Anatomy & Physiology

Learn: Glossary

1,041 terms, with plain definitions, word roots and pronunciation. Each one links to the page that teaches it.

A

abdominal quadrants
abdominal wall muscles
abdominopelvic cavity
abdominopelvic regions
abduction and adduction
abnormal filtrate
ABO blood groups
absolute and relative refractory periods
absorptive state
accessory structures of the eye
acetylcholine
acetylcholine receptors at the end plate
acetylcholinesterase
acid
acidosis and alkalosis (definitions)
acrosomal reaction
action potential
activating vitamin D
active and passive immunity
active transport
ADH and aquaporins in the collecting duct
ADH in blood pressure control
adrenal androgens
adrenal cortex
adrenal disorders
adrenal medulla
aerobic respiration
aerobic respiration in muscle
afferent pathway
afterload
agglutination
aging at the cellular level
agranulocytes
airway defenses
airway resistance
aldosterone
alimentary canal and accessory organs
allele (inheritance)
alpha adrenergic receptor
alveolar ventilation
alveoli (in detail)
amino acid metabolism
anaerobic glycolysis in muscle
anaerobic metabolism
anaphylaxis
anastomosis
anatomical position
anatomy
anemia
angiogenesis
ANP in blood pressure control
anterior and posterior
anterior thigh muscles
antibody classes
antibody structure
anticoagulants
antidiuretic hormone
antigen and antibody (basic)
antigen in full
antigen-presenting cell
antimicrobial proteins
Apgar score
apoptosis
appetite regulation
aquaporin
arrector pili muscle
arrhythmia
arterial blood gas interpretation
arteries of the abdomen and pelvis
arteries of the head and neck
arteries of the limbs
arteriole
artery, vein and capillary (basic)
ascending and descending tracts
ascending sensory pathways
atherosclerosis
atlas and axis
atomic number, mass number and isotopes
atomic structure
ATP
ATP as the energy currency
ATP yield of glucose
atrial natriuretic peptide
atrial reflex
atrioventricular node
atrioventricular valves
auditory pathway
autoimmune disease
autonomic nervous system (basic)
autonomic tone
autoregulation of GFR
autorhythmic cell
axial and appendicular skeleton

B

B cell
baroreceptor reflex
baroreceptors
basal nuclei
base (chemistry)
basement membrane
beta adrenergic receptor
beta oxidation
bile
blastocyst
bleeding around the brain
block to polyspermy
blood as a connective tissue
blood clot (basic)
blood flow and the flow equation (vessels)
blood potassium and the resting potential
blood pressure (in detail)
blood pressure and blood volume (basic)
blood supply of the kidney
blood supply of the lungs
blood vessels of the nephron
blood volume and blood pressure (in detail)
blood–brain barrier
body fluid compartments
bone (osseous) tissue
bone cells
bone growth in length and width
bone markings
bone matrix
bone remodeling
bones of the foot
bones of the hand
Boyle's law
brain development (basic)
brainstem
brainstem motor tracts
breathing during exercise and at altitude
bronchial tree
brush border enzymes
buffer
bulk flow
bundle, bundle branches and Purkinje fibers
burn depth classification
bursa and tendon sheath

C

calcitonin
calcitriol
calcium and phosphate balance
calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum
calcium-induced calcium release
calcium-triggered transmitter release
cancer as uncontrolled division
capacitation
capillary hydrostatic pressure
capillary types
carbohydrate
carbohydrate digestion and absorption
carbon dioxide and blood pH
carbon dioxide as a waste product of metabolism
carbon dioxide as the main drive to breathe
carbon monoxide poisoning
carbonic acid–bicarbonate buffer
carbonic anhydrase
cardiac muscle tissue
cardiac output
cardiac reserve
cardiac skeleton
cardiac tamponade
cardiovascular response to exercise
carrier saturation
cartilage
cell
cell body, dendrites and axon
cell cycle
cell differentiation
cell junction
cellular respiration
central and peripheral nervous system
central chemoreceptors
central control of the ANS
cerebellum
cerebral arterial circle
cerebral lateralization
cerebrospinal fluid
cerebrum
chambers of the heart
characteristics and requirements of life
charge separation
chemical buffer systems
chemical level of organization
chemical messenger
chemical reaction
chemical synaptic transmission
chloride and magnesium balance
chloride shift
cholinergic and adrenergic neurons
chromatin and chromosomes
chromosomal disorders
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
chyme and gastric emptying
cilia and flagella
circadian rhythm
circular folds, villi and microvilli
circulatory shock
citric acid cycle (in detail)
classes of hormones
classes of nutrients
classifying bones by shape
classifying epithelia
classifying neurons
cleavage (embryo)
clonal selection
clot retraction and fibrinolysis
clotting disorders
coagulation
cochlea
colloid osmotic pressure
common skin disorders
common urinary disorders
compact bone
compensation (acid-base)
compensation for hemorrhage
complement (immune)
complications of pregnancy
concentration (of a solution)
conducting and respiratory zones
conduction velocity
congenital heart defects
connective tissue
connective tissue fibers
connective tissue of a muscle
consciousness and sleep
continuous conduction
contractile cardiac muscle cell
contractility
control center
control of heart rate
control of the cell cycle
core and shell temperature
coronary circulation
corpus luteum
cortical and juxtamedullary nephrons
corticospinal tract
cortisol
countercurrent exchange in the vasa recta
countercurrent multiplier
covalent bond
cranial bones
creatine phosphate
cross-bridge
cross-bridge cycle
curvatures of the spine
cutaneous membrane
cytokinesis
cytoskeleton
cytotoxic T cell

