Flashcards

matrix

extracellular fibers & ground substance of a connective tissue

homeostasis

maintenance of a relatively constant internal environment

anatomical position

anatomical reference position; viewed from the anterior surface with the palms facing forward

histology

study of tissues

effector

peripheral gland or muscle cell innervated by a motor neuron

molecule

chemical structure containing 2 or more atoms that are held together by covalent chemical bonds

organs

combinations of tissues that perform complex functions

muscle tissue

tissue characterized by the presence of cells capable of contraction; includes skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle tissues

neuron

cell in nervous tissue that is specialized for intercellular communication through changes in membrane potential and synaptic connections

central nervous system (CNS)

the brain & spinal cord

pericardium

fibrous sac that surrounds the heart; its inner, serous lining is continuous with the epicardium

cranial

pertaining to the head

inferior

below, in reference to a particular structure, with the body in the anatomical position

negative feedback

corrective mechanism that opposes or negates a variation from normal limits

gross anatomy

study of the structural features of the body without the aid of a microscope

anatomy

study of the structure of the body

neuroglia

also called glial cells; cells of the CNS and peripheral nervous system that support and protect neurons

abdominopelvic cavity

term used to refer to the general region bounded by the abdominal wall and the pelvis; contains the peritoneal cavity and visceral organs

mediastinum

central tissue mass that divides the thoracic cavity into 2 pleural cavities

peritoneum

serous membrane that lines the peritoneal cavity

lateral

pertaining to the side

dorsal

toward the back; posterior

cell

smallest living structural unit in the human body

atom

smallest stable unit of matterme

medial

toward the midline of the body

endocrine system

the endocrine (ductless) glands and organs of the body

cardiovascular

pertaining to the heart, blood, and blood vessels

cephalic

pertaining to the head

anterior

on or near the front, or ventral surface, of the body

diaphragm

any muscular partition; the respiratory muscle that separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominopelvic cavity

pelvic cavity

inferior subdivision of the abdominopelvic cavity; encloses the urinary bladder, the sigmoid colon & rectum, and the male or female reproductive organs

peripheral nervous system (PNS)

all nervous tissue (CNS) outside the central nervous system and the enteric nervous system (ENS)

pericardial cavity

space between the parietal pericardium and the epicardium (visceral pericardium) that covers the outer surface of the heart

digestive system

digestive tract & associated glands

caudal/caudally

closest to or toward the tail (coccyx)