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Chapter 9 vocabulary
Hartman’s Nursing Assistant Care: Long-Term Care and Home Care, 4th Edition
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| homeostasis | the condition in which all of the body’s systems are balanced and are working together to maintain internal stability. |
| metabolism | physical and chemical processes by which substances are broken down or transformed into energy or products for use by the body. |
| organs | structural units in the human body that perform specific functions. |
| tissues | groups of cells that perform similar tasks. |
| cells | basic structural units of the body that divide, develop, and die, renewing tissues and organs. |
| integument | a natural protective covering. |
| dilate | to widen. |
| constrict | to narrow. |
| bones | rigid connective tissues that make up the skeleton, protect organs, and allow the body to move. |
| joint | the place at which two bones meet. |
| muscles | groups of tissues that provide movement of body parts, protection of organs, and creation of body heat. |
| atrophy | the wasting away, decreasing in size, and weakening of muscles from lack of use. |
| contracture | the permanent and often painful shortening of a muscle or tendon, usually due to a lack of activity. |
| central nervous system (CNS) | the part of the nervous system that is composed of the brain and spinal cord. |
| peripheral nervous system (PNS) | part of the nervous system made up of the nerves that extend throughout the body. |
| systole | the phase where the heart is at work, contracting and pushing blood out of the left ventricle. |
| diastole | phase when the heart relaxes or rests. |
| respiration | the process of inhaling air into the lungs and exhaling air out of the lungs. |
| inspiration | the process of inhaling air into the lungs. |
| expiration | the process of exhaling air out of the lungs. |
| sputum | thick mucus coughed up from the lungs. |
| urinary incontinence | the inability to control the bladder, which leads to an involuntary loss of urine. |
| peristalsis | involuntary contractions that move food through the gastrointestinal tract. |
| glucose | natural sugar. |
| digestion | the process of preparing food physically and chemically so that it can be absorbed into the cells. |
| absorption | the transfer of nutrients from the intestines to the cells. |
| elimination | the process of expelling wastes (made up of the waste products of food and fluids) that are not absorbed into the cells. |
| fecal incontinence | the inability to control the bowels, leading to an involuntary passage of stool. |
| glands | organs that produce and secrete chemicals called hormones. |
| hormones | chemical substances created by the body that control numerous body functions. |
| gonads | sex glands. |
| reproduce | to create new human life. |
| nonspecific immunity | a type of immunity that protects the body from disease in general. |
| specific immunity | a type of immunity that protects the body against a particular disease that is invading the body at a given time. |
| lymph | a clear yellowish fluid that carries dis- ease-fighting cells called lymphocytes. |