Anatomy and Phisiology

Abduction

Motion of the limb away from the midline

Acetabulum

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

Adam's Apple

The firm prominence in the upper part of the larynx formed by the thyroid cartilage

Adduction

Motion of a limb toward the midline

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, that is, the adrenaline recptors

Abdomen

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

Adrenergic

Pertaining to nerves that release the neurotransmitter norepinephrine, or noradrenaline. The term also pertains to the receptors acted on by norepinephrine, that is, the adrenaline receptors

Aerobic Metabolism

Metabolism that can proceed only in the presence of oxygen

Agonal Gasps

Slow, gasping breaths, sometimes seen in dying patients

Alpha-Adrenergic Receptors

Portions of the nervous system that when stimulated can cause constriction of blood vessels

Alveoli

The air sacs in 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 principal 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

Anterior

The front surface of the body; the side facing you in the standard anatomic position

Aorta

The principal artery leaving the left side of the heart and carrying freshly oxygenated blood to the body

Apex

The pointed extremity of a conical structure

Apneustic Center

Portion of the pons that increases the length of inspiration and decreases the respiratory rate

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

Atrium

One of the 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 voluntarilly

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 increase heart rate, and bronchial dilation

Biceps

The large muscle that covers the front of the humerous

Bilateral

In anatomy, a body part that appears on both sides of the midline

Bile Ducts

The ducts that convey bile between the liver and the intestine

Blood Pressure

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 judgement

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, waste between body tissues and the blood

Cardiac Muscle

The heart muscle

Carotid artery

The major artery that supplies blood to the head and brain

Cartilage

The support structure of the skeletal system that 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)

The brain and spinal cord

Cerebellum

One of the three major subdivisions of the brain, sometimes called the "little brain"; coordinates the various activities of the brain, particularly fine body movements

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

Fluid produced in the ventricles of the brain that flows into the subarachnoid space and bathes the meninges

Cerebrum

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

Cervical Spine

The portion of the spine 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 name of the substance that leaves the stomach

Circulatory System

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

Clavicle

The collarbone; it is lateral to the sternum and anterior to the scapula

Coccyx

The last three or four vertebrae of the spine; the tailbone

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. It 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

Deep

Further inside the body and away from the skin

Dermis

The inner layer of skin, containing the 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 the diaphragm 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 higher concentration to an area of lower concentration

Digestion

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

Distal

Farther from the trunk or nearer to the free end of the extremity

Dorsal

The posterior surface of the body, including the back and hand

Dorsalis Pedis Artery

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

Dorsal Respiratory Group (DRG)

A portion of the medulla oblongata where the primary respiratory pacemaker is found

Endocrine System

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

Enzymes

Substances catalysts designed to speed up the rate 0f 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 valves 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 all 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

Extend

To straighten

Extension

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

Flex

To bend

Flexion

The bending of a joint

Foramen Magnum

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

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 males and females

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

The number of heartbeats during a specific time

Hering-Breur Reflex

A protective mechanism that terminates inhalation, thus preventing overexpansion of the lungs

Hinge Joints

Joints that can bend and straighten but cannot rotate

Hormones

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

Humerous

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

One of the three bones to form the pelvic ring

Inferior

Below a body part or nearer to the feet

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

The space in between the cells

Involuntary Muscle

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

Ischium

One of the three bones to form the pelvic ring

Joint (Articulation)

The place where two bones come into contact