Health Vocabulary

Front 1

the body cavity in which the major organs of the digestive system are found

Back 1

abdominal cavity

Front 2

the small gland at the top of the kidney that helps control the function of the kidney

Back 2

adrenal gland

Front 3

the small sacks in the lungs at which carbon dioxide is exchanged for oxygen

Back 3

alveoli

Front 4

an eating disorder in which a person loses weight through a failure to eat

Back 4

anorexia

Front 5

a substance that neutralizes excess stomach acid

Back 5

antacid

Front 6

substances found in the blood that produce immunity against certain micro-organisms that attack the body

Back 6

antibiotics

Front 7

the opening at the end of the digestive system through which solid waste products are discharged

Back 7

anus

Front 8

the large blood vessel leading from the heart that supplies blood to most of the body

Back 8

aorta

Front 9

the surgical removal of the appendix

Back 9

appendectomy

Front 10

an inflammation of the appendix

Back 10

appendicitis

Front 11

a small pouch extending from the lower right hand side of the large intestine

Back 11

appendix

Front 12

blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to the parts of the body

Back 12

arteries

Front 13

a fluid produced by the liver that helps to absorb fat

Back 13

bile

Front 14

the duct from the gall bladder to the small intestine

Back 14

bile duct

Front 15

an expandable sack that holds urine until it is eliminated from the body

Back 15

bladder

Front 16

a fluid circulates by the heart that carries oxygen, nutrients, and hormones to the body

Back 16

blood

Front 17

cells (red and white) that are present in the blood

Back 17

blood cells

Front 18

the hollow tubes through which blood travels

Back 18

blood vessels

Front 19

the hard substance that forms the skeleton

Back 19

bone

Front 20

the part of the brain that connects to the spinal cord

Back 20

brain stem

Front 21

a branch of the trachea leading into a lung

Back 21

bronchus

Front 22

person repeatedly eats large amounts of food then forces themselves to throw it up

Back 22

bulmia

Front 23

an image produced by a computer from a series of x-rays

Back 23

CT scan

Front 24

a unit that measures the amount of energy in food

Back 24

calorie

Front 25

a disease in which cells reproduce uncontrollably

Back 25

cancer

Front 26

the small blood vessels that carry oxygen to cells

Back 26

capillaries

Front 27

a group of compounds that are important in maintaining body energy

Back 27

carbohydrates

Front 28

a clear, odorless waste gas produced by cells

Back 28

carbon dioxide

Front 29

a flexible supporting tissue often found in joints

Back 29

cartilage

Front 30

a hole or space

Back 30

cavity

Front 31

the fundametal unit of an organism consisting of nuclei and cytoplasm; it is surrounded by a membrane or cell wall

Back 31

cell

Front 32

the part of the brain responsible for balance and movement

Back 32

cerebellum

Front 33

the body cavity in which the major organs of the repiratory and circulatory system are found

Back 33

chest cavity

Front 34

a group of substances produced by the body, important as hormones and found frequently in nerves

Back 34

cholesterol

Front 35

the system of the human body that is responsible for moving fluid around the body

Back 35

circulatory system

Front 36

the large intestine

Back 36

colon

Front 37

a decrease in the length of muscle cells, causing a decrease in the length (or width) of a muscle

Back 37

contraction

Front 38

the muscular membrane that separates the organs of the chest from those of the abdomen

Back 38

diaphragm

Front 39

a decline of the body due to a condition that is identified by signs and symptoms

Back 39

disease

Front 40

to cut apart a non-living organism

Back 40

dissect

Front 41

a compound produced by living organisms that is important in controlling body functions

