Medical Assistant Anatomy and Physiology Terms Flashcards
AAMA CMA Flashcards
| Front | Back |
| Alveoli | Tiny air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs. |
| Axon | The long thread-like part of a nerve cell along which impulses are conducted. |
| Cerebellum | The part of the brain that regulates motor control and coordination. |
| Dermis | The thick layer of skin beneath the epidermis that contains blood vessels and nerves. |
| Diastole | The phase of the heartbeat when the heart muscle relaxes and fills with blood. |
| Glycogen | A stored form of glucose, primarily found in the liver and muscles. |
| Hemoglobin | A protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. |
| Hepatic Portal System | The veins that carry blood from the digestive organs to the liver. |
| Homeostasis | The tendency to maintain a stable, relatively constant internal environment. |
| Hypothalamus | A region of the brain that controls body temperature, hunger, and thirst. |
| Lymphocyte | A type of white blood cell involved in the immune response. |
| Myocardium | The muscular tissue of the heart. |
| Nephron | The functional unit of the kidney. |
| Osteocyte | A bone cell, formed when an osteoblast becomes embedded in the matrix it has secreted. |
| Peristalsis | The involuntary constriction and relaxation of the muscles of the intestine or another canal. |
| Phagocytosis | The ingestion of bacteria or other material by phagocytes. |
| Synapse | The junction between two nerve cells, where impulses pass by diffusion of a neurotransmitter. |
| Synovial Fluid | A viscous fluid found in the cavities of synovial joints that reduces friction between the articular cartilage of synovial joints during movement. |
| Systole | The phase of the heartbeat when the heart muscle contracts and pumps blood. |
| Villus | A small, finger-like projection that extends into the lumen of the small intestine. |
About the Flashcards
Flashcards for the AAMA CMA exam present concise definitions and functional descriptions of core anatomy and physiology terms. The deck covers cells and tissues (osteocyte, dermis, synovial fluid), organ structures (cerebellum, hypothalamus, myocardium, nephron, alveoli, hepatic portal system), and key molecules and processes (glycogen, hemoglobin, synapse, peristalsis, phagocytosis, diastole/systole).
Use these cards to reinforce terminology, physiological roles, and mechanisms commonly tested on the exam, with emphasis on homeostasis, circulation, respiration, digestion, neural signaling, and immune function. Short definitions and paired examples help build rapid recall and conceptual links needed for efficient review before exam day.
Topics covered in this flashcard deck:
- Cardiovascular physiology
- Respiratory gas exchange
- Renal structure and function
- Digestive anatomy and motility
- Neuroanatomy and signaling
- Immune cell function