Anatomy & Physiology
A general vocabulary pertaining to students taking Anatomy & Physiology 1
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Explore the Words
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physiology
the science dealing with the functioning of organisms
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biology
the science that studies living organisms
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Homo sapiens
the only surviving hominid
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protist
free-living or colonial organisms with diverse nutritional and reproductive modesSo he created a simple system in the lab using
protists, one-celled organisms that naturally thrive in pond scum and feed on bacteria. -
gross anatomy
the study of the structure of the body and its parts without the use of a microscope
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histological
of or relating to histology
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histology
the study of the microscopic structure of tissues
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taxonomy
a classification of organisms based on similarities
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phylum Chordata
comprises true vertebrates and animals having a notochord
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subphylum Vertebrata
fishes; amphibians; reptiles; birds; mammals
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Hominoidea
anthropoid apes and human beings
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sapiens
of or relating to or characteristic of Homo sapiens
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organism
a living thing that can act or function independently
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platelet
a cell fragment essential for blood clotting in vertebrates
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clot
a lump of material formed from the content of a liquid
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coagulate
change from a liquid to a thickened or solid state
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prothrombin
a protein in blood plasma that is the inactive precursor of thrombin
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thrombin
an enzyme that acts on fibrinogen in blood causing it to clot
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fibrin
a white insoluble fibrous protein formed by the action of thrombin on fibrinogen when blood clots; it forms a network that traps red cells and platelets
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fibroblast
a cell from which connective tissue develops
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zygote
the cell from the union of a haploid spermatozoon and ovum
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ovum
the female reproductive cell; the female gamete
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sperm
the male reproductive cell; the male gamete
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spermatogenesis
development of spermatozoa
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spermatozoon
the male reproductive cell; the male gamete
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diploid
an organism or cell having the normal amount of DNA per cell
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mitosis
the process by which a cell divides into two smaller cells
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daughter cell
a cell formed by the division or budding of another cell
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haploid
(genetics) an organism or cell having only one complete set of chromosomes
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enzyme
a complex protein produced by cells that acts as a catalyst
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eukaryote
an organism of one or more cells with membrane-bound nuclei
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eukaryotic
having cells with `good' or membrane-bound nuclei
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organelle
a specialized part of a cell; analogous to an organ
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matrix
an enclosure within which something originates or develops
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nucleus
a part of the cell responsible for growth and reproduction
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ribosome
a particle in a cell that helps synthesize proteins
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endoplasm
the inner portion of the cytoplasm of a cell
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Golgi apparatus
a netlike structure in the cytoplasm of animal cells
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vacuole
a tiny cavity filled with fluid in the cytoplasm of a cell
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lysosome
an organelle found in the cytoplasm of most cells
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nucleolus
a small round body of protein in a cell nucleus
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prokaryote
a unicellular organism lacking a membrane-bound nucleus
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prokaryotic
having cells that lack membrane-bound nuclei
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phospholipid
any of various compounds composed of fatty acids and phosphoric acid and a nitrogenous base; an important constituent of membranes
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polarity
a relation between two opposite attributes or tendencies
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diffusion
the act of dispersing something
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osmosis
diffusion of molecules through a semipermeable membrane
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capillary
a minute blood vessel connecting arterioles with venules
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syncytium
a mass of cytoplasm containing several nuclei and enclosed in a membrane but no internal cell boundaries (as in muscle fibers)
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genome
the full DNA sequence of an organism
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cytosol
the aqueous part of the cytoplasm within which various particles and organelles are suspended
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microtubule
a microscopically small tubule
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vesicle
a small anatomically normal sac or bladderlike structure
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macromolecule
any very large complex molecule
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polysaccharide
any of a class of carbohydrates whose molecules contain chains of monosaccharide molecules
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nucleic acid
(biochemistry) any of various macromolecules composed of nucleotide chains that are vital constituents of all living cells
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monomer
a simple compound whose molecules can join together to form polymers
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polymer
a naturally occurring or synthetic compound
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nucleotide
a phosphoric ester of a nucleoside
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polypeptide
a peptide containing 10 to more than 100 amino acids
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amino acid
organic compounds containing an amino group and acid group
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gene
part of DNA controlling physical characteristics and growth
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transcription
something written, copied from one medium to another
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meiosis
cell division in sexually reproducing organisms
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embryo
an animal organism in the early stages of growth
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chromosome
a threadlike strand of DNA that carries genes
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chromatid
one of two identical strands into which a chromosome splits during mitosis
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prophase
