EMT: Anatomy and Physiology - Chapter 6

Anatomy

The study of body structure

Physiology

The study of body function

Thyroid cartilage

The wing-shaped plate of cartilage that sits anterior to the larynx and forms the Adam's apple.

Musculoskeletal system

The system of bones and skeletal muscles that support and protect the body and permit movement.

Skeleton

The bones of the body

Muscle

Tissue that can contract to allow movement of a body part

Ligament

Tissue that connects bone to bone

Tendon

Tissue that connects muscle to bone

Skull

The bony structure of the head

Cranium

The top, back, and sides of the skull

Mandible

The lower jaw

Maxillae

The two fused bones forming the upper jaw

Nasal bones

Bones that comprise the nasal cavity

Orbits

The bony structures around the eyes

Zygomatic arches

Bones that form the structure of the cheeks

Vertebrae

The bones of the spinal column

Buffer system

A system that helps manage the pH of the blood

Thorax

The chest

Sternum

The breastbone

Manubrium

The superior portion of the sternum

Xiphoid process

The inferior portion of the sternum

Pelvis

The basin-shaped bony structure that supports the spine and is the point of attachment for the lower extremities

Ilium

The superior and widest portion of the pelvis

Ischium

The lower, posterior portions of the pelvis

Pubis

The medial anterior portion of the pelvis

Acetabulum

The pelvic socket into which the ball at the proximal end of the femur fits to form the hip joint

Femur

The large bone of the thigh

Patella

The kneecap

Tibia

The medial and larger bone of the lower leg

Fibula

The lateral and smaller bone of the lower leg

Malleolus

Bony protrusions seen on either side of the ankle joint

Tarsals

The ankle bones

Metatarsals

The foot bones

Lymphatic system

Composed of organs, tissues, and vessels that help to maintain the fluid balance of the body and contributes to the body's immune system.

Calcaneus

The heel bone

Phalanges

The bones of the fingers and toes

Clavicle

The collarbone

Scapular

The shoulder blade

Acromion process

The highest portion of the shoulder

Acromioclavicular joint

The joint where the acromion and the clavicle meet

Humerus

The bone of the upper arm, between the shoulder and the elbow

Radius

The lateral bone of the forearm

Ulna

The medial bone of the forearm

Carpals

The wrist bones

Metacarpals

The hand bones

Joint

The point where two bones come together

Voluntary muscle

Muscle that can be consciously controlled

Cardiac muscle

Specialized involuntary muscle found only in the heart

Involuntary muscle

Muscle that response automatically to brain signals but cannot be consciously controlled

Automacity

The ability of the heart to generate and conduct electrical impulses on its own

Radial artery

Artery of the lower arm; the artery felt when taking the pulse at the thumb side of the wrist

Respiratory system

The system of nose, mouth, throat, lungs, and muscles that brings oxygen into the body and expels carbon dioxide

Oropharynx

The area directly posterior to the mouth

Nasopharynx

The area directly posterior to the nose

Pharynx

The area directly posterior to the mouth and nose; made up of the oropharynx and nasopharynx

Epiglottis

A leaf-shaped structure that prevents food and foreign matter from entering the trachea

Larynx

The voice box

Cricoid cartilage

the ring-shaped structure that forms the lower portion of the larynx

Trachea

The "windpipe"; the structure that connects the pharynx to the lungs

Lungs

The organs where the exchange of atmospheric oxygen and waste carbon dioxide takes place

Mainstem bronchi

The two large sets of branches that come off the trachea and enter the lungs. There are right and left bronchi.

Alveoli

The microscopic sacs of the lungs where gas exchange with the bloodstream takes place

Diaphragm

the muscular structure that divides the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity. A major muscle of respiration

Inhalation

An active process in which the intercostal (rib) muscles and the diaphragm contract, expanding the size of the chest cavity and causing air to flow into the lungs.

Exhalation

Passive process during which the lungs recoil as the respiratory muscles relax and the thorax decreases in size

Alveoli

The microscopic sacs of the lungs where gas exchange with the bloodstream takes place

Respiration

The process of moving oxygen and carbon dioxide between circulating blood and the cells

Cardiovascular system

The system made up of the heart and the blood vessels

Atria

The two upper chambers of the heart

Ventricles

The two lower chambers of the heart

Venae cava

This is the major venous structure that returns blood from the body to the right atrium

Valve

A structure that opens and closes to permit the flow of a fluid in only one direction

Cardiac conduction system

A system of specialized muscle tissues that conducts electrical impulses that stimulate the heart to beat

Artery

Any blood vessel carrying blood away from the heart

Coronary arteries

The blood vessels that supply the muscle of the heart (myocardium)

Aorta

The largest artery in the body. It transports blood from the left ventricle to begin systemic circulation

Pulmonary arteries

the vessels that carry deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs

Carotid arteries

the large neck arteries, one on each side of the neck, that carry blood from the heart to the head

Femoral artery

the major artery supplying the leg

Brachial artery

the major artery of the upper arm

Posterior tibial artery

Artery supplying the foot, behind the medial ankle

Dorsalis pedis artery

artery supplying the foot, lateral to the large tendon of the big toe

Arteriole

The smallest kind of artery

Pulse

the rhythmic beats caused as waves of blood move through and expand the arteries

Central pulses

the carotid and femoral pulses, which can be felt in the central part of the body

Plasma

The fluid portion of blood

Perfusion

The supply of oxygen to and removal of wastes from, the cells and tissue of the body as a result of the flow of blood through the capillaries

Capillary

a thin-walled, microscopic blood vessel where the oxygen/carbon dioxide and nutrient/waste exchange with the body's cells takes place

Veule

The smallest kind of vein

Vein

Any blood vessel returning blood to the heart

Pulmonary veins

The vessels that carry oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium of the heart

Red blood cells

Components of the blood. They transport oxygen and carbon dioxide.

White blood cells

Components of the blood. They help the body fight infection

Platelets

Components of the blood. These participate in the clotting of blood.

Peripheral pulses

The radial, brachial, posterior tibial, and dorsalis pedis pulses are all examples of these.

Blood pressure

The pressure caused by blood exerting force against the walls of blood vessels

Systolic blood pressure

The pressure created in the arteries when the left ventricle contracts and forces blood into circulation

Diastolic blood pressure

The pressure remaining in the arteries when the left ventricle is refilling

Hypoperfusion

Inability of the body to adequately circulate blood to the body's cells to supply them with oxygen and nutrients.

Nervous system

The system of brain, spinal cord, and nerves that governs sensation, movement, and thought.