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298 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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A-beta fibers
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Large sensory fibers involved in rapidly transmitting sensation and possibly in inhibiting the transmission of pain.
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A-delta fibers
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Small sensory fibers that are involved in the experience of "fast" pain.
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Absolute Risk
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a person's chances of developing a disease or disorder independent of any risk that other people may have for that disease or disorder.
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Acetylcholine
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One of the major neurotransmitters of the autonomic nervous system.
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Acquired immune defiency syndrom (AIDS)
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An immune deficiency caused by viral infection and resulting in vulnerability to a wide range of bacterial, viral, and malignant diseases.
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Acrolein
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A yellowish or colorless, pungent liquid produced as a by-product of tobacco smoke; one of the aldehydes.
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Acupressure
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The application of pressure rather than needles to the points used in acupuncture.
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Acupuncture
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An ancient Chinese form of analgesia that consists of inserting needles into specific points on the skin and continuously stimulating the needles.
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Acute pain
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Short-term pain that results from tissue damage or other trauma.
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Addiction
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Dependence on a drug such that stopping its use results in withdrawal symptoms.
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Adherence
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A patient's ability and willingness to follow recommended health practices.
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Adrenal cortex
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The outer layer of the adrenal glands; secrets glucocorticoids.
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Adrenal glands
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Endocrine glands, located on top of each kidney, that secret hormones and affect metabolism.
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Adrenal medulla
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The inner layer of the adrenal glands; secretes epinephrine and norepinephrine.
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Adrenocortical response
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The response of the adrenal cortex, prompted by ACTH, that results in the release of glucocorticoids including cortisol.
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Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
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A hormone produced by the anterior portion of the pituitary gland that acts on the adrenal gland and is involved in the stress response.
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Adrenomedullary response
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The response of the adrenal medulla, promted by sympathetic nervous system activation, that results in the release of epinephrine.
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Aerobic exercise
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Exercise that requires an increased amount of oxygen consumption over an extended period of time.
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Afferent neurons
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Sensor neurons that relay information from the sense organs toward the brain.
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Agoraphobia
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An anxiety state characterized by fear about or avoidance of places or situations from which escape might be difficult.
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Alarm reaction
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The first stage of the general adaptation syndrome (GAS), in which the body's defenses are mobilized against a stressor.
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Alcohol dehydrogenase
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A liver enzyme that metabolizes alcohol into aldehyde.
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Aldehyde dehydrogenase
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An enzyme that converts aldehyde to acetic acid.
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Aldehydes
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A class of organic componds obtained from alcohol by oxidation and also found in cigarette smoke; they cause mutations and are related to the development of cancer.
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Alkalosis
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An abnormally high level of alkaline in the body.
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Allergy
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An immune system response characterized by an abnormal reaction to a foreign substance.
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Allostasis
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The concept that different circumstances require different levels of physiological activation.
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Alternative medicine
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A group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not currently considered part of conventional medicine and are used as alternatives to conventional treatment.
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Amenorrhea
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Cessaton of the menses.
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Amphetamines
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One type of stimulant drug.
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Anabolic steroids
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Steroid drugs that increase muscle bulk and decrease body fat but also have toxic effects.
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Anaerobic exercise
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Exercise that requires short, intensive bursts of energy but does not require an increased amount of oxygen use.
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Analgesic drugs
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Drugs that decrease the perception of pain.
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Anemia
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A low level of red blood cells, leading to generalized weakness and lack of vitality.
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Anesthesia
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Loss of sensations of temperature, touch, or pain.
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Angina pectoris
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A disorder involving a restricted blood supply to the myocardium, which results in chest pain and restricted breathing.
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Anorexia nervosa
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An eating disorder characterized by intentional starvation, distorted body image, excessive amounts of energy, and an intense fear of gaining weight.
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Antibodies
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Protein substances produced in response to a specific invader or antigen, marking it for destruction and thus creating immunity to that invader.
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Antigens
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Substances that provoke the immune system to produce antibodies.
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Anus
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Opening through which feces are eliminated.
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Arteries
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Vessels carrying blood away from the heart.
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Arterioles
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Small branches of an artery.