D

dead space
deep back muscles
defecation reflex
defenses against each type of pathogen
demyelinating disease
dense connective tissue
depolarization, repolarization and hyperpolarization
dermatomes
dermis (in detail)
desmosome
development of blood vessels
development of the lungs
development of the skeleton, joints and limbs
diabetes mellitus
diaphragm
diarrhea and constipation
diencephalon
diffusion
diffusion across capillaries
digestive processes
distributive shock
diuretics
divisions of the cerebellum
DNA
DNA replication
dominant and recessive
dorsal and ventral rami
dorsal and ventral roots
dorsal and ventral visual streams
dorsal body cavity
drugs that act on autonomic receptors
dual innervation

E

ECG intervals and segments
ECG waves
edema
effector
effects of estrogen and progesterone
effects of parasympathetic activation
effects of sympathetic activation
effects of testosterone
efferent pathway
eicosanoids
ejection fraction
elastic and muscular arteries
electric charge
electrical current
electrical synapse
electrocardiogram
electrochemical gradient
electrolyte
electron transport chain (in detail)
elements and compounds
embryonic membranes
end plate potential
end-diastolic and end-systolic volume
ending the synaptic signal
endochondral ossification
endocrine gland
endocrine system (organization)
endocytosis
endoplasmic reticulum
energy (forms of)
energy balance
energy content of food
enteric nervous system
enzyme
epidermis (in detail)
epinephrine
epiphyseal plate
epithelium
equilibrium potential
erection and ejaculation
erythrocyte
erythropoiesis
erythropoietin
esophagus (structure)
essential nutrients
excess post-exercise oxygen consumption
excitable cell
excitation–contraction coupling
excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic potentials
exocrine gland
exocytosis
expiration
external respiration

F

facial bones
facilitated diffusion
factors that change enzyme activity
factors that set diffusion rate
fascial compartments of the limbs
fascicle arrangement
features of cardiac muscle
femur
fertilization
fetal circulation
fetal hemoglobin
fetal period
fever
fibroblast
fibrous and cartilaginous joint subtypes
filtration
filtration membrane
flexion and extension
flow equals pressure gradient divided by resistance
flow velocity and cross-sectional area
fluid imbalances
fluid loss after a burn
focusing light
follicle development
fontanelle
foramen ovale (heart)
formation of the heart tube
formed elements (in detail)
fossa ovalis
fracture repair
Frank–Starling mechanism
frontal plane
functional areas of the cortex
functional joint classes
functions of blood
functions of the liver
functions of the skeletal system

G

gallbladder (function)
gamete
ganglion, nucleus and tract
gap junction
gastric glands
gastrointestinal hormones
gene
gene expression and its regulation
general and special senses
genetic code
genotype and phenotype
germ layers
gland
Glasgow Coma Scale
glia of the CNS
glia of the PNS
glial cell
glomerular filtration rate
glucagon
glucose
gluteal muscles
glycocalyx
glycogen
glycogen metabolism and gluconeogenesis in detail
glycogenesis, glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis (basic)
glycolysis
glycolysis in detail
Golgi apparatus
gonads and their hormones
graded potential
gradient
granulocytes
gray matter and white matter
great vessels
growth hormone and ADH disorders
growth hormone and IGF-1
gustation
gut bacteria

