Download Terminology

Acetabulum
Acetabulum is an anatomical term applied to any cup-like cavity, as that of a bone to receive the protuberant
end of another bone.
Adam's Apple
Adam's Apple is the popular name for the thyroid cartilage. That is the prominence seen in the front of the
throat of man. It is small and invisible in females. It is so called from the notion that a piece of the forbidden
fruit stuck in Adam's throat.
Adipose tissue
Adipose tissue is a form of connective tissue in which the constituent cells are modified to enable them to
contain droplets of oil. (Fat).
Adrenal glands
The adrenal glands are a pair of glands on the kidneys which secrete adrenalin and other hormones.
Alimentary
The alimentary canal is the channel in an animal through which food passes.
Alveoli (Alveolus)
An alveolus is a lung air sac where gas exchange with the blood occurs.
Amitosis
Amitosis is the anatomical term given to cell reproduction by direct division. The nucleus becomes
constricted in the middle, forming an hour-glass shape and then divides into two. This is followed by a
division of the whole protoplasmic mass of the cell; two daughter cells are thus formed, each containing a
nucleus. Direct division occurs in leucocytes and bone-cells, and in the epithelial cells lining the urinary
bladder.
Amnion
The amnion is a membranous sac which surrounds the embryo; it is developed in reptiles, birds and
mammals, but not in amphibia or fishes.
Anaphase
Anaphase is the 3rd stage of mitosis cell reproduction. The centromeres split into 2 halves which repel each
other.
Anatomy
Anatomy describes the structure and organisation of living creatures.
Ankle
The ankle is the joint connecting the foot with the leg.
Antenna
An antenna is a sensory organ found on the head of insects.
Antibody
An antibody is a bodily protein that inactivates infection.
Aorta
The aorta is the largest artery in the human body. It carries blood from the heart to the arms, legs and head.
Aqueous humour
The Aqueous humour is the watery fluid found in the space between the cornea and the lens of the eyes of
vertebrates.
Areolar tissue
Areolar tissue is a generalised form of connective tissue in which the constituent cells are separated by a
semi-fluid matrix in which both white connective tissue and yellow elastic fibres are found.
Arm (fore limb)
The arm is a limb extending from the shoulder of an animal.
Artery
An artery is a vessel that conveys blood from the heart.
Atlas
In anatomy, the 1st cervical vertebrae is called the atlas because it supports the globe of the head.
Auricle
The auricles are resevoirs within the heart which receive blood from the veins.
Axis
In anatomy, the 2nd cervical vertebrae is called the axis. It provides the pivot for the atlas and the head.
Biceps
The biceps are a long fusiform muscle on the front of the arm. They are used to flex the elbows.
Bile
Bile is a secretion of the liver stored in the gall bladder.
Bladder
The bladder is a sack in the abdomen which collects urine from the kidneys.
Blood
Blood is a body fluid that carries food and oxygen to cells.
Bone
Bone is the hard skeletal part of an animal.
Bowel
The bowels is a popular term for the division of the alimentary canal below the stomach, that is the
intestines.
Brain
The brain is the central organ of the nervous system.
Bronchi
The bronchial tubes (bronchi) are a division of the trachea which branch repeatedly into small bronchioles
within the lungs.
Capillary
A capillary is a fine blood vessel which carries blood to cells.
Carpus
The carpus are the bones of the pastern / fetlock
Cartilage
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.
Cartilaginous joint
In anatomy, a cartilaginous joint is an articulation where the bones are joined by cartilage, and a limited
amount of movement is possible.
Cell
A cell, in biological terms, is the material unit of all living things.
Cephalic
Cephalic is a classification of human skull. It refers to the shape of skull posessed by Kaffirs and Native
Australians.
Cerebellum
The cerebellum is the lower part of the brain, it controls muscular movements and postural equilibrium.
Cerebrum
The cerebrum is the upper and larger portion of the brain and occupies the whole of the dome of the
cranium.
Cervical vertebrae
The cervical vertebrae are the 7 vertebrae closest to the skull.
Colon
The colon is the large intestine.
Connective tissue
Connective tissue is derived from the mesenchyme and includes a number of tissues which have a passive,
binding function. In a connective tissue the parent cells are separated more or less widely from one another
by a homogeneous matrix or ground substance, in which fibres may or may not be present.
Costal Cartilages
In human anatomy, the costal cartilages are bars of hyaline cartilage which extend forwards from the anterior
ends of the ribs and contribute to the elasticity of the thorax.
Desmology
Desmology is the branch of anatomy dealing with ligaments and sinews.
Diaphragm
The diaphragm is a large transverse muscle at the base of the thorax, used in respiration to draw air into the
lungs.
Diploe
Diploe is the anatomical term for the spongy substance between flat bones.
Dura Mater
The dura mater is the membrane which covers the brain.
