Anatomy ch 10,11 glossary

Question 1

Acetylcholine (ACh)

Answer 1

• neurotransmitter liberated by many peripheral nervous system neurons and some central nervous system
• excitatory at neuromuscular junctions but inhibitory at some other synapses
• ex. slows heart rate

Question 2

Actin

Answer 2

• A contractile protein that is part of thin filaments in muscle fibers

Question 3

Action potentials

Answer 3

• Electrical signals that propagate along the membrane of a neuron or muscle fiber (cell)
• Rapid changes in membrane potential that involve depolarization followed by a repolarization
• Also called nerve action potentials or nerve impulses, as they relate to a neuron, and muscle action potential as they relate to a muscle fiber

Question 4

Antagonist

Answer 4

• muscle that has an action opposite that of the prime mover (agonist) and yields to the movement of the prime mover

Question 5

Aponeuroses

Answer 5

• sheetlike tendon joining one muscle with another or with bone

Question 6

Autorythmicity

Answer 6

• the ability to repeatedly generate spontaneous action potentials

Question 7

Axon terminal

Answer 7

• Terminal branch of an axon where synaptic vesicles undergo exocytosis to release neurotransmitter molecules

Question 8

Calcaneal (achilles) tendon

Answer 8

• tendon of the soleus, gastrocnemius, and plantaris muscles at the back of the heel

Question 9

Cardiac muscle tissue

Answer 9

• muscle tissue that forms most of the heart
• striated and involuntary

Question 10

Compartments

Answer 10

• groupings of functionally related skeletal muscles and their associated blood vessels and nerves

Question 11

Cramp

Answer 11

• painful spasmodic contraction caused by inadequate blood flow, overuse of a muscle, injury, holding a position for prolonged periods, and low levels of electrolytes (ex. potassium)

Question 12

Diaphragm

Answer 12

• any partition that separates one area from another, especially the dome-shaped skeletal muscle between the thoracic and abdominal cavities
• also a dome-shaped device that is placed over the cervix, usually with a spermicide, to prevent conception

Question 13

Elasticity

Answer 13

• the ability of tissue to return to its original shape after contraction or extension

Question 14

Electrical excitability

Answer 14

• Ability of muscle and nerve cells to respond to certain stimuli by producing electrical signals

Question 15

Endomysium

Answer 15

• Invagination of the perimysium separating each individual muscle fiber (cell)