WGU D313 Anatomy and Physiology II Flashcards

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering high-priority concepts across the cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, urinary, reproductive, and lymphatic/immune systems from the WGU D313 Master Survival Guide.

Right ventricle

The heart chamber that pumps deoxygenated blood into the pulmonary trunk and pulmonary arteries.

Pulmonary veins

Blood vessels that return oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium.

Left ventricle

The heart chamber with the thickest myocardium that pumps blood into the systemic circulation.

Sinoatrial (SA) node

The pacemaker of the heart that initiates atrial depolarization.

Cardiac Output (CO)

The volume of blood pumped by the heart per minute, calculated as $\text{CO} = \text{HR} \times \text{SV}$ (Heart Rate times Stroke Volume).

Preload

The amount of ventricular stretch existing prior to heart contraction.

Afterload

The arterial resistance that the heart must overcome to eject blood.

Granulocytes (PMNs)

White blood cells containing granules in their cytoplasm, comprising neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils.

Type II alveolar cells

Specialized alveolar cells that secrete surfactant to lower surface tension and prevent lung collapse.

Functional Residual Capacity (FRC)

The volume of air remaining in the lungs after a normal passive exhalation, calculated as $\text{FRC} = \text{ERV} + \text{RV}$.

Parietal cells

Stomach mucosa cells that secrete hydrochloric acid ($\text{HCl}$) and intrinsic factor needed for vitamin B12 absorption.

Chief cells

Stomach mucosa cells that secrete the inactive enzyme precursor pepsinogen.

Brunner glands

Duodenal glands that produce alkaline mucus to neutralize acidic stomach chyme.

Masseter

The classic powerful jaw muscle responsible for elevating the mandible during chewing.

Proximal Convoluted Tubule (PCT)

The primary renal tubule site responsible for bulk reabsorption ($60\text{--}70\text{\%}$ of water, glucose, and amino acids) and major creatinine secretion.

Descending loop of Henle

The portion of the nephron loop permeable to water, causing water to leave the tubule and concentrating the renal filtrate.

Ascending loop of Henle

The portion of the nephron loop impermeable to water where salts leave the tubule, diluting the renal filtrate.

Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)

A hormone released during dehydration or high blood osmolality that inserts aquaporins into the collecting duct to retain water and concentrate urine.

Seminiferous tubules

Structures located within the male testes that serve as the site of spermatogenesis.

Sertoli cells

Testicular cells that support and nourish developing sperm and form the blood-testis barrier.

Leydig cells

Testicular interstitial cells that produce testosterone in response to Luteinizing Hormone (LH).

Corpus luteum

An ovarian endocrine structure formed post-ovulation that secretes progesterone to maintain the endometrium.

Plasma cell

A terminally differentiated B cell specialized in producing and secreting antibodies.

Natural Killer (NK) cell

An innate immune system lymphocyte that destroys virally infected and cancerous cells without prior antigen exposure.

Right lymphatic duct

The lymphatic vessel that drains lymph exclusively from the upper right quadrant of the body (right head/neck, right thorax, and right upper limb).

Thoracic duct

The main lymphatic vessel that drains lymph from the majority of the body, including both lower limbs and the left upper quadrant.

Gastrosplenic and splenorenal ligaments

The primary peritoneal ligaments that provide structural attachment and support to the spleen.

Lymphoma

A malignancy originating in lymphocytes or lymphatic tissue, classically characterized by Reed-Sternberg cells in Hodgkin lymphoma.