Body Structure and Function Vocabulary

A complete list of vocabulary flashcards covering the sensory organs, endocrine system, circulatory system, respiratory system, and immune system based on the lecture notes.

Facial Nerve (CN VII)

The cranial nerve ($\text{CN VII}$) that controls taste sensation for the anterior two-thirds of the tongue.

Glossopharyngeal Nerve (CN IX)

The cranial nerve ($\text{CN IX}$) that controls taste sensation for the posterior third of the tongue.

Cerumen

Earwax secreted by glands in the auditory canal that catches dust and dirt.

Tympanic Membrane

Also known as the eardrum, a membrane that separates the external ear from the middle ear.

Eustachian Tube

Also called the auditory tube, a structure connecting the middle ear to the throat that equalizes air pressure on both sides of the eardrum.

Ossicles

Three small bones in the middle ear consisting of the malleus (hammer), incus (anvil), and stapes (stirrup) that transmit sound waves to the inner ear.

Cochlea

A snail-shaped structure in the inner ear that receives sound waves from the ossicles and carries them to the auditory nerve.

Semicircular Canals

Structures in the inner ear involved in balance that sense head position and send messages to the brain.

Olfactory Receptors

Sensory receptors located on the roof of the nasal cavity that detect smell and are controlled by the olfactory nerve ($\text{CN I}$).

Pituitary Gland

Known as the master gland, a cherry-sized endocrine gland located at the base of the brain behind the eyes.

Growth Hormone

A hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary lobe required throughout life for normal growth and maintenance of muscles, bones, and organs.

Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)

A hormone produced in the hypothalamus and secreted by the posterior pituitary lobe that prevents the kidneys from excreting excessive amounts of water.

Oxytocin

A hormone produced in the hypothalamus and secreted by the posterior pituitary lobe that causes uterine muscles to contract during childbirth.

Hypothalamus

A brain structure that acts as part of the endocrine system by secreting hormones that control or inhibit the release of other hormones.

Thyroid Hormones ($T_3$ and $T_4$)

Thyroxine ($T_4$) and triiodothyronine ($T_3$), hormones secreted by the thyroid gland that regulate metabolism by burning nutrients in cells to produce heat and energy.

Calcitonin

A hormone produced in the C cells of the thyroid gland that lowers blood plasma calcium levels and increases bone calcium content.

Parathormone

A hormone secreted by the four parathyroid glands that increases the amount of calcium available in the blood plasma.

Tetany

A state of severe muscle contraction and spasm caused by insufficient calcium levels, which can lead to death if untreated.

Epinephrine and Norepinephrine

Hormones secreted by the adrenal medulla that stimulate the body during emergencies to rapidly increase heart rate, blood pressure, muscle power, and energy.

Glucocorticoids

Hormones secreted by the adrenal cortex that regulate carbohydrate metabolism and control body responses to stress and inflammation.

Mineralocorticoids

Hormones secreted by the adrenal cortex that regulate the balance of salt and water absorbed and lost by the kidneys.

Insulin

An antagonistic hormone secreted by the pancreas that allows sugar to enter cells to maintain blood glucose balance.

Glucagon

An antagonistic hormone secreted by the pancreas that acts in opposition to insulin to regulate blood sugar levels.

Erythrocytes

Red blood cells containing hemoglobin that carry oxygen to body cells, living approximately $120\,\text{days}$ and produced in red bone marrow.

Hemoglobin

A substance inside red blood cells that picks up oxygen in lung capillaries and delivers it to tissue cells throughout the body.

Leukocytes

Colourless white blood cells produced by bone marrow that multiply rapidly during infections to protect the body against invading microorganisms.

Thrombocytes

Also known as platelets, blood components produced in bone marrow that live for about $4\,\text{days}$ and are necessary for blood clotting.

Pericardium

The outer thin sac layer surrounding the heart that creates a space filled with pericardial fluid.

Myocardium

The thick, muscular second layer of the heart.

Endocardium

The inner membrane lining the inner chambers of the heart.

Tricuspid Valve

The heart valve positioned between the right atrium and the right ventricle.

Mitral Valve

Also called the bicuspid valve, the heart valve located between the left atrium and the left ventricle.

Pulmonary Valve

The heart valve located between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery.

Aortic Valve

The heart valve located between the left ventricle and the aorta.

Diastole

The resting phase of heart action during which the chambers fill with blood.

Systole

The working phase of heart action during which the heart muscle contracts to pump blood.

Aorta

The largest systemic artery, which exits directly from the left ventricle to distribute oxygenated blood to the body.

Pulmonary Trunk

The largest pulmonary artery, exiting the right ventricle and splitting into right and left pulmonary arteries going to the lungs.

Arterioles

The smallest branches of arteries that connect directly to capillaries.

Capillaries

Tiny, thin-walled blood vessels where oxygen, nutrients, and waste products are exchanged between blood and tissue cells.

Venules

Microscopic, smallest forms of veins that receive blood draining from capillaries.

Superior Vena Cava

A main systemic vein that collects blood from upper body structures including the head, neck, and arms.

Inferior Vena Cava

A main systemic vein that drains blood from lower body regions including abdominal structures and legs.

Pharynx

The throat, serving as a tube-shaped passageway for both air and nutrients.

Larynx

The voice box containing the vocal cords, positioned between the pharynx and trachea.

Epiglottis

A piece of cartilage acting like a lid over the larynx to prevent food and liquids from entering the airway during swallowing.

Trachea

The windpipe through which air passes before it branches into the right and left main bronchi.

Alveoli

Tiny, grape-like air sacs with single-cell-thick membranes surrounded by capillaries where $O_2$ and $CO_2$ exchange occurs.

Pleura

A two-layered fluid-secreting membrane covering each lung and lining the chest wall to reduce friction during respiration.

Diaphragm

The muscle separating the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity whose movement provides the primary drive for lung ventilation.

Nonspecific Immunity

Innate defense mechanisms protecting against unrecognized foreign agents, including physical/chemical barriers, reflexes, phagocytes, inflammation, and fever.

Specific Immunity

Targeted defense mechanisms enabling the body to resist specific diseases using specialized antigens, antibodies, and lymphocytes.

Antigens

Abnormal or unwanted foreign substances (usually proteins) that trigger an immune response and antibody production.

Antibodies

Normal body proteins produced by B lymphocytes that recognize, attack, and destroy specific antigens.

B Lymphocytes (B cells)

White blood cells that generate antibodies circulating in plasma to neutralize specific antigens.

T Lymphocytes (T cells)

White blood cells that directly destroy invading cells or recruit other immune cells to destroy foreign invaders.

Vaccine

A small quantity of an antigen-bearing pathogen administered to stimulate active production of antibodies.

Immune Globulin

A donor-derived antibody injection that provides immediate passive immunity to a recipient.