Anatomy & The Human Body Flashcards
Acromion
The outer part of the shoulder blade.
It forms the highest point of the shoulder and connects with the collarbone.
Acute
Beginning quickly.
Sudden onset.
Alveoli
Microscopic air sacs where most oxygen and carbon dioxide gas exchanges take place.
Anatomical Position
Standing upright, facing forward with palms forward.
Anterior
Front or front-facing.
Arteries
Vessels that carry blood from the heart to the body tissues.
Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
Part of the nervous system that controls the involuntary functions of the body.
Axilla
A pyramid shaped space forming the underside of the shoulder between the upper part of the arm and the side of the chest.
The armpit.
Bilateral
Belonging to both sides.
Brachial (Plexus)
Artery of the upper arm.
Inferior to the Axillary artery.
Bradypnea
Slow respiratory rate.
Typically slower than 12 breaths per minute.
Bronchi
The two large sets of branches that come off the trachea and enter the lungs.
Central Nervous System (CNS)
The brain and spinal cord.
Capillary
A thin-walled, microscopic blood vessel where oxygen/carbon dioxide and nutrient/waste exchange with the body’s cells takes place.
Carotid
The large neck arteries that carry blood from the heart to the head.
Chronic
A persistent and lasting disease or medical condition, or one that has developed slowly.
Coccyx
The tailbone (C1 - C4)
Constriction
The effect of getting smaller.
Cricoid Cartilage
The ring-shaped structure that circles the trachea at the lower edge of the larynx.
Cyanosis
A blue or gray color resulting from lack of oxygen in the body.
Dermis
The middle layer of skin that contains blood vessels, nerves, sweat glands, other structures.
Diaphoretic
A sweaty condition.
Diaphragm
Muscular structure that divides the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity.
A major muscle of respiration.
Dilate
The effect of getting larger.
Distal
Moving farther from the midline.
Dorsalis Pedis
Artery supplying the foot, lateral to the large tendon of the big toe.
Dysphagia
Difficulty of eating or swallowing.
Dysphasia
Difficulty with speaking.
Endocrine
Causes changes within the body by producing chemicals called hormones.
— Hypothalamus
— Pituitary gland
— Thyroid and Parathyroid glands
— Adrenal glands
— Parts of the Pancreas
Epidermis
The outer layer of skin.
Epigastrium
The upper central region of the abdomen.
Epiglottis
Leaf shaped structure which prevents food and foreign matter from entering the trachea.
Femoral
The major artery supplying the thigh and leg.
Femur
The upper leg bone.
The thigh bone.
Fibula
The smaller of the two bones of the lower leg.
Located lateral and posterior to the tibia.
Humerus
The bone of the upper arm.
Hypoperfusion
A condition that develops when the circulatory system is not able to deliver sufficient blood to body organs, resulting in decreased blood flow, organ failure, and eventual death if untreated.
Also known as Shock.
Hypothermia
When the core temperature of the body falls below 95° F (35° C).
Hypovolemia
A state of decreased blood volume.
Common causes are:
— Dehydration
— Bleeding
— Vomiting
— Severe burns
— Certain Drugs
Inferior
Below any given location.
i.e. — The ankle is inferior to the hip.
Intercostal(s)
Several groups of muscles that run between the ribs, and help form and move the chest wall.
Used as accessory muscles of respiration.
Ischemia
Poor blood supply to an organ or part of the body which causes a lack of oxygen and nutrients.
It also causes a harmful buildup of waste products in that organ or part of the body.
Larynx
The “voice box”, which is superior to the Trachea.
Consists of the following:
— Epiglottis
— Supraglottis
— Vocal Chord
— Glottis
— Subglottis
Lateral
Moving farther from the midline.
i.e. — An epi-pen is administered to the lateral (outside) thigh.
Ligament
Tissue that connects bone to bone.
Lumbar
The lower back.
Consists of 5 vertebrae (L1 - L5).
One of the most commonly injured areas of the back.
Medial
Moving closer to midline.
i.e. — The patient has a gunshot wound on the medial (inside) aspect of the right leg 2 inches proximal (above) to the knee.
Nasopharyngeal
“Nasal trumpet”.
An airway device placed into the nose.
Used when a patient has a gag reflex and is unable to maintain an open airway.
Oropharynx
The area directly posterior to the mouth.
Patella
The knee cap.
Perfusion
The delivery of arterial blood to the capillary bed.
Decreased perfusion is also known as shock or ischemia.
