Musculoskeletal and Digestive Anatomy & Physiology Review

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering upper limb osteology and myology, comparative vertebrate dissection, joint structures, tissue histology, and gastrointestinal anatomy and secretions.

Acromion process

The lateral bony projection of the scapular spine that articulates with the acromial end of the clavicle.

Coracoid process

An anterior projection of the scapula that serves as an origin site for the biceps brachii and coracobrachialis muscles.

Glenoid cavity

The lateral depression on the scapula that articulates with the head of the humerus to form the shoulder joint.

Deltoid tuberosity

The roughened landmark on the lateral mid-shaft of the humerus that serves as the insertion site for the deltoid muscle.

Capitulum

The rounded lateral condylar structure on the distal humerus that articulates with the head of the radius.

Trochlea

The pulley-shaped medial condylar surface on the distal humerus that articulates with the trochlear notch of the ulna.

Olecranon fossa

A deep posterior depression on the distal humerus that accommodates the olecranon process of the ulna during forearm extension.

Radial tuberosity

A bony prominence located on the medial proximal radius that serves as the insertion point for the biceps brachii.

Trochlear notch

A large, wrench-like C-shaped depression on the proximal ulna that articulates with the trochlea of the humerus.

Biceps brachii

An anterior arm flexor originating at the coracoid process and supraglenoid tubercle and inserting at the radial tuberosity.

Triceps brachii

A posterior arm extensor that originates on the scapula and humerus and inserts onto the olecranon process of the ulna.

Pronator teres

A forearm muscle originating on the medial epicondyle (humeral head) and inserting onto the lateral surface of the radius.

Alula

The bird wing digit that is structurally homologous to the thumb (first digit) of the human hand.

Annular ligament

A whitish fibrous band that wraps over the top of the bones from the radius to the ulna to stabilize the proximal radioulnar articulation.

Cruciate ligaments

Intracapsular ligaments (ACL and PCL) that cross each other in the center of the knee joint to secure the femur to the tibia.

Meniscus

A crescent-shaped disc of fibrocartilage positioned between the femur and tibia that stabilizes the knee and transfers load.

Quadriceps

An anterior upper leg muscle group consisting of four separate muscles in humans that acts to extend or straighten the leg at the knee.

Hamstrings

A posterior upper leg muscle group consisting of three muscles in humans that functions to flex the leg at the knee joint.

Dense regular connective tissue

The parallel collagenous tissue type that comprises tendons and ligaments to withstand tensile forces in one direction.

Areolar connective tissue

A loose connective tissue type located within the fascia that anchors the skin to the underlying muscle.

Uvula

A posterior projection in the oral cavity that helps lubricate food and prevents it from entering the nasal cavity during swallowing.

Palatine tonsils

Lymphatic tissues located in the oral cavity and oropharynx that serve as a first line of immune defense against ingested pathogens.

Fundus

The dome-shaped superior portion of the stomach located above the cardia that temporarily stores swallowed food.

Pyloric sphincter

A muscular valve located at the gastroduodenal junction that regulates the passage of chyme from the stomach into the small intestine.

Rugae

Longitudinal gastric mucosal folds that allow the stomach to expand when filled with ingested food.

Greater omentum

An apron-like fold of peritoneum extending inferiorly from the greater curvature of the stomach and covering the small intestines.

Lesser omentum

A double peritoneal fold that extends between the lesser curvature of the stomach and the liver.

Duodenum

The first, most proximal section of the small intestine that receives chyme from the pylorus along with bile and pancreatic juice.

Jejunum

The coiled middle section of the small intestine where the majority of chemical digestion and nutrient absorption takes place.

Ileocecal valve

A muscular ring that controls the passage of digested materials from the ileum of the small intestine into the cecum of the large intestine.

Hepatic portal vein

A blood vessel that transports nutrient-rich deoxygenated blood directly from the digestive tract organs to the liver.

Cystic duct

The tubular conduit that connects the gallbladder neck to the common hepatic duct to form the common bile duct.

Parietal peritoneum

The outer serous membrane layer that directly lines the internal surface of the abdominal and pelvic walls.

Intestinal crypts

Glandular invaginations between intestinal villi that secrete intestinal juice, hormones, and antimicrobial substances.

Salivary amylase

A salivary enzyme produced by the salivary glands that initiates the chemical breakdown of dietary starch in the mouth.

Lingual lipase

A lipid-digesting enzyme secreted in the oral cavity that activates and breaks down dietary fats primarily in the acidic stomach.

Intrinsic factor

A gastric glycoprotein required for the proper absorption of vitamin $B_{12}$ in the small intestine.

Bile

An alkaline fluid produced by hepatocytes and stored in the gallbladder that physically breaks down large fat droplets into smaller droplets.

Pancreatic lipase

A digestive enzyme produced by acinar cells of the pancreas that hydrolyzes neutral fats into free fatty acids.

Lysozyme

An antibacterial secretion found in the small intestine that kills bacteria by degrading their protective cell walls.