Anatomy & physiology

acetabulum

the pelvic socket into which the ball at the proximal end of the femur fits to form the hip joint

acromioclavicular joint

the joint where the acromion and the clavicle meet

acromion process

the highest portion of the shoulder

alveoli

the microscopic sacs of the lungs where gas exchange with the bloodstream take place

anatomy

the study of body structure

aorta

the largest artery in the body. It transports blood from the left ventricle to begin systemic circulation

appendix

a small dead end tube located near the junction of the small and large intestines in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen, the function of which is not well understood. Its inflammation, called appendicitis, is a common cause of abdominal pain

arteriole

the smallest kind of artery

artery

any blood vessel carrying blood away from the heart

atria

the two upper chambers of the heart. There is a right atrium (which receives unoxygenated blood returning from the body) and a left atrium (which receives oxygenated blood returning from the lungs).

automaticity

the ability of the heart to generate and conduct electrical impulses on its own

autonomic nervous system

the division of the pheripheral nervous system that controls involuntary motor functions

bladdar

the round, saclike organ of the renal system used as a reservoir for urine

blood pressure

the pressure caused by blood exerting force against the walls of blood vessels. Usually, arterial blood pressure (the pressure in an artery) is measured.

brachial artery

artery of the upper arm; the site of the pulse checked during infant CPR

bronchi

the two large sets of branches that come off the trachea and enter the lungs. There are right and left bronchi.

buffer system

a system that helps manage the pH of the body to maintain it at a normal level

calcaneus

the heel bone

capillary

a thin-walled, microscopic blood vessel where the oxygen/carbon dioxide and nutrient/waste exchange with the body’s cells takes place

cardiac conduction system

a system of specialized muscle tissues that conducts electrical impulses that stimulate the heart to beat.

cardiac muscle

specialized involuntary muscle found only in the heart

cardiovascular system

the system made up of the heart (cardio) and the blood vessels (vascular). Sometimes called the circulatory system

carotid arteries

the large neck arteries, one on each side of the neck, that carry blood from the heart to the head

carpals

the wrist bones

central nervous system (CNS)

the brain and spinal cord

central pulses

the carotid and femoral pulses, which can be felt in the central part of the body

clavicle

the collarbone

coronary arteries

blood vessels that supply the muscle of the heart (myocardium)

cranium

the top, back, and sides of the skull

cricoid cartilage

the ring-shaped structure that forms the lower portion of the larynx

dermis

the inner (second) layer of skin, rich in blood vessels and nerves, found beneath the epidermis

diaphragm

the muscular structure that divides the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity; a major muscle of respiration

diastolic blood pressure

the pressure in the arteries when the left ventricle is refilling

digestive system

system by which food travels through the body and is digested, or broken down, into absorbable forms

dorsalis pedis artery

artery supplying the foot, lateral to the large tendon of the big toe

endocrine system

system of glands that produce chemicals called hormones that help to regulate many body activities and functions

epidermis

the outer layer of skin

epiglottis

a leaf-shaped structure that prevents food and foreign matter from entering the trachea

epinephrine

a hormone produced by the body. As a medication, it dilates respiratory passages and is used to relieve severe allergic reactions.

exhalation

a passive process in which the intercostal (rib) muscles and the diaphragm relax, causing the chest cavity to decrease in size and air to flow out of the lungs

femoral artery

the major artery supplying the leg

femur

the large bone of the thigh

fibula

the lateral and smaller bone of the lower leg

gallbladder

a sac on the underside of the liver that stores bile produced by the liver

humerus

the bone of the upper arm, between the shoulder and the elbow

hypoperfusion

inability of the body to adequately circulate blood to the body’s cells to supply them with oxygen and nutrients; a life-threatening condition. Aka shock.

ilium

the superior and widest portion of the pelvis

inhalation

an active process in which intercostal (rib) muscles and the diaphragm contract, expanding the size of the chest cavity and causing air to flow into the lungs

insulin

a hormone produced by the pancreas taken as a medication by many diabetics

involuntary muscle

muscle that responds automatically to brain signals but cannot be consciously controlled

ischium

the lower, posterior portions of the pelvis

joint

the point where two or more bones come together

kidneys

organs of the renal system used to filter blood and regulate fluid levels in the body

large intestine

the muscular tube that removes water from waste products received from the small intestine and moves anything not absorbed by the body toward excretion from the body

larynx

the voice box

ligament

tissue that connects bone to bone

liver

the largest solid organ of the body, which produces bile to assist in breakdown of fats and assists in the metabolism of various substances in the body

lungs

the organs where exchange of atmospheric oxygen and waste carbon dioxide takes place

lymphatic system

the system composed of organs, tissues, and vessels that helps to maintain the fluid balance of the body and contributed to the body’s immune system

malleolus

protrusion on the side of the ankle. The lateral malleolus, at the lower end of the fibula, is seen on the outer ankle; the medial malleolus, at the lower end of the tibia, is seen on the inner ankle

mandible

the lower jawbone

manubium

the superior portion of the sternum

maxillae

the two fused bones forming the upper jaw

metacarpals

the hand bones

metatarsals

the foot bones

muscle

tissue that can contract to allow movement of a body part

musculoskeletal system

the system of bones and skeletal muscles that support and protect the body and permit movement

nasal bones

the nose bones

nasopharynx

the area directly posterior to the nose

nervous system

the system of brain, spinal cord, and nerves that governs sensation, movement, and thought

orbits

the bony structures around the eyes; the eye sockets

oropharynx

the area directly posterior to the mouth

ovaries

egg-producing organs within the female reproductive system

pancreas

a gland located behind the stomach that produces insulin and juices that assist in digestion of food in the duodenum of the small intestine

patella

the kneecap

pelvis

the basin-shaped bony structure that supports the spine and is in the point of proximal attachment for the lower extremities

penis

the organ of male reproduction responsible for sexual intercourse and the transfer of sperm

perfusion

the supply of oxygen to and removal of wastes from the cells and tissues of the body as a result of the flow of blood through the capillaries

peripheral nervous system (PNS)

the nerves that enter and leave the spinal cord and travel between the brain and organs without passing through the spinal cord

peripheral pulses

the radial, brachial, posterior tibial, and dorsalis pedis pulses, which can be felt at peripheral (outlying) points of the body

phalanges

the toe bones and finger bones

pharynx

the area directly posterior to the mouth and nose. It is made up of the oropharynx and the nasopharynx

physiology

the study of body function

plasma

the fluid portion of the blood

platelets

components of the blood; membrane-enclosed fragments of specialized cells

posterior tibial artery

artery supplying the foot, behind the medial ankle

pubis

the medial anterior portion of the pelvis

pulmonary arteries

the vessels that carry deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs

pulmonary veins

the vessels that carry oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium of the heart

pulse

the rhythmic beats caused as waves of blood move through and expand the arteries

radial artery

artery of the forearm; the artery felt when taking the pulse at the thumb side of the wrist

radius

the lateral bone of the forearm

red blood cells

components of the blood. They carry oxygen to and carbon dioxide away from the cells

renal system

the body system that regulates fluid balance and the filtration of blood. Aka urinary system

reproductive system

the body system that is responsible for human reproduction

respiraton

the process of moving oxygen and carbon dioxide between circulating blood and the cells

respiratory system

the system of nose, mouth, throat, lungs, and muscles that brings oxygen into the body and expels carbon dioxide

scapula

the shoulder blade

shock

hypoperfusion

skeleton

the bones of the body