Medical Terminology and Human Anatomy Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering anatomical terms, physiological processes, and medical definitions from the lecture transcript.

abdomen

The body cavity that contains many of the major organs of digestion and excretion. It is located below the diaphragm and above the pelvis.

acetabulum

The depression on the lateral pelvis where its three component bones join, in which the femoral head fits snugly.

adenosine triphosphate (ATP)

The nucleotide involved in energy metabolism; used to store energy.

adrenal glands

Endocrine glands located on top of the kidneys that release adrenaline when stimulated by the sympathetic nervous system.

adrenergic

Pertaining to nerves that release the neurotransmitter norepinephrine, or noradrenaline (eg, adrenergic nerves, adrenergic response); also pertains to the receptors acted on by norepinephrine.

aerobic metabolism

Metabolism that can proceed only in the presence of oxygen.

agonal gasps

Abnormal breathing pattern characterized by slow, gasping breaths, sometimes seen in patients in cardiac arrest.

alpha-adrenergic receptors

Portions of the nervous system that, when stimulated, can cause constriction of blood vessels.

alveoli

The air sacs of the lungs in which the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place.

anaerobic metabolism

Metabolism that takes place in the absence of oxygen; the main by-product is lactic acid.

anatomic position

The position of reference in which the patient stands facing forward, arms at the side, with the palms of the hands forward.

anatomy

The study of the physical structure of the body and its components.

aorta

The main artery leaving the left side of the heart and carrying freshly oxygenated blood to the body.

appendicular skeleton

The portion of the skeletal system that comprises the arms, legs, pelvis, and shoulder girdle.

appendix

A small, tubular structure that is attached to the lower border of the cecum in the lower right quadrant of the abdomen.

arterioles

The smallest branches of arteries leading to the vast network of capillaries.

articular cartilage

A pearly layer of specialized cartilage covering the articular surfaces (contact surfaces on the ends) of bones in synovial joints.

atrium

One of the two upper chambers of the heart.

autonomic nervous system

The part of the nervous system that regulates functions, such as digestion and sweating, that are not controlled voluntarily.

axial skeleton

The part of the skeleton comprising the skull, vertebral column, and rib cage.

axons

Extensions of a neuron that carry impulses away from the nerve cell body to the dendrites (receivers) of another neuron.

ball-and-socket joint

A joint that allows internal and external rotation, as well as bending.

beta-adrenergic receptors

Portions of the nervous system that, when stimulated, can cause an increase in the force of contraction of the heart, an increased heart rate, and bronchial dilation.

biceps

The large muscle that covers the front of the humerus.

bile ducts

The ducts that convey bile between the liver and the intestine.

blood pressure (BP)

The pressure that the blood exerts against the walls of the arteries as it passes through them.

brachial artery

The major vessel in the upper extremities that supplies blood to the arm.

brainstem

The area of the brain between the spinal cord and cerebrum, surrounded by the cerebellum; controls functions that are necessary for life, such as respiration.

calcaneus

The heel bone.

capillary vessels

The tiny blood vessels between the arterioles and venules that permit transfer of oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, and waste between body tissues and the blood.

cardiac output (CO)

A measure of the volume of blood circulated by the heart in $1\,minute$, calculated by multiplying the stroke volume by the heart rate.

carotid artery

The major artery that supplies blood to the head and brain.

carpals

Small bones that compose the wrist.

cartilage

The smooth connective tissue that forms the support structure of the skeletal system and provides cushioning between bones; also forms the nasal septum and portions of the outer ear.

cecum

The first part of the large intestine, into which the ileum opens.

central nervous system (CNS)

The brain and spinal cord.

cerebellum

One of the three major subdivisions of the brain, sometimes called the little brain; coordinates the various activities of the brain, particularly fine body movements.

cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

Fluid produced in the ventricles of the brain that flows in the subarachnoid space and bathes the meninges.

cerebrum

The largest part of the three subdivisions of the brain, sometimes called the gray matter; made up of several lobes that control movement, hearing, balance, speech, visual perception, emotions, and personality.

cervical spine

The portion of the vertebral column consisting of the first $7$ vertebrae that lie in the neck.

chordae tendinae

Thin bands of fibrous tissue that attach to the valves in the heart and prevent them from inverting.

chyme

The substance that leaves the stomach; a combination of eaten foods with added stomach acids.

circulatory system

The complex arrangement of connected tubes, including the arteries, arterioles, capillaries, venules, and veins, that moves blood, oxygen, nutrients, carbon dioxide, and cellular waste throughout the body.

clavicle

The collarbone; it is lateral to the sternum and anterior to the scapula.

coccyx

The last $3$ or $4$ vertebrae of the spine; the tail bone.

corona (frontal) plane

An imaginary plane where the body is divided into front and back parts.

cranium

The part of the skull that encloses the brain and is composed of $8$ bones.

cricoid cartilage

A firm ridge of cartilage that forms the lower part of the larynx.