The adequate supply of oxygen and nutrients to the organs and tissues of the body with the removal of waste products.
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
The nervous system outside of the brain and spinal cord.
Pharynx
The part of the neck and throat situated immediately posterior to the mouth and nasal cavity.
Includes the Oropharynx and Nasopharynx.
Plasma
Fluid that carries blood cells and nutrients.
Makes up over half the volume of the blood.
Platelet
The cells circulating in the blood that are involved in the formation of blood clots.
Posterior
Moving closer to the spine.
Also referred to as “Dorsal”.
Prone
In the position of lying face-down.
Proximal
Closer to the midline.
i.e. — The elbow is proximal to the wrist.
Pulmonary Artery
Carries blood from the right ventricle to the lungs.
The only artery that carries deoxygenated blood.
Pulmonary Vein
Carries blood from the lungs to the left atrium.
The only vein that carries oxygenated blood.
Radial
Artery which runs along the thumb side of the inner wrist.
Commonly used to check a patient’s pulse.
Recovery Position
(Lateral Recumbent)
In the position of being on one’s side.
Used when treating a patient with no possible spinal injuries and the ability to control their own airway.
Sacral / Sacrum
A large, triangular bone at the base of the spine and at the upper and back part of the pelvic cavity.
5 bones which fuse into 1.
Scapula
The shoulder blade(s).
Shock Position
(Modified Trendelenburg)
Head and torso are supine, and the lower extremities are elevated 6-12 inches.
Sternocleidomastoid
Muscle found on each side of the neck lateral to the trachea.
Accessory muscles of respiration.
Subclavian
Below the clavicle (collarbone).
Subcutaneous
Beneath or under the skin.
Subdiaphragmatic
Below the diaphragm.
Supine
In the position of lying face-up.
Tachycardia
(Sinus Tachycardia)
A heart rate greater than 100 BPM.
Tendon
Tissue which attaches muscle to bone.
Tibia
The shin bone.
Anterior and medial to the Fibia.
Trachea
The “windpipe”.
The structure that connects the pharynx to the lungs.
Ulna
Bone of the forearm medial to the Radius.
Located on the medial side (pinky side).
Vein
A vessel which carries blood toward the heart.
The pulmonary vein is the only vein that carries oxygenated blood.
Vena Cava
The veins immediately superior and inferior to the heart.
Superior empties blood from the head and upper extremities into the right atrium.
Inferior empties blood from the abdomen and lower extremities into the right atrium.
Ventricle
The main pumping chambers of the heart.
The right ventricle pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs.
The left ventricle pumps oxygenated blood to the body.
Vessel
Transports blood throughout the body.
— Arteries
— Veins
— Capillaries
Fowler’s
A position in which the patient is placed in a semi-sitting position.
High-fowler’s – patient is placed sitting straight upright.
Axillary
Artery of the upper arm.
Superior to the Brachial artery.
Rhythmic
(Sinus Rhythmic)
A normal heart rate between 60-100 BPM.
Bradycardia
(Sinus Bradycardia)
A heart rate lower than 60 BPM.
Tachypnea
Abnormal rapid, shallow breathing.
Typically faster than 20 breaths per minute.
Eupnea
Standard breathing.
Typically a normal 12-20 breaths per minute.
Hyperpnea
(Kussmaul)
Abnormal rapid, deep breathing.
Typically faster than 20 breaths per minute.
Radius
Bone of the forearm lateral to the Ulna.
Located on the lateral side (pointer finger side).
Fibia
The calf bone.
Posterior and later to the Tibia.
Thorax
The area of the body between the neck and the abdomen.
Contains vital organs including:
— Heart
— Lungs
— Major Blood Vessels
Phalanges
The 14 bones that are found in the fingers of each hand, and also in the toes of each foot.
The 5 bones that compose the middle part of the hand.
Types of Phalanges:
— Distal
— Middle
— Proximal
Xiphoid Process
The smallest region of the Sternum.
Directly below the Sternum.
Thyroid Cartilage
The larger cartilage that supports the Thyroid.
Superior to the Cricoid Cartilage.
Maxilla / Maxillae
Two irregular bones that fuse to become the center-most superior (top) jaw bone.
Considered to be a major bone of the skull.
Zygoma
A paired irregular bone which articulates with the maxilla, the temporal bone, the sphenoid bone and the frontal bone.
Mandible
The lower jaw or jawbone, which is the largest, strongest and lowest bone in the human facial skeleton.
It forms the lower jaw and holds the lower teeth in place.
