Chapter 5 Key Terms Flashcards
Alveoli
Tiny air sacs in the lungs where’d the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place.
Anabolism
A constructive process by which the body converts simple compounds into complex substances needed to carry out the cellular activities of the body.
Anatomic Position
The position of standing erect, arms at the side, with eyes and palms facing forward. When describing the direction or the location of a given point of the body, medical personnel normally refer to the body as if the patient were in the anatomic position, regardless of actual body position.
Anatomy
The structure of an organism, or the science of the structural composition of living organisms. In humans, the structural composition of the body.
Anterior
Pertaining to or referring to the front of the body; also called ventral
Avascular
Without blood or lymph vessels
Body Cavities
Large, hollow spaces in the body that house the various organs.
Body Planes
A flat surface resulting from a real or imaginary cut through a body in the normal anatomic position.
Bursae
Small synovial fluid-filled sacks in the vicinity of joints that ease friction between joint parts or tendons and bone.
Cartilage
A type of hard, nonvascular connective tissue
Catabolism
The process by which complex substances are broken down into simple ones, including the digestion of food.
Diaphragm
The dome shaped muscle that separates the abdominal cavity from the thoracic cavity.
Distal
Farthest from the center of the body, origin, or point of attachment.
Dorsal
Posterior or pertaining to the back.
Frontal Plane
Divides the body vertically into front and back portions; also called coronal plane.
Gametes
Sex cells
Hemopoiesis / Hematopoiesis
Production and development of blood cells and other formed elements, normally in the bone marrow.
Homeostasis
The “steady state” (state of equilibrium) of the internal environment of the body maintained through feedback and regulation in response to internal and external changes.
Hormones
Powerful chemical substances that affect many body processes.
Meninges
Three layers of connective tissue that enclose the spinal cavity
Metabolism
The sum of all the physical and chemical reactions necessary to sustain life
Mitosis
A type of cell duplication that involves DNA doubling and cell division.
Nephron
The microscopic functional unit of the kidneys.
Neuron
Fundamental working unit of the nervous system.