Ear
The ear is the organ used for hearing. It converts sound into electrical impulses that are fed to the brain.
Endocrine gland
An endocrine gland is one which secretes hormones into the body.
Epidermis
The epidermis is the outer layer of an animal's skin.
Epiglottis
The epiglottis is a fibro-cartilaginous lid shaped like a leaf which covers the upper opening of the larynx.
Epithelium
Epithelium is an anatomical term a basic type of bodily tissue. It comprises the external surface of the skin,
the internal surfaces of the digestive, respiratory and urogenital systems and others. The constituent cells of
an epithelium are always closely packed together and the intercellular substance is reduced to a minimum.
Erythrocyte
Erythrocyte is the anatomical term for red corpuscles.
Exocrine gland
An exocrine gland is one which secretes onto a surface. Such as a sweat gland.
Eye
The eye is the organ of vision.
Fallopian tubes
The Fallopian tubes are two tubes in mammals which carry eggs from the ovary to the uterus. Eggs are
fertilised in the Fallopian tubes by sperm, and then moved to the ovary by way of cilia.
Femur
The femur is the thigh bone in the human leg.
Fibrous joint
In anatomy, a fibrous joint is an articulation in which the surfaces of the bones are fastened together by
intervening fibrous tissue, and in which there is no appreciable motion, as in the joints between the bones of
the human cranium.
Fibula
The fibula is the lateral bone of the leg. It is slender, compared to the tibia. It's purpose is to give attachment
to the muscles.
Flagellum
Flagellum are a small hair-like organ on the surface of certain cells. They are the motile organs of the sperm
cells of higher animals.
Flat bone
In human anatomy, flat bones occur where the principal requirement of the skeleton is to protect delicate
structures or provide broad surfaces for muscular attachment. The bones are comprised of two thin layers of
compact bone separated by a variable quantity of spongy substance.
Foetus
A foetus is an unborn offspring of an animal.
Follicle
A follicle is a small group of cells that surrounds and nourishes a structure such as a hair (hair follicle) or a
cell such as an egg (Graafian follicle).
Frontal bone
The frontal bone is the plate at the front of the top of the human skull. It forms the forehead.
Gall Bladder
The gall bladder is a small muscular sac attached to the liver.
Ganglion
A ganglion is an enlargment occuring somewhere in the course of a nerve, and containing nerve cells in
addition to nerve filaments.
Gastric Juice
Gastric Juice is a clear, colourless fluid secreted by the mucous membrane of the stomach, and is the chief
agent in digestion.
Gastric System
The Gastric System refers to all parts of the body which contribute to digestion.
Gill
Gills are a respiratory organ found in animals which obtain oxygen from water, such as crustaceans,
molluscs, fish and amphibians.
Gizzard
The gizzard is a strong muscular part of a bird's alimentary canal which enables them to grind their food.
Gizzards also occur in many gasteropods, and in certain cephalopods and crustaceans.
Gland
A gland is a bodily organ that manufactures and secretes enzymes, hormones or other chemicals.
Graafian Vesicles
The Graafian Vesicles are numerous small globular transparent follicles found in the ovaries of mammals.
Each follicle contains one ovum whic is expelled when it reaches maturity.
Haemoglobin
Haemoglobin is the protein that carries oxygen in the blood.
Haversian Canals
The Haversian Canals are a network of minute canals, which traverse the solid substance of bones and
proceed from the central cavity. They convey nutrient vessels to all parts.
Heart
The heart is the muscle in vertebrates which pumps blood around the body.
Hormone
A hormone is a product of the endocrine glands.
Humerus
The humerus is the long bone in the upper region of the human arm. It joins with the shoulder at the glenoid
cavity.
Hypothalamus
The hypothalamus is the region of the human brain below the cerebrum which regulates rhythmic activity
and physiological stability within the body, including water balance and temperature.
Ileum
The ileum is a continuation of the jejunum and opens into the colon.
Insulin
Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas.
Intestine
The intestine is the convoluted membranous tube which extends from the stomach to the anus and which
receives the ingested food from the stomach, mixes it with bile, pancreatic juice and intestinal secretions,
gives origin to the chyle and delivers the indigestible products from the system.
Intestines
Irregular bones
In anatomy, irregular bones are bones which do not fit into any of the other bone types. They are comprised
of a spongy substance enclosed within a thin layer of compact bone.
Jejunum
The jejunum is the second part of the human small intestine. It is about 9 feet long.
Joint
A joint is a structure where two bones meet.
Jugular vein
The jugular vein returns blood from the head to the heart in vertebrates.
Kidney
The kidney is a gland used for filtering urine from the blood.
Kidneys
Lachrymal gland
The lachrymal gland is a gland beneath the upper eye lid which secretes tears which drain from the inner
corner of the eye through the Lachrymal duct to the nose.
