| A | B |
|---|
| abdominal quadrants | four divisions of the abdomen used to pinpoint the location of a pain or injury: the right upper quadrant (RUQ), the left upper quadrant (LUQ), the right lower quadrant (RLQ), and the left lower quadrant (LLQ) |
| acetabulum | the pelvic socket into which the ball at the proximal end of the femur fits to form the hip joint |
| acromiolavicular joint | the joint where the acromion and the clavicle meet |
| acromion process | the highest portion of the shoulder |
| alveoli | the microscopic sacs of the lungs where gas exchange with the bloodstream takes place |
| anatomical position | the standard reference position for the body in the study of anatomy. In this position, the body is standing erect, facing the observe, with arms down at the sides and the palms of the hands forward |
| anatomy | the study of body structure |
| anterior | the front of the body or body part |
| aorta | the largest artery in the body, it transports blood from the left ventricle to begin systemic circulation |
| arteriole | the smallest kind of artery |
| artery | any blood vessel carrying blood away from the heart |
| atria | the two upper chambers of the heart. There is a right atrium (which receives unoxygenated blood returning from the body) and a left atrium (which receives oxygenated blood returning from the lungs) |
| automaticity | the ability of the heart to generate and conduct electrical impulses on its own |
| autonomic nervous system | the division of the peripheral nervous system that controls involuntary mortor functions |
| bilateral | on both sides |
| blood pressure | the pressure caused by blood exerting force against the walls of blood vessels. Usually arterial blood pressure (the pressure in the artery) is measured |
| brachial artery | artery of the upper arm; the site of the pulse checked during infant CPR |
| bronchi | the two large sets of branches that come off the trachea and enter the lungs. There are right and let bronchi. Singular bronchus |
| calcaneus | the heel bone |
| capillary | a thin-walled, microscopic blood vessel whre the oxygen/carbon dioxide and nutrient/waste exchange with the body's cells takes place |
| cardiac conduction system | a system of specialized muscle tissues which conduct electrical impules that stimulate the heart to beat |
| cardiac muscle | specialized involuntary muscle found only in the heart |
| cardiovascular system | the system made up of the heart (cardio) and the blood vessels (vascular); the circulatory system |
| carotid artery | the large neck arteries, one on each side of teh neck, that carry blood from the ehart to the head |
| carpals | the wrist bones |
| central nervous system | the brain and spinal cord |
| central pulses | the carotid and femoral pulses, which can be felt in the central part of the body |
| circulatory system | the system made up of the heart and the blood vessels; the cardiovascular system |
| clavicle | the collarbone |
| coronary arteries | blood vessels that supply the muscle of the heart (myocardium) |
| cricoid cartilage | the ring-shaped structure that forms the lower portion of the larynx |
| dermis | the inner (second) layer of skin, rich in blood vessels and nerves, found beneath the epidermis |
| diaphragm | the muscular structure that divides the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity. A major muscle of respiration |
| diastolic blood pressure | the pressure in the arteries when the left ventricle is refilling |
| distal | farther away from the torso |
| dorsal | referring to the back of the body or the back of the hand or foot. A synonym for posterior |
| dorsalis pedis artery | artery supplying the foot, lateral to the large tendon of the big toe |
| epidermis | the outer layer of skin |
| epiglottis | a leaf-shaped structure that prevents food and foreign matter from entering the trachea |
| epinephrine | a hormone produced by the body. As a medication, it dilates respiratory passages and is used to relieve severe allergic reactions |
| exhalation | a passive process in which the intercostal (rib) muscles and the diaphragm relax, causing the chest cavity to decrease in size and air to flow out of the lungs |
| femoral artery | the major artery supplying the leg |
| femur | the large bone of the thigh |
| fibula | the lateral and smaller bone of the lower leg |
| Fowler's position | a sitting position |
| humerus | the bone of the upper arm, between the shoulder and the elbow |
| hypoperfusion | inadequate perfusion of teh cells and tissues of the body caused by insufficient flow of blood through the capillaries |
| ilium | the superior and widest portion of the pelvis |
| inferior | away from the head; usually compared with another structure that is closer to the head (e.g., the lips are inferior to the nose). |
| inhalation | an active process in whcih the intercostal (rib) muscles and the diaphragm contract, expanding the size of the chest cavity and causing air to flow into the lungs |
| insulin | a hormone produced by the pancreas or taken as a medication by many diabetics |
| ischium | the lower, posterior portions of the pelvix |