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Arteriosclerosis
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A condition marked by loss of elasticity and hardening of arteries.
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Asthma
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A chronic disease that causes constriction of the bronchial tubes, preventing air from passing freely and causing wheezing and difficulty breathing during attacks.
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Atheromatous plaques
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Deposits of cholesterol and other lipids, connective tissue, and muscle tissue.
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Atherosclerosis
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The formation of plaque within the arteries.
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Autioimmune diseases
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Disorders that occur as a result of the immune system's failure to differentiate between body cells and foreign cells, resulting in the body's attack and destruction of its own cells.
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Autonomic nervous system (ANS)
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The part of the peripheral nervous system that primarily serves internal organs.
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Aversion therapy
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A type of behavioral therapy, based on classical conditioning techniques, that uses some aversive stimulus to countercondition the patient's response.
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Ayurveda
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A system of medicine that oiginated in India more than 2,000 years ago; it emphasizes the attainment of health through balance and connecton with all things in the universe.
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B-cell
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A variety of lymphocyte that attacks invading micro-organisms.
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Barbiturates
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Synthetic sedative drugs used medically to induce sleep.
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Behavior modification
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Shaping behavior by manipulating reinforcement in order to obtain a desired behavior.
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Benign
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Limited in cell growth to a single tumor.
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Beta-carotene
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A form of vitamin A found in abundance in vegetables such as carrots and sweet potatoes.
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Bile salts
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Salts produced in the liver and stored in the gall bladder that aid in digestion of fats.
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Biofeedback
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The process of providing feedback information about the status of a biological system to that system.
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Biomedical model
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A perspective that considers disease to result from exposure to a specific disease-causing organism.
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Biopsychosocial model
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The approach to health that includes biological, psychological, and social influences.
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Body mass index (BMI)
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An estimate of obesity determined by body weight and height.
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Bronchitis
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Any inflammation of the bronchi.
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Bulimia
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An eating disorder characterized by periodic bingeing and purging, the latter usually taking the form of self-induced vomiting or laxative abuse.
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C fibers
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Small diameter nerve fibers that provide information concerning slow, diffuse, lingering pain.
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Cancer
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A group of diseases characterized by the presence of new cells that grow and spread beyond control.
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Capillaries
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Very small vessels that connect arteries and veins.
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Carcinogenic
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Cancer-inducing.
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Carcinoma
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Cancer of the epithelial tissues.
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Cardiac arrhythmia
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Irregularity in the heartbeat rhythm.
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Cardiac rehabilitation
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A complex of approaches designed to restore heart patients to cardiovascular health.
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Cardiologist
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A medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease.
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Cardiovascular disease (CVD)
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Disorders of the circulatory system, including coronary artery disease and stroke.
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Cardiovascular reactivity (CVR)
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An increase in blood pressure and heart rate as a reaction to frustration or harassment.
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Cardiovascular system
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The system of the body that includes the heart, arteries, and veins.
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Case-control study
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A retrospective epidemiological study in which people affected by a given disease (cases) are compared to others not affected (controls).
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Catecholamines
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A class of chemicals containing epinephrine and norepinephrine
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Catharsis
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The spoken or written expression of strong negative emotion, which may result in imrovement in physiological or psychological health.
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Central control trigger
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A nerve impulse that descends from the brain and influences the perception of pain.
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Central nervous system (CNS)
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All the neurons within the brain and spinal cord.
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Cholecystokinin (CCK)
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A peptide hormone released by the intestines that may be involved in feelings of satiation after eating.
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Chronic pain
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Pain that endures beyond the time of normal healing; frequently experienced in the absence of detectable tissue damage.
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Chronic reccurent pain
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Alternating episodes of intense pain and no pain.
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Cilia
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Tiny, hairlike structures lining parts of the respiratory system.
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Cirrhosis
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A liver disease resulting in the production of non-functional scar tissue.
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Clinical trial
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A research design that tests the effect of mecial treatment. Many clinical trials are randomized, controlled trials that allow researchers to determine whether a new treatment is or is not effective.