Lacteals
Lacteals are small lymphatic vessels which arise from the mucous membrane lining of the small bowel.
Larynx
The larynx is a cavity at the top of the trachea containing the vocal cords.
Leucocyte
Leucocytes is the anatomical term for colourless corpuscles. (White blood cells).
Leucocytes
Leucocytes is the anatomical term for colourless corpuscles. (White blood cells).
Lip
The lips are the fleshy edges of the opening of the mouth.
Liver
The liver is the largest gland in the human body. The liver has three functions: it secretes bile, stores
glycogen and converts waste products into urea and uric acid for excretion.
Long bones
In human anatomy, long bones are found in the limbs where they form levers. They have a hollow shaft.
Lumbar vertebrae
In human anatomy, the lumbar vertebrae are the 5 vertebrae following the thoracic vertebrae.
Lumbricals
The Lumbricals are muscles in the human fingers used in writing etc.
Lung
The lungs are organs used for respiration.
Malleus
The malleus is a small bone in the middle ear which transmits sound vibrations from the tympanum to the
incus.
Mandible
In human anatomy, the mandible is the bone at the front and bottom of the skull (lower jaw).
Masseter
The masseter is the human muscle which moves the mandible for chewing.
Maxilla
The maxilla is the bone comprising the upper jaw in the human skull.
Maxillary artery
In human anatomy, the maxillary artery is the larger terminal branch of the external cartoid artery. It rises
behind the neck of the mandible and is at first imbedded in the partoid gland. It passes forwards between the
neck of the mandible and the sphenomandibular ligament and then to the Lateral pterygoid and enters the
pterygopalatine fossa between the two heads of that muscle.
Metacarpal (Metacarpus)
The metacarpus are the five bones of the human palm.
Metaphase
Metaphase is the 2nd stage of mitosis cell reproduction. The chromosomes have become irregular V shaped
and arrange themselves around the equator.
Metatarsal
Metatarsus
The metatarsus are the 5 bones in the anterior part of the human foot. They are between the tarsus and the
phalanges.
Mitosis
Mitosis is cell reproduction by indirect division. It is the common method of division in the higher animals. It
is characterised by a series of complex changes in the nucleus leading to its subdivision. The process takes
between 30 minutes and a few hours, and is comprised of 4 stages: prophase, metaphase, anaphase and
Telophase.
Mucin
Mucin is a protein and the principal constituent of mucus.
Mucous
Mucous is a term for surfaces which secret or are covered with mucus.
Mucus
Mucus is a thick fluid secreted by mucus membranes in animals. It acts as a protective barrier, lubricant and
a carrier of enzymes.
Nasal
Nasal is a classification of human skull shape found in primarily in Negroes.
Neck
The neck is the part of the body which connects the head with the shoulders.
Nerve
The nerves are a part of the body which generate and transmit electrical impulses.
Nose
The nose is an animal's organ of smell.
Oesophageal
Oesophageal is a secretion from the membrane of the oesophagus. It is a mucus lubricant to assist
peristalsis.
Oestrogen
Oestrogen is a hormone produced in the ovary of a vertebrate.
Omentum
The omentum is a long fold of the peritoneum. It is loaded with fat and lies in front of the bowels in the
abdominal cavity. It protects the bowels and keeps them warm.
Pancreas
The pancreas is an elongated secreting gland which secretes pancreatic juice and insulin.
Parathyroid Glands
The parathyroid glands are two small glands in the neck concerned with the use of calcium in the body.
Patella
The patella is the largest of the sesamoid bones. It is situated in front of the knee-joint. It is a flattened,
triangular bone.
Pelvis
The pelvis is a bony girdle in vertebrates that connects the body with the lower extremities.
Pericardium
The Pericardium is a conical, fibroserous sac containing the human heart and the roots of the major veins
and arteries.
Pituitary gland
The pituitary gland is a gland within the brain concerned with regulating growth and regulating other
ductless glands.
Placenta
The placenta connects 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.
Progesterone
Progesterone is a hormone that regulates the menstrual cycle in vertebrates.
Prophase
Prophase is the 1st stage in mitosis cell reproduction. The nucleolus disappears and a number of
chromosomes become apparent.
Pulmonary Artery
The pulmonary artery opens out of the right ventricle in the human heart and conveys venous blood to the
lungs for collecting oxygen.
Radius
The radius is one of the two long bones which form the human lower arm.
Rectum
The rectum is the lowest portion of the large intestine, terminating at the anus.
Rib
In anatomy, the ribs are elastic arches of bone which are connected behind with the vertebral column and
form a large part of the skeleton of the thorax.
Saliva
Saliva is a secretion from the salivary glands in the oral cavity. It contains mucus to lubricate food and
enzymes.
