EMT chapter 6 The Human Body

abdomen

the body cavity that contains the major organs of digestion and excretion. It is located below the diaphragm and above the pelvis

acetabulum

the depression on the lateral pelvis where its three component bones join in, in which the femoral head fits snugly

Adam's apple

A firm prominence of cartilage that forms the upper part of the larynx. It is more prominent in men than in women. Also called the thyroid cartilage

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 noradrenaline (such as adrenergic nerves, adrenergic response). The term also pertains to the receptors acted on by norepinephrine, that is, the adrenergic receptors.

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 patients in cardiac arrest

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

The metabolism that takes place in the absence of oxygen; the principle product is lactic acid.

anatomic position

The position of reference in which the patient stands facing you, arms at the side, with the palms of the hands forward.

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 skeletal system that comprises 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 of the abdomen.

arterioles

The 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 bones in synovial joints.

atrium

one of 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, spinal column, and rib cage.

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

the large muscle that covers the front of the humerus

bile ducts

The ducts that convey bile between the liver and the intestine.

blood pressure (BP)

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

brachial artery

The major vessel in the upper extremity that supplies blood to the arm.

brain

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

brain stem

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.

capillary vessels

The tiny blood vessels between the arterioles and venules that permit transfer of oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, and waste between body tissues and the blood.

cardiac muscle

the heart muscle

Cardiac Output (CO)

A measure of the volume of blood circulated by the heart in 1 minute, calculated by multiplying the stroke volume by the heart rate.

carotid artery

The major artery that supplies blood to the head and brain.

cartilage

The 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

The first part of the large intestine, into which the ileum opens.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

brain and spinal cord

Cerebrum

The largest part of the three subdivisions of the brain, sometimes called the "gray matter"; made up of several lobes that control movement, hearing, balance, speech, visual perception, emotions, and personality.

cervical spine

The portion of the spinal 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. It is a combination of all of the eaten foods with added stomach acids.

circulatory system

The complex arrangement of connected tubes, including the arteries, arterioles, capillaries, venules, and veins, that moves blood, oxygen, nutrients, carbon dioxide, and cellular waste throughout the body.

clavicle

the collar bone; it is lateral to the sternum and anterior to the scapula

coccyx

the last three or four vertebrae of the spine; the tail bone

coronal plane

An imaginary plane where the body is cut into front and back parts.

cranium

The area of the head above the ears and eyes; the skull. The cranium contains the brain.

cricoid cartilage

A 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.

dead space

Any portion of the airway that does contain air and cannot participate in gas exchange, such as the trachea and bronchi.

dermis

The inner layer of the skin, containing hair follicles, sweat glands, nerve endings, and blood vessels.

diaphragm

a muscular dome that forms the undersurface of the thorax, separating the chest from the abdominal cavity. Contraction of this and the chest wall muscles brings air into the lungs. Relaxation allows air to be expelled from the lungs

diastole

The relaxation, or period of relaxation, of the heart, especially of the ventricles.

diffusion

movement of a gas from an area of high concentration to an area of lower concentration

digestion

The processing of food that nourishes the individual cells of the body.

dorsalis pedis artery

The artery on the anterior surface of the foot between the first and second metatarsals.

endocrine system

The complex message and control system that integrates many body functions, including the release of hormones.

enzymes

Substances designed to speed up the rate of specific biochemical reactions.

epidermis

The outer layer of skin, which is made up of cells that are sealed together to form a watertight protective covering for the body.

epiglottis

A thin, leaf-shaped valve that allows air to pass into the trachea but prevents food and liquid from entering.

epinephrine

A hormone produced by the adrenal medulla that has a vital role in the function of the sympathetic nervous system.

esophagus

A collapsible tube that extends from the pharynx to the stomach; contractions of the muscle in the wall of the esophagus propel food and liquids through it to the stomach.

expiratory reserve volume

The amount of air that can be exhaled following a normal exhalation; average volume is about 1,200 mL.

extension

straightening of a joint

fallopian tubes

Long, slender tubes that extend from the uterus to the region of the ovary on the same side and through which the ovum passes from the ovary to the uterus.

femoral artery

The major artery of the thigh, a continuation of the external iliac artery. It supplies blood to the lower abdominal wall, external genitalia, and legs. It can be palpated in the groin area.

femoral head

The proximal end of the femur, articulating with the acetabulum to form the hip joint.

femur

The thighbone; the longest and one of the strongest bones in the body.

flexion

bending of a joint

foramen magnum

A large opening at the base of the skull through which the brain connects to the spinal cord.

frontal bone

The portion of the cranium that forms the forehead.

gallbladder

A sac on the undersurface of the liver that collects bile from the liver and discharges it into the duodenum through the common bile duct.

genital system

The reproductive system in men and women.

germinal layer

The deepest layer of the epidermis where new skin cells are formed.

greater trochanter

A bony prominence on the proximal lateral side of the thigh, just below the hip joint.

hair follicles

The small organs that produce hair.

heart

A hollow, muscular organ that pumps blood throughout the body.

Heart Rate (HR)

the number of times the heart beats in one minute

hinge joints

Joints that can bend and straighten but cannot rotate; they restrict motion to one plane.

hormones

Substances formed in specialized organs or glands and carried to another organ or group of cells in the same organism. Hormones regulate many body functions, including metabolism, growth, and body temperature.

humerus

The supporting bone of the upper arm.

hydrostatic pressure

The pressure of water against the walls of its container.

hypoxic drive

A "backup system" to control respiration; senses drops in the oxygen level in the blood.

ilium, ischium, pubis

One of three bones that fuse to form the pelvic ring.

inferior vena cava

One of the two largest veins in the body; carries blood from the lower extremities and the pelvic and the abdominal organs to the heart.

inspiratory reserve volume

The amount of air that can be inhaled after a normal inhalation; the amount of air that can be inhaled in addition to the normal tidal volume.

interstitial space

space between cells

involuntary muscle

The muscle over which a person has no conscious control. It is found in many automatic regulating systems of the body.

ischium, ileum, pubis

One of three bones that fuse to form the pelvic ring.

joint (articulation)

The place where two bones come into contact.

joint capsule

The fibrous sac that encloses a joint.

kidneys

Two retroperitoneal organs that excrete the end products of metabolism as urine and regulate the body's salt and water content.

labored breathing

The use of muscles of the chest, back, and abdomen to assist in expanding the chest; occurs when air movement is impaired.

lactic acid

A metabolic by-product of the breakdown of glucose that accumulates when metabolism proceeds in the absence of oxygen (anaerobic metabolism).

large intestine

the portion of the digestive tube that encircles the abdomen around the small bowel, consisting of the cecum, the colon, and the rectum. It helps regulate water balance and eliminate solid waste

lesser trachanter

the projection on the medial/superior portion of the femur

ligament

A band of fibrous tissue that connects bones to bones. It supports and strengthens a joint.

liver

A large solid organ that lies in the right upper quadrant immediately below the diaphragm; it produces bile, stores glucose for immediate use by the body, and produces many substances that help regulate immune responses.

lumbar spine

The lower part of the back, formed by the lowest five nonfused vertebrae; also called the dorsal spine.

lymph

A thin, straw-colored fluid that carries oxygen, 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 excreted.

lymph nodes

Tiny, oval-shaped structures located in various places along the lymph vessels that filter lymph.

mandible

the bone of the lower jaw

manubrium

the upper quarter of the sternum