 | Term | Definition |
| |
Active Transport |
Process in the cells that requires energy to transport material to, from, and within the cell. |
| |
Anatomical Position |
Standing, feet together, arms at sides, palms of hands, head and eyes facing forward. |
| |
Anatomy |
Study of the structure of an organism. |
| |
Atom |
The smallest chemical unit of matter. |
| |
Cavities |
Spaces within the body that contains the internal organs or viscera. |
| |
Cell |
Most basic units of life, described as the basic building blocks of the human body. |
| |
Cell Membrane |
Protects the cell from the outside environment and regulates the movement of water, nutrients and wastes into and out of the cell. |
| |
Cilia |
Small hair like projections in the nose that increases the surface area of a cell. Helps trap foreign matter to prevent it from entering nasal cavity. |
| |
Cytokinesis |
The separation of the cytoplasm into two parts. |
| |
Cytoplasm |
Basically the substance that fills the cells. |
| |
Diaphram |
A dome-shaped respiratory muscle that divides the ventral cavity into two parts. |
| |
DNA |
The genetic code that coordinates protein synthesis. |
| |
Electrolyte |
Medical/scientific term for salts, specifically an ion that is electrically charged and moves to either a negative (cathode) or positive (anode) electrode. |
| |
Genetics |
The study of the makeup of animals or plants. |
| |
Homeostasis |
Result of an organism's systems working together to maintain balance or equilibrium by adjusting for constant changes. |
| |
Lysosomes |
Organelles that contain enzymes that aid in digestion of nutrient molecules and other materials. |
| |
Meiosis |
Two-part cell division process in organism's that reproduce sexually that results in gametes with one-half the number of chromosomes on the parent cell. |
| |
Mitochondrion |
Important cellular organelle. Often referred to as the power plants of a cell because many of the reactions that produce energy take place here. |
| |
Mitosis |
Nuclear division plus cytokinesis, or the actual cellular division that produces two identicle daughter cells, during prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase. |
| |
Molecule |
Smallest part of a substance called a compound that can still be considered that substance. |
| |
Nucleus |
The center part of a cell containing the cells DNA. |
| |
Organelles |
Small structures that help carry out the day-to-day operations of a cell. |
| |
Organs |
Groups of tissues that serve a common purpose or function. |
| |
Passive Transport |
Process in cells that does not require energy to transport materials to, from, or within the cell. Passive transport mechanisms include diffusion, osmosis, filtration. |
| |
Pathophysiology |
Study of diseases or disorders caused by a malfunction or by aging. |
| |
Physiology |
Study of the function of the organism. |
| |
Ribosome |
Participate in protein synthesis. An important cellular organelle. |
| |
RNA |
A single chain of chemical bases important for protein synthesis. |
| |
Selective Permeability |
The attribute of a cell membrane that allows certain substances to enter the cell while preventing other substances from doing so. |
| |
System |
A group of organs that work together to perform a specific function. |
| |
Tissue |
A grouping of cells that performs a specialized function. There are four types of tissue in the body: epithelial, connective, muscle and nerve. |
| |
Proximal |
Toward or nearest the trunk or the point of origin or a part . |
| |
Distal |
Away from or farthest from the trunk or the point or origin of a part. |
| |
Coronal Plane |
A verticle plane running from side to side; divides the body or any of its parts into anterior and posterior portions. |
| |
Sagittal Plane |
A verticle plane running from front to back; divides the body or any of its parts into right and left parts. |
| |
Axial Plane |
A horizontal plane; divides the body or any of its parts into upper and lower parts. |
| |
Ventral |
The larger cavity and is subdivided into two parts (thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities) by the diaphragm, a dome-shaped respiratory muscle. |
| |
Thoracic |
Consists of the upper ventral, or chest cavity and contains the heart, lungs, trachea, esophagus, large blood vessels, and nerves. |
| |
Abdominopelvic |
The lower part of the ventral cavity. It can be further divided into two partions: the abdominal portion and the pelvic portion. |
| |
Abdominal |
Contains most of the gastrointestinal tract as well as the kidneys and adrenal glands. Is bound cranially by the diaphragm, laterally by the body wall, and caudally by the pelvic cavity. |
| |
Pelvis |
Contains most of the urogenital system as well as the rectum. The pelvic cavity is bounded cranially by the abdominal cavity, dorsally by the sacrum and laterally by the pelvis. |
| |
Dorsal |
The smaller of the two main cavities. As its name implies, it contains organs lying more posterior in the body. Can by divided into two portions. The upper portion, or the cranial cavity, houses the brain, and the lower portion, or vertebral canal houses the spinal cord. |
| |
Epiglottis |
Small flap of tissue that covers the entrance of the larynx to prevent food and drink from entering, but opens to allow for breathing. |
| |
Esophagus |
Connects the throat with the stomach. Channels food and liquids to the stomach both by gravity and muscle constrictions. |
| |
Gallbladder |
Stores bile and concentrate |
| |
Liver |
Processes the blood leaving the stomach and intestines. Breaks down nutrients and drugs in the blood making it easier for the rest of the body to use. |
| |
Mouth |
Entrance to both digestive and respiratory systems. |
| |
Parotid, Sublingual, and Submandibular Glands |
Produces saliva which aids in breaking down food in the digestive process. |
| |
Throat |
Fluids and foods pass through the throat after leaving the mouth. |
| |
Stomach |
Upper part is storage area for food and lower part mixes food with acid and enzymes to break food down into more easily digested sizes. |
| |
Small Intestine |
Is where most of the digestion process occurs. Most food products are absorbed in the small intestine. |
