Anatomy & Physiology Terms

• Anatomy is the study of the structure of organisms, especially internal parts
• A cell is the basic unit of life
• A daughter cell is formed by the division of a parent cell
• To dissect means to cut apart an organism or organ to study its structure
• To fertilize is to provide nutrients to soil or plants to promote growth
• A living organism is any entity that exhibits the characteristics of life
• A molecule is the smallest unit of a compound that retains its chemical properties
• A nutrient is a substance that provides an organism with nourishment and energy
• An organ system is a group of organs that work together to perform a specific function
• Physiology is the study of the functions of living organisms and their parts
• Stem cells are a type of cell that can divide into different types of cells
• Connective tissue binds and supports other tissues
• Epithelial tissue covers the surface of the body and lines its organs
• An infectious organism is a microscopic organism that can cause disease
• A joint is the place where two bones meet and allows movement
• Magnetic resonance imaging is a technique to produce images of bodily organs using a large magnet and radio waves
• Nerve tissue transmits signals throughout the body
• An organ is a structure made up of different tissues that performs a specific function
• A skeleton is the framework of bones that supports an organism’s body
• Tissue is a group of similar cells that perform a specific function
• A vessel is a tubular structure that transports a fluid through an organism
• A cadaver is a dead body intended for dissection
• A gland is an organ that produces and secretes a substance
• The human body is a highly organized structure made up of trillions of cells that work together to keep alive and healthy
• An infection is the invasion of an organism by a pathogenic agent that causes disease
• A nerve is a bundle of fibers that transmit signals between the brain and other parts of the body
• Palpation is the act of feeling or touching a part of the body to diagnose a condition
• The pelvis is the bony basin that supports the lower abdomen and intestines
• Sperm is the male reproductive cell that unites with an egg to form a zygote
• The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that extends from the brain down the back and controls movement and sensation
• A system is a group of organs that work together to perform a specific function
• Autonomy, from Greek roots meaning self-law, refers to a patient’s right to make their own healthcare decisions
• Dissection, from Latin meaning cut apart, is the process of separating tissues to study structure
• Physiology, from Greek roots referencing nature and study, focuses on how the human body works
• Palpation, from Latin meaning to touch, is a diagnostic technique using hands to feel for abnormalities
• A cadaver, from Latin referring to a corpse, is a dead human body used for medical education or research
• A component is a part of something that is necessary for it to function
• Compose means to create or write something
• Convert means to change something into something else
• Generate means to create or produce something
• Harmony is a pleasing agreement or combination of things
• Lining is the material that covers the inside of something
• Rid... of means to get rid of something unwanted or unpleasant
• Ultimately means in the end; finally
• Underlie means to be the foundation or basis of something
• Unstable means not firmly fixed or secure
• Acquire means to get something; to obtain
• A barrier is an obstacle that prevents something from happening
• Contour is the outline or shape of something
• Dramatically means in a sudden and striking way
• Expel means to force someone or something out of a place
• Flexible means able to bend or move easily without breaking
• Invasion is the act of entering by force
• The naked eye refers to seeing without glasses or instruments
• Observation is the act of watching or noticing something carefully
• A region is a particular area or part

Synonymous Terms

• Contemporary: Existing or happening now; modern
• Extensive: Large; huge
• Preserved: Kept in good condition; kept safe
• Fundamental: Essential; very important
• Extend: To increase or make something larger
• Potential: Possibility; ability
• Landmark: Signal; marker

