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abdomen
The body cavity that contains 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 (such as adrenergic nerves, adrenergic response). The term 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 you, 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 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, spinal 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 extremity that supplies blood to the arm.
brain
The controlling organ of the body and center of consciousness; functions include perception, control of reactions to the environment, emotional responses, and judgment.
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 muscle
the heart muscle
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.
cellular metabolism
A set of chemical reactions that supplies cells with energy. Includes both anaerobic and aerobic metabolism.
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 seven vertebrae that lie in the neck.
chordae tendineae
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. It is a combination of all of the 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 collar bone; it is lateral to the sternum and anterior to the scapula.
coccyx
the last three or four vertebrae of the spine; the tail bone
coronal (frontal) plane
An imaginary plane where the body is divided into front and back parts.
coxae
the hip bones (singular: coxa)
cranium
the part of the skull that encloses the brain and is composed of eight 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. Contraction of this (and the chest wall muscles) brings air into the lungs. Relaxation allows air to be expelled from the lungs.
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.
digestion
The processing of food that nourishes the individual cells of the body.
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.
enzymes
Substances designed to speed up the rate of specific biochemical reactions.
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 drug produced by pharmaceutical companies that increases pulse rate and blood pressure; the drug of choice for an anaphylactic reaction.
esophagus
A collapsible tube that extends from the pharynx to the stomach; muscle contractions propel food and liquids through it to the stomach.
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
extension
the straightening of a joint
fallopian tubes
The tubes that connect each ovary with the uterus and are the primary location for fertilization of the ovum.
femoral artery
The major artery of the thigh, a continuation of the external iliac artery. It supplies blood to the lower abdominal wall, external genitalia, and legs. It can be palpated in the groin area.
femoral head
The proximal end of the femur, articulating with the acetabulum to form the hip joint.
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
flexion
the bending of a joint
formamen magnum
a large opening at the base of the skull through which the brain connects to the spinal cord
frontal bones
The bones of the cranium that form the forehead.
Gallbladder
A sac on the undersurface of the liver that collects bile from the liver and discharges it into the duodenum through the common bile duct.
genital system
The reproductive system in men and women.
greater trochanter
A bony prominence on the proximal lateral side of the thigh, just below the hip joint.
hair follicles
The small organs that produce hair.
heart
A hollow, muscular organ that pumps blood throughout the body.
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 in the same organism. Hormones regulate many body functions, including metabolism, growth, and body temperature.
humerus
The supporting bone of the upper arm.
hydrostatic pressure
The pressure of water against the walls of its container.
hypercapnia
An abnormally high concentration 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 functions; 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.
ilium
One of three bones that fuse to form the pelvic ring.
inferior vena cava
One of the two largest veins in the body; carries blood from the lower extremities and the pelvic and the abdominal organs to the heart.
inspiratory reserve volume
The amount of air that can be inhaled after a normal inhalation; the amount of air that can be inhaled in addition to the normal tidal volume.
interstitial space
the space in between the cells
intervertebral disks
Tough, elastic structures between adjoining vertebrae that act as shock absorbers
intracellular space
the space within a cell or cells
involuntary muscle
The muscle over which a person has no conscious control. It is found in many automatic regulating systems of the body.
ischium
One of three bones that fuse to form the pelvic ring.
joint
The place where two bones come into contact; also called an articulation
