Human Anatomy and Physiology - High School
Got anatomy and physiology on the brain? Then you'll want to bone up on these terms related to the human body. Learn all about the nervous, respiratory, skeletal, and digestive systems. This list is sure to get your blood flowing!
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Explore the Words
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abductor
a muscle that draws a body part away from the median line
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adductor
a muscle that draws a body part toward the median line
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air sac
a tiny sac for holding air in the lungs
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alveolus
a tiny sac for holding air in the lungs
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aorta
the large artery carrying blood from the heart to the body
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appendicular skeleton
the part of the skeleton that includes the pectoral girdle and the pelvic girdle and the upper and lower limbs
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appendix
a small sac attached to the large intestines of some animals
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arteriole
one of the small thin-walled arteries that end in capillaries
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artery
a blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the body
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atrium
a chamber connected to other chambers or passageways
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axial skeleton
the part of the skeleton that includes the skull and spinal column and sternum and ribs
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axon
long nerve fiber that conducts impulses away from a cell
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biceps
any skeletal muscle having two origins
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bile
a digestive juice secreted by the liver
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bladder
a distensible membranous sac
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blood
the fluid that is pumped through the body by the heart
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blood vessel
a vessel in which blood circulates
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bone
rigid tissue that makes up the skeleton of vertebrates
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bone marrow
the fatty network of connective tissue that fills the cavities of bones
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brain
the center of the nervous system
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brain stem
the part of the brain continuous with the spinal cord and comprising the medulla oblongata and pons and midbrain and parts of the hypothalamus
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bronchus
either of the two main branches of the trachea
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buccinator muscle
a muscle that flattens the cheek and retracts the angle of the mouth
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capillary
a minute blood vessel connecting arterioles with venules
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cardiac muscle
the muscle tissue of the heart
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cardiovascular system
the organs and tissues involved in circulating blood and lymph through the body
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carpal
any of the eight small bones of the wrist of primates
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cartilage
tough elastic tissue, mostly converted to bone in adults
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central nervous system
the portion of the vertebrate nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord
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cerebellum
a major division of the vertebrate brain
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cerebrum
anterior portion of the brain consisting of two hemispheres
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chyme
a semiliquid mass of partially digested food that passes from the stomach through the pyloric sphincter into the duodenum
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circulation
the movement of blood through the heart and blood vessels
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circulatory system
the organs and tissues involved in circulating blood and lymph through the body
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clavicle
bone linking the scapula and sternum
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coccyx
the end of the vertebral column in humans and tailless apes
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coxa
the ball-and-socket joint between the head of the femur and the acetabulum
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cranium
the part of the skull that encloses the brain
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deltoid
large triangular muscle covering the shoulder joint
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dendrite
short fiber that conducts toward the cell body of the neuron
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dermis
the deep vascular inner layer of the skin
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diaphragm
a muscular partition in the chest used in respiration
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digestion
the process by which the body breaks down food
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digestive system
the system that makes food absorbable into the body
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endocrine system
the system of glands that produce endocrine secretions that help to control bodily metabolic activity
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enzyme
a complex protein produced by cells that acts as a catalyst
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epidermis
the outer layer of skin covering the body surface
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epiglottis
a flap of cartilage that covers the windpipe while swallowing
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esophagus
the passage between the pharynx and the stomach
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extensor
a skeletal muscle whose contraction extends or stretches a body part
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external oblique muscle
a diagonally arranged abdominal muscle on either side of the torso
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femur
the thigh bone of the human skeleton
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fibula
the outer and thinner of the two bones of the human leg between the knee and ankle
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flexor
a skeletal muscle whose contraction bends a joint
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frontal lobe
that part of the cerebral cortex in either hemisphere of the brain lying directly behind the forehead
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gall bladder
a muscular sac attached to the liver that stores bile (secreted by the liver) until it is needed for digestion
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gastric juice
digestive secretions of the stomach glands consisting chiefly of hydrochloric acid and mucin and the enzymes pepsin and rennin and lipase
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gland
a small organ that synthesizes and secretes chemicals
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gliding joint
a freely moving joint in which the articulations allow only gliding motions
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gluteus maximus
the outermost of the three gluteal muscles
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gluteus medius
the middle of the three gluteal muscles
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gluteus minimus
the innermost of the three gluteal muscles
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heart valve
a valve to control one-way flow of blood
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hemoglobin
a red protein in blood that transports oxygen
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hinge joint
a freely moving joint in which the bones are so articulated as to allow extensive movement in one plane
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hormone
the secretion of an endocrine gland transmitted by the blood
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hyoid
a U-shaped bone at the base of the tongue that supports the tongue muscles
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hypothalamus
a basal part of the diencephalon governing autonomic nervous system
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ilium
the upper and widest of the three bones making up the hipbone
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immune system
a system (including the thymus and bone marrow and lymphoid tissues) that protects the body from foreign substances and pathogenic organisms by producing the immune response
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integumentary system
the skin and its appendages
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involuntary muscle
a muscle that contracts without conscious control and found in walls of internal organs such as stomach and intestine and bladder and blood vessels (excluding the heart)
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ischium
one of the three sections of the hipbone
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joint
the point of connection between two bones
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kidney
either of two bean-shaped excretory organs that filter wastes (especially urea) from the blood and excrete them and water in urine
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large intestine
beginning with the cecum and ending with the rectum
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larynx
the structure containing the vocal cords
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latissimus dorsi
a broad flat muscle on either side of the back
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ligament
a band of fibrous tissue connecting bones or cartilages
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liver
large and complicated reddish-brown glandular organ located in the upper right portion of the abdominal cavity; secretes bile and functions in metabolism of protein and carbohydrate and fat; synthesizes substances involved in the clotting of the blood; synthesizes vitamin A; detoxifies poisonous substances and breaks down worn-out erythrocytes
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lung
