AEMT Chapter 7 The Human Body

ATP (adenosine triphosphate)

main energy source that cells use for most of their work; nucleotide involved in energy metabolism

adrenal glands

endocrine glands located on top of the kidneys that release adrenaline when stimulated by the sympathetic nervous system

adrenaline (epinephrine)

hormone produced by the adrenal glands that mediates the "fight-or-flight" response of the sympathetic nervous system

alveoli

the air sacs of the lungs in which the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place

anatomy

the study of the structure of an organism and its parts

bile ducts

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

bilirubin

a waste product of red blood cell destruction that undergoes further metabolism in the liver

bone marrow

A soft tissue inside the bone that produces blood cells

bronchospasm

constriction of the airway passages of the lungs that accompanies muscle spasms

bruit

an abnormal "whooshing-like" sound indicating turbulent blood flow within a blood vessel

buffer system

Fast-acting defenses for acid-base changes, providing almost immediate protection against changes in the hydrogen ion concentration of extracellular fluid.

cardiac muscle

the heart muscle

Catecholamines (epinephrine and norepinephrine)

hormones produced by the adrenal medulla that assist the body in coping with physical and emotional stress by increasing the heart and respiratory rates and blood pressure; Prolong fight or flight response.

cell membrane

A cell structure that controls which substances can enter or leave the cell (selectively permeable)

chromosomes

threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes; formed from condensed fibers and protein of DNA

cornea

The clear tissue that covers the pupil and iris of the eye

corticosteroids

A group of hormones, including cortisol, released by the adrenal glands at times of stress

cranial nerves

12 pairs of nerves that arise from the base of the brain

cranial vault

the bones that encase and protect the brain, including the parietal, temporal, frontal, occipital, sphenoid, and ethmoid bones

cranium

the portion of the skull that encloses the brain; area above the ears and eyes

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.

deep fascia

a dense layer of fibrous tissue below the subcutaneous tissue; composed of tough bands of tissue that surround muscles and other internal structures

Diaphragm

a muscular dome that forms the undersurface of the thorax, separating the chest from the abdominal cavity; contraction brings air into the lungs, relaxation allows air to be expelled from the lungs

Diencephalon

portion of the brain between the brainstem and cerebrum; contains the epithalamus, the thalamus, the hypothalamus and the subthalamus

enzymes

substances designed to speed up the rate of specific biochemical reactions

epiglottis

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

erythropoiesis

process by which RBCs are made

esophagus

A muscular tube that connects from the pharynx to the stomach; contractions of the muscle walls propel food and liquids through it to the stomach

estrogen

a hormone released from the ovaries that stimulates the uterine lining during the menstrual cycle

expiratory reserve volume

the amount of air that can be exhaled following a normal exhalation

extracellular fluid

fluid outside the cell in which most of the body's supply of sodium is contained

facilitated diffusion

process of diffusion in which molecules pass across the membrane through cell membrane channels from higher to lower concentration

fluid balance

the process of maintaining homeostasis through equal intake and output of fluids

foramen magnum

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

gallbladder

An organ that stores bile and releases it as needed into the small intestine; located on the undersurface of the liver

glands

cells or organs that selectively remove, concentrate, or alter materials in the blood and then secrete them back into the body

glycogen

a long polymer from which glucose is converted in the liver (animal starch)

gonads

reproductive glands-male, testes; female, ovaries

heparin

anticoagulant found in large amounts in basophils that inhibits blood clotting

hepatic portal system

A specialized part of the venous system that drains blood from the stomach, intestines, and spleen.

hilum

the point of entry for the bronchi, vessels, and nerves into each lung

hypothalamus

A neural structure lying below the thalamus; it directs several maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temperature), helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion and reward.

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

integumentary system

the largest organ system in the body, consisting of the skin and accessory structures

interstitial fluid

the fluid located outside of the blood vessels in the spaces between the body's cells

interstitial space

space between cells

intracellular fluid

fluid within cells in which most of the body's supply of potassium is contained

intravascular fluid (plasma)

the noncellular portion of blood found within the blood vessels

involuntary muscle

A muscle that is not under conscious control.

iris

a ring of muscle tissue that forms the colored portion of the eye around the pupil and controls the size of the pupil opening

kidneys

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

large intestine

The last section of the digestive system, where water is absorbed from food and the remaining material is eliminated from the body

limbic system

structures within the diencephalon that influence emotions, motivations, mood, and sensations of pain and pleasure

lymph

a thin, plasma-like liquid formed from interstitial or extracellular fluid that bathes the tissues of the body

lymph vessels

vessels that receive lymph from the lymph capillaries and circulate it to the lymph nodes; travel close to the major veins

macrophages

Found within the lymph nodes, they are phagocytes that destroy bacteria, cancer cells, and other foreign matter in the lymphatic stream; protect the body against infection

mainstem bronchi

The part of the lower airway below the larynx through which air enters the lungs.

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.

meiosis

Cell division that produces reproductive cells in sexually reproducing organisms

midbrain

A small part of the brain above the pons that integrates sensory information and relays it upward; regulates level of consciousness

musculoskeletal system

the bones and voluntary muscles of the body

myocardial infarction (MI)

Death of cardiac muscle due to ischemia when the arteries of the heart have a blockage

myoglobin

An oxygen-storing, pigmented protein in muscle cells that give them their muscles their red-brown color

neoplasm

a mass of tissue produced by abnormal cell growth and division that may be malignant (cancerous) or benign; a tumor

nervous system

the network of nerve cells and fibers that transmits nerve impulses between parts of the body.

norepinephrine

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

oncotic pressure

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

oropharynx

central portion of the pharynx between the roof of the mouth and the upper edge of the epiglottis

ovulation

The process of releasing a mature ovum into the fallopian tube each month

parathyroid glands

small pea-like organs that regulate calcium and phosphate balance in blood, bones, and other tissues

parathyroid hormone (PTH)

regulates calcium and phosphorus metabolism in the blood

PCO2

partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the blood; normally 35-45

SPO2

saturation of peripheral oxygen; partial pressure of oxygen

physiology

The study of body function

pituitary gland

The endocrine system's most influential gland. Under the influence of the hypothalamus, the pituitary regulates growth and controls other endocrine glands.

plasmin

fibrin-digesting enzyme

pleura

serous membrane surrounding the lungs and lining the thoracic cavity

pleural cavity

space between the folds of the pleura

visceral peritoneum

the inner layer of the peritoneum that surrounds the organs of the abdominal cavity

parietal peritoneum

the outer layer of the peritoneum that lines the interior of the abdominal wall

pneumotaxic center

area of the upper pons in the brain that modulates activity of the apneustic center