chapter six: the human body Flashcards
(178 cards)
1
Q
abdomen
A
the body cavity that contains the major organs of digestion and excretion, it is located below the diaphragm and above the pelvis
2
Q
acetabulum
A
the depression on the lateral pelvis where its three component bones join, in which the femoral head fits snugly
3
Q
adam’s apple
A
a firm prominence of cartilage that forms the upper part of the larynx, it is more prominent in men than in women, also called thyroid cartilage
4
Q
adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
A
the nucleotide involved in energy metabolism; used to store energy
5
Q
adrenal glands
A
endocrine glands located on top of the kidneys that release adrenaline when stimulated by the sympathetic nervous system
6
Q
adrenergic
A
pertaining to nerves that release the neurotransmitter norepinephrine, or noradrenaline (such as adrenergic nerves, adrenergic response); also pertains to the receptors acted on by norepinephrine
7
Q
aerobic metabolism
A
metabolism that can proceed only in the presence of oxygen
8
Q
agonal gasps
A
abnormal breathing pattern characterized by slow gasping breaths, sometimes seen in patients in cardiac arrest
9
Q
alpha-adrenergic receptors
A
portions of the nervous system that, when stimulated, can cause constriction of blood vessels
10
Q
alveoli
A
the air sacs of the lungs in which the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place
11
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anaerobic metabolism
A
the metabolism that takes place in the absence of oxygen; the main by-product is lactic acid
12
Q
anatomic position
A
the position of reference in which the patient stands facing forward, arms at the side, with the palms of the hands forward
13
Q
aorta
A
the main artery leaving the left side of the heat and carrying freshly oxygenated blood to the body
14
Q
appendicular skeelton
A
the portion of the skeletal system that comprises the arms, legs, pelvis, and shoulder girdle
15
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appendix
A
a small, tubular structure that is attached to the lower border of the cecum in the lower right quadrant of the abdomen
16
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arterioles
A
the smallest branches of arteries leading to the vast network of capillaries
17
Q
articular cartilage
A
a pearly layer of specialized cartilage covering the articular surfaces (contact surfaces on the ends) of bones in synovial joints
18
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atrium
A
one of the two upper chambers of the heart
19
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autonomic nervous system
A
the part of the nervous system that regulates functions, such as digestion and sweating, that are not controlled voluntarily
20
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axial skeleton
A
the part of the skeletons comprising the skull, spinal column, and rib cage
21
Q
ball-and-socket joint
A
a joint that allows internal and external rotation, as well as bending
22
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beta-adrenergic receptors
A
portions of the nervous system that, when stimulated, can cause an increase in the force of contraction of the heart, an increased heart rate, and bronchial dilation
23
Q
biceps
A
the large muscle that covers the front of the humerus
24
Q
bile ducts
A
the ducts that convey bile between the liver and the intestine
25
blood pressure (BP)
the pressure that the blood exerts against the walls of the arteries as it passes through them
26
brachial artery
the major vessel in the upper extremities that supplies blood to the arm
27
brain
the controlling organ of the body and center of consciousness; functions include perception, control of reactions to the environment, emotional responses, and judgment
28
brain stem
the area of the brain between the spinal cord and cerebrum, surrounded by the cerebellum; controls functions that are necessary for life, such as respiration
29
capillary vessels
the tiny blood vessels between the arterioles and venules that permit transfer of oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, and waste between body tissues and the blood
30
cardiac muscle
the heart muscle
31
cardiac output (CO)
a measure of the volume of blood circulated by the heart in 1 minute, calculated by multiplying the stroke volume by the heart rate
32
carotid artery
the major artery that supplies blood to the head and brain
33
cartilage
the smooth connective tissue that forms the support structure of the skeletal system and provides cushioning between bones; also forms the nasal septum and portions of the outer ear
34
cecum
the first part of the large intestine, into which the ileum operates
35
central nervous system (CNS)
the brain and spinal cord
36
cerebellum
one of the three major subdivisions of the brain, sometimes called the little brain; coordinates the various activities of the brain, particularly fine body movements
37
cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
fluid produced in the ventricles of the brain that flows in the subarachnoid space and bathes the meninges
38
cerebrum
the largest part of the three subdivisions of the brain, sometimes called the gray matter, made up of several lobes that control movement, hearing, balance, speech, visual perception, emotions, and personality
39
cervical spine
the portion of the spinal column consisting of the first seven vertebrae that lie in the neck