cricothyroid membrane

A thin sheet of fascia that connects the thyroid and cricoid cartilages that make up the larynx.

dead space

Any portion of the airway that does contain air and cannot participate in gas exchange, such as the trachea and bronchi.

dermis

The inner layer of the skin, containing hair follicles, sweat glands, nerve endings, and blood vessels.

diaphragm

A muscular dome that forms the undersurface of the thorax, separating the chest from the abdominal cavity.

diastole

The relaxation, or period of relaxation, of the heart, especially of the ventricles.

diffusion

Movement of a gas from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.

dorsalis pedis artery

The artery on the anterior surface of the foot between the first and second metatarsals.

endocrine system

The complex message and control system that integrates many body functions, including the release of hormones.

epidermis

The outer layer of skin, which is made up of cells that are sealed together to form a watertight protective covering for the body.

epiglottis

A thin, leaf-shaped valve that allows air to pass into the trachea but prevents food and liquid from entering.

epinephrine

A substance produced by the body (commonly called adrenaline), and a pharmaceutical drug that increases pulse rate and blood pressure; drug of choice for anaphylactic reaction.

expiratory reserve volume

The amount of air that can be exhaled following a normal exhalation; average volume is about $1,200\,mL$ in the average adult man.

femoral artery

The major artery of the thigh, a continuation of the external iliac artery; supplies blood to the lower abdominal wall, external genitalia, and legs.

femur

The thighbone; the longest and one of the strongest bones in the body.

fibula

The smaller of the two bones that form the lower leg, located on the lateral side.

foramen magnum

A large opening at the base of the skull through which the brain connects to the spinal cord.

gallbladder

A sac on the undersurface of the liver that collects bile and discharges it into the duodenum through the common bile duct.

germinal layer

The deepest layer of the epidermis where new skin cells are formed.

greater trochanter

A bony prominence on the proximal lateral side of the thigh, just below the hip joint.

heart rate (HR)

The number of heartbeats during a specific time (usually $1\,minute$).

hemoglobin

An oxygen-carrying protein found in red blood cells.

hinge joints

Joints that can bend and straighten but cannot rotate; they restrict motion to one plane.

hormones

Substances formed in specialized organs or glands and carried to another organ or group of cells; they regulate metabolism, growth, and body temperature.

hydrostatic pressure

The pressure of water against the walls of its container.

hypercapnia

An abnormally high level of carbon dioxide in the bloodstream; also called hypercarbia.

hypoperfusion

A condition in which the circulatory system fails to provide sufficient circulation to maintain normal cellular function; also called shock.

hypoxia

Deficient oxygen concentration in the tissues.

hypoxic drive

A 'backup system' to control respiration; senses drops in the oxygen level in the blood.

inferior vena cava

One of the two largest veins in the body; carries blood from the lower extremities, pelvis, and abdominal organs to the heart.

inspiratory reserve volume

The amount of air that can be inhaled after a normal inhalation, in addition to the normal tidal volume.

intervertebral disks

Tough, elastic structures between adjoining vertebrae that act as shock absorbers.

joint

The place where two bones come into contact; also called an articulation.

kidneys

Two retroperitoneal organs that excrete the end products of metabolism as urine and regulate the body's salt and water content.

lactic acid

A metabolic by-product of glucose breakdown that accumulates when metabolism proceeds in the absence of oxygen.

large intestine

The portion of the digestive tube consisting of the cecum, colon, and rectum; it regulates water balance and eliminates solid waste.

ligaments

Fibrous tissue bands that link bones together and provide support for joints.

liver

A solid organ in the right upper quadrant; functions include bile production, glucose storage, and synthesis of immune response regulators.

lumbar spine

The inferior region of the back comprised of the $5$ lowest nonfused vertebrae; frequently referred to as the dorsal spine.

lymph

A pale, straw-colored fluid responsible for transporting oxygen, nutrients, and hormones to cells while carrying waste back to capillaries.

malleolus

The rounded bony protrusion found on either side of the ankle joint.

mandible

The lower jawbone.

manubrium

The superior quarter portion of the sternum.

maxillae

The bones of the upper jaw that help form the orbit, nasal cavity, and palate.

medulla oblongata

Nerve tissue extending from the spinal cord that regulates heart rate, vascular diameter, and respiratory functions.

metabolism

The series of biochemical reactions within cells that generate energy from available nutrients.

metacarpals

The bones within the hand located between the carpals and the phalanges.

midsagittal (midline) plane

An imaginary vertical line dividing the body into equal left and right halves.

minute volume

The volume of air that moves in and out of the lungs per minute; calculated as $\text{tidal volume} \times \text{respiratory rate}$.

musculoskeletal system

The bones and voluntary muscles of the body.

myocardium

The heart muscle.

nasopharynx

The part of the pharynx that lies above the level of the roof of the mouth, or palate.

neurons

The functional units of the nervous system; also called nerve cells.