Abdominopelvic:
Cavity composed of the abdomen & the pelvis.
Absorption:
Movement of nutrients from the digestive tube into the bloodstream.
Actin:
Protein making up the 'I' band of the sarcomere.
Amino Acid:
The building block of proteins
Antibody:
Special proteins that protect the body from foreign substances.
ATP:
Abbreviation for Adenosine Triphosphate, which is the energy of the cell.
Atria:
Upper chambers of the heart.
Bile:
Product of the liver that emulsifies fat.
Cartilage:
Tissue made of cells & fibers that connect & support.
Ceruminous Gland:
Gland of the ear that produces earwax.
Chromosomes:
Bodies w/the nucleus made of DNA & proteins called histones.
Cilia:
Small hairlike projections on some cells
CNS:
Abbreviation for Central Nervous System, which is made up of the brain & spinal cord.
Coronal Plane:
Imaginary line passing through the body from head to feet that divides the body into front & back portions.
Cranial Cavity:
Body cavity containing the brain.
Diaphragm:
Dome-shaped breathing muscle that separates the thoracic & adominal cavities.
Diffusion:
Movement of materials from high concentration to lower concentration.
Digestion:
The mechanical & chemical breakdown of food.
Dorsal Horn:
Crescent-shaped projection of gray matter within the spinal cord where sensory neurons enter the spinal cord.
ECG:
Abbreviation for electrocardiogram, which is a record of the electrical activity of the heart.
Embryo:
Prenatal development time between the zygote & the fetus.
Endometrium:
Inner lining of the uterus.
Enzymes:
Functional proteins; their names usually end in 'ase'.
Foramen Magnum:
A passage in the skull bone through which the spinal cord enter the spinal column.
Glucose:
A simple sugar found in certain foods, especially fruits.
Homeostasis:
The physiologic steady state that is naturally maintained within the body.
Hypothalamus:
Portion of the brain that regulates body temperature, sleep & appetite.
Ingest:
To eat food & drink.
Joints:
Articulations between adjoining bones.
Keratin:
A tough, fibrous, insoluble protein forming the primary component of skin, hair, nails & tooth enamel.
Keratinized Epithelium:
The dead cells of the epidermis.
Lacteal Vessel:
Found within the villi of intestinal wall, where fat nutrients are absorbed.
Ligaments:
Tissue connecting bone to bone.`
Medial Plane:
An imaginary line dividing the body or body part into right & left portions.
Mediastinum:
Space within the thoracic cavity that houses all the organs of the chest EXCEPT the lungs.
Metabolism:
The sum total of uses of ATP in the body.
Mucous Membrane:
Thin sheets of tissue cells that line body openings or canals that open to the outside of the body.
Myosin:
a Protein that makes up nearly half of the proteins in muscles cells.
Nucleus:
The control center of the cell.
Oral Cavity:
The mouth; also known as the 'buccal cavity'.
Orbits:
Cavities containing the eyes.
Organelle:
A structurally discrete component of a cell that performs a specific function.
pH:
Measurement associated w/acids & bases.
Phagocytosis:
Engulfing of materials by certain cells of the body.
Plasma:
The liquid portion of blood.
Pulmonary Circulation:
Blood flow through a network of vessels between the heart AND the lungs for the oxygenation of blood & the removal of carbon dioxide.
Ribosome:
The organelle of the cell where protein synthesis takes place.
Sagittal:
An imaginary line running from front to back that divides the body into right & left portions.
Sarcoplasmic Reticulum:
Organelle of the muscle fiber that stores calcium.
Sebaceous Glands:
Oil glands of the skin.
Serous Membranes:
Thin sheets of tissue that line body cavities not having exits to the outside.
Spinal Column:
The backbone that protects the spinal cord, which runs inside of it.
Subcutaneous Tissue:
Layer of tissue under the dermis that contains adipose tissue.
Sudoriferous Glands:
Sweat glands.
Synovial Membranes:
Loose, connective tissue that lines the joint cavity.
Systemic Circulation:
The general blood circulation of the body, NOT including the lungs.
Thoracic Cavity:
The chest cavity.
Tranverse Plane:
An imaginary line dividing the body or body parts into top & bottom portions.
Vasoconstriction:
A narrowing of the diameter of a blood vessel.
Vasodilation:
A widening of the diameter of a blood vessel.
Ventral Horn:
The anterior columns of the gray matter of the spinal cord.
Ventricles:
Lower chambers of the heart.
Zygote:
The fertilized egg, from the time it is fertilized until it is implanted in the uterus.