40
chordae tendineae
thin bands of fibrous tissue that attach to the valves in the heart and prevent them from inverting
41
chyme
the substance that leaves the stomach, it is a combination of all of the eaten foods with added stomach acids
42
circulatory system
the complex arrangement of connected tubes, including the arteries, arterioles, capillaries, venules, and veins, that moves blood, oxygen, nutrients, carbon dioxide, and cellular waste throughout the body
43
clavicle
the collar bone; it is lateral to the sternum and anterior to the scapula
44
coccyx
the last three or four vertebrae of the spine; the tail bone
45
coronal plane
an imaginary plane where the body is divided into front and back parts
46
cranium
the area of the head above the ears and eyes; the skull, the cranium contains the brain
47
cricoid cartilage
a firm ridge of cartilage that forms the lower part of the larynx
48
dead space
any portion of the airway that does contain air and cannot participate in gas exchange, such as the trachea and bronchi
49
dermis
the inner layer of the skin, containing hair follicles, sweat glands, nerve endings, and blood vessels
50
diaphragm
a muscular dome that forms the undersurface of the thorax, separating the chest from the abdominal cavity, contraction of this (and the chest wall muscles) brings airs into the lungs, relaxation allows air to be expelled from the lungs
51
diastole
the relaxation, or period of relaxation, of the heart, especially of the ventricles
52
diffusion
movement of a gas from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration
53
digestion
the processing of food that nourishes the individual cells of the body
54
dorsalis pedis artery
the artery on the anterior surface of the foot between the first and second metatarsals
55
endocrine system
the complex message and control system that integrates many body functions, including the release of hormones
56
enzymes
substances designed to speed up the rate of specific biochemical reactions
57
epidermis
the outer layer of skin, which is made up of cells that are sealed together to form a watertight protective covering for the body
58
epiglottis
a thin, leaf-shaped valve that allows air to pass into the trachea but prevents food and liquid from entering
59
epinephrine
a hormone produced by the adrenal medulla that has a vital role in the function of the sympathetic nervous system
60
esophagus
a collapsible tube that extends from the pharynx to the stomach; muscle contractions propel food and liquids through it to the stomach
61
expiratory reverse volume
the amount of air that can be exhaled following a normal exhalation; average volume is about 1,200 mL in the average adult man
62
extension
the straightening of a joint
63
fallopian tubes
long, slender tubes that extend from the uterus to the region of the ovary on the same side and through which the ovum passes from the ovary to the uterus
64
femoral artery
the major artery of the thigh, a continuation of the external iliac artery, it supplies blood to the lower abdominal wall, external genitalia, and legs, can be palpated in the groin area
65
femoral head
the proximal end of the femur, articulating with the acetabulum to form the hip joint
66
femur
the thighbone; the longest and one of the strongest bones in the body
67
flexion
the bending of a joint
68
foramen magnum
a large opening at the base of the skull through which the brain connects to the spinal cord
69
frontal bone
the portion of the cranium that forms the forehead
70
gallbladder
a sac on the undersurface of the live that collects bile from the liver and discharges it into the duodenum through the common bile duct
71
genital system
the reproductive system in men and women
72
germinal layer
the deepest layer of the epidermis where new skin cells are formed
73
greater trochanter
a bony prominence on the proximal lateral side of the thigh, just below the hip joint
74
hair follicles
the small organs that produce hair
75
heart
a hollow muscular organ that pumps blood throughout the body
76
heart rate (HR)
the number of heartbeats during a specific time (usually 1 min)
77
hinge joints
joints that can bend and straighten but cannot rotate; they restrict motion to one plane
78
hormones
substances formed in specialized organs or glands and carried to another organ or group of cells in the same organism; they regulate many body functions, including metabolism, growth, and body temperature
79
humerus
the supporting bone of the upper arm
80
hydrostatic pressure
the pressure of water against the walls of its container
81
hypoxic drive
a "backup system" to control respiration; senses drops in the oxygen level in the blood
82
ilium
one of three bones that fuse to form the pelvic ring
83
inferior vena cava
one of the two largest veins in the body; carries blood from the lower extremities and the pelvic and the abdominal organs to the heart
84
inspiratory reserve volume
the amount of air that can be inhaled after a normal inhalation; the amount of air that can be inhaled in addition to the normal tidal volume
85
interstitial space
the space in between the cells
86
involuntary muscle
the muscle over which a person has no conscious control, it is found in many automatic regulating system of the body
87
ischium
one of three bones that fuse to form the pelvic ring
88
joint (articulation)
the place where two bones come into contact
89
joint capsule
the fibrous sac that encloses a joint