the first stage of meiosis
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centromere
a specialized condensed region of each chromosome that appears during mitosis where the chromatids are held together to form an X shape
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metaphase
the second stage of meiosis
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anaphase
the stage of meiosis or mitosis when chromosomes move toward opposite ends of the nuclear spindle
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telophase
the final stage of meiosis when the chromosomes move toward opposite ends of the nuclear spindle
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cytokinesis
organic process consisting of the division of the cytoplasm of a cell following karyokinesis bringing about the separation into two daughter cells
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cartilage
tough elastic tissue, mostly converted to bone in adults
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areola
small circular area such as that around the human nipple or an inflamed area around a pimple or insect bite
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areolar
relating to or like or divided into areolae
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adipose
composed of animal fat
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epithelium
membranous tissue covering internal organs and other internal surfaces of the body
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epithelial
of or belonging to the epithelium
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epithelial tissue
membranous tissue covering internal organs and other internal surfaces of the body
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epithelial cell
one of the closely packed cells forming the epithelium
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integument
an outer protective covering
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integumentary system
the skin and its appendages
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endothelium
an epithelium of mesoblastic origin
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mollusk
invertebrate with a soft unsegmented body usually in a shell
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femur
the thigh bone of the human skeleton
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humerus
bone extending from the shoulder to the elbow
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hyaline cartilage
translucent cartilage that is common in joints and the respiratory passages; forms most of the fetal skeleton
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hyaline
resembling glass in transparency or translucency
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fibrocartilage
cartilage that is largely composed of fibers like those in ordinary connective tissue
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periosteum
a dense fibrous membrane covering the surface of bones (except at their extremities) and serving as an attachment for tendons and muscles; contains nerves and blood vessels that nourish the enclosed bone
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ligament
a band of fibrous tissue connecting bones or cartilages
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tendon
a band of tissue connecting a muscle to its bony attachment
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medullary
containing or consisting of or resembling bone marrow
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trabecular
of or relating to trabeculae
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epiphysis
the end of a long bone
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epiphyseal
relating to the epiphysis of a bone
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diaphysis
the main (mid) section of a long bone
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diaphysial
relating to the diaphysis of a bone
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hematopoiesis
the formation of blood cells in the living body
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suture
a seam used in surgery
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synovial
relating to or secreting synovia
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synovial fluid
viscid lubricating fluid secreted by the membrane lining joints and tendon sheaths etc.
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synovial membrane
a thin membrane in synovial (freely moving) joints that lines the joint capsule and secretes synovial fluid
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adduction
moving of a body part toward the central axis of the body
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flexion
the state of being flexed (as of a joint)
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circumduction
a circular movement of a limb or eye
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eversion
the act of turning inside out
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supination
rotation of the hands and forearms so that the palms face upward
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pronation
rotation of the hands and forearms so that the palms face downward
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cranium
the part of the skull that encloses the brain
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coronal
flower arrangement consisting of a circular band of foliage or flowers for ornamental purposes
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coronal suture
the suture between the parietal and frontal bones of the skull
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parietal
of or relating to or associated with the parietal bones in the cranium
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parietal lobe
that part of the cerebral cortex in either hemisphere of the brain lying below the crown of the head
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parietal bone
either of two skull bones between the frontal and occipital bones and forming the top and sides of the cranium
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temporal bone
a thick bone forming the side of the human cranium and encasing the inner ear
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occipital
of or relating to the occiput
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occipital lobe
that part of the cerebral cortex in either hemisphere of the brain lying in the back of the head
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occipital bone
a saucer-shaped membrane bone that forms the back of the skull
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acoustic meatus
either of the passages in the outer ear from the auricle to the tympanic membrane
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meatus
a natural body passageway
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mandible
the jaw in vertebrates that is hinged to open the mouth
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mandibular
relating to the lower jaw
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mandibular condyle
the condyle of the ramus of the mandible that articulates with the skull
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ethmoid
one of the eight bones of the cranium
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ethmoid bone
one of the eight bones of the cranium
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zygomatic bone
the arch of bone beneath the eye that forms the prominence of the cheek
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zygomatic
of or relating to the cheek region of the face
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maxilla
the jaw in vertebrates that is fused to the cranium
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styloid process
extends from the base of the temporal bone
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lacrimal bone
small fragile bone making up part of the front inner walls of each eye socket and providing room for the passage of the lacrimal ducts
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lacrimal
of or relating to tears
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nasolacrimal duct