H

hair and hair follicle
hair cells and stereocilia
hair growth cycle
Haldane effect
hamstrings
haploid and diploid
haustra and teniae coli
heart failure
heart sounds
heat and cold illness
heat exchange with the environment
helper T cell
hematocrit
hematopoiesis (basic)
hematopoiesis (lineages)
hemoglobin
hemoglobin saturation
hemolytic disease of the newborn
hemostasis
Henry's law
hepatic portal system
homeostasis
homeostasis (basic)
homeostatic imbalance
hormonal contraception
hormonal control in males
hormonal control of bone growth
hormonal control of the ovarian cycle
hormone
hormone interactions
hormone transport in blood
hormones that act on the kidney
hormones that set fuel use
how blood carries carbon dioxide
how blood carries oxygen
how each system changes with age
how lipid-soluble hormones act
how muscles are named
how sound becomes a signal
how the basal nuclei and cerebellum shape movement
how water-soluble hormones act
human chorionic gonadotropin
humerus
hydrochloric acid secretion
hydrogen bond
hydrophilic and hydrophobic
hydrostatic pressure
hyoid bone
hypersensitivity
hypertension
hypertrophy and atrophy
hyperventilation and hypoventilation
hypodermis
hypoglycemia
hypophyseal portal system
hypothalamic–pituitary axes and feedback
hypothalamus
hypoxia (basic)
hypoxia (types)

I

immune response to cancer
immunodeficiency
immunological memory
implantation
incomplete dominance and codominance
inflammation (basic)
inflammation in full
innate and adaptive immunity
inorganic and organic compounds
inspiration
insulin
integument
intercalated disc
interferons
internal anatomy of the kidney
internal respiration
intervertebral disc (structure)
intracellular and extracellular fluid
intracellular receptors
intramembranous ossification
intramuscular injection sites
intrinsic factor
intrinsic pacemaker rates
ion
ion channel
ion differences across the membrane
ionic bond
ionotropic and metabotropic receptors
ipsilateral and contralateral
iron transport and storage
isotonic and isometric contraction

J

jaundice
joint (articulation)
juxtaglomerular apparatus

K

keratinocyte
ketogenesis
kidney failure and dialysis

L

L-type calcium channels
lactation
lactose intolerance
language areas
larynx
layers of a vessel wall
layers of the epidermis
layers of the eyeball
layers of the GI wall
layers of the heart wall
length–tension relationship
lens and humors
leptin
leukocyte
lever systems
ligaments of the vertebral column
ligand
limbic system
lipid
lipid digestion and absorption
lipogenesis
lipolysis
lipoproteins
lobes of the cerebrum
local autoregulation of blood flow
location of the heart
location of the kidneys
loose connective tissue
lung compliance
lungs (gross anatomy)
lymph
lymph node (structure)
lymphatic vessels
lymphedema
lysosome

M

macrophage (basic)
major named nerves
major neurotransmitters
male accessory glands and semen
male and female pelvis
mammary glands
mass balance
mastication (digestion)
maternal body changes in pregnancy
mean arterial pressure
mean arterial pressure equals cardiac output times resistance
measuring blood pressure
medial and lateral
medial thigh muscles
mediastinum
medical imaging
meiosis
melanocyte
membrane potential
membrane proteins
membrane receptors and second messengers
memory (neural)
meninges
menopause
mesenchyme
metabolic acidosis
metabolic alkalosis
metabolic rate
metabolism (anabolism and catabolism)
MHC proteins
microvilli
micturition reflex
minerals (nutrition)
minute ventilation
mitochondrion
mitosis
modes of secretion
monomers and polymers
motor neuron
motor unit
mucous membrane
muscarinic receptor
muscle fatigue
muscle fiber
muscle relaxation
muscle repair, aging and disease
muscle tissue
muscle tone
muscle twitch
muscles of breathing
muscles of facial expression
muscles of mastication
muscles of the leg
muscles that move the forearm
muscles that move the shoulder
muscles that move the wrist and fingers
mutation
myasthenia gravis
myelin sheath
myocardial ischemia and infarction
myofibril
myoglobin

N

nail
named joints of the girdles, spine, wrist, hand and foot
named skull landmarks
natural killer cell
neck muscles
necrosis
negative feedback
nephron
nerve
nerve plexuses
nervous and hormonal control of GFR
nervous versus endocrine signaling
net filtration pressure at the glomerulus
net filtration pressure in capillaries
neural circuits
neuromuscular junction
neuron
neuron structure in detail
neurotransmitter
newborn respiratory distress
nicotinic receptor (autonomic)
norepinephrine (autonomic)
normal blood pH
normal partial pressures
nose and nasal cavity
notochord and somites
nucleic acid
nucleic acid digestion
nucleus (of a cell)
nutrients for bone health

