Body Systems - Medical Terms & Abbreviations

Flashcards for review.

Heart

Pumps blood throughout the body

Arteries

Carry oxygen-rich blood from heart to body

Veins

Carry oxygen-poor blood back to heart

Capillaries

Tiny vessels connecting arteries and veins

Aorta

Main artery leaving the heart

Pulmonary artery

Carries blood to the lungs

Pulmonary vein

Brings oxygenated blood back to heart

RBC (Red Blood Cells)

Carry oxygen

WBC (White Blood Cells)

Fight infection

BP (Blood Pressure)

Force of blood on vessel walls

Brain

Controls all body functions

Spinal Cord

Pathway for messages to/from brain

Neuron

Nerve cell

CNS (Central Nervous System)

Brain and spinal cord

PNS (Peripheral Nervous System)

Nerves outside CNS

Reflex

Automatic response to stimulus

Synapse

Gap between neurons

Neurotransmitter

Chemical messenger in the nervous system

Lungs

Main organs of breathing

Trachea

Windpipe

Bronchi

Airways into lungs

Alveoli

Tiny air sacs where gas exchange happens

Diaphragm

Muscle that helps breathing

O2 (Oxygen)

Gas needed for cells to work

CO2 (Carbon Dioxide)

Waste gas breathed out

RR (Respiratory Rate)

Number of breaths per minute

Mouth

Starts digestion by chewing and saliva

Esophagus

Tube to stomach

Stomach

Breaks down food with acid

Small intestine

Absorbs nutrients

Large intestine

Absorbs water, forms stool

Liver

Produces bile, processes nutrients

Gallbladder

Stores bile

Pancreas

Releases enzymes and insulin

GI (Gastrointestinal)

Relating to digestive system

BM (Bowel Movement)

Stool or feces

Kidneys

Filter blood, make urine

Ureters

Tubes from kidneys to bladder

Bladder

Stores urine

Urethra

Tube to release urine

Urine

Liquid waste

UTI (Urinary Tract Infection)

Infection in urinary system

Creatinine

Waste in urine, used to check kidney function

UA (Urinalysis)

Test of urine