PTCB - Chapter 4 - Terminology - Definitions

Combining vowel
- a vowel used to connect the prefix, root word, or suffix parts of a term

Prefix
- a modifying component of a term, located at the beginning of the term

Root word
- the base component of a term which gives it a meaning that may be modified by other components

Suffix
- a modifying component of a term located at the end of the term

Diastolic phase / Relaxation phase
- the blood pressure after the heart has completed a pumping stroke

Endocrine system
- a system of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream

Systolic phase
- the blood pressure as the heart is pumping blood into the cardiovascular system

Blood pressure
- reported as systole/diastole
- a sphygmomanometer is used to measure blood pressure
- diastole number: over 90 - hyper, below 60 - hypo

Alimentary tract
- the organs from the mouth the to anus. The GI tract is a portion of the alimentary tract

Integumentary system
- the body covering: skin, hair, nails

Lymphocyte
- a type of white blood cell (leukocyte) that helps the body defend itself against bacteria and diseased cells

Flexor movement
- an expansion or outward movement by muscles

Neuron
- the functional unit of the nervous syste,

Osseous tissue
- the rigid portion of the bone tissue

Alveolar sacs (alveoli)
- the small sacs of specialized tissue that transfer oxygen out of inspired air into the blood and CO@ out of the blood and into the air for expiration

Nephron
- the functional unit of the kidney responsible for removing wastes from the blood and producing urine

Conjunctiva
- the eyelid lining

Cornea
- the transport outer part of the eye

Eustachian tube
- the tube that connects the middle ear to the throat

Lacrimal gland
- the gland that produces tears for the eyes

Retina
- the inner lining of the eye that translates light into nerve impulses

Tympanic membrane
- the membrane that transmits sound waves to the inner ear