Anatomy and physiology terminology
Introduction:
Anatomy and physiology are fundamental sciences that explore the structure and function of the human body. Anatomy focuses on the physical structures, such as organs and tissues, while physiology examines how these parts work together to sustain life. Together, they provide a comprehensive understanding of how the body operates under normal and pathological conditions. Mastering the terminology used in these fields is essential for anyone studying or working in healthcare. This guide offers a concise explanation of 200 key terms to support learning and application in anatomy and physiology.
General Terms
1. Anatomy - The study of the structure of the body and its parts.
2. Physiology - The study of the function of the body and its parts.
3. Homeostasis - The maintenance of a stable internal environment in the body.
4. Cell - The basic structural and functional unit of life.
5. Tissue - A group of similar cells working together to perform a specific function.
6. Organ - A structure composed of multiple tissues that perform a specific function.
7. Organ System - A group of organs working together to perform complex functions.
8. Pathology - The study of diseases and their effects on the body.
9. Anterior (ventral) - Front side of the body.
10. Posterior (dorsal) - Back side of the body.
Skeletal System
11. Axial Skeleton - Includes the skull, vertebral column, and rib cage.
12. Appendicular Skeleton - Includes the limbs and girdles.
13. Osteocyte - A mature bone cell.
14. Osteoblast - A cell responsible for bone formation.
15. Osteoclast - A cell that breaks down bone tissue.
16. Cartilage - Flexible connective tissue found in joints.
17. Ligament - Tissue connecting bones to other bones.
18. Tendon - Tissue connecting muscle to bone.
19. Foramen - A hole in a bone.
20. Articulation - A joint or connection between bones.
Muscular System
21. Skeletal Muscle - Voluntary muscle attached to bones.
22. Smooth Muscle - Involuntary muscle found in internal organs.
23. Cardiac Muscle - Muscle of the heart.
24. Sarcomere - The basic unit of muscle contraction.
25. Myosin - Thick filament in muscle fibers.
26. Actin - Thin filament in muscle fibers.
27. Tropomyosin - Protein that regulates muscle contraction.
28. ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) - The energy molecule used in muscle contraction.
