Human Body Vocabulary Menu

Homeostasis

• the ability of the internal systems of an organism to maintain normal balance, despite external conditions

Blood

• tissue that brings oxygen and nutrients to the cells of the body and removes wastes from the cells of the body

Platelets

Artery

• a blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart

Capillary

• a small blood vessel that transports nutrients and gases between the blood and tissues in an animal

Heart

• the muscular organ of an animal that pumps blood throughout the body

Chamber

Red Blood Cells

• a blood cell that carries oxygen to other cells in the body

White Blood Cells

• any of various nearly colorless cells of the immune system that circulate mainly in the blood and lymph and participate in reactions to invading microorganisms or foreign particles, comprising the B cells, T cells, macrophages, monocytes, and granulocytes.

PLasma

ATRIUM

• either of the two upper chambers on each side of the heart that receive blood from the veins and in turn force it into the ventricles

Digestion

• the process in the alimentary canal by which food is broken up physically, as by the action of the teeth, and chemically, as by the action of enzymes, and converted into a substance suitable for absorption and assimilation into the body.

Mechanical Digestion

• physically breaking the food into smaller pieces

ChemicAL dIGESTION

• involves breaking down the food into simpler nutrients that can be used by the cells.

Nutrient

• a substance such as a fat, a protein, or a carbohydrate that a living thing needs to survive

Peristalsis

• the progressive wave of contraction and relaxation of a tubular muscular system, especially the alimentary canal, by which the contents are forced through the system

Stomach

• a muscular organ in the body where chemical and mechanical digestion take place

Small intestine

• the part of the intestine that runs between the stomach and the large intestine; the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum collectively.

Large intestine

• absorb water from the remaining indigestible food matter and transmit the useless waste material from the body.

Villi

• one of the minute, wormlike processes on certain membranes, especially on the mucous membrane of the small intestine, where they serve in absorbing nutriment.

URETHRA

• the membranous tube that extends from the urinary bladder to the exterior and that in the male conveys semen as well as urine.

Bladder

• organ that stores urine; part of the excretory system

Urine

• the liquid-to-semi solid waste matter excreted by the kidneys, in humans being a yellowish, slightly acid, watery fluid.

Ureter

• a muscular duct or tube conveying the urine from a kidney to the bladder or cloaca.

Kidney

• an organ in an animal's body that removes wastes and helps regulate chemicals in the blood; part of the excretory system

Cellular respiration: the process that occurs when the chemical energy of "food" molecules, carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, is released and partially captured in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP)

Epiglottis: a thin, valve-like, cartilaginous structure that covers the glottis during swallowing, preventing the entrance of food and drink into the larynx

Pharynx

• tube at the back of the mouth that leads to either the respiratory or digestive systems; also called the throat.

Bronchial Tubes

• a bronchus or any of its ramifications or branches.

Larynx

• a muscular and cartilaginous structure lined with mucous membrane at the upper part of the trachea in humans, in which the vocal cords are located.

• a wide muscle that separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity and aids in the inflation of the lungs

Alveoli

• tiny air sacs in the lungs that are the site of gas exchange between the lungs and blood; singular: alveolus

Trachea

• the tube in the body through which air moves as it travels to and from the lungs; the windpipe

Eggs

• an animal's female reproductive cell

ESTROGEN

• any of several major female sex hormones produced primarily by the ovarian follicles of female mammals, capable of inducing estrus, developing and maintaining secondary female sex characteristics, and preparing the uterus for the reception of a fertilized egg: used, especially in synthetic form, as a component of oral contraceptives, in certain cancer treatments, and in other therapies.

Fallopian Tubes

• one of a pair of long, slender ducts in the female abdomen that transport ova from the ovary to the uterus and, in fertilization, transport sperm cells from the uterus to the released ova; the oviduct of higher mammals.

Menstrual cycle

• The recurring cycle of physiological changes in the uterus, ovaries, and other sexual structures that occur from the beginning of one menstrual period through the beginning of the next.

Menstruation

• the process in a woman of discharging blood and other materials from the lining of the uterus at intervals of about one lunar month from puberty until menopause, except during pregnancy.

Ovary

• the female reproductive organ that produces eggs

Ovulation

• is the release of egg from the ovaries.

Fertilization

• the process in which two gametes, such as an egg and sperm, unite to form a new organism, or zygote

uterus

• the enlarged, muscular, expandable portion of the oviduct in which the fertilized ovum implants and develops or rests during prenatal development; the womb of certain mammals

Sperm

• the male gamete; a reproductive cell that can fertilize an egg cell

Testosterone

• the sex hormone, C 19 H 28 O 2 , secreted by the testes, that stimulates the development of male sex organs, secondary sexual traits, and sperm.

Testes

• the male gonad or reproductive gland, either of two oval glands located in the scrotum