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Cluster headache
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A type of severe headache that occurs in daily clusters for 4 to 16 weeks. Symptoms are similar to migraine, but duration is much briefer.
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Cocaine
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A stimulant drug extracted from the coca plant.
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Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
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A type of therapy that aims to develop beliefs, attitudes, thoughts, and skills to make positive changes in behavior.
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Cognitive therapy
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A type of therapy that aims to change attitudes and beliefs, assuming that behavior chnge will follow.
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Complementary medicine
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A group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not currently considered part of conventional medicine and are used in addition to conventional techiques.
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Coping
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Strategies that individuals use to manage the distressing problems and emotions in their lives.
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Coronary artery disease (CAD)
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A disorder of the myocardium arising from atherosclerosis and/or ateriosclerosis.
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Coronary heart disease (CHD)
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Any damage to the myocardium resulting from insuffcient blood supply.
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Correlation coefficient
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Any positive or negative relationship between two variables. Correlational evidence cannot prove causation, but only that two variables vary together.
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Correlational studies
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Studies designed to yield information concerning the degree of relationship between two variables.
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Cortisol
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A type of glucocorticoid that provides a natural defense against inflammation and regulates carbohydrate metabolism.
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Cross-sectional study
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A type of research design in which subjects of different ages are studied at one point in time.
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Crowding
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A person's percepton of discomfort in a high-density environment.
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Cytokines
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Chemical messengers secreted by cells in the immune system, forming a communication link between the nervous and immune systems.
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Daily hassles
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Everyday events that people experience as harmful, threatening, or annoying.
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Delirium tremens
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A condition induced by alcohol withdrawal and characterized by excessive trembling, sweating, anxiety, and hallucinations.
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Delta alcoholism
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A drinking pattern characterized by an inability to abstain from alcohol.
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Dependence
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A condition in which a drug becomes incorporated into the functioning of the body's cells so that it is needed for "normal" functoning.
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Diabetes mellitus
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A disorder caused by insulin deficiency.
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Diaphragm
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The partition separating the cavity of the chest from that of the abdomen.
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Diastolic pressure
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A measure of blood pressure between contractons of the heart.
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Diathesis-stress model
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A theory of stress that suggests that some individuals are vulnerable to stress-related illnesses because they are genetically predisposed to those illnesses.
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Disulfiram
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A drug that causes an aversive reaction when taken with alcohol; used to treat alcoholism; Antabuse.
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Dophamine
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A neurotansmitter that is especially important in medicating the reward associated with taking psychoactive drugs.
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Dorsal horns
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The part of the spinal cord away from the stomach that receives sensory input and that may play an important role in the perception of pain.
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Dose-response relationship
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A direct, consistent relationship between an independent variable, such as a behavior, and a dependent variable, such as an illness. For example, the greater the number of cigarettes one smokes, the greater the likelihood of lung cancer.
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Double blind design
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An experimental design in which neither the subjects nor those who dispense the treatment condition have knowledge of who receives the treatment and who receives the placebo.
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Eating disorder
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Any serious and habitual disturbance in eating behavior that produces unhealthy consequences.
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Efferent neurons
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Motor neurons that convey impulses away from the brain.
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Electrolyte imbalance
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A condition caused by loss of body minerals.
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Electromyograph (EMG) biofeedback
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Feedback that reflects activity of the skeletal muscles.
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Emotion-focused coping
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Coping strategies oriented toward managing the emotions that accompany the perception of stress.
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Emotional disclosure
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A therapeutic technique whereby people express their strong emotions by talking or writing about the events that precipitated them.
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Emphysema
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A chronic lung disease in which scar tissue and mucus obstruct the respiratory passages.
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Endocrine system
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The system of the body consisting of ductless glands.
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Endorphins
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Naturally occurring neurochemicals whose effects resemble those of the opiates.
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Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS)
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The smoke of spouses, parents, or coworkers to which nonsmokers are exposed; passive smoking.
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Epidemiology
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A branch of medicine that investigates the various factors that contribute either to positive health or to the frequency and distribution of a disease or disorder.
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Epinephrine
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A chemical manufactured by the adrenal medulla that accounts for much of the hormone production of the adrenal glands; sometimes called adrenaline.
