SOME MEDICAL TERMS:

• The human body can be broken down into a number of systems for example: brain and nervous system, circulatory system, reproductive system, the skin and skeleton. Listed below are the major organs in each system.
• adam's apple. The popular name for the thyroid cartilage The lump seen on the front of the throat of men. It is small and invisible in females.
• abdomen. The lower part of the torso containing the Stomach, intestine, kidneys, liver and reproductive organs.
• adrenal gland. Endocrine gland above kidneys producing adrenaline (a heart stimulant) and other hormones.
• adipose tissue. A form of connective tissue in which the constituent cells are modified to enable them to contain droplets of oil. (Fat).
• alimentary canal.   The food processing tube running from mouth to anus, about 9m long.
• alveolus. Sac in lungs absorbing oxygen from the air into the blood.
• anus. Excretory opening at end of alimentary canal.
• aorta. The largest artery in the human body. It carries blood from the heart to the arms, legs and head.
• artery. Blood vessel taking oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body.
• bile. secretion of the liver stored in the gall bladder.
• bladder. A sack in the abdomen which collects urine from the kidneys.
• blood. The main circulatory fluid: red and white blood cells transported in plasma.
• bowel. The division of the alimentary canal below the stomach, that is the intestines.
• bones.  A matrix of collagen fibres providing support for other tissues. The hollow centre is filled with marrow, the source of blood cells.
• brain & nervous system.   The nervous system is co-ordinated by the brain. All 13 000 million nerves originate in the brain, form the spinal column and branch off to the organs and tissues they control.
• bronchi. The bronchial tubes (bronchi) are a division of the trachea which branch repeatedly into small bronchioles within the lungs.
• caecum. First part of the large intestine.
• capillary. Very small blood vessel linking arteries and veins.
• cartilage. Soft, protective pad between the joints. Cartilage or cartilaginous tissue covers the ends of the bones where they come together to make a joint. It enables the bones to move easily.
• cardiac muscles. The heart muscles.
• cerebellum. Part of the brain at the back of the head that controls the muscles and postural equilibrium.
• cerebrum. Each of the two halves of the upper brain that occupies the whole of the dome of the cranium.
• colon. Central and major part of the large intestine.
• coronary artery. Artery providing blood for the heart.
• dermis. Living skin tissue containing capillaries, lymph vessels, nerve endings, pores and hair follicles.
• diaphragm. A large transverse muscle at the base of the thorax, used in respiration to draw air into the lungs.
• duodenum. First part of the small intestine.
• endocrine gland. A gland that secretes hormones into the body.
• epidermis. Layers of continually shedded skin cells.
• epithelium. A basic type of tissue. It comprises the external surface of the skin, the internal surfaces of the digestive, respiratory and urogenital systems and others.
• fallopian tubes. Two tubes that carry eggs from the ovary to the uterus. Eggs are fertilised in the Fallopian tubes by sperm, and then moved to the uterus.
• follicle. A small group of cells that surrounds and nourishes a structure such as a hair or a cell such as an egg.
• fontanelle. A membrane covered vault in the skull. It normally closes during infancy.
• gall bladder. A small muscular sac attached to the liver.
• ganglion. An enlargment somewhere in the course of a nerve, and containing nerve cells in addition to nerve filaments.
• gastric juice. Clear, colourless fluid secreted by the mucous membrane of the stomach, and is the chief agent in digestion.
• glands. Organs which produce substances (such as blood) for use within the body. Endocrine glands produce secretions at a distance from the tissues which they affect. Exocrine glands carry secretions through ducts to the site where they are required.
• haemoglobin. The protein that carries oxygen in the blood.
• heart. Muscular organ in chest that pumps blood to the lungs, tissues and other organs.
• hormone. A product of the endocrine glands.
• hypothalamus. Part of the brain that controls which regulates rhythmic activity, physiological stability, body temperature and the pituitary gland.
• ileum. Last part of the small intestine.
• intestine. The digestive tract.  The small intestine (duodenum, jejunum and  ileum) and large intestine (caecum, colon and rectum). The intestine breaks up digested food into those molecules required by the body.
• involuntary muscles. Those muscles we cannot control.
• jejenum. Central part of the small intestine.
• joint. A structure where two bones meet.
• jugular vein. Vein returning blood from the head to the heart.
• kidney. Organ which filters waste material from the blood.
• lachrymal gland. Exocrine gland beneath the upper eye lid which secretes tears
• larynx. A cavity at the top of the trachea containing the vocal cords.