29. Motor Neuron - A nerve cell that stimulates muscle contraction.
30. Flexion - Decreasing the angle between two bones.
Nervous System
31. Neuron - The basic unit of the nervous system.
32. Axon - Long extension of a neuron that transmits impulses.
33. Dendrite - Branches of a neuron that receive signals.
34. Synapse - The junction between two neurons.
35. Neurotransmitter - Chemical messenger in the nervous system.
36. CNS (Central Nervous System) - Includes the brain and spinal cord.
37. PNS (Peripheral Nervous System) - Includes nerves outside the CNS.
38. Myelin Sheath - Insulating layer around axons.
39. Reflex - An automatic response to a stimulus.
40. Somatic Nervous System - Controls voluntary movements.
Circulatory System
41. Heart - The organ that pumps blood.
42. Atrium - Upper chamber of the heart.
43. Ventricle - Lower chamber of the heart.
44. Artery - Blood vessel carrying blood away from the heart.
45. Vein - Blood vessel carrying blood toward the heart.
46. Capillary - Smallest blood vessel for exchange of substances.
47. Hemoglobin - Protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen.
48. Plasma - The liquid component of blood.
49. Platelet - Cell fragment involved in clotting.
50. Aorta - The largest artery in the body.
Respiratory System
51. Trachea - The windpipe; connects the throat to the lungs.
52. Bronchi - Branches of the trachea leading to each lung.
53. Alveoli - Air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs.
54. Diaphragm - Muscle that aids in breathing.
55. Oxygen - Essential gas for cellular respiration.
56. Carbon Dioxide - Waste gas exhaled by the body.
57. Larynx - Voice box; houses the vocal cords.
58. Epiglottis - Flap that prevents food from entering the windpipe.
59. Respiration - Process of breathing and gas exchange.
60. Pulmonary Artery - Carries deoxygenated blood to the lungs.
Digestive System
61. Esophagus - Tube that connects the throat to the stomach.
62. Stomach - Organ that breaks down food.
63. Small Intestine - Absorbs nutrients from digested food.
64. Large Intestine - Absorbs water and forms feces.
65. Liver - Produces bile for fat digestion.
66. Gallbladder - Stores bile.
67. Pancreas - Produces digestive enzymes and insulin.
68. Peristalsis - Muscle contractions that move food through the digestive tract.
69. Enzyme - Protein that speeds up chemical reactions.
70. Villi - Finger-like projections in the small intestine that increase absorption.
Endocrine System
71. Hormone - Chemical messenger produced by glands.
72. Pituitary Gland - Master gland controlling other glands.
73. Thyroid Gland - Regulates metabolism.
74. Adrenal Glands - Produce adrenaline and cortisol.
75. Insulin - Hormone that regulates blood sugar.
76. Glucagon - Hormone that raises blood sugar levels.
77. Estrogen - Female sex hormone.
78. Testosterone - Male sex hormone.
79. Hypothalamus - Brain region controlling the endocrine system.
80. Pancreas - Dual role in digestion and hormone production.
Urinary System
81. Kidney - Filters blood to produce urine.
82. Ureter - Tube carrying urine from kidney to bladder.
83. Bladder - Stores urine.
84. Urethra - Tube through which urine exits the body.
85. Nephron - Functional unit of the kidney.
86. Filtration - Process of removing waste from the blood.
87. Reabsorption - Returning useful substances to the blood.
88. Excretion - Elimination of waste from the body.
89. Electrolytes - Minerals in body fluids.
90. pH - Measure of acidity or alkalinity.
Immune System
91. Antigen - A substance that triggers an immune response.
92. Antibody - A protein produced by B cells that binds to antigens.
93. Lymph - Fluid that circulates through the lymphatic system.
94. Lymph Node - A small structure that filters lymph and fights infection.
95. White Blood Cell (Leukocyte) - Cells involved in protecting the body from infection.
96. T Cell - A type of lymphocyte involved in cell-mediated immunity.
97. B Cell - A type of lymphocyte that produces antibodies.
98. Macrophage - A large white blood cell that engulfs pathogens.
99. Pathogen - A microorganism that causes disease.
100. Vaccine - A preparation that stimulates an immune response to provide immunity.
Reproductive System
101. Ovary - Produces eggs and female hormones.
102. Testis - Produces sperm and male hormones.
103. Uterus - The organ where a fertilized egg develops.
104. Fallopian Tube - Transports eggs from the ovary to the uterus.
105. Vagina - The birth canal and passageway for menstrual flow.
106. Penis - The male organ for reproduction and urination.
107. Prostate Gland - Produces seminal fluid for sperm.
108. Semen - A fluid containing sperm and secretions from male reproductive glands.
109. Fertilization - The union of a sperm and egg cell.
110. Embryo - An early stage of development after fertilization.
Integumentary System
111. Epidermis - The outermost layer of the skin.
112. Dermis - The middle layer of the skin containing nerves and blood vessels.
113. Melanin - A pigment that gives skin its color.
114. Sweat Gland - Produces sweat to regulate body temperature.
115. Sebaceous Gland - Produces oil (sebum) to lubricate the skin.
116. Hair Follicle - The structure in the skin where hair grows.
117. Keratin - A protein that strengthens skin, hair, and nails.
118. Subcutaneous Layer - The innermost layer of skin, containing fat.
119. Cuticle - The layer of skin at the base of a nail.
120. UV Radiation - Sunlight that can damage the skin and cause cancer.
Sensory System
121. Eye - Organ of vision.
122. Retina - Light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye.
123. Cornea - Transparent front part of the eye that refracts light.
124. Iris - Colored part of the eye that regulates light entry.
125. Pupil - The opening in the iris that allows light into the eye.
126. Ear - Organ of hearing and balance.
127. Cochlea - A spiral-shaped organ in the ear for hearing.
128. Olfactory Bulb - Structure in the brain for smell detection.
129. Taste Bud - Sensory organ for tasting.
130. Touch Receptor - Nerve endings that detect pressure, temperature, and pain.
Additional Terminology
131. Anabolism - The process of building up molecules in the body.
132. Catabolism - The process of breaking down molecules for energy.
133. Metabolism - The sum of all chemical reactions in the body.
134. Enzyme - A protein that speeds up chemical reactions.
135. Diffusion - The movement of substances from high to low concentration.
136. Osmosis - The diffusion of water through a semi-permeable membrane.
137. ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) - Energy currency of the cell.
138. pH - Scale measuring acidity or alkalinity.
