Glossary of anatomy

Glossary of Anatomy

The Glossary of Anatomy is a comprehensive list of terms and definitions related to the field of anatomy. This glossary serves as a valuable resource for students, professionals, and anyone interested in understanding the complex terminology of human anatomy.

A

Abdomen - The part of the body that contains the pancreas, stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, and other organs.

Abdominal cavity - The space in the body that holds the stomach, liver, intestines, and other organs.

Abdominal wall - The structural boundary of the abdominal cavity, excluding the underside.

B

Biceps - A muscle that is located in the upper arm and aids in bending the elbow.

Bile duct - The tube that carries bile from the liver to the gallbladder and small intestine.

C

Cardiovascular system - The body system that includes the heart and blood vessels and carries nutrients and oxygen to the tissues of the body and removes carbon dioxide and other wastes from them.

Cerebellum - The part of the brain at the back of the skull in vertebrates, which coordinates and regulates muscular activity.

D

Dermis - The thick layer of living tissue below the epidermis that forms the true skin, containing blood capillaries, nerve endings, sweat glands, hair follicles, and other structures.

Duodenum - The first part of the small intestine immediately beyond the stomach, leading to the jejunum.

E

Epidermis - The outer layer of cells covering an organism, in particular.

Esophagus - The part of the alimentary canal that connects the throat to the stomach.

F

Femur - The bone located in the human thigh.

Fibula - The outer and usually smaller of the two bones between the knee and ankle in the hind or lower limbs of vertebrates.

G

Gallbladder - A small, pear-shaped organ located just below the liver. It stores bile.

Gastrointestinal tract - The stomach and intestine as a functional unit.

H

Heart - The organ that pumps blood through the body.

Humerus - The bone of the upper arm or forelimb, forming joints at the shoulder and the elbow.

I

Intestines - The lower part of the alimentary canal from the end of the stomach to the anus.

Iris - The flat, colored, ring-shaped membrane behind the cornea of the eye, with an adjustable circular opening (pupil) in the center.

J

Jejunum - The part of the small intestine between the duodenum and ileum.

Joint - A point at which parts of an artificial structure are joined.

K

Kidney - Each of a pair of organs in the abdominal cavity of mammals, birds, and reptiles, excreting urine.

Knee - The joint between the thigh and the lower leg in humans.

L

Liver - A large lobed glandular organ in the abdomen of vertebrates, involved in many metabolic processes.

Lung - Each of a pair of organs situated within the rib cage, consisting of elastic sacs with branching passages into which air is drawn, so that oxygen can pass into the blood and carbon dioxide be removed.

M

Muscle - A band or bundle of fibrous tissue in a human or animal body that has the ability to contract, producing movement in or maintaining the position of parts of the body.

Myocardium - The muscular tissue of the heart.

N

Nervous system - The network of nerve cells and fibers that transmits nerve impulses between parts of the body.

Neuron - A specialized cell transmitting nerve impulses; a nerve cell.

O

Ovary - An organ that produces eggs in women and female animals.

Osteology - The study of the structure and function of the skeleton and bony structures.

P

Pancreas - A large gland behind the stomach that secretes digestive enzymes into the duodenum.

Pulmonary artery - The artery carrying blood from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs for oxygenation.

Q

Quadriceps - The large muscle at the front of the thigh, which is divided into four distinct portions.

R

Respiratory system - The organs and structures that bring air into the body, allowing oxygen to enter the blood and carbon dioxide to leave the blood.

Rib - Each of a series of slender curved bones articulated in pairs to the spine, protecting the thoracic cavity and its organs.

S

Skeleton - The framework of the body, consisting of bones and other connective tissues, which protects and supports the body tissues and internal organs.

Skin - The thin layer of tissue forming the natural outer covering of the body of a person or animal.

T

Thigh - The part of the human leg between the hip and the knee.

Thorax - The part of the body of a mammal between the neck and the abdomen, including the cavity enclosed by the ribs, breastbone, and dorsal vertebrae, and containing the chief organs of circulation and respiration; the chest.

U

Ulna - The thinner and longer of the two bones in the human forearm, on the side opposite to the thumb.

Uterus - The organ in the lower body of a woman or female mammal where offspring are conceived and in which they gestate before birth; the womb.

V

Vein - Any of the tubes forming part of the blood circulation system of the body, carrying in most cases oxygen-depleted blood toward the heart.

Vertebra - Each of the series of small bones forming the backbone, having several projections for articulation and muscle attachment, and a hole through which the spinal cord passes.

W

Wrist - The joint connecting the hand with the forearm.

X

Xiphoid process - The cartilage at the lower end of the sternum, which is not attached to any ribs and gradually ossifies during adult life.

Y

Yellow bone marrow - The type of bone marrow that is primarily a fat storage tissue.

Z

Zygote - A diploid cell resulting from the fusion of two haploid gametes; a fertilized ovum.

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