abdomen - ANSWER the body cavity that contains the major organs of digestion
and excretion. It is located below the diaphragm and above the pelvis
acetabulum - ANSWER the depression on the lateral pelvis where its three
component bones join in, in which the femoral head fits snugly
Adam's apple - ANSWER A firm prominence of cartilage that forms the upper part
of the larynx. It is more prominent in men than in women. Also called the thyroid
cartilage
adenosine triphosphate (ATP) - ANSWER the nucleotide involved in energy
metabolism; used to store energy.
adrenal glands - ANSWER Endocrine glands located on top of the kidneys that
release adrenaline when stimulated by the sympathetic nervous system.
adrenergic - ANSWER Pertaining to nerves that release the neurotransmitter
norepinephrine, or noradrenaline (such as adrenergic nerves, adrenergic response).
The term also pertains to the receptors acted on by norepinephrine, that is, the
adrenergic receptors.
aerobic metabolism - ANSWER Metabolism that can proceed only in the presence
of oxygen.
agonal gasps - ANSWER abnormal breathing pattern characterized by slow,
gasping breaths, sometimes seen in patients in cardiac arrest
alpha-adrenergic receptors - ANSWER Portions of the nervous system that, when
stimulated, can cause constriction of blood vessels.
alveoli - ANSWER The air sacs of the lungs in which the exchange of oxygen and
carbon dioxide takes place.
anaerobic metabolism - ANSWER The metabolism that takes place in the absence
of oxygen; the principle product is lactic acid.
anatomic position - ANSWER The position of reference in which the patient stands
facing you, arms at the side, with the palms of the hands forward.
aorta - ANSWER The main artery leaving the left side of the heart and carrying
freshly oxygenated blood to the body.
appendicular skeleton - ANSWER the portion of the skeletal system that comprises
the arms, legs, pelvis, and shoulder girdle
appendix - ANSWER A small tubular structure that is attached to the lower border
of the cecum in the lower right quadrant of the abdomen.
, arterioles - ANSWER The smallest branches of arteries leading to the vast network
of capillaries.
articular cartilage - ANSWER A pearly layer of specialized cartilage covering the
articular surfaces (contact surfaces on the ends) of bones in synovial joints.
atrium - ANSWER one of two upper chambers of the heart
autonomic nervous system - ANSWER The part of the nervous system that
regulates functions, such as digestion and sweating, that are not controlled
voluntarily.
axial skeleton - ANSWER The part of the skeleton comprising the skull, spinal
column, and rib cage.
ball-and-socket joint - ANSWER A joint that allows internal and external rotation, as
well as bending.
beta-adrenergic receptors - ANSWER 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.
biceps - ANSWER the large muscle that covers the front of the humerus
bile ducts - ANSWER The ducts that convey bile between the liver and the
intestine.
blood pressure (BP) - ANSWER The pressure that the blood exerts against the
walls of the arteries as it passes through them.
brachial artery - ANSWER The major vessel in the upper extremity that supplies
blood to the arm.
brain - ANSWER The controlling organ of the body and center of consciousness;
functions include perception, control of reactions to the environment, emotional
responses, and judgment.
brain stem - ANSWER 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.
capillary vessels - ANSWER 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.
cardiac muscle - ANSWER the heart muscle
and excretion. It is located below the diaphragm and above the pelvis
acetabulum - ANSWER the depression on the lateral pelvis where its three
component bones join in, in which the femoral head fits snugly
Adam's apple - ANSWER A firm prominence of cartilage that forms the upper part
of the larynx. It is more prominent in men than in women. Also called the thyroid
cartilage
adenosine triphosphate (ATP) - ANSWER the nucleotide involved in energy
metabolism; used to store energy.
adrenal glands - ANSWER Endocrine glands located on top of the kidneys that
release adrenaline when stimulated by the sympathetic nervous system.
adrenergic - ANSWER Pertaining to nerves that release the neurotransmitter
norepinephrine, or noradrenaline (such as adrenergic nerves, adrenergic response).
The term also pertains to the receptors acted on by norepinephrine, that is, the
adrenergic receptors.
aerobic metabolism - ANSWER Metabolism that can proceed only in the presence
of oxygen.
agonal gasps - ANSWER abnormal breathing pattern characterized by slow,
gasping breaths, sometimes seen in patients in cardiac arrest
alpha-adrenergic receptors - ANSWER Portions of the nervous system that, when
stimulated, can cause constriction of blood vessels.
alveoli - ANSWER The air sacs of the lungs in which the exchange of oxygen and
carbon dioxide takes place.
anaerobic metabolism - ANSWER The metabolism that takes place in the absence
of oxygen; the principle product is lactic acid.
anatomic position - ANSWER The position of reference in which the patient stands
facing you, arms at the side, with the palms of the hands forward.
aorta - ANSWER The main artery leaving the left side of the heart and carrying
freshly oxygenated blood to the body.
appendicular skeleton - ANSWER the portion of the skeletal system that comprises
the arms, legs, pelvis, and shoulder girdle
appendix - ANSWER A small tubular structure that is attached to the lower border
of the cecum in the lower right quadrant of the abdomen.
, arterioles - ANSWER The smallest branches of arteries leading to the vast network
of capillaries.
articular cartilage - ANSWER A pearly layer of specialized cartilage covering the
articular surfaces (contact surfaces on the ends) of bones in synovial joints.
atrium - ANSWER one of two upper chambers of the heart
autonomic nervous system - ANSWER The part of the nervous system that
regulates functions, such as digestion and sweating, that are not controlled
voluntarily.
axial skeleton - ANSWER The part of the skeleton comprising the skull, spinal
column, and rib cage.
ball-and-socket joint - ANSWER A joint that allows internal and external rotation, as
well as bending.
beta-adrenergic receptors - ANSWER 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.
biceps - ANSWER the large muscle that covers the front of the humerus
bile ducts - ANSWER The ducts that convey bile between the liver and the
intestine.
blood pressure (BP) - ANSWER The pressure that the blood exerts against the
walls of the arteries as it passes through them.
brachial artery - ANSWER The major vessel in the upper extremity that supplies
blood to the arm.
brain - ANSWER The controlling organ of the body and center of consciousness;
functions include perception, control of reactions to the environment, emotional
responses, and judgment.
brain stem - ANSWER 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.
capillary vessels - ANSWER 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.
cardiac muscle - ANSWER the heart muscle