139. Electrolyte - Minerals in the blood and body fluids that carry an electric charge.
140. Isotonic - A solution with equal solute concentration as the cell.
Terminology for Body Systems
141. Hyperplasia - Increase in the number of cells in a tissue or organ.
142. Hypertrophy - Enlargement of an organ or tissue due to cell growth.
143. Atrophy - Decrease in the size of a body part due to disuse or disease.
144. Necrosis - Death of cells or tissues due to injury or lack of oxygen.
145. Apoptosis - Programmed cell death for removing damaged cells.
146. Mitochondria - Organelles that produce energy in the cell.
147. Ribosome - Organelle where protein synthesis occurs.
148. Golgi Apparatus - Organelle that processes and packages proteins.
149. Endoplasmic Reticulum - Network of membranes involved in protein and lipid synthesis.
150. Lysosome - Organelle containing enzymes for breaking down waste.
Cardiovascular Terms
151. Systole - Phase of the heartbeat when the heart contracts.
152. Diastole - Phase of the heartbeat when the heart relaxes.
153. Blood Pressure - Force of blood against vessel walls.
154. Stroke Volume - Amount of blood pumped per heartbeat.
155. Cardiac Output - Volume of blood the heart pumps per minute.
156. Endocardium - Inner lining of the heart.
157. Myocardium - Muscular layer of the heart.
158. Epicardium - Outer layer of the heart.
159. Pericardium - Sac surrounding the heart.
160. Angiogenesis - Formation of new blood vessels.
Lymphatic and Immune Terms
161. Lymphatic Vessels - Tubes that carry lymph throughout the body.
162. Thymus - Gland where T cells mature.
163. Spleen - Organ that filters blood and helps fight infections.
164. Immunity - The body’s ability to resist infection.
165. Innate Immunity - The body’s first line of defense against pathogens.
166. Adaptive Immunity - The body’s ability to recognize and remember specific pathogens.
167. Cytokine - Protein that regulates immune responses.
168. Histamine - Chemical released during allergic reactions.
169. Autoimmune Disease - Condition where the immune system attacks the body’s tissues.
170. Immunoglobulin - Another term for antibodies.
Advanced Digestive Terms
171. Chyme - Semi-digested food in the stomach.
172. Bile - Substance produced by the liver that helps digest fats.
173. Gastric Juice - Acidic fluid in the stomach aiding digestion.
174. Amylase - Enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates.
175. Lipase - Enzyme that breaks down fats.
176. Pepsin - Enzyme in the stomach that breaks down proteins.
177. Peritoneum - Membrane lining the abdominal cavity.
178. Mesentery - Tissue that attaches the intestines to the abdominal wall.
179. Cecum - Beginning of the large intestine.
180. Rectum - Final part of the large intestine storing feces.
Nervous System Advanced Terms
181. Cerebrum - Largest part of the brain responsible for voluntary activities.
182. Cerebellum - Part of the brain that controls balance and coordination.
183. Medulla Oblongata - Controls automatic functions like breathing and heartbeat.
184. Hypothalamus - Regulates body temperature, hunger, and thirst.
185. Spinal Cord - Pathway for messages between the brain and body.
186. Peripheral Nerves - Nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.
187. Neuroglia - Supporting cells in the nervous system.
188. Ganglion - Group of nerve cell bodies in the PNS.
189. Action Potential - Electrical signal transmitted by neurons.
190. Neuroplasticity - The brain’s ability to adapt and reorganize itself.
Miscellaneous Terms
191. Hematopoiesis - Process of blood cell formation in the bone marrow.
192. Osmoregulation - Control of water and electrolyte balance.
193. Thermoregulation - Maintenance of body temperature.
194. Proprioception - The sense of body position and movement.
195. Endocytosis - Process of cells engulfing materials.
196. Exocytosis - Process of cells expelling materials.
197. Hemostasis - Process of blood clotting.
198. Hypertonic - Solution with higher solute concentration than the cell.
199. Hypotonic - Solution with lower solute concentration than the cell.
200. Ischemia - Lack of blood flow to tissues, causing oxygen deprivation.
Conclusion:
Understanding anatomy and physiology is crucial for comprehending the intricate workings of the human body. Familiarity with key terminology enhances communication and learning in healthcare and biological sciences. By mastering these foundational concepts, students and professionals can better diagnose, treat, and appreciate the complexity of life processes. This knowledge serves as a cornerstone for advancing medical science and improving patient care.
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