| Term | Definition |
|---|
| neuron | cell that carries messages throughout the nervous system |
| cell body | largest part of a typical neuron; contains the nucleus and much of the cytoplasm |
| dendrite | extension of the cell body of a neuron that carries impulses from the enevironment or from other neurons toward the cell body |
| axon | long fiber that carries impulses away from the cell body of a neuron |
| synapse | location at which a neuron can transfer an impulse to another cell |
| cerebrum | area of the brain responsible for all of the voluntary activities of the body |
| brain stem | structure that connects the brain and spinal cord; includes the medulla oblongata and the pons |
| thalamus | brain structure that receives messages from the sense organs and relays the information to the proper region of the cerebrum for further processing |
| bone marrow | soft tissue inside the cavities within bones |
| cartilage | strong connective tissue that supports the body and is softer and more flexible than bone |
| ligaments | strip of tough connective tissue that holds bones together at a joint |
| tendons | tough connective tissue that joins skeletal muscles to bones |
| atrium | upper chamber of the heart that receives and holds blood that is about to enter the ventricle |
| ventricle | lower chamber of the heart that pumps blood out of the heart |
| pulmonary circulation | pathway of circulation between the heart and the lungs |
| systemic circulation | pathway of circulation between the heart and the rest of the body except the lungs |
| valve | flap of connective tissue between an atrium and a ventricle, or in a vein, that prevents backflow of blood |
| pacemaker | small group of cardiac muscle cells in the right atrium that "set the pace" for the heart as a whole; also known as the sinoatrial node |
| aorta | large blood vessel in mammals through which blood travels after it leaves the left ventricle |
| artery | large blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the tissues of the body |
| capillary | smallest blood vessel; brings nutrients and oxygen to the tissues and absorbs carbon dioxide and waste products |
| vein | in animals, a blood vessel that returns blood to the heart |
| plasma | straw-colored fluid that makes up about 55% of blood |
| hemoglobin | iron-containing protein in red blood cells that transports oxygen from the lungs to the tissues of the body |
| platelets | cell fragment released by bone marrow that helps in blood clotting |
| pharynx | muscular tube at the end if the gastrovascular cavity, or throat, that connects the mouth with the rest of the digestive tract and serves as a passageway for air and food |
| trachea | windpipe; tube through which air moves |
| larynx | structure in the throat containing the vocal cords |
| bronchus | passageway leading from the trachea to a lung |
| alveolus | tiny air sac at the end of a bronchiole in the lungs that provides surface area for gas exchange to occur |
| esophagus | food tube connecting the mouth to the stomach |
| peristalsis | rhythmic muscular contractions that squeeze food through the esophagus into the stomach |
| small intestine | digestive organ in which most chemical digestion takes place |
| pancreas | gland that produces hormones that regulate blood sugar; produces enzymes that break down carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and nucleic acids; and produces sodium bicarbonate, a base that neutralizes stomach acid |
| liver | large organ just above the stomach that produces bile |
| large intestine | colon; organ that removes water from the undigested materials that pass through it |
| kidney | organ that removes urea, excess water and other waste products from the blood |
| nephron | blood-filtering unit in the renal cortex of the kidney |
| urethra | tube that carries urine from the bladder and releases it from the body |
| exocrine glands | gland that releases its secretions through tubelike structures called ducts |
| endocrine glands | gland that releases its secretions directly into the bloodstream |
| pituitary gland | gland in the base of the skull that secretes nine hormones that directly regulate many body functions and control the actions of several other endocrine glands |
| myocardium | thick middle muscle layer of the heart; pumps blood through the circulatory system |
| hypothalmus | brain structure that acts as a control center for recognition and analysis of hunger, thirst, fatigue, anger and body temperature |
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