NBE Anatomy Glossary

Accessory

(auxillary) this term is applied to a lesser structure that resembles a similar organ in structure and function, such as the accessory pancreatic duct.

Albumin

a protein found in blood plasma.

Alimentary Canal

the digestive system tube from the mouth to the anus, including the mouth or buccal cavity, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, and small and large intestines.

Anatomy

the branch of science dealing with the study of the structure of the body.

Anastomoses

connection between vessels; union of two vessels going to the same body part.

Anterior(ventral)

before or in front of; refers to the front side of the body or structure

Appendicular Skeleton

the 126 bones that make up the pectoral girdle, upper extremities, pelvic girdle, and lower extremities.

Articulation

the connection between two or more bones; a joint.

Axial Skeleton

the 80 bones composing the skull, vertebrae, thorax and hyoid bone; the central structure to which the appendicular skeleton is attached.

Bilateral Symmetry

refers to the symmetry of paired organs, or to an organism whose right and left halves are similar images of each other; i.e., in which a median section divides the organism into equivalent right and left halves.

Biliary

pertaining to bile

Biliary Tract

the organs (liver and gall bladder) and ducts that participate in the secretion, storage, and delivery of bile to the duodenum.

Bladder

a membranous sac or receptacle for a secretion or excretion

Buccal

relating to the cheek or mouth

Cardiology

the study of the heart

Carotid Canal

the canal or passageway in the temporal bone through which the internal carotid artery passes

Central

situated at or pertaining to a center or central point.

Integumentary

relating to the outer surface of a structure i.e., the skin and its components

Internal

within the body; within or on the inside; the opposite of external

Islets of Langerhans (pancreatic islets)

clusters of cells in the pancreas which produce insulin.

Joint

the connection between two bones; an articulation

Lateral

pertaining to the side of the body; away from the median plane

Lobes

well-defined parts of an organ separated by boundaries.

Mandibular Fossa

the depression in the temporal bone into which the condyle of the mandible fits

Meatus

a passage or opening through a bone

Medial

pertaining to the middle; toward the median plane of the body.

Medulla

the inner or central portion of an organ in contrast to the outer portion or cortex.

Myology

the study of muscles.

Nares

openings of the nose, as in the nostrils (anterior nares), and/or posterior nares.

Nasal Septum

the partition that divides the nasal cavities.

Neurology

the study of the nervous system.

Oral

pertaining to the mouth

Orifice

the entrance or outlet of any anatomical structure; an opening

Ossicles

any small bone, e.g., the three bones of the middle ear.

Parietal

pertaining to, or forming, the wall of a cavity; e.g., the parietal pleura.

Pectoral

pertaining to the front of the chest, e.g., pectoralis major muscle.

Peripheral

located at, or pertaining to, the outer surface of the body or body part; located away from the center

Perpendicular

at right angles to another surface

pH (potential of hydrogen)

a number signifying the acidity or alkalinity of a solution, e.g., pH of blood.

Sutural

relating to the line of union in an immovable articulation, such as between the cranial bones

Symphysis

a joint in which the bones are connected by fibrocartilage, e.g., the pubic symphysis.

System

a group of organs arranged for the performance of a specific function

Tunic

a covering or layer.

Urinary

pertaining to the secretion or storage of urine.

Urinary System

composed of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra, the function of which is to filter wastes from the blood stream.

Valve

any one of various membranous structures in a hollow organ or passage that temporarily closes to permit the flow of fluid in one direction only

Vascular

Pertaining to or composed of vessels.

Vascular System

the blood vessels, including arteries, capillaries, and veins, and lymphatics, e.g., the circulatory system

Ventral

located toward the front of the body; anterior

Vermiform Appendix

a narrow, worm-shaped tube connected to the cecum.

Visceral

pertaining to the internal organs contained within a cavity

Viscosity

Resistance to flow of a liquid, as in the blood.

Zygomatic

pertaining to the cheek bone