Medical Assistant Anatomy and Physiology Terms Flashcards
| Front | Back |
| Axon | The long thread-like part of a nerve cell along which impulses are conducted. |
| Dermis | The thick layer of skin beneath the epidermis that contains blood vessels and nerves. |
| Myocardium | The muscular tissue of the heart. |
| Systole | The phase of the heartbeat when the heart muscle contracts and pumps blood. |
| Phagocytosis | The ingestion of bacteria or other material by phagocytes. |
| Homeostasis | The tendency to maintain a stable, relatively constant internal environment. |
| Villus | A small, finger-like projection that extends into the lumen of the small intestine. |
| Alveoli | Tiny air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs. |
| Nephron | The functional unit of the kidney. |
| Glycogen | A stored form of glucose, primarily found in the liver and muscles. |
| Peristalsis | The involuntary constriction and relaxation of the muscles of the intestine or another canal. |
| Hypothalamus | A region of the brain that controls body temperature, hunger, and thirst. |
| Hemoglobin | A protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. |
| Osteocyte | A bone cell, formed when an osteoblast becomes embedded in the matrix it has secreted. |
| Cerebellum | The part of the brain that regulates motor control and coordination. |
| Synapse | The junction between two nerve cells, where impulses pass by diffusion of a neurotransmitter. |
| Diastole | The phase of the heartbeat when the heart muscle relaxes and fills with blood. |
| Synovial Fluid | A viscous fluid found in the cavities of synovial joints that reduces friction between the articular cartilage of synovial joints during movement. |
| Lymphocyte | A type of white blood cell involved in the immune response. |
| Hepatic Portal System | The veins that carry blood from the digestive organs to the liver. |