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Esophagus
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The tube leading from the pharynx to the stomach.
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Essential hypertension
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Elevations of blood pressure that have no known cause.
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Ethanol
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The variety of alcohol used in beverages.
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Ex post facto design
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A scientific study in which the values of the independent vriable are not manipulated, but selected by the experimenter after the groups have naturally divided themselves.
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Exhaustion stage
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The final stage of the general adaptation syndrome (GAS), in which the body's ability to resist a stressor has been depleted.
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Feces
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Any materials left over after digestion.
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Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)
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A pattern of physical and psychological symptoms found in infants whose mothers drank heavily during pregnancy.
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Fibromyalgia
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A chronic pain condition characterized by tender points throughout the body; this condition produces symptoms of fatigue, headache, cognitive difficulties, anxiety, and sleep disturbances.
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Formaldehyde
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A colorless, pungent gas found in cigarette smoke; it cuses irritation of the respiratory system and has been found to be carninogenic, one of the aldehydes.
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Gall bladder
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A sac on the liver in which bile is stored.
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Gamma alcohololism
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A drinking pattern characterized by loss of control.
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Gastric juices
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Stomach secretions that aid in digestion.
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Gate control theory
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A theory of pain hoding that structures in the spinal cord act as a gate for sensory input that is interreted as pain.
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General adaptation syndrome (GAS)
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The body's generalized attempt to defend itself against stress; consists of alarm reaction, resistance, and exhaustion.
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Ghrelin
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A peptide hormone produced primarily in the stomach, the level of which rises before and falls after meals.
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Glucagon
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A hormone secreted by the pancreas that stimulates the release of glucose, thus elevating blood sugar level.
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Granulocyte
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A type of lymphocyte that acts rapidly to kill invading organisms.
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Health expectancy
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The period of life that a person spends free from disability.
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Health literacy
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The ability to read and understand health information to make health decisions.
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Health psychology
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A field of psychology that contributes to both behavioral medicine and behavioral health; the scientific study of behaviors that relate to health enchhancement, disease prevention, and rehabilitation.
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High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
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A form of lipoprotein that confers some protection against coronary artery disease.
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Hormones
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Chemical substances related into the blood and having effects on other parts of the body.
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Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
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A virus that attacks the human immune system, depleting the body's ability to fight infection; the infection that causes AIDS.
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Humoral immunity
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Immunity created through the process of exposure to antigens and production of antibodies in the bloodstream.
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Hydrocyanic acid
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A poisonous acid produced by treating a cyanide with an acid; one of the products of cigarette smoke.
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Hypertension
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Abnrmally high blood pressure, with either a systolic reading in excess of 160 or a diastolic reading in ecess of 105.
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Hypoglycemia
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Deficiency of sugar in the blood.
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Hypothalamus
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A small structure beneath the thalamus, involved in the control of eating, drinking, and emotional behavior.
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Illness behavior
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Those activities undertaken by people who feel ill and who wish to discover their state of health, as well as suitable remedies. Illness behavior precedes formal diagnosis.
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Immune surveillance theory
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A theoretical model suggesting that cancer is the result of an immune system dysfunction.
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Immunity
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A response to foreign microorganisms that occurs with repeated exposure and results in reisitance to a disease.
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Incidence
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a measure of the frequency of new cases of a disease or disorder during a specified period of time.
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Induction
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The process of being placed into a hypnotic state.
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Inflammation
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A general immune system response that works to restore damaged tissue
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Insulin
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A hormone that enhances glucose intake to the cells.
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Integrative medicine
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The approach to treatment that attempts to integrate techniques from both conventional and alternative medicine.
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Interneurons
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Neurons that connect sensory neurons to moror neurons; association neurons.
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Ischemia
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Restriction of blood flow to tissue or organs; often used with reference to the heart.
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Islet cells
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The part of the pancreas that produces glucagon and insulin.
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Isokinetic exercise
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Exercise requiring exertion for lifting and additional effort for returning weight to the starting position.
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Isometric exercise
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Exercise performed by contracting muscles against an immovable object.
