Alimentary canal
The digestive tube that consists of the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus
Anatomic position
The position of the body where the body is erect, the feet are slightly apart, the head is held high, and the palms of the hands are facing forward.
Anterior
View facing forward
Appendicular skeleton
The part of the skeleton that includes the girdles and the limbs. The upper portion consists of the pectoral or shoulder girdle, the clavicle and scapula, and the upper extremity. The bones of the arm are the humerus, the radius and ulna, the carpals (wrist bones), the metacarpals (bones of the hand), and the phalanges (bones of the fingers). The lower portion of the appendicular skeleton is made up of the pelvic girdle or os coxae. Each of the os coxae consists of a fused ilium, ischium, and pubis. Bones of the lower extremity include the femur (thighbone), the tibia and fibula, the tarsals (ankle bones), the metatarsals (bones of the foot), and the phalanges.
Arterioles
The smallest type of arteries.
Axial skeleton
The 28 bones of the skull. These are separated into the 14 facial bones and the 14 bones of the cranium.
Bolus
A ball of food that is formed after the food is broken down by the teeth and saliva.
Cell
The basic unit of life and the building block of tissues and organs.
Cerebellum
A part of the brain responsible for muscular coordination.
Cerebrum
The part of the brain associated with movement and sensory input.
Chyme
The soupy substance that is created by the stomach churning and mixing the bolus food mass.
Dermis
The layer of skin that consists of the underlying layer of connective tissue with blood vessels, nerve endings, and the associated skin structures.
Distal
Term of direction usually used in reference to limbs. Distal refers to further away from the point of attachment.
Epidermis
The layer of skin that consists of the outermost protective layer of dead keratinized epithelial cells.
Erythrocytes
Red blood cells.
External respiration
The exchange of gases between the atmosphere and the blood through the alveoli.
Hemopoiesis
Blood cell formation.
Histology
The study of tissues
Inferior
View from below.
Infundibulum
The stalk that attaches the pituitary gland to the hypothalamus.
Internal respiration
The exchange of gases between the blood and the body cells.
Lateral
Away from the midline or toward the sides.
Leukocytes
White blood cells.
Medial
View toward the midline.
Medulla oblongata
The part of the brain that controls many vital functions such as respiration and heart rate.
Meiosis
Type of nuclear division that occurs as part of sexual reproduction; each daughter cell receives the haploid number of chromosomes.
Mitosis
Type of cell division that produces two identical daughter cells; phases include prophase, prometaphase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.
Neuroglia
Connective tissue cells in nerve tissue.
Osteoblasts
The cells that form compact bone.
Platelets
An element of blood that is active in the process of blood clotting.
Posterior
View toward the back.
Progesterone
A hormone secreted by the corpus luteum, which further stimulates development of the endometrium.
Proximal
Term of direction usually used in reference to limbs. Proximal means closer to the point of attachment.
Sarcomeres
Small units that make up myofibrils, which make up each muscle cell.
Superior
View from above .
Synergists
Muscles that work in cooperation with the prime mover muscle.