Anatomy Exam Terms

alveoli

thin-walled sacs in the lungs that permit the movement of air; they make up the walls of alveolar sacs, or the cluster of grapes that branch off of the bronchioles

angioplasty

a medical procedure in which vessels occluded by arteriosclerosis are opened; the channel of blood flow is opened

antibodies

substances produced by the body that destroy or inactivate a specific substance (antigen) that has entered the body

atrium

technically, it is defined as a chamber or a cavity. It is responsible for receiving blood and sending blood

auricle

part of the ear attached to the side of the head

basophil

a form of a granular leukocyte/white blood cell; its pH stain is blue

bronchi

the branches of the trachea

capillary

tiny vessels that connect arterioles and venules

choroid

middle layer of the eyeball that contains a dark pigment to prevent the scattering of incoming light rays

cochlea

snail shell of structure of similar shape; part of the ear responsible for hearing; connected to the stapes; row of hair cells are called the Organs of Corti

conjunctiva

mucous membrane that lines the eyelids and covers the sclera (white portion of the eye)

cusp

the top part of the tooth

electroencephalogram

graphic representation of voltage changes in brain tissue used to evaluate nerve tissue functions

endocrine

secreting into the blood or tissue fluid rather than into a duct

Endolymph

fills the membranous labyrinth of the cochlea

Eosinophil

white blood cell that is readily stained by eosin

Epicardium

the inner layer of the pericardium that covers the surface of the heart; it is also called the visceral pericardium

Frenulum

the thin membrane that attaches the tongue to the floor of the mouth

Gigantism

a condition produced by hypersecretion of growth hormone during the early years of life; results in a child who grows to gigantic size

Glomerulus

compact cluster; for example, capillaries in the kidneys

Glycosuria

glucose in the urine, a sign of diabetes mellitus

Goiter

enlargement of the thyroid gland

Heparin

naturally-occurring substance that inhibits formation fo a blood clot; has been used as a drug to inhibit clotting

Hydrocephalus

abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid; “water on the brain.”

Hyperopia

refractive disorder of the eye caused by a shorter than normal eyeball; farsightedness

Ischemia

reduced flow of blood to tissue resulting in impairment of cell function

Larynx

the voice box; located just below the pharynx; the largest piece of cartilage making up the larynx is the thyroid cartilage, commonly known as the “Adam’s Apple.”

Leukocyte

white blood cells

Lumen

the hollow space within a tube

Meningitis

inflammation of the meninges caused by a variety of factors, including bacterial infection, mycosis, viral infection, and tumors

Myocardium

the cardiac tissue that each of the heart chambers is made up of

Myopia

refractive disorder of the eye caused by an elongated eyeball; nearsightedness. (p. 280)

Necrosis

refers to the death of cells in a tissue, often resulting in ischemia (reduced blood flow). (p. 387)

Nephritis

general term referring to inflammatory of infectious conditions of renal (kidney) tissue. (p. 546)

Neuritis

general term referring to nerve inflammation. (p. 255)

Otitis

general term referring to inflammation or infection of the ear; otitis media involves the middle ear. (p. 289)

Pericardium

two layered (fibrous and serous) membrane surrounding the heart.

Peristalsis

the process of food being moved through the digestive tract by wavelike, rhythmic contractions of the stomach and intestines

Pharynx

an organ of the digestive and respiratory system.

Plasma

liquid part of blood

Proteinuria

abnormally high amounts of plasma protein in the urine; usually indicates kidney disease

Prothrombin

protein found in normal blood that is necessary for blood to clot

Pulse

alternate expansion and recoil of the blood vessel wall

Retina

innermost layer of the eye; made up of rods and cones that are responsible for vision

Rugae

wrinkles or folds in the stomach

Sclera

white outer coat of the eyeball

Seizure

sudden burst of abnormal neuron activity thatresults in temporary changes in brain function

Spirometer

an instrument used to measure the amount of air exchanged in breathing

Surfactant

a substance covering the surface of the respiratory membrane inside the alveolus; it reduces surface tension and prevents the alveoli from collapsing

Systole

contraction of the heart

Tricuspid

the valve located between the right atrium and ventricle

Trigone

triangular area on the wall of the urinary bladder

Uvula

cone shaped process hanging down from the soft palate that helps prevent food and liquid from entering the nasal cavities

Vein

vessel carrying blood toward the heart

Ventricle

larger and below the atrium; chambers in the heart