G N R T Words from Glossary - Anatomy

gamete

A sex cell with the haploid number of chromosomes.

gametogenesis

Formation and development of gametes (sex cells).

ganglion

Group of neuron cell bodies in the peripheral nervous system.

gastrulation

Formation of the three primary germ layers.

genotype

The genetic constitution of an individual that, along with environmental influences, contributes to the phenotype.

glycocalyx

Filamentous coating on the apical surface of certain epithelial cells.

goblet cell

Mucin-secreting cell.

gomphosis

Fibrous joint in which a peglike process fits into a hole.

gonad

Organ that produces sex cells and sex hormones; the ovaries in a female and the testes in a male.

gustation

Sense of taste.

gyrus

Elevated fold of cerebral cortex.

naris

Anterior opening to the nasal cavity; also known as a nostril.

necrosis

Pathologic death of cells or a portion of a tissue or organ.

neoplasia

Process that results in the formation of a neoplasm or abnormal growth.

neoplasm

An abnormal tissue that grows by cell proliferation more rapidly than normal.

nephron

Convoluted tubular functional unit of the kidney.

neurilemma

The delicate outer membrane sheath around an axon.

neurofibril

Filamentous structure in a neuron.

neurofilament

Group of intermediate-sized filaments in a neuron.

neuromuscular

Relationship between a nerve and a muscle

neuron

Nervous system cell that transmits and receives nerve impulses.

neuropore

Opening in the embryo leading from the central canal of the neural tube to the exterior.

neurulation

Formation of the neural plate and its closure to form the neural tube.

nociceptor

Peripheral sensory receptor for the detection of painful stimuli.

nucleolus

Spherical, dark body within the nucleus where subunits of ribosomes are made.

ramus

One of the primary divisions of a nerve or blood vessel. Also, part of an irregularly shaped bone that forms an angle.

raphe

Line of union between two contiguous, bilateral symmetrical structures

reticulocyte

Young erythrocyte.

retraction

Posteriorly directed movement of a body part.

retroperitoneal

Posterior to the peritoneum.

ribosome

Ribonucleoprotein structure that is the site of protein synthesis; organelle in the cytoplasm.

rotation

Movement of a part around its axis.

ruga

Fold, ridge, or crease.

tactile

Relating to touch.

tendon

Cord of dense regular connective tissue that connects muscle to bone.

teratology

Branch of science concerned with congenital malformations.

testis

Male organ for producing gametes and androgens.

thenar

A structure related to the base of the thumb or the thumb's underlying connective components.

thermoreceptor

Receptor that detects changes in temperature.

thoracic

Relating to the thorax, the area between the neck and the abdomen.

thrombopoiesis

Formation of blood platelets.

trabecula

Meshwork; a small piece of the spongy substance of bone, usually interconnected with other similar pieces.

transducer

Device or organ designed to convert energy from one form to another.

transudate

Fluid that has passed through a membrane.

trophoblast

Cell layer covering the blastocyst that will allow the embryo to receive nourishment from the mother.

tubercle

Nodule or slight elevation from the surface of a bone that allows attachment of a tendon or ligament.

tuberosity

Large tubercle or rounded elevation, as on the surface of a bone.

tunic

One of the covering layers of a body part, especially a blood vessel or other tubular structure.