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Anatomy/Physiology Vocabulary

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Question
Answer
abdomen   the body cavity containing the major organs. located below the diaphram, above the pelvis.  
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abduction   movement of a limb AWAY from the body  
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acetabulum   the depression on the lateral pelvis. 3 component bones join to house the femoral head.  
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acetylcholine   an excitatory neurotransmitter used in the peripheral and central nervous system.  
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acetylcholinesterase   the enzyme that causes muscle relaxation by decomposition of acetylcholine.  
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acid   a substance that increases the concentration of hydrogen ions in a water solution.  
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acidosis   a pathologic condition resulting from the accumulation of acids in the body.  
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acromioclavicular separation (AC separation)   an injury caused by distraction of the clavicle away from the acromion process of the scapula.  
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acromion process   the tip of the shoulder and the site of attachment for both the clavicle and various shoulder muscles  
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action potentials   an electrochemical event where stimulation of a nearby cell could cause excitation of another cell.  
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active transport   method used to move compounds across a cell membrain. usually against a concentration gradient and requiring the expenditure of energy.  
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adam's apple   the firm prominence in the upper part of the larynx formed by the thyroid cartilage.  
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adaptation   the temporary or permanent reduction of sensitivity to a particular stimulus.  
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adduction   movement of a limb TOWARD the midline  
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adenosine triphosphate (ATP)   the nucleotide involved in energy metabolism; used to store energy.  
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adipose tissue   fat tissue that lies beneath the skin, between muscles, around kidneys, behind the eyes, in certain abdominal membranes, on the heart's surface, and around certain joints.\  
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adrenal cortex   the outer layer of the adrenal glad; produces hormones. is a key part of water and salt balance regulation.  
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adrenal glands   Endocrine glands. Located ontop of the kidneys. release adrenaline when stimulated by the sympathetic nervous system.  
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adrenaline   hormone produced by the adrenal glands. mediates fight-or-flight. AKA Epinephrine  
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adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH)   hormone that targets the adrenal cortex to secrete cortisol (a glucocorticoid)  
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aerobic metabolism   metabolism that can proceed only in the presence of oxygen.  
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afferent arterioles   final branches of the interlobular arters of the kidneys. lead TO the nephrons.  
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after-image   the perception of a stimuli is still present after the stimuli is removed.  
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afterload   the pressure in the aorta against which the Left Ventricle must pump blood.  
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agonal gasps   slow, gasping respirations. indicating life-threatening cerebral injury or ischemia  
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agonist   a substance that mimics the actions of a specific neurotransmitter or hormone by binding the specific receptor of the naturally occurring substance.  
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agranulocytes   Leukocytes that lack granules.  
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albumins   the smallest of plasma proteins. make up approximately 60% of protein weight.  
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alkalosis   a pathogenic condition resulting from the accumulation of bases in the body.  
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alleles   variant forms of a gene which can be identical or slighly different in DNA sequence  
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allergen   substance causing allergic reaction AKA an antigen  
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alpha cells   cells located in the islets of Langerhans that secrete glucagon  
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alpha effects   stimulation of alpha receptors that result in vasoconstriction.  
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alveolar ducts   ducts formed from division of the respiratory bronchioles in the lower airway. each duct ends in clusters AKA alveoli  
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alveoli   the air sacs of the lungs in which the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place.  
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alveolocapillary membrane   very thin membrane, consisting of only one cell layer. lies between the alveolus and capillary, through which respiratory exchange between the alveolus and the blood vessel occurrs.  
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amblyopia   lazy eye. causes loss of depth perception. one fails to send adequate signals to the vision center.  
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anabolism   the synthesis of larger molecules for smaller ones  
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anaerobic metabolism   metabolism that takes place in the ABSENCE of oxygen. causes lactic acid  
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anatomic position   pt faces you, arms at side, palms forward  
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anatomy   the study of the structure of an organism and it's parts  
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androgens   male sex hormones mostly produced by the testicular interstital cells  
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anions   ions with a negative charge  
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antagonist   a molecule that blocks the ability of a given chemical to bind to its receptor, preventing a biologic response  
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anterior   the front surface of the body  
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anterior cavity   Aqueous chamber; portion of the eyeball filled with the aqueous humor. the hummor determines intraocular pressure.  
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antibodies (immunoglobulin)   proteins within plasma that react with antigens  
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aorta   the principal artery leaving the left side of the heart and carrying freshly oxygenated blood to the body.  
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aortic arch   one of the 3 described portions of the aorta. the section between the ascending and descending portions that gives rise to the right brachiocephalic, left common carotid and left subclavian arteries  
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aortic valve   semilunar valve that regulates blood flow from the left ventricle to the aorta  
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apex (plural)   the pointed extremity of a conical structure  
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apneustic center   a portion of the pons that assists in creating longer slower respirations  
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appendicular skeleton   the portion of the skeletal system that comprises the arms, legs, pelvis and shoulder girdle  
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appendix   a small tubular structure that is attached to the lower border of the cecum in the LRQ of the abdomen  
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aqueous humor   watery fluid filling the anterior eye cavity  
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arachnoid   the middle membrane or the three meninges that enclose the brain and spinal cord  
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areolar tissue   the type of tissue that binds skin to underlying organs and fills in spaces between muscles.  
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arteries   the blood vessele that carries blood away from the heart  
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arterioles   the smallest branches of arteries leading to the cast network of capillaries  
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ascending aorta   the first of three portions of the aorta; originates from the left ventricle and branches into the right and left main coronary arteries  
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astigmatism   irregularities in the shape of the lense causing vision disturbance.  
