Anatomy and Physiology Definitions

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Abduction
Movement of a body part away from the midline of the body
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Action Potential
The electrical current (impulse) conducted along a nerve cell (neurone)
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Active Transport
Movement of substances across a cell membrane, up the concentration gradient, and requiring energy
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Acute
Of sudden onset
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Adaptation
Lessening of response by sensory receptors to prolonged stimulation
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Adduction
Movement of a body part towards the midline of the body
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Adipose Tissue
Fat tissue
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Aerobic
Requiring oxygen
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Afferent
Carrying or travelling towards an organ
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Afterload
The resistance of blood flow from the heart, determined mainly by the diameter of the arteries
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Agranulocyte
White blood cell with no granules in its cytoplasm (i.e. lymphocytes and monocytes)
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Alveolar Ventilation
The amount of air reaching the alveoli with each breath
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Alveolus
An air sac in the lungs; also the milk secreting sacs in the mammary glands
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Amino Acid
The building blocks of protein
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Anaerobic
Not requiring oxygen
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Anaphase
The third phase of mitosis
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Anatomical Position
Used to maintain consistency of anatomical descriptions - the body is upright, with the head facing forward, the arms at the sides with the palms of the hands facing forward, and the feet together
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Aneurysm
A weakness in the wall of an artery
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Anion
A negatively charged ion
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Anterior
Describes a body part nearer the front
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Antibody
Defensive protein synthesised by B-lymphocytes in response to the presence of an antigen
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Appendicular Skeleton
The shoulder girdle, upper limbs, pelvic girdle and lower limbs
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Arrhythmia
An abnormal heart rhythm
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Arteriole
A small artery
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Artery
A blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart
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Articulation
A joint
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Autoregulation
The ability of a tissue to independently control its own blood supply
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Autorhythmicity
The ability of a tissue to generate its own electrical signals
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Axial Skeleton
The skull, vertebral column, sternum (breastbone) and ribs
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Baroreceptor
Sensory receptor sensitive to pressure (stretch)
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Benign
Non-cancerous or a non-serious condition for which treatment may be required
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Bradycardia
Abnormally slow heart rate
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Bronchodilation
Widening of the larger airways and bronchioles
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Capillary
A tiny blood vessel between an arteriole and a venule, which has leaky walls to allow exchange of substances between the blood and tissues
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Carcinogen
A cancer-causing substance
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Carcinoma
A tumour arising from epithelial tissue
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Cardiac Output
The amount of blood ejected by one ventricle every minute: CO = heart rate x stroke volume
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Cation
A positively charged ion
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Central Nervous System
The brain and spinal cord
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Cerebrospinal Fluid
The fluid bathing the brain and spinal cord
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Chemoreceptor
A sensory receptor sensitive to chemical in solution
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Chondrocyte
Mature cartilage cell
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Chromatin
The uncoiled state of chromosomes during interphase
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Chronic
Long-standing or recurring
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Cilia
Microscopic cell extensions for moving materials through the lumen of a tube
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Coagulation
Blood clotting
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Concentration Gradient
Where two areas of liquid have different concentrations of solute
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Congenital
Inherited
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Cortex
The outer layer of a gland or structure
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Cytoplasm
Contains all the contents of a cell except the nucleus
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Diaphysis
The shaft of a long bone
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Diastole
Resting period of the heart or its individual chambers
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Diastolic Blood Pressure
The pressure recorded in the systemic circulation when the pressure is at its lowest, corresponding to the relaxation of the myocardium; the lower of the two measurements used to denote a blood pressure recording
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Diffusion
Movement of substances down a concentration gradient, which does not require energy or presence of a membrane
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Distal
Further from the origin of a body part or point of attachment of a limb
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Efferent
Carrying or travelling away from an organ
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Embolus
A blood clot or other substance that travels in a blood vessel and may lodge, blocking a smaller vessel
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Endocrine Gland
A ductless gland that secretes a hormone which travels to its target organ in the bloodstream
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Endothelium
Epithelium lining blood vessels
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Epidermis
The outermost layer of the skin
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Epiphysis
Each end of a long bone
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Epithelium
Tissue that lines and covers most body organs
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Erythropoiesis
Production of red blood cells
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Eversion
Turning the soles of the feet outwards
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Exocrine Gland
Gland that secretes its product into ducts for transport
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Exocytosis
Process by which particulate waste is expelled from a cell
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Extension
