Metabolism that takes place in the absence of oxygen; the main by-product is lactic acid.

anatomic position

The position of reference in which the patient stands facing forward, arms at the side, with the palms of the hands forward.

anatomy

The study of the physical structure of the body and its components.

aorta

The main artery leaving the left side of the heart and carrying freshly oxygenated blood to the body.

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 lower right quadrant of the abdomen.

arterioles

The smallest branches of arteries leading to the vast network of capillaries.

articular cartilage

A pearly layer of specialized cartilage covering the articular surfaces of bones in synovial joints.

atrium

One of the two upper chambers of the heart.

autonomic nervous system

The part of the nervous system that regulates involuntary functions such as digestion and sweating.

axial skeleton

The part of the skeleton comprising the skull, vertebral column, and rib cage.

axons

Extensions of a neuron that carry impulses away from the nerve cell body to the dendrites of another neuron.

ball-and-socket joint

A joint that allows internal and external rotation, as well as bending.

beta-adrenergic receptors

Portions of the nervous system that, when stimulated, can cause increased heart contractility, increased heart rate, and bronchial dilation.

biceps

The large muscle that covers the front of the humerus.

bile ducts

The ducts that convey bile between the liver and the intestine.

blood pressure (BP)

The pressure that the blood exerts against the walls of the arteries as it passes through them.

brachial artery

The major vessel in the upper extremities that supplies blood to the arm.

brain

The controlling organ of the body and center of consciousness; functions include perception, emotional responses, judgment, and control of reactions to the environment.

brainstem

The area of the brain between the spinal cord and cerebrum; controls functions necessary for life such as respiration.

calcaneus

The heel bone.

capillary vessels

Tiny blood vessels between the arterioles and venules that permit exchange of oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, and waste.

cardiac muscle

The heart muscle.

cardiac output (CO)

The volume of blood circulated by the heart in 1 minute; calculated by multiplying stroke volume by heart rate.

carotid artery

The major artery that supplies blood to the head and brain.

carpals

Small bones that compose the wrist.

cartilage

Smooth connective tissue that forms support structures of the skeletal system and provides cushioning between bones; also forms the nasal septum and parts of the outer ear.

cecum

The first part of the large intestine, into which the ileum opens.

cellular metabolism

A set of chemical reactions that supplies cells with energy; includes aerobic and anaerobic metabolism.

central nervous system (CNS)

The brain and spinal cord.

cerebellum

One of the three major subdivisions of the brain; coordinates fine body movements.

cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

Fluid produced in the ventricles of the brain that flows in the subarachnoid space and bathes the meninges.

cerebrum

The largest part of the brain; controls movement, hearing, balance, speech, vision, emotions, and personality.

cervical spine

The first seven vertebrae of the vertebral column that lie in the neck.

chordae tendineae

Thin bands of fibrous tissue that attach to the valves in the heart and prevent them from inverting.

chyme

The substance that leaves the stomach: a combination of eaten food with added stomach acids.

circulatory system

A complex arrangement of connected tubes (arteries, capillaries, veins) that moves blood, oxygen, nutrients, and waste throughout the body.

clavicle

The collarbone; lateral to the sternum and anterior to the scapula.

coccyx

The last three or four vertebrae of the spine; the tail bone.

coronal (frontal) plane

An imaginary plane where the body is divided into front and back parts.

coxae

The hip bones (singular: coxa).

cranium

The part of the skull that encloses the brain and is composed of eight bones.

cricoid cartilage

A firm ridge of cartilage that forms the lower part of the larynx.

cricothyroid membrane

A thin sheet of fascia that connects the thyroid and cricoid cartilages of the larynx.

dead space

Any portion of the airway that contains air but cannot participate in gas exchange, such as the trachea and bronchi.

dermis

The inner layer of the skin, containing hair follicles, sweat glands, nerve endings, and blood vessels.

diaphragm

A muscular dome separating the chest from the abdominal cavity; its contraction brings air into the lungs, and relaxation allows exhalation.

diastole

The relaxation period of the heart, especially of the ventricles.

diffusion

Movement of a gas from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.

digestion

The processing of food that nourishes the individual cells of the body.

dorsalis pedis artery

The artery on the anterior surface of the foot between the first and second metatarsals.

endocrine system

The complex message and control system that integrates many body functions via the release of hormones.

enzymes

Substances designed to speed up the rate of specific biochemical reactions.

epidermis

The outer layer of skin, made up of cells sealed together to form a watertight protective covering.

epiglottis

A thin, leaf-shaped valve that allows air to pass into the trachea but prevents food and liquid from entering.

epinephrine

A substance produced by the body (adrenaline) and as a drug; increases pulse rate and blood pressure and is the drug of choice for anaphylaxis.

esophagus

A collapsible tube that extends from the pharynx to the stomach; muscle contractions propel food to the stomach.

expiratory reserve volume

The amount of air that can be exhaled following a normal exhalation; about 1,200 mL in the average adult man.

extension

The straightening of a joint.

fallopian tubes

The tubes that connect each ovary with the uterus; primary location for fertilization of the ovum.

femoral artery

The major artery of the thigh; supplies blood to the lower abdominal wall, external genitalia, and legs.

femoral head

The proximal end of the femur that articulates with the acetabulum to form the hip joint.

femur

The thighbone; the longest and one of the strongest bones in the body.

fibula

The smaller of the two bones of the lower leg, on the lateral side.

flexion

The bending of a joint.

foramen magnum

A large opening at the base of the skull through which the brain connects to the spinal cord.

frontal bones

The bones of the cranium that form the forehead.

gallbladder

A sac on the undersurface of the liver that collects bile and discharges it into the duodenum.

genital system

The reproductive system in men and women.

germinal layer

The deepest layer of the epidermis where new skin cells are formed.

greater trochanter

A bony prominence on the proximal lateral side of the thigh, just below the hip joint.

hair follicles

Small organs that produce hair.

heart

A hollow muscular organ that pumps blood throughout the body.

heart rate (HR)

The number of heartbeats in a specific time (usually 1 minute).

hemoglobin

An oxygen-carrying protein found in red blood cells.

hinge joints

Joints that can bend and straighten but cannot rotate; restrict motion to one plane.

hormones

Substances formed in specialized organs or glands and transported to regulate many body functions.

humerus

The supporting bone of the upper arm.

hydrostatic pressure

The pressure of water against the walls of its container.

hypercapnia

An abnormally high level of carbon dioxide in the bloodstream; also called hypercarbia.

hypoperfusion

A condition in which the circulatory system fails to provide sufficient circulation to maintain normal cellular function; also called shock.

hypoxia

Deficient oxygen concentration in the tissues.

hypoxic drive

A backup system to control respiration that senses drops in the oxygen level in the blood.

ilium

One of three bones that fuse to form the pelvic ring.

inferior vena cava

One of the two largest veins in the body; carries blood from the lower extremities and abdomen to the heart.

inspiratory reserve volume

The amount of air that can be inhaled after a normal inhalation in addition to the tidal volume.

interstitial space

The space between the cells.

intervertebral disks

Tough, elastic structures between adjoining vertebrae that act as shock absorbers.

intracellular space

The space within a cell or cells.

involuntary muscle

Muscle over which a person has no conscious control; found in many automatic regulating systems of the body.

ischium

One of three bones that fuse to form the pelvic ring.