Back 41

enzyme

Front 42

the muscular tube through which food passes from the throat to the stomach

Back 42

esophagus

Front 43

the body system that eliminates waste matter from the blood, tissues, and organs

Back 43

excretory system

Front 44

energy rich compounds that occur in animal and plant tissue

Back 44

fats

Front 45

the large upper bone of the leg

Back 45

femur

Front 46

the sack that stores bile before it is released into the small intestine

Back 46

gall bladder

Front 47

a colorless, watery acidic fluid secreted by the glands of the stomach

Back 47

gastric juices

Front 48

a group of cells that secretes a substance for a specific function

Back 48

gland

Front 49

the most important sugar used by the body

Back 49

glucose

Front 50

the hollow tube from the esophagus to the anus

Back 50

gut

Front 51

the hollow, muscular organ that pumps blood to the body

Back 51

heart

Front 52

chemicals that are important in controlling body functions

Back 52

hormones

Front 53

the upper bone of the arm

Back 53

humerus

Front 54

the cells of the body that try to prevent disease

Back 54

immune system

Front 55

an invasion of hte body by microorganisms that causes disease

Back 55

infection

Front 56

a compound produced by the pancreas that allows cells to take in sugar

Back 56

insulin

Front 57

the organs of the chest and abdominal cavities

Back 57

internal organs

Front 58

the large and small intestines

Back 58

intestines

Front 59

the place where two bones meet

Back 59

joint

Front 60

an organ that maintains proper water balance and excretes waste as urine

Back 60

kidney

Front 61

a portion of the digestive sysem that extends from the end of the small intestine to the anus

Back 61

large intestine

Front 62

connective tissue that connects two bones

Back 62

ligament

Front 63

a large organ of the digestive system that de-toxifies blood

Back 63

liver

Front 64

a part of an organ such as the lungs or liver

Back 64

lobe

Front 65

an organ of the respiratory system that removes carbon dioxide from the blood and provides the blood with oxygen

Back 65

lungs

Front 66

a sophisticated technique used to view inside the body without damaging it

Back 66

magnetic resonance imaging

Front 67

the jaw bone

Back 67

mandible

Front 68

connective tissue found in bones that makes blood cells

Back 68

marrow

Front 69

the basic processes of life

Back 69

metabolism

Front 70

natural, non-living substances required by the body for its metabolic processes

Back 70

minerals

Front 71

a slimy fluid produced by skin cells

Back 71

mucus

Front 72

a tissue composed of fibers capable of contracting and relaxing, creating body movement

Back 72

muscle

Front 73

the space directly behind the nostril inside of the nose

Back 73

nasal cavity

Front 74

bundles of fibers connecting the central nervous system to the parts of the body

Back 74

nerves

Front 75

the system that allows the body to control and respond to movement

Back 75

nervous system

Front 76

substances that provide nourishment to the body

Back 76

nutrients

Front 77

having an excess amount of fat in the body

Back 77

obesity

Front 78

a part of a living thing that has a particular function and distinguishing properties (e.g. the liver)

Back 78

organ

Front 79

a group of organs within the body that carry out specific activities

Back 79

organ system

Front 80

a gas essential to animal cells

Back 80

oxygen

Front 81

the organ of the digestive system that produces insulin

Back 81

pancreas

Front 82

an organism or compound that causes a disease

Back 82

pathogen

Front 83

the bones at the botton of the spine that correct it to the legs

Back 83

pelvis

Front 84

muscle contractions that push food along the digestive tract

Back 84

peristalsis

Front 85

body compounds responsible for growth and the repair of tissues

Back 85

proteins

Front 86

the lower end of the large intestine

Back 86

rectum

Front 87

the cells in the blood that carry oxygen from the lungs to the body cells

Back 87

red blood cell

Front 88

the exchange of carbon dioxide for oxygen at the lungs

Back 88

respiration

Front 89

the semicircular bones that stretch from the spine to the sternum and protect chest cavity

Back 89

ribs

Front 90

a fluid that is produced in the mouth that contains digestive enzymes

Back 90

saliva

Front 91

the support structure of a vertebrate animal composed of bone and cartilage

Back 91

skeleton

Front 92

the jaw and bones that surround the brain

Back 92

skull

Front 93

the part of the digestive system between the stomach and the large intestine

Back 93

small intestine