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Isotonic exercise
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Exercise that requires the contraction of muscles and the movement of joints, as in weight lifting.
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Kaposi's sarcoma
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A malignancy characterized by multiple soft, dark blue or purple nodules on the skin, with hemorrhages.
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Laminae
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Layers of cell bodies.
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Leptin
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A protein hormone produced by fat cells in the body that is related to eating and weight control.
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Leukemia
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Cancer originating in blood or blood-producing cells.
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Life-events
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Major events in a person's life that require change or adaptation.
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Lipoproteins
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Substances in the blood consisting of lipid and protein.
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Liver
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The largest gland in the body; it aids digestion by producing bile, regulates orgainic components of the blood, and acts as a detoxifier of blood.
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Longitudinal study
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A type of research design in which one group of subjects is studied over a period of time.
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Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
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A form of lipoprotein found to be positively related to coronary artery disease.
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Lymph
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Tissue fluid that has entered a lymphatic vessel.
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Lymph nodes
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Small nodules of lymphatic tissue spaced through out the lymphatic system that help clean lymph of debris.
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Lymphatic system
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System that transports lymph through the body.
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Lymphocytes
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White blood cells found in lymph that are involved in the immune function.
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Lymphoma
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Cancer of the lymphoid tissues, including lymph nodes.
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Macrophage
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A type of lymphocyte that attacks invading organisms.
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Malignant
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Having the ability not only to grow but also to spread to other parts of the body.
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Medulla
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The structure of the hindbrain just above the spinal cord.
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Meta-analysis
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A statistical technique for combining results of several studies when these studies have similar definitions of variables.
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Metastasize
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To undergo metastasis, the spread of malignancy from one part of the body to another by way of the blood or lymph systems.
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Migraine headache
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Recurrent headache pain originally believed to be caused by constriction and dilation of the vascular arteries but now accepted as involving neurons in the brain stem.
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Model
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A set of related principles or hypotheses constructed to explain significant relationships among concepts or observations.
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Motivational interviewing
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A therapeutic approach that originated within substance abuse treatment that attempts to change a client's motivation and prepares the client to enact changes in behavior.
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Mucociliary escalator
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The mechanism by which debris is moved toward the pharynx.
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Myelin
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A fatty substance that acts as insulation for neurons.
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Myocardial infarction
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Heart attack.
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Myocardium
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The heart muscle.
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Natural killer (NK) cell
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A type of lymphocyte that attacks invading organisims.
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Naturopathy
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A medical system that arose in Europe during the 19th century that holds that nature contains the power to heal and the human body has the ability to maintain and to return to a state of health.
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Negative reinforcement
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Removing an unpleasant or negatively valued stimulus from a situation, thereby strengthening the behavior that precedes this removal.
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Neoplastic
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Characterized by new, abnormal growth of cells.
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Neuroendocrine system
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Those endocrine glands that are controlled by and interact with the nervous system.
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Neurons
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Nerve cells.
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Neurotransmitters
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Chemicals that are released by neurons and that affect the activity of other neurons.
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Nitric oxide
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A colorless gas prepared by the action of nitric acid on copper and also produced in cigarette smoke; it affects oxygen metabolism and may be dangerous.
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Nocebo effect
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Adverse effect of a placebo.
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Nociceptors
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Sensory receptors in the skin and organs that are capable of responding to various types of stimulation that may cause tissue damage.
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Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
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A malignancy characterized by rapidly growing tumors that are spread through the circulatory or lymphatic systems.
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Norepinephrine
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One of two major neurotransmitters of the autononmic nervous system.
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Oncologist
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A physician who specializes in the treatment of cancer.
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Opiates
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Drugs derived from the opium poppy, including codeine, morphine, and heroin.
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Optimistic bias
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The belief that other people, but not oneself, will develop a disease, have an accident, or experience other negative events.
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Osteoarthritis
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Progressive inflammation of the joints.
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Osteoporosis
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A disease characterized by a reduction in bone density, brittleness of bones, and a loss of calcium from the bones.
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Pancreas
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An endocrine gland, located below the stomach, that produces digestive juices and hormones.
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Pancreatic juices
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Acid-reducing enzymes secreted by the pancreas into the small intestine.