a duct that carries tears from the lacrimal sac to the nasal cavity
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palatine bone
either of two irregularly shaped bones that form the back of the hard palate and helps to form the nasal cavity and the floor of the orbits
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vomer
thin trapezoidal bone of the skull forming the posterior and inferior parts of the nasal septum
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mastoid
process of the temporal bone behind the ear at the base of the skull
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foramen magnum
the large opening at the base of the cranium through which the spinal cord passes
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hyoid bone
a U-shaped bone at the base of the tongue that supports the tongue muscles
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cervical vertebra
one of 7 vertebrae in the human spine located in the neck region
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thoracic
of or relating to the chest or thorax
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lumbar vertebra
one of 5 vertebrae in the human vertebral column
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sacral
of or relating to or near the sacrum
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sacral vertebra
one of 5 vertebrae in the human spine that fuse in the adult to form the sacrum
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coccygeal
of or relating to or near the coccyx
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coccygeal vertebra
one of 4 vertebrae in the human coccyx
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entomologist
a scientist who studies insects
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entomology
the branch of zoology that studies insects
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chitin
component of arthropods' exoskeletons and bodies of fungi
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xiphoid process
smallest of the three parts of the breastbone
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manubrium
the upper part of the breastbone
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clavicle
bone linking the scapula and sternum
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girdle
a band of material around the waist that strengthens a skirt or trousers
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scapula
flat triangular bone on the side of the shoulder in humans
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sacrum
wedge-shaped bone forming the posterior part of the pelvis
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coccyx
the end of the vertebral column in humans and tailless apes
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ilium
the upper and widest of the three bones making up the hipbone
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pubis
one of the three sections of the hipbone
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ischium
one of the three sections of the hipbone
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relaxin
hormone secreted by the corpus luteum during the last days of pregnancy; relaxes the pelvic ligaments and prepares the uterus for labor
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glenoid cavity
the concavity in the head of the scapula that receives the head of the humerus to form the shoulder joint
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deltoid tuberosity
a bump on the outside of the humerus where the deltoid muscle attaches
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deltoid
large triangular muscle covering the shoulder joint
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capitulum
a dense cluster of flowers or foliage
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trochlear
either of the two cranial nerves on either side that control the superior oblique muscles of the eyes
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coronoid process
a sharp triangular process projecting from a bone
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olecranon process
process of the ulna that forms the outer bump of the elbow and fits into the fossa of the humerus when the arm is extended
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acetabulum
the cup-shaped hollow in the hipbone into which the head of the femur fits to form a ball-and-socket joint
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acetabular
of the cup-shaped socket that receives the head of the thigh bone
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trochanter
one of the bony prominences developed near the upper extremity of the femur to which muscles are attached
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tarsus
the part of the foot of a vertebrate between the metatarsus and the leg; in human beings the bones of the ankle and heel collectively
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calcaneus
the largest tarsal bone; forms the human heel
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lordosis
an abnormal inward curvature of the vertebral column
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swayback
having abnormal sagging of the spine (especially in horses)
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kyphosis
an abnormal backward curve to the vertebral column
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scoliosis
an abnormal lateral curve of the spine
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osteoporosis
abnormal loss of bony tissue due to a lack of calcium
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osteoarthritis
chronic breakdown of cartilage in the joints
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rheumatoid arthritis
a chronic autoimmune disease with inflammation of the joints and marked deformities; something (possibly a virus) triggers an attack on the synovium by the immune system, which releases cytokines that stimulate an inflammatory reaction that can lead to the destruction of all components of the joint
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ankylosing spondylitis
a chronic form of spondylitis primarily in males and marked by impaired mobility of the spine; sometimes leads to ankylosis
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gout
a painful inflammation of the big toe and foot caused by defects in uric acid metabolism resulting in deposits of the acid and its salts in the blood and joints
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sarcomere
one of the segments into which a myofibril is divided
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arteriosclerosis
sclerosis of the arterial walls
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diaphragm
a muscular partition in the chest used in respiration
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sphincter
a ring of muscle that contracts to close an opening
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sphincter muscle
a ring of muscle that contracts to close an opening
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multinucleate
having two or more nuclei
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striated muscle
a muscle that is connected at either or both ends to a bone and so move parts of the skeleton; a muscle that is characterized by transverse stripes
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sarcolemma
an extensible membrane enclosing the contractile substance of a muscle fiber
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perimysium
the sheath of connective tissue that covers a bundle of muscle fibers
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biceps brachii
a muscle that flexes and supinates the forearm
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synergist
a drug that augments the activity of another drug
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synergy
the working together of two things to produce an effect
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synergistic
working together for an enhanced effect
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autonomous
existing as an independent entity
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fusiform
tapering at each end
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myosin