• leucocyte. Colourless corpuscles; white blood cells.
• ligament. Fibrous band supporting bones and joints.
• liver. Large gland in the abdomen controlling many chemical processes. A nutrient storehouse.
• lungs. Organs in the thorax through which oxygen is absorbed into the blood and carbon dioxide expelled. The lungs draw about half a litre of air 14-16 times a minute.
• lymphatic system. System of tubes and glands that collect and filter waste fluid from the cells before returning it to the blood system.
• medulla oblongata. Lower part of the brain controlling the heart and lungs.
• muscles. Fibrous organs used to support the skeleton, provide movement or power the body's life support systems.
• nerve. Cord like structure built from a number of neurones along which nerve impulses are conveyed to different parts of the body.
• neurone. Nerve cell, many centimetres long with a microscopic diameter.
• oesophagus. The gullet, a muscular tube propelling food from trachea to stomach.
• organ. General name for any part of the body that has a specific purpose.
• ovary. One of two female reproductive organs. The ovaries house ova, unfertilized female gametes.
• pancreas. Large endocrine gland in the abdomen producing insulin and digestive juices.
• parathyroid glands. Two small glands in the neck concerned with the use of calcium in the body.
• parotid gland. Salivary gland.
• penis. Male reproductive organ.
• placenta. Organ connecting a foetus to the uterine wall. It is the organ by means of which the nutritive, respiratory and excretory functions of the foetus are carried on.
• pineal gland. Gland at the base of the brain controlling melatonin levels.
• pituitary gland. Master endocrine gland at the base of the brain controlling the other endocrine glands.
• plasma. Clear fluid in the circulatory system that transports blood cells.
• rectum. Last part of the the large intestine where waste material is stored prior to excretion.
• reproductive organs.   Those organs used in the production of genetic material (testes and ovaries) or are involved in the reproductive process (penis, vagina, womb).
• saliva. A secretion from the salivary glands in the oral cavity. It contains mucus to lubricate food and enzymes.
• sclerous tissue. The stiffening which is essential for the formation of the general framework of the body. There are two types: cartilage and bone.
• sebaceous glands. Ducts in the skin which secrete oil to lubricate the skin and hair.
• skeleton.   System of bones providing support for the body.  Many of the bones are hinged (jointed) allowing the skeleton to move.
• skeletal muscles. Those muscles that we can control.
• skin. Dermoid Tissue, is composed of two layers, the cuticle, epidermis or epithelium and the corium or dermis.
• spleen. Organ that regulates the number of red blood cells.
• spleen. Organ in abdomen producing white and destroying red blood cells.
• subcutaneous layer. Layer of fatty tissue below the dermis.
• stomach. First part of the digestive tract where food is broken down by powerful acids into smaller components.
• tendon. Fibrous band joining muscle to bone.
• testes. Male reproductive organs that produce spermatozoa, unfertilized male gametes.
• thalamus. Small part of brain, used in mechanism of sensation.
• thorax.   The chest cavity or upper bart of the torso containing the heart, lungs and oesophagus.
• tonsils. A pair of small organs on either side of the root of the tongue that protect the throat from infection.
• trachea. Wind pipe.
• thymus gland. Gland in the chest that disappears in adulthood. It is involved with immunity.
• thyroid gland. Endocrine gland in neck producing thyroxin regulating the metabolism.
• urethra. A canal which that channels urine from the bladder out of the body.
• vagina. Female reproductive organ.
• vein. Blood vessel returning deoxygenated blood to the heart.
• ventricle. Chambers within the heart which force blood along the arteries.
• womb. Female reproductive organ where the foetus gestates (develops). The uterus.
• An adult human is made up from about 45 litres of water, 13 kg of carbon, enough phosphorous for 2200 matches, a spoonful of sulphur and enough iron for a 25 mm nail.
• There are 10 000 million nerves controlled by the brain.  An adult heart beats between 60-80 times a minute pumping 5.5 litres of blood around 10 000 km of blood vessels.  The lungs draw about half a litre of air 14-16 times a minute.  There are about 650 muscles in a human body.  250ml of fluid is lost every day through the feet. The alimentary tract is about 9m long.  An adult skeleton contains 206 bones: 22 in the skull with 27 in each hand, 26 in each foot, 24 ribs, 32 teeth, 27 vertebrae and about 100 joints.
• The amount of energy an adult requires just to stay alive will power a 75 watt light bulb.