Medical Professions and Practices

• Clinical practice is the application of medical knowledge in patient care settings
• Biological sciences are sciences focused on living organisms, including anatomy
• Paramedics are emergency medical technicians trained in pre-hospital care
• Physiotherapists are therapists treating physical injuries and movement disorders
• Occupational therapists help people regain skills for daily living
• Anatomical models are representations of the human body, often 3D models
• Skeletons are the framework of bones supporting a body
• Diagrams are visual representations of body structures and processes
• Lectures are formal presentations on anatomy topics
• Tutorials are guided practical training sessions in anatomy
• Histology studies tissues at the microscopic level
• Tissue is an organization of many similar cells
• A cell is the simplest unit of living matter
• An organ is a group of different tissues working together
• A stem cell is an unspecialized cell with the potential to become any type of cell
• Epithelial tissue covers the body's surface and lines organs
• Connective tissue supports and binds other tissues together
• Nerve tissue carries messages throughout the body
• Muscle tissue allows the body to move
• Referral sources are recommendations
• Diagnostic tools are assessment instruments
• Residents are Doctor of Medicine graduates in post-graduate training
• Mentoring means guiding and advising
• Expertise means knowledge
• Compassion means sympathy and caring
• Dedication means commitment and devotion
• Cornerstone is foundation
• Diagnosis is identification
• An advocate is a supporter
• Alzheimer’s is a brain disease causing memory loss and behavioral changes
• Brushing is the act of using a brush to clean teeth
• Canine teeth are pointed teeth adapted for tearing food
• A carnivore is an animal that eats other animals
• Cavities are holes in teeth caused by tooth decay
• Cementum is the mineralized tissue covering the root of a tooth
• To chew is to bite and break down something with the teeth
• The crown is the visible part of a tooth above the gum line
• A cusp is the pointed projection on a tooth's chewing surface
• Dentin is hard, yellowish tissue beneath the enamel of the tooth
• Diabetes is a chronic condition characterized by high blood sugar levels
• A diphyodont has two sets of teeth, deciduous and permanent
• Enamel is the tooth's outer layer and the strongest substance in the human body
• To secrete means to release a substance from a gland or cell
• A socket is the bony cavity in the jawbone where a tooth fits
• A premolar is a tooth between the canine and molar teeth
• The root is the part of a tooth that is anchored in the jawbone
• Pulp is the soft tissue inside a tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels
• To grind is to crush something into small pieces
• Gum/Gingiva is the soft tissue surrounding teeth and covering the jawbone
• A herbivore is an animal that only eats plants
• Incisors are the sharp, front teeth used for cutting food
• The jaw is the bone structure that holds the teeth and allows them to move
• The jawbone is the hard bone that forms the lower part of the jaw
• A mammal gives birth to live young and nurses them with milk
• Mastication is the process of chewing food
• Molars are the broad teeth at the back of the mouth for grinding food
• A monophyodont has only one set of teeth
• An omnivore eats both plants and animals
• A polyphyodont has many successive sets of teeth throughout life
• The maxilla is the upper jaw
• To erupt is to come through the gums
• Flossing removes food particles between teeth using thin thread
• The womb is the organ in a female mammal where a fetus develops
• Teething is the process of baby teeth erupting through the gums
• The mandible is the lower jaw
• Vertebrates are animals with a backbone or spinal column
• Permanent teeth replace primary teeth
• The immune system is the body’s network of cells and tissues fighting infection and disease
• The digestive process breaks down food into nutrients and absorbs them
• The tooth neck (dental cervix) is where the tooth meets the gum
• Calcium phosphate is the main mineral component of enamel
• Primary teeth are the first set of teeth humans develop
• The pulp chamber is the hollow space inside the tooth containing blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue
• The root canal is the narrow passageway within the tooth root containing the pulp chamber
• Neonatal teeth are a rare occurrence when a baby is born with teeth already erupted
• Speech production is the process of using the vocal cords, tongue, lips, and other muscles to create speech sounds
• Wisdom teeth are the third molars, typically erupting in the late teens or early 20s
• Gum disease is inflammation of the gums leading to bleeding, swelling, and potential tooth loss
• The tooth root attaches to the jawbone, for support and stability
• A cuspid is a tooth with a single cusp or point
• A bicuspid is a tooth with two cusps
• A multi-cuspid has several cusps
• The word diphyodont comes from the Greek for "two teeth"
• The word polyphyodont comes from the Greek for "many teeth"
• The word carnivore comes from the Latin for "flesh eater"
• The word herbivore comes from the Latin for "plant eater"
• The word omnivore comes from the Latin for "all eater"
• Absorbed means took in or drew in
• Consume means use up, or eat
• Crucial means important, or essential
• Descended means moved downwards, or went down
• Dissolved means melted, or mixed into a liquid
• Clarity is clearness or ease of understanding
• To gnaw is to bite persistently
• In concert means working together for a common purpose
• Nutrients are substances that provide nourishment for the body
• Optimal means best or most favorable
• Positioning is the way something is placed or arranged
• A quadrant is one of four equal parts
• Rodents are small mammals with sharp incisors
• To sprout is to begin to grow
• To swallow is to move food or liquid from the mouth to the stomach
• A whale is a large marine mammal
• Adulthood is the period of life after childhood and adolescence
• Aesthetic means concerned with beauty
• To anchor is to make something stay in position by fastening
• Calcified means turned into calcium carbonate, making it rigid
• To chew is to grind food with the teeth
• Derive means to obtain something from a source
• Gelatinous means resembling jelly, or soft
• Impact is a strong, noticeable effect
• Implements are tools or anything necessary to perform a task
• An infant is a very young child, typically under one year old
• Integral means essential to something
• Posterior means situated at or towards the back
• A dental hygienist focuses on oral hygiene education
• Duties are responsibilities or tasks
• Tooth repairs fix damaged teeth
• Surgery involves operations performed by a dentist
• Procedures are treatments performed by a dentist
• Deposits are hardened calcium buildup on teeth
• Oral hygiene involves taking care of the teeth and mouth
• An adjunct is something added as a supplement
• Bristles are the stiff hairs on a brush
• Fluoride is a mineral that helps prevent tooth decay
• Frayed means worn or damaged at the edges
• Interdental relates to the space between teeth
• Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth
• To thrive is to grow or develop well
• To emerge is to become known or visible
• To hamper is to slow down or prevent
• Maximized means made as large as possible
• To start over is to start from the beginning
• Successive means one after another
• Skeletal system: Bones and cartilage for protection and support
• Muscular system: Muscles for movement, posture, and heat
• Nervous system: Brain, spinal cord, and nerves for control of body functions
• Circulatory system: Heart and blood vessels for transport of blood
• Respiratory system: Lungs and airways for gas exchange
• Digestive system: Mouth, stomach and intestines for digestion and absorption of nutrients
• Integumentary system: Skin as a barrier
• Endocrine system: Glands producing hormones for regulation of body functions
• Reproductive system: Organs involved in sexual reproduction
• Urinary system: Kidneys and bladder for filtering blood and creating urine