An increase in the angle between two bones, straightening a limb
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External Respiration
Exchange of gases in the lungs
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Extrinsic Pathway
Clotting process triggered by damaged extravascular tissues
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Facilitated Diffusion
A form of diffusion that requires carrier proteins for transfer of substances across cell membranes
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Fascia
Fibrous membrane that supports, covers and separates muscles
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Fertilisation
Penetration of an ovum by a spermatazoon to form a zygote that can grow into a fetus
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Fibrinolysis
The breakdown of a blood clot
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Fibroblast
Connective tissue cell that produces collagen fibres
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Filtration
The movement of small molecules, by hydrostatic pressure, through a selectively permeable membrane
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Flagella
Long cell extensions used for cellular propulsion
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Flexion
The reducing of the angle between two bones; straightening a limb
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Follicle
A small secretory gland
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Gamete
An ovum or spermatazoon (reproductive cell)
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Glia
Nervous tissue that supports neurones
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Glucose
Simple sugar used by cells for energy
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Glycogen
Storage, very high molecular weight form of glucose
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Granulopoiesis
The production of white blood cells
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Haemopoiesis
The production of blood cells
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Haemorrhage
Profuse blood loss
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Hepatic
Of the liver
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Hilum
Indented area of an organ where blood vessels, nerves and ducts enter and leave
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Homeostasis
Maintenance of a stable internal environment
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Hormone
A substance secreted by an endocrine gland that is transported in the blood and acts on specific target cells elsewhere in the body
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Hydrophilic
Water loving
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Hydrophobic
Water hating
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Hydrostatic Pressure
The pressure exerted by a fluid on the walls of its container
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Hypoxia
Inadequate levels of oxygen in the tissues
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Iatrogenic
A condition resulting from a healthcare intervention
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Idiopathic
A condition of unknown cause
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Immunity
Body defence mechanisms against a specific disease
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Infarction
Death of a region of tissue due to interruption of its blood supply
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Inferior
Structure further from the head
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Inflammation
Non-specific tissue response to damage
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Insertion
Point of attachment of a muscle to a bone that moves most during muscle contraction
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Internal Respiration
Exchange of gases in the tissues
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Interphase
Phase of the cell cycle when there is no division
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Interstitial Fluid
Fluid situated between body cells, also known as tissue fluid
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Intrinsic Pathway
Clotting process triggered by damaged blood vessels
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Inversion
The turning of the soles of the feet to face each other
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Ion
A charged atom (which has either lost or acquired electrons)
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Ionising Radiation
Radiation that generates ions when it passes through atoms; can damage cells by changing the atoms in the molecules that make up living tissue
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Ischaemia
Impaired blood supply to a body part
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Lactation
Production of breast milk
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Lateral
Structure further from the midline of the body
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Leukocyte
General term for a white blood cell
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Ligament
Band of connective tissue that binds one bone to another
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Lymph
Watery fluid drained by the lymphatic system from the tissue spaces
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Macrophage
A phagocytic cell usually found in connective tissue
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Malignant
Cancerous
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Medial
Structure that is nearer to the midline of the body
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Median Plane
An imaginary line that divides the body longitudinally into right and left halves
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Medulla
The inner layer of a gland or structure
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Meiosis
Process of cell division by which gametes are formed
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Menopause
Time of the female life span when reproductive function ceases
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Menstruation
Regular shedding of the uterine lining, usually monthly, during the reproductive period of the female life span
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Metaphase
Second phase of mitosis
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Metastasis
Secondary deposits from a primary malignant tumour
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Mitosis
Cell division giving two identical daughter cells
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Motor Neurone
An efferent nerve that carries impulses from the central nervous system to muscles or glands
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Mucosa
Lining of body tracts (also mucous membrane)
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Necrosis
Cell death following loss of oxygen supply
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Negative Feedback
A physiological control mechanism that corrects deviations from a normal range
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Neoplasm
A new growth which may be benign or malignant
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Nephron
The structure in the kidneys responsible for the formation of urine
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Neuromuscular Junction
The synapse between a motor nerve and a skeletal muscle cell
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Neurone
Nerve cell
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Neurotransmitter
Chemical that transmits an impulse between one nerve and the next, or between a nerve and the neuromuscular junction
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Non-Specific Defence
The defence mechanisms of the body that are effective against different types of threat