either of two saclike respiratory organs in the chest of vertebrates; serves to remove carbon dioxide and provide oxygen to the blood
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lymphatic system
the interconnected system of spaces and vessels between body tissues and organs by which lymph circulates throughout the body
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lymph node
the source of lymph and lymphocytes
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mandible
the jaw in vertebrates that is hinged to open the mouth
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masseter
a large muscle that raises the lower jaw and is used in chewing
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maxilla
the jaw in vertebrates that is fused to the cranium
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medulla oblongata
lower or hindmost part of the brain
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melanin
insoluble pigments that account for the color of e.g. skin and scales and feathers
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metacarpal
any bone of the hand between the wrist and fingers
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motor neuron
a neuron conducting impulses outwards from the brain or spinal cord
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mucus
protective secretion of membranes lining internal organs
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muscle
animal tissue consisting predominantly of contractile cells
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muscle system
the muscular system of an organism
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nephron
any of the small tubules that are the excretory units of the vertebrate kidney
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nerve
a bundle of fibers running to organs and tissues of the body
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nervous system
the sensory and control apparatus consisting of a network of nerve cells
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neuron
a cell that is specialized to conduct nerve impulses
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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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organ
a structure in an animal specialized for some function
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pancreas
a large elongated exocrine gland located behind the stomach
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parasympathetic nervous system
originates in the brain stem and lower part of the spinal cord; opposes physiological effects of the sympathetic nervous system: stimulates digestive secretions; slows the heart; constricts the pupils; dilates blood vessels
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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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patella
a small flat triangular bone in front of the knee
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pectoralis
either of two large muscles of the chest
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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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peripheral nervous system
the section of the nervous system lying outside the brain and spinal cord
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peristalsis
wavelike muscle contractions of the alimentary tract
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phalanx
any of the bones of the fingers or toes
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pharynx
the passage to the stomach and lungs
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pituitary
the master gland of the endocrine system
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pivot joint
a freely moving joint in which movement is limited to rotation
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plasma
the watery fluid in which blood cells are suspended
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platelet
a cell fragment essential for blood clotting in vertebrates
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radius
the outer of the two bones of the human forearm
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rectum
the terminal section of the alimentary canal
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red blood cell
a mature blood cell that contains hemoglobin to carry oxygen to the bodily tissues; a biconcave disc that has no nucleus
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reproductive system
organs and tissues involved in the production and maturation of gametes and in their union and subsequent development as offspring
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respiratory system
the system for taking in oxygen and giving off carbon dioxide; in terrestrial animals this is accomplished by breathing
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rib
any of the 12 pairs of curved arches of bone extending from the spine to or toward the sternum in humans (and similar bones in most vertebrates)
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sacrum
wedge-shaped bone forming the posterior part of the pelvis
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saliva
a clear liquid secreted by glands in the mouth
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sartorius
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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scapula
flat triangular bone on the side of the shoulder in humans
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sensory neuron
a neuron conducting impulses inwards to the brain or spinal cord
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skeletal 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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skeletal system
the hard structure (bones and cartilages) that provides a frame for the body of an animal
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small intestine
the longest part of the alimentary canal
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smooth muscle
a muscle that contracts without conscious control and found in walls of internal organs such as stomach and intestine and bladder and blood vessels (excluding the heart)
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soleus
a broad flat muscle in the calf of the leg under the gastrocnemius muscle
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sphincter
a ring of muscle that contracts to close an opening
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spinal cord
a major part of the central nervous system which conducts sensory and motor nerve impulses to and from the brain; a long tubelike structure extending from the base of the brain through the vertebral canal to the upper lumbar region
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spleen
a large oval organ between the stomach and the diaphragm
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sternum
the breastbone
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sympathetic nervous system
originates in the thoracic regions of the spinal cord
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synapse
the junction between two neurons
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tarsal
any bone of the tarsus
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temporalis
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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temporal lobe
that part of the cerebral cortex in either hemisphere of the brain lying inside the temples of the head
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tendon
a band of tissue connecting a muscle to its bony attachment
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tensor
any of several muscles that cause an attached structure to become tense or firm
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thoracic cavity
the cavity in the vertebrate body enclosed by the ribs between the diaphragm and the neck and containing the lungs and heart
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thymus
a ductless glandular organ at the base of the neck that produces lymphocytes and aids in producing immunity; atrophies with age
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tibia
the inner and thicker of the two bones of the human leg between the knee and ankle
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tibialis
either of two skeletal muscle in each leg arising from the tibia; provides for movement of the foot
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tissue
part of an organism consisting of an aggregate of cells
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tongue
a mobile mass of muscular tissue located in the oral cavity
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tonsil
either of two masses of lymphatic tissue one on each side of the oral pharynx
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trachea
a tube that conveys inhaled air from the larynx to the lungs
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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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triceps
any skeletal muscle having three origins
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true rib
one of the first seven ribs in a human being which attach to the sternum
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ulna
the inner and longer of the two bones of the human forearm
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ureter
either of a pair of thick-walled tubes that carry urine from the kidney to the urinary bladder
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urethra
duct through which urine is discharged in most mammals and which serves as the male genital duct
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urinary system
the system that includes all organs involved in reproduction and in the formation and voidance of urine
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vein
a blood vessel that carries blood toward the heart
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ventricle
a chamber of the heart that receives blood from an atrium
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venule
a minute vein continuous with a capillary
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vertebra
one of the bony segments of the spinal column
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villus
a minute hairlike projection on mucous membrane
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voluntary muscle
striated muscle that can be controlled voluntarily
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white blood cell
blood cells that engulf and digest bacteria and fungi
Created on January 21, 2017
(updated April 5, 2017)
(updated April 5, 2017)