the commonest protein in muscle
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actin
one of the proteins into which actomyosin can be split
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masticate
bite and grind with the teeth
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mastication
biting and grinding food in your mouth so it becomes soft enough to swallow
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masseter
a large muscle that raises the lower jaw and is used in chewing
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temporalis muscle
muscle extending from the temporal fossa to the coronoid process of the mandible; acts to raise the mandible and close the jaws
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trapezius
either of two flat triangular muscles of the shoulder and upper back that are involved in moving the shoulders and arms
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buccinator muscle
a muscle that flattens the cheek and retracts the angle of the mouth
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pectoralis major
a skeletal muscle that adducts and rotates the arm
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pectoralis minor
a skeletal muscle that draws down the scapula or raises the ribs
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pectoralis
either of two large muscles of the chest
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deltoid muscle
a large triangular muscle covering the shoulder joint and serving to abduct and flex and extend and rotate the arm
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latissimus dorsi
a broad flat muscle on either side of the back
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rhomboid
shaped like a rhombus or rhomboid
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rhomboid muscle
any of several muscles of the upper back that help move the shoulder blade
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rotator cuff
a supporting structure of the shoulder consisting of the muscles and tendons that attach the arm to the shoulder joint and enable the arm to move
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serratus anterior
muscles that rotate the scapula and elevate the rib cage
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axilla
the hollow under the arm where it is joined to the shoulder
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triceps brachii
the skeletal muscle having three origins that extends the forearm when it contracts
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prehensile
adapted for grasping especially by wrapping around an object
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sartorius muscle
a muscle in the thigh that helps to rotate the leg into the sitting position assumed by a tailor; the longest muscle in the human body
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gluteus maximus
the outermost of the three gluteal muscles
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rectus
any of various straight muscles
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quadriceps
a muscle of the thigh that extends the leg
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gastrocnemius muscle
the muscle in the back part of the leg that forms the greater part of the calf; responsible for the plantar flexion of the foot
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Achilles tendon
a large tendon that runs from the heel to the calf
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tibialis anterior
a muscle running from the tibia to the first metatarsal and cuneiform bones
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tibialis posterior
a deep muscle of the leg
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Duchenne's muscular dystrophy
the most common form of muscular dystrophy
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myotonic muscular dystrophy
a severe form of muscular dystrophy marked by generalized weakness and muscular wasting that affects the face and feet and hands and neck; difficult speech and difficulty with the hands that spreads to the arms and shoulders and legs and hips; the onset can be any time from birth to middle age and the progression is slow; inheritance is autosomal dominant
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muscle spasm
a painful and involuntary muscular contraction
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epidermis
the outer layer of skin covering the body surface
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stratum corneum
the outermost layer of the epidermis consisting of dead cells that slough off
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stratum germinativum
the innermost layer of the epidermis
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keratin
a fibrous scleroprotein that occurs in the outer layer of the skin and in horny tissues such as hair, feathers, nails, and hooves
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squamous cell
an epithelial cell that is flat like a plate and form a single layer of epithelial tissue
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sebum
the oily secretion of the sebaceous glands
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melanin
insoluble pigments that account for the color of e.g. skin and scales and feathers
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stratum lucidum
the layer of epidermis immediately under the stratum corneum in the skin of the palms and soles
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stratum granulosum
the layer of epidermis just under the stratum corneum or (on the palms and soles) just under the stratum lucidum; contains cells (with visible granules) that die and move to the surface
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corpuscle
an unattached cell such as a red or white blood cell
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lunula
the crescent-shaped area at the base of the human fingernail
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sudoriferous gland
any of the glands in the skin that secrete perspiration
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sebaceous gland
a cutaneous gland that secretes sebum (usually into a hair follicle) for lubricating hair and skin
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pheromone
a chemical substance secreted externally by some animals (especially insects) that influences the physiology or behavior of other animals of the same species
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rickets
childhood disease caused by deficiency of vitamin D
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vitamin A
any of several fat-soluble vitamins essential for normal vision; prevents night blindness or inflammation or dryness of the eyes
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vitamin D
a fat-soluble vitamin that prevents rickets
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vitamin C
a vitamin found in fresh fruits and vegetables
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vitamin
an organic substance essential to normal metabolism
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peristalsis
wavelike muscle contractions of the alimentary tract
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appendix
a small sac attached to the large intestines of some animals
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cyclooxygenase
either of two related enzymes that control the production of prostaglandins and are blocked by aspirin
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cellulose
a polysaccharide that is the chief constituent of all plant tissues and fibers
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hydrolysis
a chemical reaction in which water reacts with a compound to produce other compounds; involves the splitting of a bond and the addition of the hydrogen cation and the hydroxide anion from the water
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tannin
any of various complex phenolic substances of plant origin
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Syzygium aromaticum
moderate sized very symmetrical red-flowered evergreen widely cultivated in the tropics for its flower buds which are source of cloves
Created on March 7, 2012
(updated March 9, 2012)
(updated March 9, 2012)