O

obligatory and facultative water reabsorption
olfaction
oogenesis
oral cavity
organ
organ system
organelle
organism
organogenesis
origin and insertion
orthostatic hypotension
osmolarity
osmoreceptors (hypothalamic)
osmosis
osmotic pressure
ossification
osteoarthritis
osteon
osteoporosis
other anterior pituitary hormones
other inputs to breathing
other named joints
ovarian cycle
ovaries (anatomy)
ovulation
oxidation and reduction
oxygen–hemoglobin dissociation curve
oxygenated and deoxygenated blood
oxytocin

P

pacemaker potential
pain and referred pain
pancreatic islets
pancreatic juice
pancreatitis, hepatitis and cirrhosis
paracrine and autocrine signaling
paranasal sinuses
parasympathetic division anatomy
parathyroid glands
parathyroid hormone
partial pressure
parts of a long bone
parts of a vertebra
parts of the aorta
parts of the neurological exam
parts of the stomach
parturition
passive transport
patella
path of blood through the heart
pattern recognition receptor
pectoral girdle
pelvic floor
pelvic girdle
penis
pepsin
performance-enhancing substances
pericardial cavity
pericardium (layers)
periosteum and endosteum
peripheral chemoreceptors
peristalsis and segmentation
peritoneal cavity
peritoneum and mesenteries
peroxisome
pH
phagocytes in defense
pharynx
phases of gastric secretion
phases of the cardiac cycle
phases of the neuron action potential
phospholipid
phospholipid bilayer
photoreceptors
phototransduction
physical characteristics of blood
physiology
pineal gland and melatonin
pituitary gland (lobes)
placenta
placental hormones
planes and sections
plasma (the fluid part of blood)
plasma cell
plasma membrane
plasma proteins
platelet (in detail)
platelet plug
pleura (layers)
pleural cavity
pneumothorax
polarity
polycythemia
polygenic inheritance
positive feedback
postabsorptive state
postpartum period
potassium balance
potassium leak and the resting potential
prefix
preganglionic and postganglionic neurons
preload
pressure (physics)
pressure along the vascular tree
pressure gradient
pressure natriuresis
pressure–volume loop
pressures at the glomerulus
pressures in ventilation
primary active transport
primary and secondary immune responses
primary and secondary lymphoid organs
prime movers, antagonists, synergists and fixators
propagation
properties of muscle tissue
properties of water
protein
protein digestion and absorption
protein shape and denaturation
protons, neutrons and electrons
proximal and distal
pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium
puberty
pulmonary circuit
pulmonary edema
pulse points
pulse pressure
Punnett square
pupillary light reflex
pyruvate to acetyl CoA

R

RAAS in blood pressure control
radius and resistance
radius and ulna
reabsorption in the proximal tubule
reaction rates, reversibility and equilibrium
receptor potential
receptor protein
recognizing a stroke
recruitment
red and yellow bone marrow
red blood cell life cycle
red cells, white cells and platelets (basic)
reflex
reflex arc
refractory period
regeneration of nerve fibers
regional terms
regions of the ear
regions of the embryonic heart
regions of the large intestine
regions of the small intestine
regions of the vertebral column
regulated variable
regulation of thyroid hormone
regulatory T cell
releasing and inhibiting hormones
renal clearance
renal control of pH
renal corpuscle
renal tubule
renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system
resistance (to flow)
respiratory acidosis
respiratory alkalosis
respiratory capacities
respiratory centers
respiratory control of pH
respiratory infections
respiratory membrane
respiratory volumes
resting membrane potential
reticular formation
Rh factor
ribosome
ribs
rigor mortis
RNA
rotation and circumduction
rotator cuff muscles
rule of nines