Sciatic
The sciatic is a nerve in the leg.
Sebaceous glands
The sebaceous glands are ducts in the skin which secrete oil to lubricate the skin and hair.
Secretin
Secretin is a hormone produced by the small intestine in vertebrates that stimulates the production of
digestive secretions.
Short bone
In human anatomy, short bones occur where the skeleton is intended for strength. Short bones consist of a
spongy substance surrounded by a thin crust of compact bone.
Short bones
Sinus
A sinus is an air-filled space in the diploe of a skull bone.
Skeleton
The skeleton is the hard internal or external framework of bones, cartilage or shell which provides protection
for an animals organs, provides fixing points for the muscles and a general frame for the body.
Skin
In the human body, skin, or Dermoid Tissue, is composed of two layers, the cuticle, epidermis or epithelium
and the corium or dermis.
Spleen
The spleen is an organ of vertebrates that regulates the number of red blood cells.
Sternum
In anatomy, the sternum is a long flat bone which forms the median portion of the anterior wall of the thorax.
The top of the sternum supports the clavicles.
Suture
A suture is an anatomical term for an articulation found only in the skull, where the margins of the bones
articulate with one another, but are separated by a thin layer of fibrous tissue (sutural ligament) and is
continuous externally with the periosteum on the outside of the skull and internally with the fibrous layer of
the dura mater.
Synovial joint
In anatomy, a synovial joint is one where the bones are covered with articular cartilage but are not attached
to each other. These joints allow extensive movement.
Teat
The teat is the small protuberance at the tip of the breast of female mammals upon which the ducts of the
mammary gland open to supply milk to the suckling young.
Telophase
Telophase is the 4th stage of mitosis cell reproduction. The nuclear membrane and the nucleolus reappear
and the cytoplasm undergoes constriction around the equator of the achromatic spindle. The constriction
deepens and the original cell is gradually divided.
Tendon
A tendon is a connective tissue that joins muscles to bone in vertebrates.
Testicle
Testicle is another name for testis.
Testosterone
Testosterone is the male sex hormone secreted by the testes.
Thalamus
The thalamus is the interior region of the brain where certain important sensory nerves, especially the optic
nerve, originate.
Thoracic vertebrae
In anatomy, the thoracic vertebrae are the 12 vertebrae following from the cervical vertebrae. They provide
articulation for the ribs.
Thorax
The thorax in vertebrates is the part of the body containing the heart and lungs and protected by the rib
cage.
Thymus
The thymus is a ductless glandular body situated near the base of the neck in vertebrates. Its function is
uncertain, and in man it disappears or diminishes soon after childhood.
Thyroid
The thyroid is an endocrine gland near the larynx in vertebrates. It influences growth and development.
Tibia
The tibia is the medial and stronger of the two bones of the leg. It is prismoid in form, and posesses a shaft
and two ends. Its purpose is to support the weight of the body.
Tongue
The tongue is a muscular organ in the mouth of a tetrapod.
Tonsils
The tonsils are a pair of small organs on either side of the root of the tongue composed of lymphatic tissue
and instrumental in protecting the throat from infection.
Tooth
A tooth is a hard structure in the mouth of vertebrates.
Trachea
The trachea (windpipe) carries air from the larynx to the bronchi.
Triceps
The Triceps are muscles situated on the back of the upper arms in the human body.
Ulna
The ulnar is one of the two long bones which form the human lower arm. It connects with the humerus at the
elbow.
Ureter
The Ureters are two membranous tubes which carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder in vertebrates.
Urethra
The urethra is a membranous canal which leads from the bladder to the outside world. It channels urine from
the bladder out of the body.
Uterus
The uterus (womb) is the organ in which young are conceived, develope and are protected until birth.
Vein
A vein carries venous blood from the body to the heart.
ventricle
The ventricles are chambers within the heart which force blood along the arteries.
Vertebra
The vertebrae are the bones of the vertebral column. Vertebrae are irregular bones comprised of two distinct
parts, an anterio termed the body, and a posterior part termed the vertebral arch.
Vertebral column
The vertebral column is the central axis of all vertebrate animals. It is comprised of a number of independant
irregular bones (vertebrae), which are firmly connected to one another, but are capable of a limited amount of
independant movement.
Yolk
The yolk is part of an embryo which serves as nutrition for the rest of the embryo.
On the body:
Dorsal - toward the ceiling or back
Ventral - toward the floor or belly
Cranial, or anterior - toward the north wall or head
Caudal, or posterior - toward the south wall or butt
Lateral - toward the east or west wall or side
Medial - toward the midline, away from the east or west walls
On the limbs:
Proximal - toward the body
Distal - away from the body
Palmar - the front foot pads
Plantar - the rear foot pads
Movement:
Flexion - decreasing a joint’s angle
Extension - increasing a joint’s angle