Body Systems Glossary
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Additional Resource: Word! A Glossary of Medical Terms from KidsHealth
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acids-substance that helps in the breakdown of food for the digestive process
alveoila- tiny, thin-walled sac in the lungs where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place
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biceps- large muscle in the front of the upper arm that flexes the forearm
bile- a fluid that is secreted by the liver and stored in the gallbladder; used in the digestion and absorption of fat
bladder- stretchy bag with muscular wall that collects and stores urine
bone marrow-soft jellylike substance in the center of a bone that produces blood cells for the body
bronchi- main branch of the trachea (windpipe) that leads directly to the lungs
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cartilage- tough, elastic tissue that is found in various parts of the body, such as the joints, outer ear, and nose
capillaries-tiny blood vessels that connect arteries and veins; where the exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen take place
carbon dioxide- gas formed formed during respiration; given off from the lungs
cardiac -of or pertaining to the heart
carpal -of or pertaining to the wrist
condense-the process where the water vapor from your breath meets cold and turns into tiny droplets of liquid which looks like white puff of steam
corneas- transparent outer coat of the eyeball
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digestion- process by which food is changed into substances that can be absorbed and used by the body
diaphragm-muscle that separates the abdominal and thoracic cavities;helps in breathing
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enzyme-chemical that helps to break down and digest food
esophagus- muscular tube for the passage of food from the mouth to the stomach
exhale-the breathing out and discharge of stale air, also allowing you the ability to talk
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humerus- long bone of the arm, extending from the shoulder to the elbow
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inhale-filling the lungs with fresh,oxygen-rich air
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kidney- organ used to maintain water and electrolyte balance along with filtering the blood of waste products
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liter- metric unit of volume equal to approximately 1.056 liquid quarts
larynx- part of the respiratory tract in the throat area that contains the vocal cords
lungs-spongy, saclike respiratory organs in the chest cavity that together with the heart work to remove carbon dioxide from the blood and provide it with oxygen
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mandible-lower bone in the jaw
metatarsus- middle part of the human foot that includes the five bones between the toes and the ankle
membrane- thin, pliable layer of tissue that covers surfaces or separates or connects other body parts
metacarpus- part of hand that includes the five bones between the fingers and the wrist
nasal cavity-the air passage behind the nose from which moisture is added to the air you breathe during the breathing process
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organ-a part of an organism that performs a specific function.
oxygen-an element essential for plant and animal respiration; essential to life
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pancreas-long, irregularly shaped gland that produces enzymes and hormones that aid in digestion
pancreatic juice-clear, alkaline secretion of the pancreas containing enzymes that aid in the digestion of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats
peristalsis-wavelike muscular contractions that help to move food down the digestive system
pharynx-section that extends from the mouth and nasal cavities to the larynx
phalange-bone between the finger and toe joints
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radius- the shorter of the two lower arm bones on the inside of the arm
respiration- process by which the body's cells use oxygen in order to break down nutrients and supply the body with energy
rib cage- enclosing structure formed by the ribs and the bones to which they are attached, that forms a cage to protect the heart and lungs
ribs-one of a series of long, curved bones that form a bony cage to protect the heart and lungs
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saliva-watery mixture of secretions from the salivary glands that lubricates the mouth and starts to digest food
starch- naturally abundant nutrient found chiefly in seeds, fruits, roots, notably in corn, potatoes, wheat, and rice
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tarsal- one of the seven bones in the ankle
tendons- band of tough fibrous tissue that connects a muscle to a bone
trachea- tube that joins the bronchi to the lungs
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ulna- bone extending from the elbow to the wrist on the side opposite to the thumb
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vertebrae-any of the bones forming the spinal column
villi - tiny projections in the intestines from which digested food is absorbed into the blood
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Contact Paula Barnard at Pioneer Elementary School, Arlington Public Schools, Arlington, WA, USA
Updated 06/17/2005