Body Systems Medical Terminology

White Blood Cells

Defend against disease

red blood cells

Carry oxygen to all body cells

Plasma

90% water plus dissolved proteins, glucose, mineral ions, hormones, & carbon dioxide.

digestive system

Breaks down food into smaller molecules. Absorbs these nutrients into the body.

urinary system

the system that removes waste from your body and controls water balance

respiratory system

A system of organs, functioning in the process of gas exchange between the body and the environment, consisting especially of the nose, nasal passages, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs.

circulatory system

(aka cardiovascular system) This system works as the transportation highway for the body. It consists of the heart, blood, and blood vessels. It transports substances such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nutrients in the body.

arteries

Blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart. eg aorta

veins

Blood vessels that carry blood back to the heart. eg vena cava

blood vessels

found throughout the body and vary in size

capillaries

Microscopic vessel through which exchanges take place between the blood and cells of the body

lungs

An organ found in air-breathing vertebrates that exchanges oxygen and carbon dioxide with the blood

heart

A hollow muscular organ that pumps blood throughout the body

kidney

an organ that filters the blood and removes excess salt, water and urea.

ureter

A duct leading from the kidney to the urinary bladder.

bladder

Holds urine

trachea

Allows air to pass to and from lungs. The windpipe

bronchial tubes

one of the two tubes that connect the lungs with the trachea

alveoli

(singular alveolus.) Tiny sacs, with walls only a single cell layer thick found at the end of the respiratory bronchiole tree; the site of gas exchange in the respiratory system.

hemoglobin

a protein containing iron, found in red blood cells, which carries oxygen

small intestine

Digestive organ where most chemical digestion and absorption of food takes place

stomach

A muscular and elastic sac that serves mainly to store food, break it up mechanically, and begin chemical digestion of proteins.

gastric juice

Stomach acid that allows the protease enzymes to break down protein. Stops amylases from breaking down starch

large intestine

Absorbs water and forms feces.

esophagus

Tube connecting the mouth and the stomach.

peristalsis

Involuntary waves of muscle contraction that keep food moving along in one direction through the digestive system.

Blood

Fluid that transports substances throughout the body. Made up of plasma and blood cells.

Platelets

Form blood clots

Muscle Cells

Shorten to cause movement of the body. They move the skeleton, heart, and internal organs

Skeletal muscle

a muscle that is connected to the skeleton to form part of the mechanical system that moves the limbs and other parts of the body.

Smooth muscle

muscle tissue in which the contractile fibrils are not highly ordered, occurring in the gut and other internal organs and not under voluntary control.

Cardiac Muscle

makes up the heart

Muscle cells

have many mitocondria

Epithelium cells

form the lining of structures

squamous

Flat, thin and soft. These line the cheeks, blood vessels, lungs, and other body cavities.

Columnar

Line the small intestine

Cuboidal

cube-shaped epithelial cells

Bones

made up of calcium phosphate (CaPO4

Joints

where bones come together

ball and socket joint

like hip or shoulder

hinge joint

like knee or elbow

immovable joint

like the skull

cartilage

flexible tissue that provides additional support

Reproductive system

consists of testes and sperm; ovaries and eggs

Testes

glands that produce testosterone

ovaries

release eggs

Fallopian tube

path of eggs to uterus

uterus

place for embryo to develop

muscular system

enables appropriate movement

Nervous system

Controls and communication network of the body

Neurons

nerve cells

sensory neurons

get information from the 5 senses

motor neurons

carry information from the brain to muscles to cause action

Central nervous system

Brain and spinal cord

peripheral nervous system

Carries impulses from brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body

Autonomic system

controls involuntary systems, like glands & smooth muscles.

Somatic

controls voluntary systems, like skeletal muscles

urethra

tube that takes urine from the bladder out of the body.

Endocrine system

regulates the effects of hormones on body function

Exocrine glands

secrete substances into body cavity or onto skin's surface. Ex. Sweat glands & mammary glands

Endocrine glands

secrete hormones into bloodstream.

Immune system

Cells and tissues that defend the human body against pathogens. Involves White blood cells (leukocytes)

lymphatic system

connecting network among parts of the immune system

Lymph

fluid contained in lymph vessels

Tissue fluid

surrounds cells and consists of water and leukocytes (WBC)

Lymph nodes

masses of tissue located at intervals along the lymph vessels

spleen

largest lymph organ

Inflammation

localizes the infection and allows the body to destroy pathogens

Fever

increase body temperature

Antigen

virus, bacteria, fungi (whatever the invading organism)

Antibodies

specific to one antigen. Binds to antigen and blocks effects.

Immunity

ability to resist disease.

Active immunity

acquired when an immune response is activated in the body. (You get sick and your body builds up its immunity). Long term immunity

Passive immunity

When antibodies are introduced into the body. (from mother to infant through breast-feeding). Short term immunity