emt school ch 6

abdomen

body cavitiy that contains many of the major organs of disgeition and excretion. it is located below the diaphragm and above the pelvis

acetabulum

the depressions 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 noadrenalie eg, adrenergic nerves, adrenergic response, 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 pts in cardiac arrests

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

position of reference in which the pt stands facing forward, arms at the side, with palms of the hands forward

anatomy

the study of 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 skeleton system that comprises of 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

arterioles

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 the bones in synovial joints

atrium

one of the 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, vertebral 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

large muscle that covers the front of the humerus

bile ducts

the ducts that convey bile between the liver and the intestine

blood pressure

the pressure that the blood exerts against the walls of the arteries as it passes through them

brachial artery

major vessel in the upper extremities that supplies blood to the arm

brain

controlling organ of the body and center of consciousness; functions include perception, control of reactions to the environment, emotional responses and judgement

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

heel bone

capillary vessels

tiny blood vessels between the arterioles and venules that permit transfer of o2 and co2 nutrients and waste between body tissues and the blood

cardiac muscle

heart muscle

cardiac output (CO)

measure of the volume of blood circulated by the heart in 1 min, calculated by multiplying the stroke volume by the heart rate

carotid artery

major artery that suppleis blood to the head and brain

carpals

small bones that compose the wrist

cartilage

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

first part of the large intenstine, into which the ileum opens

cellular metabolism

set of chemical reactions that supplies cells with energy. includes both anaerobic and aerobic metabolism

central nervous system (CNS)

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

largest part of 3 subdivisions of the brain, sometimes called the gray matter; made up of several lobes that control movement, hearting, balance, speech ,visual perception, emotions and personablity

cervical spin (c-spine)

portion of the veterbral 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, combination of all eaten foods with stomach acids

circulatory system

complex arrangement of connected bubes including the arteries, arterioles, capillaries, venules, and veins, that move blood o2 nutrients co2, and cellular waste throughout the body

clavicle

collarbone, lateral to the sternum and anterior to the scapula

coccyx

three r four vertebrae of the spine; the tail bone

coxae

hip bones (singular: coxa)

cranium

the part of the skull that encloses the brain and is composed of eight bones

cricoid cartilage

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

lymph

thin, straw colored fluid that carries o2, nutrients, and hormones to the cells and carries waste products of metabolism away from the cells and back into the capillaries so that they may be exerted

lymph nodes

tiny oval shaped structures located in various places along the lymph vessels the filter lymph

malleolus

rounded bony prominence on either side of the ankle; also called the ankle bone

mandible

bone of the lower jaw

manubrium

upper quarter of the sternum

maxillae

upper jawbones that assist in the formation of the orbit, nasal cavity, and the palate and hold the upper teeth

medulla oblongata

nerve tissue that is continuous inferiorly with the spinal cord; serves as a conduction pathway for ascending and descending nerve tracts; coordinates heart rate, blood vessel diameter, breathing, swallowing, vomiting, coughing, and sneezing

metabolsim

the biochemical processes that result in production of energy from nutrients within cells

metacarpals

bones of the hand situated between the carpals and phalanges

metatarsals

bones of the foot, situated between the tarsals and phalanges

midbrain

the part of the brain that is responsible for helping to regulate the level of consciousness

midsagittal (midline) plane

an imaginary vertical line drawn from the middle of the forehead through the nose and the umbilicus navel to the floor dividing the body into equal left and right halves

minute volume

the volume of air that moves in and out of the lungs per min; calculated by multiplying the tidal volume and respiratory rate; also called min ventilation

motor nerves

nerves that carry information from the central nervous system to the muscles of the body

mucous membranes

the lining of body cavities and passages that communicate directly or indirectly with the environment outside the body

mucus

watery secretion of the mucous membranes that lubricates the body openings

musculosketal system

bones and voluntary muscles of the body

myocardium

heart muscle

nasopharynx

the part of the pharynx that lies above the level of the roof of the mouth or palate

nervous sytem

system that controls virtually all acitives of the body, both voluntary and involuentary

neurons

functional units of the nervous system; nerve cells

norepinephrine

neurotransmitter and drug sometimes used in the tx of shock; produces vasoconstriction through its alpha-stimulator properties

occipital bone

most posterior bone of the cranium

oncotic pressure

pressure of water to move typically into the capillary, as the result of the presence of plasma proteins

orbit

eye socket, made up of the maxilla and zygoma

oropharynx

tubular structure that extends vertically from the back of the mouth to the esophagus nand trachea

ovaries

primary female reproductive organs that produce an ovum, or egg, that if fertilized will develop into a fetus

pancreas

flat, solid organ that lies below the lies and stomach, major source of digestive enzymes and produces the hormone insulin

parasympathetic nervous system

subdivision of the autonomic nervous system, involved in control of involuntary functions, mediated largely by the vagus nerve through the chemical acetylcholine

partietal bones

the bones that lie between the temporal and occipital regions of the cranium

patella

the knee cap, specialized bone that lies within the tendon of the quadricpets muscle

pathophysiology

study of how normal physiologic processes are affected by disease

pectoral girdle

supporting structure for the arms, which attaches the arms to the axial skeleton. it comprises the clavicle and scapula; also called the shoulder girdle

pelvic girdle

the supporting structure for the legs, which serves to connect the elgs to the axial skeleton

perfusion

circulation of oxygenated blood within an organ or tissue in adequate amounts to meet the current needs of the cells

peripheral nervous system PNS

the part of the nervous system that consists of 31 pairs of spinal nerves and 12 pairs of cranial nerves; these may be sensory nerves, motor nerves, or connecting nerves

peristalsis

wavelike contraction of smooth muscle by which the ureters of other tubular organs propel their contents

phalanges

bones of the fingers and toes

physiology

study of normal functions of living organisms and their parts

plasma

sticky, yellow fluid that carries the blood cells and nutrients and transports cellular waste material to the organs of excretion

platelets

tiny disc shaped elements that are much smaller than the cells; they are essential in the initial formation of a blood clot, the mechanism that stops bleeding

pleura

serous membranes covering the lungs and lining the thorax, completely enclosing a potential space known as the pleural space

pleural space

the potential space between the parietal pleura and the visceral pleura; described as “potential” because under normal conditions the space does not exist

pons

organ that lies below the midbrain and above the medulla and contains numerous important nerve fibers, including those for sleep, respiration, and the medullary respiratory center

posterior tibial artery

artery just behind the medial malleolus; supplies blood to the foot

prostate gland

a small gland that surrounds the male urethra where it emerges from the urinary bladder; it secretes a fluid that is part of the ejaculatory fluid

pubic symphysis

hard, bony, and cartilaginous prominence found at the midline in the lowermost portion of the abd where the two halves of the pelvic ring are joined by cartilage at a joint with minimal motion

pubis

one of three bones that fuse to form the pelvic ring