Introduction to the Human Body - Ch. 2, 5, 7-11

Anabolism

Process of building up large proteins from small protein pieces called amino acids.

Catabolism

Process whereby complex nutrients are broken down to simpler substances and energy is released.

Cell membrane

Structure surrounding and protecting the cell. It determines what enters and leaves the cell.

Chromosomes

Rod-shaped structures in the nucleus that contain regions of DNA called genes. There are 46 of these (23 pairs) in every cell except for the egg and sperm cells, which contain only 23 individual, unpaired of these.

Cytoplasm

All of the material that is outside the nucleus and yet contained within the cell membrane.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid; chemical found within each chromosome. Arranged like a sequence of recipes in code, it directs the activities of the cell.

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER)

Network of canals within the cytoplasm of the cell. Here, large proteins are made from smaller protein pieces (amino acids).Ge

Genes

Regions of DNA within each chromosome.

Karyotype

Picture (classification) of chromosomes in the nucleus of a cell. The chromosomes are arranged in numeric order to determine their number and structure.

Metabolism

Total of the chemical processes in a cell. It includes catabolism and anabolism.

Mitochondria

Rod-shaped structures in the cytoplasm that provide the principal source of energy for the cell. Catabolism is the process that occurs in this.

Nucleus

Control center of the cell. It contains chromosomes and directs the activities of the cell.

Ribosomes

Small granules on the endoplasmic reticulum of a cell. They arrange amino acids on the endoplasmic reticulum to make proteins.

Adipose tissue

Collection of fat cells.

Cartilage

Flexible connective tissue often attached to bones at joints. It forms part of the external ear and the nose. Rings of this surround the trachea.

Epithelial cells

Skin cells that cover the outside of the body and line the internal surfaces of organs.

Histologist

Specialist in the study of tissues.

Larynx

Voice box; located above the trachea.

Pharynx

Throat. It serves as the common passageway for food (from the mouth going to the esophagus) and air (from the nose to the trachea).

Pituitary gland

Endocrine gland at the base of the brain.

Thyroid gland

Endocrine gland that surrounds the trachea in the neck.

Trachea

Windpipe (tube leading from the throat and larynx to the bronchial tubes).

Ureter

One of two tubes, each leading from a single kidney to the urinary bladder.

Urethra

Tube from the urinary bladder to the outside of the body.

Uterus

Womb; the organ that holds the embryo/fetus as it develops.

Viscera

Internal organs in the main cavities of the body, especially in the abdomen.

Abdominal cavity

Space below the chest containing organs such as the liver, stomach, gallbladder, and intestines; also called the abdomen or peritoneal cavity.

Cranial cavity

Space in the head containing the brain and surrounded by the skull.

Diaphragm

Muscle separating the abdominal and thoracic cavities. It moves up and down and ate in breathing. 

Dorsal (posterior)

Pertaining to the back.

Mediastinum

Centrally located space outside of and between the lungs.

Pelvic cavity

Space below the abdomen containing portions of the intestines, rectum, urinary bladder, and reproductive organs.

Peritoneum

Double-folded membrane surrounding the abdominal cavity. It attaches abdominal viscera to muscles and functions as a protective membrane (containing blood vessels and nerves) around the organs.

Pleura

Double-folded membrane surrounding each lung.

Pleural cavity

Space between the pleural layers.

Spinal cavity

Space within the spinal column (backbones) containing the spinal cord.

Thoracic cavity

Space in the chest containing the heart, lungs, bronchial tubes, trachea, esophagus, and other organs.

Ventral (anterior)

Pertaining to the front.

Hypochondriac regions

Right and left upper regions beneath the ribs.

Epigastric region

Middle upper region above the stomach.

Lumbar regions

Right and left middle regions near the waist.

Umbilical regions

Central region near the navel.

Inguinal regions

Right and left lower regions near the groin. Also called iliac regions.

Hypogastric region

Middle lower region below the umbilical region.

