Body Systems - Vocabulary Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering major anatomy and terminology from the body systems presented in the notes (cardiovascular, digestive, endocrine, reproductive, lymphatic, musculoskeletal, nervous, respiratory, skin and sense organs, and urinary systems), including combining forms and key anatomical terms.

aorta

The main artery that carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body.

aort/o

Combining form meaning aorta.

arteries

Blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart; usually oxygenated in systemic circulation.

arteri/o

Combining form meaning artery.

arterioles

Small arteries that regulate blood flow to capillaries.

arteriol/o

Combining form for arteriole.

veins

Blood vessels that return blood to the heart; often oxygen-poor in systemic circulation.

phleb/o

Combining form meaning vein.

ven/o

Combining form meaning vein.

venules

Small veins that drain capillaries.

venul/o

Combining form for venule.

right atrium

Upper heart chamber that receives blood from the body via the venae cavae.

left atrium

Upper heart chamber that receives oxygenated blood from the lungs via the pulmonary veins.

right ventricle

Lower heart chamber that pumps blood to the lungs via the pulmonary artery.

left ventricle

Lower heart chamber that pumps oxygenated blood to the body via the aorta.

pulmonary circulation

Pathway of blood between the heart and lungs.

systemic circulation

Pathway of blood between the heart and the rest of the body.

heart

Muscular organ that pumps blood through the circulatory system.

cardi/o

Combining form for heart.

coron/o

Combining form for heart/ coronary (as in coronary arteries).

tissue capillaries

Tiny vessels where exchange of oxygen, nutrients, and wastes occurs between blood and tissues.

lung capillaries

Capillaries in the lungs where oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide release occur.

mouth

Oral entry to the digestive system.

or/o

Combining form meaning mouth.

stomat/o

Combining form meaning mouth.

pharynx

Pharynx (throat) part of both digestive and respiratory tracts.

pharyng/o

Combining form for pharynx.

esophagus

Tube that moves swallowed food from the mouth to the stomach.

esophag/o

Combining form for esophagus.

stomach

Sac-like organ where the digestion of proteins begins.

gastr/o

Combining form for stomach.

liver

Organ that produces bile and processes nutrients.

hepat/o

Combining form for liver.

gallbladder

Organ that stores bile.

cholecyst/o

Combining form for gallbladder.

duodenum

First section of the small intestine.

duoden/o

Combining form for duodenum.

jejunum

Second part of the small intestine where most nutrients are absorbed.

jejun/o

Combining form for jejunum.

ileum

Third part of the small intestine where bile acids and B12 are absorbed.

ile/o

Combining form for ileum.

colon

Also called large intestine; absorbs water and forms stool.

col/o

Combining form for colon.

sigmoid colon

S-shaped last part of the colon.

sigmoid/o

Combining form for sigmoid colon.

appendix

Finger-like pouch that branches from the first part of the large intestine.

append/o

Combining form for appendix.

rectum

Final section of the large intestine, ending at the anus.

rect/o

Combining form for rectum.

anus

Opening at the end of the digestive tract through which stool exits.

an/o

Combining form for anus.

proct/o

Combining form for anus/rectum.

pancreas

Organ that produces digestive enzymes and insulin.

pancreat/o

Combining form for pancreas.

Digestive System terminology - 1 of 3

Examples include an/o (anus), col/o (colon), and esophag/o (esophagus).

Digestive System terminology - 2 of 3

Examples include esophag/o (esophagus), gastr/o (stomach), hepat/o (liver).

Digestive System terminology - 3 of 3

Examples include pancreat/o (pancreas), rect/o (rectum), stomat/o (mouth).

pineal gland

Endocrine gland near the center of the brain that regulates sleep-wake cycles.

pituitary gland

Master endocrine gland that controls other glands; located at the base of the brain.

parathyroid glands

Small glands on the posterior thyroid that regulate calcium balance.

thyroid gland

Endocrine gland that regulates metabolism and growth.

adrenal glands

Glands on top of the kidneys that respond to stress (fight-or-flight).

pancreas (endocrine function)

Organ producing insulin and glucagon to regulate blood sugar.

ovaries

Female gonads producing eggs and hormones.

oophor/o

Combining form for ovary.

ovari/o

Combining form for ovary.

thymus gland

Gland involved in lymphocyte development; active in early life.

testes

Male gonads producing sperm and testosterone.

orch/o

Combining form for testis.

orchi/o

Combining form for testis.

orchid/o

Combining form for testis.

endocrine glands secrete hormones into the bloodstream

Glands release hormones that travel through the blood to affect other organs.

Fallopian tube

Tube through which ova travel from ovary to uterus; fertilization may occur here.

salping/o

Combining form for fallopian tube.

uterus

Organ where embryo implants and develops; also called womb.

hyster/o

Combining form for uterus.

metri/o

Combining form for uterus (uter/o).

uter/o

Combining form for uterus.

vagina

Birth canal; canal leading from the cervix to the outside.

colp/o

Combining form for vagina.

vagin/o

Combining form for vagina.

ovum

Egg cell produced by the ovary.

o/o

Combining form for egg (ovum).

ovary

Gonad that releases eggs and hormones.

oophor/o

Combining form for ovary.

ovari/o

Combining form for ovary.

lymph

Fluid that circulates in lymphatic vessels and contains immune cells.

lymph/o

Combining form for lymph.

lymph nodes

Small organs that filter lymph and house immune cells.

lymphaden/o

Combining form for lymph node.

lymphangi/o

Combining form for lymph vessel.

spleen

Organ that filters blood and produces immune cells.

splen/o

Combining form for spleen.

thym/o

Combining form for thymus gland.

lymphocytes

White blood cells that fight infection and are produced in lymphoid organs.

lymphatic origin pathway

Lymph originates in tissue spaces and drains into veins via lymph vessels and nodes.

male reproductive system

Organs producing sperm and male hormones; includes testes, vas deferens, prostate, penis, etc.

testes

Male gonads producing sperm and testosterone.

orch/o

Combining form for testis.

vas deferens

Duct carrying sperm from the epididymis to the urethra.