| |
Large Intestine |
Secretes mucus, absorption of water and excretion of solid waste material. |
| |
Rectum |
Normally empty until colon becomes full and stool passes into rectum causing the urge to defecate. |
| |
Anus |
Opening at end of digestive track that allows stool to leave the body. |
| |
Pancreas |
Produces digestive enzymes and hormones. |
| |
Heart |
Pumps oxygen rich blood to every cell in the body. |
| |
Arteries |
Transport blood away from the heart. |
| |
Arterioles |
Transport blood from arteries to capillaries. Main regulators of blood flow and pressure. |
| |
Capillaries |
Exchanges oxygen, carbon dioxide, water, salts and etc. between the blood and surrounding tissues. |
| |
Venules |
Drains blood from capillaries into veins for return to heart. |
| |
Veins |
Transports blood to heart. |
| |
Nose |
Main passage way for getting air into the lungs. It also warms, moistens and cleans the air. |
| |
Mouth |
The entrance to both digestive and respiratory systems. |
| |
Larynx |
The part of the respiratory tract between the pharynx and the trachea . |
| |
Trachea |
Conducts air between larynx and primary bronchi. |
| |
Bronchi/Bronchus |
Is where the air is sent to each lung. |
| |
Bronchioles |
Smaller airways that send the air on to the inside walls of the lungs allowing oxygen to be absorbed by the blood cells and to oxygenate the blood for transfer throughout the body. |
| |
Lungs |
Takes in oxygen (O2) and gets rid of carbon dioxide (CO2) |
| |
Brain |
Responsible for thinking and control center for rest of body. It reviews all stimuli from the internal organs, surface of the body, nose, mouth, eyes, ears and is constantly reacting to these stimuli. |
| |
Spinal cord |
Transmission of neural impulse from periphery nervous system to and from the brain. |
| |
Nerves |
Cable like bundles of axons. They are part of the peripheral nervous system that is responsible for voluntary movements of skeletal muscles and controls the self-regulated action of internal organs and glands. |
| |
Epidermis |
Very top layer of skin, it is waterproof and provides protection for underlying skin and remainder of body. Protects from suns harmful rays and also has touch receptors that provides information to the brain out the surrounding environment. Helps prevent bacteria, viruses and other foreign material from entering body. |
| |
Dermis |
Sustain and support the epidermis by providing nutrients and replacing shed skin cells. Second layer of skin that contains hair follicles, sweat glands, oil glands, blood vessels, nerve endings and touch receptors. Sweat glands help to keep body cool. |
| |
Subcutaneous tissue |
Layer of fat that helps to insulate and regulate body temperature. Also provides cushion for underlying tissue from bumping into objects. |
| |
Skeletal Muscle |
Are responsible for movement and posture. Controlled by brain and are considered voluntary muscles because they operate with our awareness. |
| |
Smooth Muscle |
Are considered involuntary muscles, meaning they work without us being aware. Controlling internal organs, and movement of food through the intestinal tract. |
| |
Cardiac Muscle |
Is found only in the heart and is responsible for pumping blood. |
| |
Tendons and ligaments |
Attach muscle to end of bone. |
| |
Bones |
Makes up the body skeletal system and protects internal organs. Constantly produces blood cells to replenish dying blood cells. |
| |
Joints |
Joints are the junction between two or more bones allowing large and complex range of motion. Some joints do not move such as those found in the skull. |
| |
Red Blood Cells |
Travels through body delivering oxygen and removing waste. |
| |
White Blood Cells |
Produce protective antibodies to attack germs and some will surround and devour the bacteria. |
| |
Platelets |
Along with other substance will form clots to stop bleeding. |
| |
Plasma |
Carries blood cells and also contains salts and minerials like calcium, sodium, magnesium, and potassium. Also carries antibodies to attack germs and bacteria. |
| |
Bone marrow |
In large bones produces new blood cells. |
| |
Spleen |
Destroys old blood cells and holds a reservoir of blood. |
| |
Lymph |
Aids in the absorbtion of nutrients and helps remove waste from tissue. |
| |
Thymus |
Stimulates the production of certain infection fighting cells. |
| |
Thyroid gland |
Determines how quickly the body burns energy and makes protein. |
| |
Pituitary glands |
Controls the function of most other endocrine glands. |
| |
Pineal gland |
Produces melatonin. |
| |
Ovaries |
Female reproductive organ responsible for producing eggs. |
| |
Testes |
Male reproductive organ responsible for producing sperm and sex hormones. |
| |
Kidneys |
Continuously produces urine. |
| |
Ureters |
Carries urine from kidneys to the bladder. |
| |
Bladder |
Expandable muscular sac that holds the urine until full then a signal is sent to the brain. |
| |
Urethra |
Drains urine from the bladder out of the body. During ejaculation sperm is carried along with semen through the urethra. |
| |
Penis |
External sexual organ and also serves as the external organ for urination. |
| |
Prostate gland |
Stores and secretes a clear, seminal fluid that, along with spermatozoa, constitutes semen. Contains some smooth muscles that help expel semen during ejaculation. |
| |
Seminal vesicles |
Used for storing semen. |
| |
Vasa deferentia |
During ejaculation the smooth muscles of the vasa deferentia propels the sperm forward into the urethra. |
| |
Testes |
Male reproductive organ responsible for producing sperm and sex hormones. |
| |
Vagina |
Allows sperm to enter body, and helps protect internal genital organs from infectious organisms. |
| |
Cervix |
Secretes a mucus that is impermeable to sperm until just before ovulation when the consistency of the mucus changes allowing the sperm to be able to swim through it and fertilization can occur. |
| |
Uterus |
Sustains a developing fetus. |
| |
Fallopian tubes |
Carries the egg from the ovaries to the uterus. |
| |
Ovaries |
Female reproductive organ responsible for producing eggs. |