Right upper quadrant (RUQ)

Contains the liver (right lobe), gallbladder, part of the pancreas, and parts of the small and large intestines.

Left upper quadrant (LUQ)

Contains the liver (left lobe), stomach, spleen, part of the pancreas, and parts of the small and large intestines.

Right lower quadrant (RLQ)

Contains parts of the small and large intestines, right ovary, right fallopian tube, appendix, and right ureter.

Left lower quadrant (LLQ)

Contains parts of the small and large intestines, left ovary, left fallopian tube, and left ureter.

Cervical

Neck region (C1 to C7).

Thoracic

Chest region (T1 to T12).L

Lumbar

Loin (waist) region (L1 to L5).

Sacral

Region of the sacrum (S1 to S5).

Coccygeal

Region of the coccyx (tailbone).

Vertebra

Single backbone.

Vertebrae

Backbones

Spinal column

Bone tissue surrounding the spinal cavity.

Spinal cord

Nervous tissue within the spinal cavity.

Disc

Pad of cartilage between vertebrae.

Anterior (ventral) (location)

Front surface of the body.

Deep

Away from the surface.

Distal

Far from the point of attachment to the trunk or far from the beginning of a structure.

Frontal (coronal) plane

Vertical plane dividing the body or structure into anterior and posterior portions.

Inferior

Below another structure; pertaining to the lower portion of the body.

Lateral

Pertaining to the side.

Medial

Pretending to the middle or near the medial plane of the body.

Posterior (dorsal) (location)

Back surface of the body.

Prone

Lying on the belly (face down, palms down).

Proximal

Near the point of attachment to the trunk or near the beginning of a structure.

Sagittal (lateral) plane

Lengthwise, vertical plane dividing the body or structure into right and left side.

Superficial

On the surface.

Superior (cephalic)

Above another structure; pertaining to the head.

Supine

Lying on the back (face up, palms up).

Transverse (axial) plane

Horizontal (cross-sectional) plane dividing the body into upper and lower portions.

Absorption

Passage of materials through the walls of the small intestine into the bloodstream.A

Amino acids

Small building blocks of proteins, released when proteins are digested.

Amylase

Enzymes secreted by the pancreas and salivary glands to digest starch.

Anus

Terminal end or opening of the digestive tract to the outside of the body.

Appendix

Blind pouch hanging from the cecum.

Bile

Digestive juice made in the liver and stored in the gallbladder.

Bilirubin

Pigment released by the liver in bile.

Bowel

Intestine.

Canine teeth

Pointed, dog-like teeth next to the incisors. Also called cuspids or eyeteeth.

Cecum

First part of the large intestine.

Colon

Portion of the large intestine consisting of the ascending, transverse, descending, and sigmoid segments. 

Common bile duct

Carries bile from the liver and gallbladder to the duodenum.

Defecation

Elimination of feces from the digestive tract through the anus.

Deglutition

Swallowing.

Dentin

Primary material found in teeth. It is covered by the enamel in the crown and a protective layer of cementum (a powdery substance made with calcined lime and clay) in the root.

Digestion

Breakdown of complex foods to simpler forms.

Duodenum

First part of the small intestine.

Elimination

Removal of materials from the body; in the digestive system, the removal of indigestible materials as feces.

Emulsification

Breaking up large flat globules into smaller globules. This increases the surface area that enzymes can use to digest the fat.

Enamel

Hard, outermost layer of a tooth.

Enzyme

Chemical that speeds up a reaction between substances. Digestive ones breakdown complex foods to simpler substances.

Esophagus

Tube connecting the throat to the stomach.

Fatty acids

Substances produced when fats are digested.

Feces

Solid wastes; stool.

Gallbladder

Small sac under the liver; stores bile.

Glycogen

Starch; glucose is stored in the form of this in liver cells.

Hydrochloric acid

Substance (strong acid) produced in the stomach; aids digestion.