science glossary nbe study guide

this has everything from anatomy, ra, embalming, chem, micro, and path. taken from 2023 nbe sciences study guide

accessory

(auxillary) this term is applied to a lesser structure that resembles a similar organ in structure and function, such as the accessory pancreatic duct

albumin

a protein found in blood plasma

alimentary canal

the digestive system tube from the mouth to the butt, including the mouth or buccal cavity, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, and small and large intestines

anatomy

the branch of science dealing with the study of the structure of the body

anastomoses

connection between vessels; union of two vessels going to the same body part

anterior

before or in front of; refers to the front side of the body or structure

appendicular skeleton

the 126 bones that make up the pectoral girdle, upper extremities, pelvic girdle, and lower extremities

articulation

the connection between two or more bones; a joint

axial skeleton

the 80 bones connecting the skull, vertebrae, thorax and hyoid bone; the central structure to which the appendicular skeleton is attached

bilateral symmetry

refers to the symmetry of paired organs, or to an organism whose right and left halves are similar images of eachother

billary

pertaining to bile

billary tract

the organs (liver and gallbladder) and ducts that participate in the secretion, storage, and delivery of bile to the duodenum

bladder

a membranous sac or receptacle for a secretion or excretion

buccal

relating to the cheek or mouth

cardiology

the study of the heart

carotid canal

the canal or passageway in the temporal bone through which the internal carotid artery passes

central

situated at or pertained to a center or central point

colon

the part of the large intestine beginning with the ascending colon and ending with the sigmoid colon

conchae

ridges in the walls of the nasal cavity

condyle

a curved protuberance at the end of a bone forming part of an articulation

curvature

a normal or abnormal bending away; an arc

cystic

of or pertaining to a sac like structure

deep

below the surface or towards the central part of a structure

detoxification

reduction of the harmful properties of a poisonous substance

distal

farther away from the point of attachment or from the trunk; opposite of proximal

dorsal

posterior; toward the back; opposite of anterior

eminence

a prominence or projection

endocrine

pertaining to a ductless gland that secretes directly into the bloodstream

exocrine

pertaining to a gland that delivers its secretion through a duct

external

pertaining to the exterior; opposite of internal

external auditory meatus

the lateral, outer opening of the ear or auditory canal

fontanel

a temporarily unossified area on the surface of the cranium of an infant

fossa

a shallow depression

gland

a secretory organ or structure that can manufacture a secretion

heterocrine

a gland that has both endocrine and exocrine functions

histology

the study of tissues

inferior

beneath; lower; the undersurface of an organ or a a structure below another structure; opposite of superior

integumentary

relating to the outer surface of a structure

internal

within the body; within or on the inside; the opposite of external

islets of langerhans (pancreatic islets)

clusters of cells in the pancreas which produce insulin

joint

the connection between two bones; an articulation

lateral

pertaining to the side of the body; away from the median plane

lobes

well defined parts of an organ separated by boundaries

mandibular fossa

the depression in the temporal bone into which the condyle of the mandible fits

meatus

a passage or opening through a bone

medial

pertaining to the middle; towards the median plane of the body

myology

the study of the muscles

nares

opening of the nose; nostrils

nasal septum

the partition that divides the nasal cavities

neurology

the study of the nervous system

oral

pertaining to the mouth

orifice

the entrance or outlet of any anatomical structure; an opening

ossicles

any small bone

parietal

pertaining to or forming the wall of a cavity

pectoral

pertaining to the front of the chest

peripheral

located at or pertaining to the outer surface of the body or body part; located away from the center

perpendicular

at right angles to another surface

pH

potential of hydrogen; a number signifying the acidity or alkalinity of a solution

portal

an entrance to an organ

posterior

behind or in back of; refers to the backside of the body or structure; opposite of anterior

protuberance

an anatomic landmark that appears as a blunt projection

proximal

nearest to the point of attachment of a limb to the trunk of the body, opposite of distal

pubic symphysis

the slightly moveable junction of the anterior portion of the os coxae (hip bone)

pyloric sphincter

the smooth muscle around the exit of the stomach into the duodenum

respiratory

referring to the organ system that carries out gas exchange

salivary

pertaining to or the formation of saliva

salivary gland

one of the three pairs of glands that secretes saliva into the mouth

septum

a wall dividing two cavities

serum

blood plasma, excluding the clotting factors; the watery, amber colored portion of the blood after coagulation occurs

sesamoid bone

bone shaped like a sesame seed; a bone embedded into a tendon

sinus

a paranasal cavity within a bone; a dilated channel for venous blood

sphincter

a circular muscle constricting an orifice

superficial

pertaining to or situated near the surface of the body or body part

superior

toward the top of the head, a structure situated above another structure, opposite of inferior

suprarenal (adrenal)

located on the superior portion of the kidney

sutural

relating to the line of union in an immovable articulation, such as between the cranial bones

symphysis

a joint in which the bones are connected by fibrocartilage

system

a group of organs arranged for the performance of a specific function

tunic

the covering or layer

urinary

pertaining to the secretion or storage of urine

urinary system

composed of the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra, the function of which is to filter wastes from the blood system

valve

any one of various membranous structures in a hollow organ or passage that temporarily closes to permit the flow of fluid in one direction only

vascular

pertaining to or composed of vessels

vascular system

the blood vessels, including arteries, capillaries and veins and lymphatics

ventrak

located toward the front of the body; anterior

vermiform appendix

a narrow worm shaped tube connected to the cecum

visceral

pertaining to the internal organs contained within a cavity

viscosity

resistance to flow of a liquid

zygomatic

pertaining to the cheek bone

accessory chemicals

any chemical used in the preparation of human remains that is not injected into the arterial system or cavities

acids

substances that yields hydrogen ions in an aqueous solution

adipocere

gravewax; a wax like material produced by saponification of body fat

alcohols

an organic compound containing one or more hydroxyl group

aldehyde

an organic compound containing one or more -CHO groups

amides

derivatives of carboxylic acids in which a hydroxyl group is substituted with an amine or ammonia having the general formula of R-CONH-R’

amine

an organic compound containing nitrogen with the general formula of R-NH2

amino acid

the building block of proteins that contain an amino group (-NH2) and a carboxyl (-COOH) group

amphoterism

any compound that can act as both an acid and a base in an aqueous solution

anticoagulants

chemical agents that retard the tendency of the blood to become more viscous

arterial fluid

concentrated preservative chemicals used primarily for arterial embalming