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Abdomen
The body cavity that contains the major organs of digestion and excretion. It is located below the diaphragm and above the pelvis
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Abduction
Motion of a limb away from the midline
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Acetabulum
The depression of the lateral pelvis where its three component bones join, in which the femoral head fits snugly
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Adam's apple
The firm prominence in the upper part of the larynx formed by the thyroid cartilage. It is more prominent in men than in women
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Agonal Respirations
Slow, gasping respiration, sometimes seen in dying patients
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Alveoli
The air sacs of the lungs in which the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place
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Angle of Louis
A ridge on the sternum that lies at the level where the second rib is attached to the sternum; provides a constant and reliable bony landmark on the anterior chest wall
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Anterior
The front surface of the body; the side facing you in the standard anatomic position
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Anterior superior iliac spines
The bony prominences of the pelvis (ilium) at the front on each side of the lower abdomen just below the plane of the umbilicus
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Anatomic position
The position of reference in which the patient stands facing you, arms at the side, with the palms of the hands forward
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Aorta
The principal artery leaving the left side of the heart and carrying freshly oxygenated blood to the body
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Apex (apices)
The pointed extremity of a conical structure
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Appendix
A small tubular structure that is attached to the lower border of the cecum in the lower right quadrant of the abdomen
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Arteriole
The smallest branch of an artery leading to the vast network of capillaries
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Atrium
Upper chamber of the heart
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Autonomic nervous system
The part of the nervous system that regulates functions, such as digestion and sweating, that are not controlled voluntarily
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Ball- and - socket joint
A joint that allows internal and external rotation as well as bending
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Biceps
The large muscle that covers the front of the humerous
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Bilateral
A body part that appears on both sides of the midline
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Bile ducts
Ducts that convey bile between the liver and the intestine
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Blood Pressure (bp)
The pressure that the blood exerts against the walls of the arteries as it passes through them
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Brachial artery
The major vessel in the upper extremity that supplies blood to the arm
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Brain
The controlling organ of the body and the center of consciousness; functions include perception, control of reactions to the environment, emotional responses, and judgement
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Brain stem
The area of the brain between the spinal cord and cerebrum, surrounded by the cerebellum; controls functions that are necessary for life, such as respirations
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Capillary vessels
The fine end-divisions of the arterial system that that allow contact between cells of the body tissues and the plasma and red blood cells
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Carotid artery
The major artery that supplies blood to the head and brain
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Carpometacarpal joint
The joint between the wrist and the metacarpal bones; the thumb joint
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Cecum
The first part of the large intestine, into which the ileum opens
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Central nervous system (cns)
The brain and spinal cord
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Acetabulum
The depression on the lateral pelvis where its three component bones join, in which the femoral head fits snugly
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