Anatomy & Physiology Terms

Front 1

Autonomic Nervous System

Back 1

Portion of the nervous system that regulates involuntary actions, such as, heart rate, digestion, and peristalsis

Front 2

Leaflet

Back 2

Flat, leaf-shaped structure that comprises the valves of the heart and prevents backflow of blood.

Front 3

Lumen

Back 3

Tubular space or channel within an organ or structure of the body; space within an artery, vein, intestine, or tube.

Front 4

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

Back 4

Tasteless, colorless, odorless gas produced by body cells during metabolism

Front 5

Cartilage

Back 5

Tough, elastic connective tissue that is more more rigid than ligaments but less dense than bone.

Front 6

Cilia

Back 6

Hairlike structure

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Diffuse

Back 7

To move or spread out a substance at random, rather than by chemical reaction or application of external forces

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Mucous Membrane

muc: mucus

-ous: pertaining to

Back 8

Moist tissue layer lining hollow organs and cavities of the body that open to the environment; also called mucosa

Front 9

Oxygen (O2)

Back 9

Tasteless, colorless, odorless gas essential for human respiration

Front 10

pH

Back 10

Symbol that indicates the degree of acidity or alkalinity of a substance

Front 11

Septum

Back 11

Wall dividing two cavities

Front 12

Serous Membrane

Ser: serum

-ous: pertaining to

Back 12

Thin layer of tissue that covers internal body cavities and secretes a fluid that keeps the membrane moist; also called serosa

Front 13

Bilirubin

Back 13

Orange-yellow pigment formed during destruction of erythrocytes that is taken up by liver cells to form bilirubin and eventually excreted in the feces

Front 14

Bolus

Back 14

Mass of masticated food ready to be swallowed

Front 15

Exocrine

Back 15

Gland that secretes its products through excretory ducts to the surface of an organ or tissue or into a vessel

Front 16

Sphincter

Back 16

Circular band of muscle fibers that constricts a passage or closes a natural opening of the body

Front 17

Triglycerides

Back 17

Organic compound, a true fat, that is made of one glycerol and three fatty acids

Front 18

Bilirubin

Back 18

Orange-yellow pigment formed during destruction of erythrocytes that is taken up by liver cells to form bilirubin and eventually excreted in feces.

Front 19

Bolus

Back 19

Mass of masticated food ready to be swallowed.

Front 20

Exocrine

exo-: outside, outward

-crine: secrete

Back 20

Gland that secretes its products through excretory ducts to the surface of an organ or tissue or into a vessel.

Front 21

Sphincter

Back 21

Circular band of muscle fibers that constricts a passage or closes a natural opening of the body.

Front 22

Triglycerides

Back 22

Organic compound, a true fat, that is made of one glycerol and three fatty acids.

Front 23

Gastroenterology

Back 23

The branch of medicine concerned with digestive diseases.

Front 24

Ulcer

Back 24

A circumscribed open sore on the skin or mucous membranes of the body.

Front 25

hernia

Back 25

A protrusion of any organ, tissue, or structure through the wall of the cavity in which it is naturally contained.

Front 26

Inguinal hernia

Back 26

Develops in the groin where the abdominal folds of flesh meet the thighs.

Front 27

strangulated hernia

Back 27

The blood supply to the hernia is cut off because of pressure.

Front 28

umbilical hernia

Back 28

A protrusion of part of the intestine at the navel.

Front 29

congenital hernia

Back 29

A hernia that occurs in newborns or during early childhood.

Front 30

diaphragmatic hernia

Back 30

A hernia developed in the diaphragm which is a congenital disorder.

Front 31

hiatal hernia

Back 31

The lower part of the esophagus and the top of the stomach slides through an opening (hiatus) in the diaphragm into the thorax.

Front 32

Intestinal Obstruction

Back 32

Occurs when the flow of intestinal contents are blocked. The two types are mechanical and nonmechanical.

Front 33

Mechanical obstruction

Back 33

Occurs when intestinal contents are prevented from moving forward due to an obstacle or barrier that blocks the lumen.

Front 34

Nonmechanical obstruction

Back 34

Occurs when peristalsis is impaired and the intestinal contents cannot be propelled through the bowel.

Front 35

Hepatitis

Back 35

An inflammatory condition of the liver.

Front 36

Hepatitis A

Back 36

Infectious hepatitis. Caused by contaminated food, water, or milk.

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Hepatitis B

Back 37

Serum hepatitis. Transmitted via blood transfusions and sexual contact. A vaccine is available.

Front 38

Hepatitis C

Back 38

Transmitted via blood transfusions and sexual contact. No vaccine is available.

Front 39

Diverticulosis

Back 39

A condition in which small, blisterlike pockets develop in the inner lining of the large intestine and may balloon through the intestinal wall.