90
kidneys
two retroperitoneal organs that excrete the end products of metabolism as urine and regulate the body's salt and water content
91
labored breathing
the use of muscles of the chest, back, and abdomen to assist in expanding the chest; occurs when air movement is impaired
92
lactic acid
a metabolic by-product of the breakdown of glucose that accumulates when metabolism proceeds in the absence of oxygen (anaerobic metabolism)
93
large intestine
the portion of the digestive tube that encircles the abdomen around the small bowel, consisting of the cecum, the colon, and the rectum, helps regulate water balance and eliminate solid waste
94
lesser trochanter
the projection on the medial/superior portion of the femur
95
ligament
a band of fibrous tissue that connects bones to bones, supports and strengthens a joint
96
liver
a large solid organ that lies in the right upper quadrant immediately below the diaphragm; it produces bile, stores glucose for immediate use by the body, and produces many substances that help regulate immune responses
97
lumbar spine
the lower part of the back, formed by the lowest five nonfused vertebrae; also called the dorsal spine
98
lymph
a thin, straw-colored fluid that carries oxygen, nutrients, and hormones to the cells and carries waste products of metabolism away from the cells and back into the capillaries so that they may be excreted
99
lymph nodes
tiny, oval-shaped structures located in various places along the lymph vessels that filter lymph
100
mandible
the bone of the lower jaw
101
manubrium
the upper quarter of the sternum
102
maxillae
the upper jawbones that assist in the formation of the orbit, the nasal cavity, and the palate and hold the upper teeth
103
medulla oblongata
nerve tissue that is continuous inferiorly with the spinal cord; serves as a conduction pathway for ascending and descending nerve tracts; coordinates heart rate, blood vessel diameter, breathing, swallowing, vomiting, coughing, and sneezing
104
metabolism (cellular respiration)
the biochemical processes that result in production of energy from nutrients within cells
105
midbrain
the part of the brain that is responsible for helping to regulate the level of consciousness
106
midsagittal plane (midline)
an imaginary vertical line drawn from the middle of the forehead through the nose and the umbilicus (navel) to the floor, dividing the body into equal left and right halves
107
minute volume
the volume of air that moves in and out of the lungs per minute; calculate by multiplying the tidal volume and respiratory rate; also called minute ventilation
108
motor nerves
nerves that carry information from the central nervous system to the muscles of the body
109
mucous membranes
the lining of the body cavities and passages that communicate directly or indirectly with the environment outside the body
110
mucus
the watery secretion of the mucous membranes that lubricates the body openings
111
musculoskeletal system
the bones and voluntary muscles of the body
112
myocardium
the heart muscle
113
nasopharynx
the part of the pharynx that lies above the level of the roof of the mouth, or palate
114
nervous system
the system that controls virtually all activities of the body, both voluntary and involuntary
115
norepinephrine
a neurotransmitter and drug sometimes used in the treatment of shock; produces vasoconstriction through its alpha-stimulator properties
116
occiput
the most posterior portion of the cranium
117
oncotic pressure
the pressure of water to move, typically into the capillary, as the result of the presence of the plasma proteins
118
orbit
the eye socket, made up of the maxilla and zygoma
119
oropharynx
a tubular structure that extends vertically from the back of the mouth to the esophagus and trachea
120
ovaries
female glands that produce sex hormones and ova (eggs)
121
pancreas
a flat, solid organ that lies below the liver and the stomach; it is a major source of digestive enzymes and produces the hormone insulin
122
parasympathetic nervous system
a subdivision of the autonomic nervous system, involved in control of involuntary functions, mediated largely by the vagus nerve through the chemical acetylcholine
123
parietal bones
the bones that lie between the temporal and occipital regions of the cranium
124
patella
the knee cap; a specialized bone that lies within the tendon of the quadriceps muscle
125
pathophysiology
the study of how normal physiologic processes are affected by disease
126
perfusion
the circulation of oxygenated blood within an organ or tissue in adequate amounts to meet the cells' current needs
127
peripheral nervous system (PNS)
the part of the nervous system that consists of 31 pairs of spinal nerves and 12 pairs of cranial nerves; these may be sensory nerves, motor nerves, or connecting nerves
128
peristalsis
the wavelike contraction of smooth muscle by which the ureters or other tubular organs propel their contents
129
plasma
a sticky, yellow fluid that carries the blood cells and nutrients and transports cellular waste material to the organs of excretion
130
platelets
tiny, disc-shaped elements that are much smaller than the cells; they are essential in the initial formation of a blood clot, the mechanism that stops bleeding
131
pleura
the serous membranes covering the lungs and lining the thorax, completely enclosing a potential space known as the pleural space
132
pleural space
