and Answers
Abscess - answerslocalized accumulation of pus
Accessory (auxiliary; assisting) - answersthis term is applied to lesser structure that
resembles a similar organ in structure and function, such as the accessory pancreatic
duct
Acids - answersSubstance that yields hydrogen or hydronium ions in aqueous solution
Acquired - answerspresents itself after birth
Acromegaly - answershyperfunction of pituitary gland after ossification has been
completed
Acute - answersa disease with a more or less rapid onset and short duration
Adipocere (Gravewax) - answersa wax-like material produced by saponification of body
fat in a body buried in alkaline soil
Albumin - answersa protein found in blood plasma
Alcohols - answersan organic compound containing one or more hydroxyl (-OH) groups
Aldehyde - answersan organic compound containing one or more -CHO groups
Alimentary Canal - answersthe digestive system tube from the mouth to anus, including
the mouth or buccal cavity, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, and small and large
intestines
Allergies - answershaving a hypersensitivity to a substance that does not normally
cause a reaction
Allergy (hypersensitivity) - answersan acquired, abnormal immune response to a
substance (allergen) that does not normally cause a reaction
Amelia - answerscongenital absence of one or more limbs
Amines - answersan organic compound containing nitrogen; any compounds formed
from ammonia by replacement of one or more hydrogen atoms by organic radicals. The
general formula for primary amines is R-NH2
,Amino Acid - answersthe building block of proteins; a compound containing an amino
group (-NH2), a carboxyl (-COOH) group attached to an alpha carbon and a radical
Amphoteric - answersany compound that can act as both an acid and base in solution
(amino Acid)
Anasarca - answersgeneralized massive edema in subcutaneous tissue
Anatomy - answersthe branch of science dealing with the study of the structure of the
body
Anemia - answersa decrease in the number of erythrocytes, hemoglobin or both
Aneurysm - answersa localized dilation of a blood vessel
Angiology - answersthe study of vessel
Antagonism - answersmutual opposition or contrary action. The inhibition of one
microorganism by another
Antibody - answersglycoprotein substance developed by the body in response to , and
interacting specifically with, an antigen. Also know as immunoglobulin
Anticoagulants - answerschemicals used to keep the blood in the liquid state; chemical
agent that retard the tendency of the blood to become more viscous by natural post
mortem processes and/or prevent other adverse reactions between the blood and the
other embalming chemicals
Antigen - answersa foreign substance that stimulated the formation of antibodies that
react specifically with it
Antisepsis - answersthe prevention or inhibiting of the growth of causative
microorganism
Anterior (ventral) - answersbefore or in front of; refers to the ventral or front side of the
body
Attenuation - answersdilution or weakening of virulence of a microorganism, reducing or
abolishing pathogenicity
Aplasia - answersfailure of a tissue or an organ to develop normally
Appendicular Skeleton - answersthe bony structure that makes up the pectoral girdle,
upper extremities, pelvic girdle, and lower extremities
, Arterial (vascular) Fluid - answersthe concentrated, preservative embalming chemical
that will be diluted with water (or another appropriate vehicle such as alcohol) to form
the arterial solution for injection into the arterial (vascular) system during vascular
(arterial) embalming
Arteriosclerosis - answersdisease of the arteries resulting in thickening and loss of
elasticity of the arterial wall
Articulation - answersthe place of union between two or more bones; a joint
Ascites - answersaccumulation of free serous fluid in the abdominal cavity
Atherosclerosis - answersa form of arteriosclerosis marked by the deposition of lipids in
the inner layer of arterial walls
Atom - answersthe smallest particle of an element that has all the properties of the
element
Atrophy - answersa wasting, decrease in size of an organ or tissue
Autopsy - answersa postmortem examination of the organs and tissues of a body to 33
determine cause of death or pathological condition
Autopsy Chemicals - answersthose chemicals specifically designed for use in the
preparation of bodies following an autopsy
Autotrophic Bacteria - answersself-nourishing bacteria
Axial Skeleton - answers80 bones including the skull, vertebrae, thorax and hyoid bone
Bacillus (pl. Bacilli) - answersrod-shaped bacteria
Bacteremia - answersthe presence of bacteria in the blood
Bacteria - answersa prokaryotic one-celled microorganism of the Kingdom Monera,
existing as free-living organisms or as parasites, multiplying by binary fission and having
a large range of biochemical properties
Bacterial Colony - answersa visible group of bacteria growing on a solid medium.
presumably arising from a single microorganism
Bactericide - answersan agent that destroys bacteria but not necessarily their spores
Bacteriology - answersscience that studies bacteria
Bases - answersa substances that yields hydroxide ions in aqueous solution