Anatomy and Physiology Flashcards
(396 cards)
abduction
moving away from the body midline (the opposite of adduction) (ex. spreading the arms)
abortion
termination of pregnancy before viability; my be spontaneous (naturally occurring) or medically/surgically induced
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
decreased immunity resulting from infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), leaving victim susceptible to opportunistic diseases
acromegaly
overproduction of the growth hormone after puberty, resulting in wide, large face, hands, and feet
active transport
movement of molecules from area of lower to area of higher concentration
Addison Disease
hyposecretion of cortisol by the adrenal cortex, resulting in muscle atrophy, tissue weakness, and skin pigmentation
adduction
moving toward the body midline (opposite site of abduction) (ex bringing arms to the sides)
adrenal glands
endocrine glands located on top of each kidney
alveoli (singular alveolus)
air sacs at the ends of the bronchioles where the exchange of gases occurs
Alzheimer Disease
degenerative disorder of the brain beginning with dementialike symptoms and progressing to a non functioning of neuron fibers that prevents communication between cells for ordinary tasks (such as swallowing) which results in death
amenorrhea
absence of menstrual flow
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
progressive disease of the motor neurons, causing muscle atrophy and weakness; also known as Lou Gehrig Disease
anabolism
phase of metabolism in which cells are built or repaired
anaphase
third phase of mitosis; duplicated chromosomes separate, and one of each begins to move toward opposite centrioles or poles
anatomy
the study of body structure
anemia
abnormally low hemoglobin or red blood cells, decreasing oxygen supply to the tissues; many causes and types; the main symptoms are fatigue and weakness
aneurysm
congenital or traumatic weakness of the vessel wall demonstrated by a “bubble” or outpouching caused by pressure of blood; an abdominal aortic aneurysm is also called AAA
angina pectoris
severe constricting chest pain from lack of blood supply to the heart; associated with coronary heart disease
anorexia
diminished appetite and aversion to food
antepartum
time before delivery
anterior
in front (ventral)
antibody
a substance produced in the body in response to the presence of an antigen
antigen
a substance (bacteria/virus) that causes the formation of antibodies
anus
the final portion of the digestive tract, where feces are excreted