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Parasympathetic nervous system
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A division of the autonomic nervous system that promotes relaxation and functions under normal, nonstressful conditions.
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Passive smoking
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The exposure of nonsmokers to the smoke of spouses, parents, or coworkers; environmental tobacco smoke.
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Pathogen
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Any disease-causing organism.
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Pepsin
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An enzyme, produced by gastric mucosa, that initiates digestive activity.
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Periaqueductal gray
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An area of the midbrain that, when stimulated, decreases pain.
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Peripheral nervous system (PNS)
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The nerves that lie outside the brain and spinal cord.
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Peristalsis
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Contractions that propel food through the digestive tract.
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Personal control
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Confidence that people have in their ability to control the events that shape their lives.
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Phagocytosis
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The process of engulfing and killing foreign particles.
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Phantom limb pain
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The experience of chronic pain in an absent body part.
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Pharynx
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Part of the digestive tract between the mouth and the esophagus.
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Pituitary gland
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An endocrine gland that lies within the brain and whose secretions regulate many other glands.
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Placebo
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An inactive substance or condition that has the apperance of an active treatment and that may cause improvement or change because of people's belief in the placebo's efficacy.
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Plasma cells
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Cells, derived from B-cells, that secrete antibodies.
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Population density
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A physical condition in which a large population occupies a limited space.
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Positive reinforcement
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Adding a positively valued stimulus to a stiuation, thereby strengthening the behavior it follows.
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Positive reinforcer
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Any positively valued stimulus that, when added to a situation, strenthens the behavior it follows.
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Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
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An anxiety disorder caused by experience with an extremely traumatic event and characterized by recurrent and intrusive reexperienceing of the event.
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Prechronic pain
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Pain that endures the acute phase but has not yet become chronic.
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Prevalence
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The proportion of a population that has a disease or disorder at a specific point in time.
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Primary afferents
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Sensory neurons that convey impulses from the skin to the spinal cord.
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Primary appraisal
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One's intitial apprasial of a potentially stressful event.
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Proactive coping
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A coping strategy that involves anticipating a problem and taking steps to avoid it.
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Problem-focused coping
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Coping strategies aimed at changing the source of the stress.
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Prospective studies
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Longitudinal studies that begin with a disease-free group of subjects and follow the occurrence of disease in that population or sample.
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Prudent diet
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A dietary pattern high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, fish, and poultry and low in red meat and refined grains.
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Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI)
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A multidisciplinary field that focuses on the interactions among behavior, the nervous system, the endocrine system, and the immune system.
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Punishment
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The presentation of an aversive stimulus or the removal of a positive one. Punishent sometimes, but not always, weakens a response.
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Raynaud's disease
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A vasoconstrictive disorder characterized by inadequate circulation in the extremities, especially the fingers or toes, resulting in pain.
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Reapprasial
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One's nearly constant reevaluation of stressful events.
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Resiprocal determinism
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Bandura's model that includes environment, behavior, and person as mutually interacting factors.
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Rectum
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The end of the digestive tract leading to the anus.
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Relative risk
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The risk a person has for a particular disease compared with the risk of other people who do not have that person's conditon or lifestyle.
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Reliability
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The extent to which a test or other measuring instrument yields consistent results.
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Resistance stage
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The second stage of the geeral adaptation syndrome (GAS), in which the body adapts to a stressor,.
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Retrospective studies
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Longitudinal studies that look back at the history of a population or sample.
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Rheumatoid arthritis
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An autoimmune disorder characterized by a dull ache within or around a joint.
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Risk factor
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Any characteristic or condition that occurs with greater frequency in people with a disease than it does in people free from that disease.
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Salivary glands
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Glands that furnish moisture that helps in tasting and digesting food.
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Sarcoma
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Cancer of the connective tissues.
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Secondary appraisal
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One's perceived ability to control or cope with harm, threat, or challenge.
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Secondary hypertension
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Elevations in blood pressure that are triggered by other diseases.
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Sedatives
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Drugs that induce relaxation and sometimes intoxication by lowering the activity of the brain, the neurons, the muscles, the heart, and even by slowing the metabolic rate.