S

sagittal plane
salivary glands and saliva
salt
saltatory conduction
sarcolemma and sarcoplasm
sarcomere
sarcoplasmic reticulum
scrotum and testes
sebaceous gland
secondary active transport
selective permeability
self-tolerance
semilunar valves
semipermeable membrane
sensation and perception
sensation, integration and response
sensory adaptation
sensory and motor divisions
sensory receptor (in a feedback loop)
sensory receptors by location
sensory receptors by stimulus
septa of the heart
serous membrane
serum
set point
sex chromosomes and sex determination
sex determination and differentiation
shifts of the dissociation curve
short and long GI reflexes
sickle cell disease
signal amplification
signs of upper versus lower motor neuron damage
simple columnar epithelium
simple cuboidal epithelium
simple diffusion across the membrane
simple squamous epithelium
single-unit and multi-unit smooth muscle
sinoatrial node
skeletal muscle fiber types
skeletal muscle tissue
skin cancer
skin color
skull openings
sliding filament model
small intestine motility
smooth muscle contraction
smooth muscle tissue
sodium balance
sodium channel inactivation
sodium–potassium pump
solution (chemistry)
solutions, colloids and suspensions
somatic and visceral reflexes
somatic nervous system
somatic versus autonomic motor pathways
somatotopic maps
spatial and temporal summation
special movements
spermatogenesis
spinal cord external anatomy
spinal cord in cross section
spinal cord injury
spinal nerve
spirometry
spleen (structure)
spongy bone
sprain and dislocation
stages of labor
standard feedback examples
starvation
stem cell
stem cell potency
sternum
steroid
stimuli for hormone release
stratified cuboidal and stratified columnar epithelium
stratified squamous epithelium
stretch reflex
stretch response of smooth muscle
striation
stroke volume
structural joint classes
structure of a nerve
structure of a sperm
structure of the liver
suffix
superficial and deep
superior and inferior
supine and prone
surface barriers
surfactant
sustentacular cells
sutures
swallowing (deglutition)
sweat glands
sympathetic division anatomy
synapse (basic)
synapse (in detail)
synovial joint structure
synovial membrane
systemic circuit
systole and diastole

T

T cell
T cell activation
T tubule
tactile and dendritic cells of the epidermis
target cell
teeth (dental anatomy)
tendon reflex
tendons and ligaments
teratogens
the bicarbonate to carbon dioxide ratio
the blood calcium feedback loop
the blood glucose feedback loop
the body temperature loop (basic)
the eleven organ systems
the four primary tissue types
the gastric mucosal barrier
the kidneys set blood volume
the knee and shoulder joints
the labor positive feedback loop
the LH surge
the long refractory period of cardiac muscle
the major organs of each system
the male ducts
the medullary osmotic gradient
the muscle fiber action potential
the newborn's first breaths and circulatory changes
the normal blood calcium range
the plasma osmolarity feedback loop
the pump maintains the gradients
the secretory pathway
the skin as a barrier
the stress response
the three main parts of a cell
the twelve cranial nerves
thermoregulation in full
thermoregulation in the newborn
thick and thin skin
thick filament
thin filament
thirst
thoracic cavity
threshold
thymosin
thymus (gland)
thyroid disorders
thyroid gland (structure)
thyroid hormones
tibia and fibula
tight junction
tissue
tissue membranes
tissue repair
tonicity
touch receptors in the skin
trachea (structure)
transcription
transfusion reaction
transitional epithelium
translation
transplant rejection
transport in the distal tubule and collecting duct
transport in the nephron loop
transport maximum and renal threshold (renal)
transverse plane
tributaries of the venae cavae
trigeminal sensory pathway
triglyceride
tropic hormone
troponin and tropomyosin regulation
tubular reabsorption
tubular secretion
types of fracture
types of synovial joint

U

umbilical cord
up-regulation and down-regulation
upper and lower motor neurons
urea cycle
urea recycling
ureter (structure)
urethra (structure)
urinary bladder (structure)
urine composition
uterine (menstrual) cycle
uterine tubes (structure)
uterus (structure)

V

vagina and vulva
vagus nerve
varicose veins
vascular spasm
vasoconstriction and vasodilation
veins as a blood reservoir
veins of the limbs
venous drainage of the brain
venous return
ventilation–perfusion coupling
ventral body cavity
ventricles of the brain
ventricular muscle action potential
venules and veins
vesicle
vestibular apparatus
visual pathway
vitamin absorption
vitamin D synthesis in the skin
vitamins (nutrition)
voltage
voltage-gated sodium and potassium channels
voltage-gated, ligand-gated and mechanically gated channels
vomiting (reflex)

W

water absorption in the colon
water and electrolyte absorption
water intake and output
water-soluble and lipid-soluble messengers
wave summation and tetanus
what antibodies do
what sets vascular resistance
what the hypothalamus controls
where cartilage is found
where each tissue is found
where the body's acid comes from
white cell counts and leukemia
why calcium level matters
why the left ventricle wall is thicker
why valves open and close
withdrawal and crossed-extensor reflexes
word root
wound healing

X

X-linked inheritance

Z

zymogens (inactive enzyme precursors)

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