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Oedema
Tissue swelling due to collection of fluid in the intercellular spaces
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Osteon
Structural unit of compact bone
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Osmoreceptors
Specialised sensory receptors sensitive to solute concentration
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Osmosis
Movement of water down its concentration gradient across a semipermeable membrane
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Osmotic Pressure
The pressure exerted by water in a solution
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Ossicles
Bones of the middle ear: hammer, anvil and stirrup
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Ossification
The production of bone tissue
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Ovulation
The release of mature ovum from the ovary
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Parasympathetic Nervous System
Division of the autonomic nervous system that prepares the body for 'rest and repair'
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Parietal Layer
A layer of serous membrane lining a body cavity
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Passive Transport
Any form of transport within the body that does not require the use of energy
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Pathogen
Micro-organism capable of causing disease
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Peripheral Nervous System
Nervous tissue that is not part of the brain or spinal cord
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Phagocytosis
Defence mechanism by which body cells consume and destroy foreign materials
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Phospholipid
Fat based molecule containing phosphate, essential to the structure of the cell membrane
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Plasma
Clear, straw-coloured liquid portion of the blood
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Platelet (Thrombocyte)
Small cell fragments involved in blood clotting
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Positive Feedback
Physiological control mechanism that causes progressive deviation from normal limits; examples are limited, but include the progressive stimulation of the uterine muscle during childbirth
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Posterior
Lying to the back of the body
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Pressure Ulcer
Damage to superficial tissues caused by prolonged pressure and interrupted blood supply, usually over a bony prominence
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Prophase
First phase of mitosis
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Pronation
The turning of the palms to face backwards
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Proximal
Nearer the origin of a body part or point of attachment of a limb
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Puberty
The stage of life in males or females where reproductive maturity is achieved
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Pulmonary
Of the lungs
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Pulse Pressure
Diastolic blood pressure subtracted from the systolic value
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Receptor
A molecule, usually on the cell surface, that detects and responds to chemicals in the cell's external environment, e.g. a neurotransmitter. Also, a sensory nerve ending that detects physical changes in the local environment, e.g. a baroreceptor meas
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Renal
Of the kidneys
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Rotation
The movement of a body part around its long axis
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Rugae
Folds in the internal surface of a hollow organ when the organ is relaxed
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Sensory Neurone
An afferent nerve that carries impulses to the central nervous system
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Specific Defence Mechanism
Immunity; body's protective mechanisms raised against a specific threat or antigen
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Sphincter
Circle of muscle surrounding an internal passageway or orifice, used to regulate passage through the opening
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Spinal Reflex
Involuntary, usually protective, action controlled at the level of the spinal cord (i.e. independent of the brain)
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Stroke Volume
The volume of blood ejected by the ventricle when it contracts
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Superior
Towards the upper part of the body
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Supination
Turning the palm to face forwards
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Sympathetic Nervous System
Division of the autonomic nervous system that prepares the body for ‘fight or flight’
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Synapse
The junction between a nerve and the cell it supplies
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Systemic Circulation
The blood supply to all body organs except for the pulmonary arteries and veins
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Systole
Contraction period of the heart or its individual chambers
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Systolic Blood Pressure
The pressure recorded in the systemic circulation (often at the arm) when the pressure is at its highest, immediately following ventricular contraction; the higher of the two measurements used to denote a blood pressure recording
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Tachycardia
Abnormally fast heart rate
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Telophase
Fourth (final) phase of mitosis
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Thrombosis
The inappropriate, pathological formation of stationary blood clots within blood vessels
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Trophic Hormone
Hormone released that causes the release of a second hormone
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Tumour
Mass of cells growing outwith the body's normal control mechanisms
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Tunica Adventitia
The outer, supportive lining of blood vessels
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Tunica Intima
The lining of blood vessels (also called endothelium)
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Tunica Media
The middle layer of tissue in larger blood vessels
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Vasoconstriction
Decrease in diameter (narrowing) of a blood vessel
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Vasodilation
Increase in diameter (widening) of a blood vessel
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Vein
A blood vessel that carries blood towards the heart
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Venule
A small vein
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Visceral Layer
A layer of serous membrane covering a body organ
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Zygote
Fertilised egg formed by fusion of an ovum and spermatozoon
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

The electrical current (impulse) conducted along a nerve cell (neurone)

Back

Action Potential

Card 3

Front

Movement of substances across a cell membrane, up the concentration gradient, and requiring energy

Back

Preview of the back of card 3

Card 4

Front

Of sudden onset

Back

Preview of the back of card 4

Card 5

Front

Lessening of response by sensory receptors to prolonged stimulation

Back

Preview of the back of card 5
View more cards

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