the potential space between the parietal pleura and the visceral pleura; described as "potential" because under normal conditions, the space does not exist
133
pons
an organ that lies below the midbrain and above the medulla and contains numerous important nerve fibers, including those for sleep, respiration, and the medullary respiratory center
134
posterior tibial artery
the artery just behind the medial malleolus; supplies blood to the foot
135
prostate gland
a small gland that surrounds the male urethra where it emerges from the urinary bladder; it secretes a fluid that is part of the ejaculatory fluid
136
pubic symphysis
a hard, bony, and cartilaginous prominence found at the midline in the lowermost portion of the abdomen where the two halves of the pelvic ring are joined by cartilage at a joint with minimal motion
137
pubis
one of three bones that fuse to form the pelvic ring
138
pulmonary artery
the major artery leading from the right ventricles of the heart to the lungs; carries oxygen-poor blood
139
pulmonary circulation
the flow of blood from the right ventricle through the pulmonary arteries and all of their branches and capillaries in the lungs and back to the left atrium through the venules and pulmonary veins; also called the lesser circulation
140
pulmonary veins
the four veins that return oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium of the heart
141
pulse
the wave of pressure created as the heart contracts and forces blood out the left ventricle and into the major arteries
142
radial artery
the major artery in the forearm; it is palpable at the wrist on the thumb side
143
radius
the bone on the thumb side of the forearm
144
rectum
the lowermost end of the colon
145
red blood cells
cells that carry oxygen to the body's tissues; also called erythrocytes
146
renal pelvis
a cone-shaped area that collects urine from the kidneys and funnels it through the ureter into the bladder
147
residual volume
the air that remains in the lungs after maximal expiration
148
respiration
the inhaling and exhaling of air; the physiologic process that exchanges carbon dioxide from fresh air
149
respiratory compromise
the inability of the body to move gas effectively
150
respiratory system
all the structures of the body that contribute to the process of breathing, consisting of the upper and lower airways and their component parts
151
reticular activating system (RAS)
located in the upper brainstem; responsible for maintenance of consciousness, specifically one's level of arousal
152
retroperitoneal
behind the abdominal cavity
153
sacroiliac joint
the connection point between the pelvis and the vertebral column
154
sacrum
one of the three bones (sacrum and two pelvic bones) that make up the pelvic ring; consists of five fused sacral vertebrae
155
sagittal (lateral) plane
an imaginary line where the body is divided into left and right parts
156
salivary glands
the glands that produce saliva to keep the mouth and pharynx moist
157
scalp
the thick skin covering the cranium, which usually bears hair
158
scapula
the shoulder blade
159
sebaceous glands
glands that produce an oily substance called sebum, which discharges along the shafts of the hairs
160
semen
fluid ejaculated from the penis and containing sperm
161
seminal vesicles
storage sacs for sperm and seminal fluid, which empty into the urethra at the prostate
162
sensory nerves
the nerves that carry sensations such as touch, taste, smell, heat, cold, and pain from the body to the central nervous system
163
shock
a condition in which the circulatory system fails to provide sufficient circulation to maintain normal cellular functions; also called hypoperfusion
164
skeletal muscle
muscle that is attached to bones and usually crosses at least one joint; striated, or voluntary, muscle
165
skeletal system
the framework of the body, composed of bones and other connective tissues, that supports and protects internal organs and other body tissues
166
small intestine
the portion of the digestive tube between the stomach and the cecum, consisting of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum
167
smooth muscle
involuntary muscle; it constitutes the bulk of the gastrointestinal tract and is present in nearly every organ to regulate automatic activity
168
somatic nervous system
the part of the nervous system that regulates activities over which there is voluntary control
169
sphincters
muscles arranged in circles that are able to decrease the diameter of tubes, examples are found within rectum, bladder, and blood vessels
170
sphygmomanometer
a device used to measure blood pressure
171
spinal cord
an extension of the brain, composed of virtually all the nerves carrying messages between the brain and the rest of the body, it lies inside of and is protected by the spinal canal
172
sternum
the breast bone
173
stratum corneum
the outermost or dead layer of the skin
174
stroke volume (SV)
the volume of blood pumped forward with each ventricular contraction
175
subcutaneous tissue
tissue, largely fat, that lies directly under the dermis and serves as an insulator of the body
176
superior vena cava
one of the two largest veins in the body; carries blood from the upper extremities, head, neck, and chest into the heart
177
sweat glands
the glands that secrete sweat, located in the dermal layer of the skin
178
sympathetic nervous system
the adrenergic part of the autonomic peripheral nervous system responsible for the fight-or-flight response