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astrocytes   neuroglia found usually between neurons and blood vessels  
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atlanto-occipital joint   the location where the atlasx articulates with the occipital condyles  
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atlas   C1- supports the head  
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atomic number   whole number representing the number of positively charged protons in the nuclues of an atom  
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atomic weight   the total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom  
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atoms   smallest complete units of an element that have elements properties  
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atrioventricular node (AV node)   the site located in the AV junction that is responsible for transiently slowing electrical conduction.  
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atrioventricular valves   mitral and tricuspid valves throught which blood flows from the atria to the ventricles  
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atrium   one of 2 upper chambers of the heart  
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auditory ossicles   the bones that function in hearing and are located deep withing cavities of the temporal bone  
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autonomic nervous systen (ANS)   regulates functions, such as digestion and sweating. involuntary functions  
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autosomes   chromosomes that do not carry genes that determine sex  
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avascular   lacking blood vessels  
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axial skeleton   the skull, spinal column and rib cage  
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axillary vein   the vein formed by the basilic and cephalic veins, which drains into the subclavian vein  
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axis   C2- allows the head to rotate  
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axons   extensions from neurons that send out electrochemical messages  
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b lymphocytes (B cells)   lympphocytes that exist in blood, and are abundant in the lymph nodes, bone marrow, intestinal lining and spleen  
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baroreceptors   receptors in the blood vessels, kidneys, brain and heart that respond to changes in pressure in the heart/main arteries to maintain homeostasis  
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basal metabolic rate   the rate at which nutrients are consumed  
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base   a substance that decreases the concentration of hydrogen ions  
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basement membrane   anchors epithelial tissues to connective tissue  
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basilic vein   one of two major veins in of the arm, combines with the cephalic vein to form the axillary vein  
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basophils   WBC's that work to durring an immune response  
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beta cells   located in the islets of Langerhans that secrete insulin  
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beta effects   stimulation of beta receptors that result in inotropic, dromotropic and chronotropic states  
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bilateral   both sides of the midline  
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bile ducts   convey bile between the liver and intestine  
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bilirubin   a waste product of red blood cell destruction that under-goes further metabolism in the liver  
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binocular vision   the merging of two images into one  
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blood   pumps from the heart, throught the arteries, to the veins, into the capillaries. consists of plasma, RBC's, WBC's and platelets  
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blood pressure   pressure that is exerted against the arteries as it passes through them  
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bone marrow   a substance that manufactures most RBC's  
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bony labyrinth   collection of hollows in the bone of the inner ear that protect the inner ear from extraneous stimulation  
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brachial artery   major vessel in the upper extremity that supplies blood to the arm  
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brain   controlling organ of the body and centure of conciousness. functions include include perception, contol of reactions to the environment, emotion responses and judgement  
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brainstem   the area of the brain between the spinal cord and cerebrum, surrounded by the cerebellum. controlls functions necessary for life respirations, etc  
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bronchioles   fine subdivisions of the bronchi that give rise to the alveolar ducts  
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bronchospasm   constirction of the airway passages into the lungs  
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bruit   an abnormal "wooshing-like" shound indicating turbulent blood flow within a blood vessel  
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buffer   any substance that can reversibly bind H+  
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buffer system   fast-acting defenses for acid-base changes  
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bulbourethral glands   Cowpers glands, located inferior to the prostate gland. secretes lubricating fluid that prepares the penis for intercourse  
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bundle of his   a continuation of the AV node  
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bursa   small fluid-filled sac located a tendon and a bone that cushions and protects the joint  
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calcaneus   heel bone  
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calcitonin   hormone produced by the parafollicular cells of the thyroid glad. regulates calcium levels in the body  
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calorie   the amount of heat needed to raise the temp of a gram of water by 1*C  
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cancellous bone   consists of a lacy network of bony rods called trabeculae  
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capillaries   tiny blood vessels between the arterioles and venules that permit transfer of oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients and waste between the body tissues and the blood  
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carbohydrates   provide much of the energy required by the bodys cells and for formation of cell structure  
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cardiac cycle   begins with the onset of cardiac muscle contraction and ends just proior to the beginning of the next contraction  
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cardiac muscle tissue   striated muscle of myocardium, containing dark intercalated disks at the junctions of abutting fibers.  
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cardiac output   the volume of blood pumped through the circulatory system in 1 minute  
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carotid artery   major artery that supplies blood to the head and brain  
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carotid bifurcation   the point which the common carotid branches into the internal and external carotids  
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carpometacarpal joint   the thumb joint  
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cartilage   provides cushion between joints. also forms the nasal septum and parts of the outer ear  
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cartilaginous joints   those connected by hyaline cartilage, or fibrocartilage, such as the joints that separate the vertebrae  
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catabolism   the breakdown of larger molecules into smaller ones  
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cataract   clouding of the lense of the eye or it's surrounding transparent membranes  
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catecholamines   hormones produced by the adrenal medulla (epinephrine and norepinephrine) that assist the body with physical and emotional stress. increase blood pressure, heart reat and respiratory rate.  
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cations   Ions with a positive charge  
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cecum   the first part of the large intesting, into which the ileum opens  
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cell membrane   the cell wall. selectively permeable layer of cells that surround intracellular contents  
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cellular immune response   tell-mediated immunity. t-cells attach to foreigh, antigen-bearing cells such as bacterial cells and interact with direct cell-to-cell contact  
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