| involuntary muscle | muscle that responds automatically to brain signals but cannot be consciously controlled |
| larynx | the voice box |
| lateral | to the side, away from the midline of teh body |
| lungs | the organs where exchange of atmospheric oxygen and waste carbon dioxide take place |
| malleolus | protusion on the side of the ankle. The lateral malleolus, at the lower end of the fibula, is seen on the outer ankle; the medial malleolus, at the lower end of teh tibia, is seen on the inner ankle |
| mandible | the lower jaw bone |
| manubrium | the superior portion of the sternum |
| maxillae | the two fused bones forming the upper jaw |
| medial | toward the midline of the body |
| metacarpals | the hand bones |
| metatarsals | the foot bones |
| mid-axillary line | a line drawn vertically from the middle of the armpit to the ankle |
| midline | a imaginary line drawn down the center of teh body, dividing it into right and left halves |
| musculoskeletal system | the system of bones and skeletal muscles that support and protect the body and permit movement |
| nasal bones | the nose bones |
| nasopharynx | the area directly posterior to the nose |
| nervous system | the system of brain, spinal cord, and nerves that govern sensation, movement, and thought |
| orbits | the bony structures around the eyes; the eye sockets |
| oropharynx | the area directly posterior to the mouth |
| palmar | referring to the palm of the hand |
| patella | the kneecap |
| perfusion | the supply of oxygen to and removal of wastes from the cells and tissues of the body as a result of the flow of blood through the capillaries |
| peripheral nervous system | (PNS) the nerves that enter and leave the spinal cord and travel between the brain and organs without passing through the spinal cord |
| peripheral pulses | the radial, brachial, posterior tibial, and dorsalis pedis pulses, which can be felt at peripheral (outlying) points of the body |
| phlanges | the toe bones and finger bones |
| pharynx | the area directly posterior to the mouth and nose. It is made up of the oropharynx and the nasopharynx |
| physiology | the study of body function |
| plane | a flat surface formed when slicing through a solid object |
| plantar | referring to the sole of the foot |
| plasma | the fluid portion of the blood |
| platelets | components of the blood; membrane enclosed fragments of specialized cells |
| posterior | the back of the body or body part |
| posterior tibial artery | artery supplying the foot, behind the medial ankle |
| prone | lying face down |
| proximal | closer to the torso |
| pubis | the medial anterior portion of the pelvis |
| pulmonary arteries | the vessels that carry blood from the right ventricle of teh heart to the lungs |
| pulmonary veins | the vessels that carry oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium of teh heart |
| pulse | the rhythmic beats caused as waves of blood move through and expand the arteries |
| radial artery | artery of the lower arm. It is felt when taking the pulse at the wrist |
| radius | the lateral bone of the forearm |
| recovery position | lying on the side. Also called lateral recumbent position |
| red blood cells | components of the blood. They carry oxygen to and carbon dioxide away from the cells |
| respiratory system | the system of nose, mouth, throat, lungs, and muscles that brings oxygen into the body and expels carbon dioxide |
| scapula | the shoulder blade |
| shock | hypoperfusion |
| sternum | the breastbone |
| subcutaneous layers | the layers of fat and soft tissues found below the dermis |
| superior | toward the head (e.g., the chest is superior to the abdomen). |
| supine | lying on the back |
| systolic blood pressure | the pressure created in the arteries when the left ventricle contracts and forces blood out into circulation |
| tarsals | the ankle bones |
| thorax | the chest |
| tibia | the medial and larger bone of the lower leg |
| torso | the trunk of the body; the body without the head and the extremities |
| trachea | the "windpipe"; the structure that connects the pharynx to the lungs |
| Trendelenburg position | a position in which the patient's feet and legs are higher than the head. Also called shock position |
| ulna | the medial bone of the forearm |
| vein | any blood vessel returning blood to the heart |
| venae cavae | the superior vena cava and the inferior vena cava. These two major veins return blood from the body to the right atrium (Venae cavae is plural, vena cava singular) |
| ventral | referring to the front of the body. A synonym for anterior |
| ventricles | the two lower chambers of the heart. There is a right ventricle (which sends oxygen-poor blood to the lungs) and a left ventricle (which sends oxygen-rich blood to the body) |
| venule | the smallest kind of vein |
| vertebrae | the 33 bones of the spinal column |
| voluntary muscle | muscle that can be consciously controlled |
| white blood cells | components of the blood. They produce substances that help the body fight infection |
| xiphoid process | the inferior portion of the sternum |
| zygomatic bones | the cheekbones |