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Selenium
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A trace element found in grain products and in meat from grain-fed animals.
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Self-efficacy
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The belief that one is capable of performing the behaviors that will produce desired outcomes in any particular siuation.
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Self-selection
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A condition of an experimental investigation in which subjects are allowed, in some manner, to determine their own placement in either the experimental or the control group.
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Setpoint
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A hypothetical ratio of fat to lean tissue at which a person's weight will tend to stablilize.
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Sick role behavior
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Those activities undertaken by people who have been diagnosed as sick that are directed at getting well.
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Single-blind design
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A design in which the participants do not know if they are receiving the active or inactive treatment, but the providers are not blind to treatment conditions.
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Social contacts
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Number and kinds of people with whom one associates;members of one's social network.
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Social isolation
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The absence of specific role relationships
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Social network
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The number and kinds of people with whom one associates; social contacts.
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Social support
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Both tangible and intangible support a person receives from other people.
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Somatic nervous system
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The part of the PNS that serves the skin and voluntary muscles.
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Somatosensory cortex
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The part of the brain that receives and processes sensory input from the body.
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Somatosensory system
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The part of the nervous system that carries sensory information from the body to the brain.
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Spleen
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A large organ near the stomach that serves as a repository for lymphocytes and red blood cells.
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Spontaneous remission
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Disapperance of problem behavior or illness without treatment.
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State anxiety
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A temporary condition of dread or uneasiness stemming from a specific situation.
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Stroke
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Damage to the brain resulting from lack of oxygen; typically the result of cardiovascular disease.
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Subject variable
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A variable chosen (rather than manipulated) by a reasearcher to provide levels of comparison for groups of subjects.
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Substantia gelatinosa
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Two layers of the dorsal horns of the spinal cord.
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Sympathetic nervous system
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A division of the autonomic nervous system that mobilizes the body's resources in emergency, stressful, and emotional situations.
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Synaptic cleft
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The space between neurons.
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Syndrome
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A cluster of symptoms that characterize a particular condition.
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Synergistic effect
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The combined effect of two or more variables that exceeds the sum of their individual effects.
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Systolic pressure
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A measure of blood pressure generated by the heart's contraction.
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T-cells
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the cells of the immune system that produce immunity.
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Tension headache
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Pain produced by sustained muscle contractions in the neck, shoulders, scalp and face, as well as by activity in the central nervous system.
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Thalamus
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Structure in the forebrain that acts as a relay center for incoming sensory information and outgoing motor information.
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Theory
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A set of related assumptions from which testable hyptheses can be drawn.
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Thermal biofeedback
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Feedback concerning changes in skin temperature.
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Thermister
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A temperature-sensitive resistor used in thermal biofeedbackl.
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Thymosin
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A hormone produced by the thymus.
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Thymus
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An organ located near the heart that secrets thymosin and thus processes and activates T-cells.
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Tolerance
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The need for increasing levels of a drug in order to produce a constant level of effect.
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Tonsils
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Masses of lymphatic tissue located in the pharynx.
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Trait anxiety
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A personality characteristic that manifests itself as a more or less constant feeling of dread or uneasiness.
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Tranquilizers
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A type of sedative drug that reduces anxiety.
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Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
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Treatment for pain involving electrical stimulation of neurons from the surface of the skin.
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Triglycerides
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A group of molecules consisting of glycerol and tree fatty acids; one of the components of serum lipids that has been implicated in the formation of atherosclerotic plaque.
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Urban press
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The many environmental stressors that affect city living, including noise, crowding, crime, and pollution.
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Vaccination
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A method of inducing immunity in which a weakened form of a virus or bacterium is introduced into the body.
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Validity
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Accuracy; the extent to which a test or other measuring instrument measures what it is supposed to measure.
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Veins
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Vessels that carry blood to the heart.
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Venules
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The smallest veins.
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Well-year
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The equivalent of a year of complete wellness.
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Withdrawal
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Advers physiological reactions exhibited when a drug-dependent person stops using that drug; the withdrawal symptoms are typically unpleasant and opposite to the drug's effects.
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