A&P CMS Nursing Study Notes

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering anatomical structures, physiological processes, cellular organelles, and endocrine functions based on nursing study notes.

Neutrophils

The most abundant immune cells in the body that are short-lived in tissues and key in the process of phagocytosis to clear a wound of cellular debris.

Eccrine Glands

Glands found all over the body that produce sweat important for maintaining normal temperature regulation.

Dermis

A strong, elastic skin layer containing the protein fibers collagen and elastin, which provide strength and elasticity.

Epidermis

The outermost layer of the skin.

Subcutaneous Tissue

Tissue composed of adipose that contains superficial fascia connecting the dermis to underlying muscles.

Epididymis

A tube-like structure coiling around the posterior portion of each testicle that serves as the site of sperm maturation and storage.

Prostate Gland

A male gland that produces fluid for the transport and nutrition of sperm cells.

Vas Deferens

A long muscular tube extending from the epididymis into the pelvic cavity behind the bladder that transports mature sperm cells to the ejaculatory duct and urethra.

Seminal Vesicles

Glands that produce a fluid high in fructose, an essential nutrient for sperm cell metabolism.

T-Cells

Immune cells involved in the immune response that are developed and matured in the thymus gland from birth to puberty.

Spleen

An organ involved in filtering blood and removing aging or modified cells.

Surfactant

A substance that prevents the collapse of alveoli in the lungs by reducing alveolar surface tension.

Auditory Cortex

The area located in the temporal lobe responsible for processing auditory information.

Frontal Lobe

The cerebral lobe responsible for voluntary motor function and motor skills.

Parietal Lobe

The cerebral lobe responsible for sensory perception and the integration of sensory signals.

Wernicke's Area

An area located in the temporal lobe associated with processing written and verbal language.

Atrioventricular Node

The cardiac electrical junction that controls ventricular rhythm.

Sinoatrial Node

The primary pacemaker located in the right atrium where the heartbeat originates.

Bundle of His

Electrical conducting fibers located in the upper interventricular septum of the heart.

Purkinje Fibers

Conducting fibers that ensure the rapid spread of impulses and synchronous contractions of ventricular muscle.

Intracellular Fluids

Fluids located inside cells that constitute up to $66\%$ of total body water distribution.

Extracellular Fluids

Fluids such as plasma, interstitial fluid, lymph, and transcellular fluid that constitute up to $34\%$ of total body water distribution.

Corpus Callosum

A neural structure responsible for the integration and transfer of information between the two cerebral hemispheres.

Basal Ganglia

Subcortical structures responsible for controlling and modulating motor function.

Hypothalamus

A brain structure responsible for maintaining homeostasis, regulating body temperature, and linking the nervous and endocrine systems.

Medulla Oblongata

The part of the brainstem that regulates vital autonomic functions including heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure.

Aortic Valve

The semilunar valve that prevents oxygenated blood from flowing back into the left ventricle.

Estrogen

A female sex hormone responsible for developing reproductive structures and preparing breasts for lactation without affecting the milk ejection reflex.

Progesterone

A sex hormone that regulates the menstrual cycle, maintains the viability of early pregnancy, and prepares breasts for lactation.

Oxytocin

A hormone triggered by nipple stimulation that causes contraction of myoepithelial cells around alveoli to propel milk to the nipple.

Prolactin

A hormone that prepares breasts to produce and secrete milk without affecting the milk ejection reflex.

Mitochondria

Organelles responsible for cellular respiration and ATP energy production within the cell.

Endoplasmic Reticulum

A network of cellular tubules that transports substances internally within the cell.

Golgi Apparatus

An organelle that packages carbohydrates to be secreted from cells.

Inspiratory Reserve Volume

The supplementary volume of air that can be inhaled after a normal tidal volume inhalation.

Expiratory Reserve Volume

The additional volume of air that can be forcefully exhaled after a normal tidal volume exhalation.

Apoptosis

The process of programmed cell death.

Cerebellum

The part of the brain responsible for coordination, balance, and posture.

Pons

A brainstem structure that relays signals between the cerebrum and cerebellum while managing autonomic functions necessary for life.

Basophils

White blood cells primarily responsible for mediating allergic and inflammatory reactions.

Eosinophils

White blood cells responsible for allergic reactions and defense against parasitic infections.

B Cells

Immune lymphocytes responsible for producing antibodies.

Macrophages

Phagocytic cells developed from monocytes that trap and destroy old cells, debris, and invasive microorganisms.

Renin

An enzyme synthesized and released by the kidneys during low blood pressure that initiates reactions causing widespread vasoconstriction.

Mast Cells

Cells that release histamine when the body's inflammatory response is triggered.

Baroreceptors

Stretch receptors triggered by decreased blood pressure, such as from hemorrhage.

Chemoreceptors

Sensory receptors that detect changes in the concentration of electrolytes in the blood.

Proprioceptors

Sensory receptors that detect changes in body position.

Mechanoreceptors

Sensory receptors that respond to mechanical stress or strain.

First Heart Sound

The sound caused by the vibration and abrupt closure of the atrioventricular valves during ventricular systole.

Second Heart Sound

The sound caused by the closing of both semilunar valves when the ventricles undergo diastole.

Somatic Nervous System

The division of the nervous system that controls voluntary skeletal muscle movement.

Autonomic Nervous System

The division of the nervous system that involuntary controls sweating, breathing, and heart rate.

Parathyroid Glands

Endocrine glands responsible for controlling calcium concentration in the blood.

Distal Convoluted Tubule

The nephron segment positioned closest to the collecting duct.

Epiglottis

A cap-like cartilage structure that prevents food and liquids from being aspirated into the lungs.

Cochlea

An inner ear structure containing auditory receptors that convert acoustic signals into neural impulses.

Eustachian Tube

A canal connecting the middle ear to the pharynx to equalize air pressure between both structures.

Osmosis

The diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane.

Active Transport

The movement of solute particles from an area of low concentration to high concentration using carrier proteins and energy.

Schwann Cell

A peripheral nervous system cell that forms insulating myelin sheaths around axons.

Angiotensin II

A peptide hormone that causes vasoconstriction, increases sodium retention, and stimulates aldosterone production to elevate blood pressure.

Plasma

The liquid component making up approximately $55\%$ of whole blood, containing water, electrolytes, proteins, gases, and dissolved nutrients.

Atrial Natriuretic Hormone

A hormone that causes the kidney tubules to secrete more sodium and lose more water, thereby increasing urine volume.

Dendritic Cells

Highly branched, bone-marrow-derived phagocytes that migrate to barrier tissues contacting the external environment, including skin, respiratory, and digestive linings.