EMT Chapter 6 (Anatomy) Vocab

Abdomen

Body cavity below the diaphragm and above the pelvis containing many digestive and excretory organs.

Acetabulum

Depression on the lateral pelvis where the femoral head fits; forms the hip socket.

Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)

Nucleotide that stores and releases energy for cellular metabolism.

Adrenal Glands

Endocrine glands atop the kidneys that secrete adrenaline (epinephrine) under sympathetic stimulation.

Adrenergic

Related to nerves or receptors that release or respond to norepinephrine.

Aerobic Metabolism

Energy-producing cellular process that requires oxygen.

Agonal Gasps

Slow, gasping breaths sometimes seen in cardiac-arrest patients.

Alpha-Adrenergic Receptors

Nervous-system receptors whose stimulation causes blood-vessel constriction.

Alveoli

Microscopic air sacs in the lungs where oxygen–carbon-dioxide exchange occurs.

Anaerobic Metabolism

Energy production without oxygen; produces lactic acid as a by-product.

Anatomic Position

Reference stance: patient standing, facing forward, arms at sides, palms forward.

Aorta

Main artery leaving the left heart, distributing oxygenated blood to the body.

Appendicular Skeleton

Bones of the arms, legs, shoulder girdle, and pelvis.

Appendix

Small tubular structure attached to the cecum in the right lower abdomen.

Arterioles

Smallest arterial branches leading to capillary networks.

Articular Cartilage

Smooth cartilage covering bone ends in synovial joints.

Atrium

One of the heart’s two upper chambers.

Autonomic Nervous System

Controls involuntary body functions such as digestion and sweating.

Axial Skeleton

Skull, vertebral column, and rib cage.

Axons

Neuron extensions that carry impulses away from the cell body.

Ball-and-Socket Joint

Joint allowing rotation and bending (e.g., hip, shoulder).

Beta-Adrenergic Receptors

Receptors that, when stimulated, increase heart rate/force and dilate bronchi.

Biceps

Large muscle on the anterior humerus.

Blood Pressure (BP)

Force exerted by circulating blood on arterial walls.

Brachial Artery

Major vessel supplying blood to the arm; palpated in upper arm.

Brain

Organ of consciousness and control; handles perception, emotion, judgment.

Brainstem

Area between spinal cord and cerebrum controlling life-critical functions (e.g., respiration).

Calcaneus

Heel bone.

Capillary Vessels

Tiny vessels where exchange of gases, nutrients, and wastes occurs.

Cardiac Muscle

Specialized involuntary muscle forming the heart (myocardium).

Cardiac Output (CO)

Blood volume pumped by the heart per minute (SV × HR).

Carotid Artery

Major neck artery supplying the brain and head.

Cartilage

Smooth connective tissue that cushions joints and forms parts of the ear, nose, and airway.

Cecum

First part of the large intestine where the ileum opens.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Brain and spinal cord.

Cerebellum

“Little brain” coordinating fine motor movements.

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

Fluid bathing the brain and spinal cord within the subarachnoid space.

Cerebrum

Largest brain part controlling movement, speech, emotions, personality, perception.

Cervical Spine

First seven vertebrae in the neck.

Chordae Tendineae

Fibrous cords preventing heart valves from inverting.

Chyme

Mixture of ingested food and gastric juices leaving the stomach.

Circulatory System

Network of heart and blood vessels moving blood, gases, and wastes.

Clavicle

Collarbone; connects sternum to scapula.

Coccyx

Tailbone; terminal vertebrae.

Coronal (Frontal) Plane

Imaginary plane dividing body into front and back portions.

Cranium

Eight-bone portion of the skull enclosing the brain.

Cricoid Cartilage

Ring-shaped cartilage forming the lower larynx.

Dead Space

Airway areas (e.g., trachea) with air that cannot participate in gas exchange.

Dermis

Inner skin layer containing vessels, glands, nerves, follicles.

Diaphragm

Dome muscle separating thorax/abdomen; primary muscle of respiration.

Diffusion

Movement of gas from high to low concentration.

Diastole

Relaxation phase of the heart, especially ventricles.

Endocrine System

Hormone-producing glands that regulate body functions.

Epidermis

Outer watertight skin layer.

Epiglottis

Leaf-shaped valve preventing food entry into trachea.

Epinephrine

Adrenaline; hormone/drug that raises heart rate and blood pressure; treats anaphylaxis.

Esophagus

Muscular tube carrying food from pharynx to stomach.

Expiratory Reserve Volume

Air exhaled beyond a normal breath (~1,200 mL adult male).

Extension

Straightening a joint.

Femoral Artery

Major thigh artery supplying lower abdomen and legs.

Femoral Head

Proximal femur end articulating with acetabulum.

Femur

Thighbone; body’s longest bone.

Fibula

Lateral, smaller bone of the lower leg.

Flexion

Bending a joint.

Foramen Magnum

Large skull opening where brain connects to spinal cord.

Gallbladder

Sac under liver that stores and releases bile into duodenum.

Germinal Layer

Deepest epidermal layer producing new skin cells.

Heart

Muscular pump circulating blood through body.

Heart Rate (HR)

Number of heartbeats per minute.

Hemoglobin

Oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells.

Hinge Joints

Joints allowing flexion/extension only (e.g., elbow, knee).

Hormones

Chemicals from glands that regulate metabolism, growth, temperature, etc.

Humerus

Upper-arm bone.

Hypercapnia

Abnormally high blood carbon-dioxide level.

Hypoxia

Deficient oxygen in tissues.

Ilium

Superior pelvic bone; part of hip.

Inferior Vena Cava

Large vein returning blood from lower body to heart.

Inspiratory Reserve Volume

Air inhaled beyond a normal breath.

Intervertebral Disks

Elastic pads between vertebrae acting as shock absorbers.

Involuntary Muscle

Muscle not under conscious control (smooth muscle).

Ischium

Lower posterior pelvic bone.

Joint

Point where two bones meet; an articulation.

Kidneys

Retroperitoneal organs filtering blood and producing urine.

Lactic Acid

By-product of anaerobic metabolism of glucose.

Large Intestine

Cecum, colon, rectum; absorbs water, forms stool.

Ligaments

Fibrous tissues connecting bone to bone, stabilizing joints.

Liver

Large RUQ organ producing bile, storing glucose, detoxifying blood.

Lumbar Spine

Five vertebrae forming lower back.

Lymph

Straw-colored fluid transporting nutrients/wastes in lymphatic system.

Mandible

Lower-jaw bone.

Maxillae

Upper-jaw bones forming orbit, nasal cavity, palate.

Medulla Oblongata

Brainstem part controlling heart rate, breathing, vomiting, etc.

Metabolism

Cellular chemical processes that produce energy from nutrients.

Metacarpals

Hand bones between carpals and phalanges.

Minute Volume

Air moved in/out of lungs per minute (TV × RR).

Motor Nerves

Carry commands from CNS to muscles.

Mucous Membranes

Linings of body passages exposed to environment; secrete mucus.

Musculoskeletal System

Bones and voluntary muscles enabling movement and support.

Myocardium

Heart muscle layer.

Nasopharynx

Upper pharynx above the roof of the mouth.