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Acid-base balance
The balance between the amount of carbonic acid and bicarbonate in the blood; for proper function, this balance must remain at a constant ratio of 1:20, ensuring that the hydrogen ion concentration in the blood plasma remains a constant value.
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Acidosis
A condition in which the acidity of body fluids and tissues is higher than normal. This results from a defect in the acid-base balance mechanism.
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Acrodermatitis enteropathica
A hereditary condition characterized by typical symptoms of zinc deficiency, such as hair loss, skin lesions, diarrhea, and maldigestion.
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Actin
A protein in the muscle that is involved in contraction.
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Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
A substance formed by the breakdown of carbohydrates, and which stores energy needed for cellular function.
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Adrenal gland
An organ covering the outside of the kidney. It secretes hormones that affect carbohydrate metabolism, electrolyte metabolism, and the sex glands.
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Aldosterone
A hormone produced and secreted from the adrenal gland; it aids the kidneys in regulating sodium and water balance.
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Ameleoblasts
Cells that form the enamel of the teeth, and disappear when the tooth erupts.
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Anemia
A condition of the blood in which there is a decrease of circulating red blood cells or hemoglobin.
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Anion
An ion that carries a negative charge.
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Arrythmias
Deviations from the normal rhythm of the heart.
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Ascites
An accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity of the abdomen.
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Basal metabolic rate
The minimal amount of energy expended for vital processes, such as breathing and digestion, expressed per unit of body surface area per day.
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Calcification
The process whereby calcium is deposited in tissue. Calcification is part of normal bone formation.
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Cardiomyopathy
A chronic disorder of the heart muscle that can cause enlargement of the heart, heart failure, arrythmias, and embolism.
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Casein
A protein found in milk.
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Cation
An ion that carries a positive electric charge.
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Celiac disease
A disease of the small intestine caused by sensitivity to the protein gliadin, which is in gluten in the germ of wheat, causing malabsorption.
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Ceruloplasmin
A plasma protein that contains copper- forming ferroxidase, an enzyme that oxidizes iron for its absorption.
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Colloids
Large, gelatinous particles that do not readily pass through membranes.
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Cortex
The outer part of an organ.
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Crohn's disease
A condition in which part of the gastrointestinal tract becomes inflamed. The disease usually occurs in the ileum, although it may occur anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract, from esophagus to rectum. The cause is unknown, but is thought to be caused by an infectious agent.
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Cytochrome
A compound consisting of protein and heme; it transfers electrons in oxidative reactions.
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Diplegia
Paralysis of both sides of the body, affecting the legs more than the arms.
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Diuretic
A drug that increases urine output by stimulating the excretion of sodium and water from the kidney. Diuretics inhibit reabsorption of sodium and water from the kidney into the blood.
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Duodenum
The first part of the small intestine, extending from the stomach.
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Edema
An excessive accumulation of fluids in the body, resulting in swelling.
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Electrocardiograph
A device that records the electric activity of the heart.
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Enzyme
Substances manufactured by the body that stimulate a chemical change.
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Extracellular
Existing outside of cells.
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Fibrin
The final product of blood coagulation that, along with other molecules, is responsible for the fibrous material of a blood clot.
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Glycerol
A clear liquid produced by the hydrolysis of fats.
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Glycoprotein
A compound consisting of a protein combined with a carbohydrate.
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Hemoglobin
A substance in red blood cells that is responsible for its color. It is composed of a pigment called heme bound to the protein globulin. Hemoglobin transports oxygen through the blood.
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Histidine
An amino acid that gives rise to histamine. Histamine has many important roles in the body, such as in the dilation of blood vessels, contraction of muscle, and mediation of inflammation.
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Hydrostatic pressure
Pressure exerted by a liquid on the surfaces of walls that contain the liquid.
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Hyperkalemia
An abnormally high concentration of potassium in the blood.
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Hyperphosphatemia
An abnormally high concentration of phosphorus in the blood.
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Hyperplasia
An increase in production and growth of normal cells in tissues and organs.
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Hypertension
An elevation of blood pressure above normal levels for a particular age.
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Hypertonic
Describes a solution that has greater osmotic pressure than other substances.
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Hypogonadism
A condition in which there is impaired function of the testes or ovaries.
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Hypokalemia
An abnormally low concentration of potassium in the blood.
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Hyponatremia
An abnormally low concentration of sodium in the blood.
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Hypoparathyroidism
Abnormal activity of the parathyroid gland causing a decrease in serum calcium and muscle spasms.
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Hypophosphatemia
An abnormally low concentration of phosphorus in the blood.
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Hypothalamus
The region of the front of the brain that controls body temperature, thirst, hunger, water balance, and sexual function.
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Hypothyroidism
Abnormal activity of the thyroid gland that can cause mental and physical slowing, sensitivity to the cold, weight gain, and a hardening of the skin.
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Hypotonic
Describes a solution that has a lower osmotic pressure than other substances.
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Ileum
The lowest part of the inestine, follows after the jejunum.
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Insensible water loss
An unappreciable loss of water that is barely noticed.
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Insoluble
Describing a substance that cannot be dissolved.
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Interstitial
Relating to small gaps between tissues or structures.
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Intracellular
Existing inside of cells.
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Ions
An atom or group of atoms that has one or more electrons, causing it to be electrically charged and more chemically active. Ionized describes a substance that has become an ion.
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Jejunum
The middle part of the small intestine, surrounded by the duodenum and ileum.
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Lactic acid
A substance that forms as an end product of glucose metabolism operating without oxygen. Lactic acid can accumulate in the muscles and cause cramps.
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Liters
Unit of volume equal to the volume occupied by 1 kilogram of pure water at 4 degrees Celsius and 760 millimeters of mercury pressure. A liter is approximately 1000 cubic centimeters, and 1 milliliter equals 1 cubic centimeter. The abbreviation is l or L.
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Lymphocytes
White blood cells that are involved in immunity. They are also present in lymph nodes, spleen, thymus gland, gut wall, and bone marrow.
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Macular degeneration
A condition affecting the macular lutea, which is the yellow spot on the retina in the back of the eye. It may result in a reduction or loss of vision.
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Metabolism
The sum of all chemical and physical changes that take place in the body to ensure its growth and proper functions. It involves the breakdown of complex substances, releasing energy that is required for other functions. It also involves the building of complex substances from simple ones.
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Milliequivalents
Unit of measure, in this case for electrolytes, in solution. It is based on the number of cations and anions in solution. The concentration is expressed as milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L).
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Milligrams
A unit of measure that is one thousandth of a gram. The abbreviation is mg.
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Milliliters
Unit of volume that is one thousandths of a liter. The abbreviation is ml.
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Mucosal
Of or pertaining to the mucous membrane, the lining of structures and cavities such as of the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract, and nasal passages.
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Myoglobin
A protein containing iron found in muscles. It functions similarly to hemoglobin in its binding capacity to oxygen.
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Myosin
A muscle protein that has elasticity and is involved in muscle contraction.
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Nephrosis
A degeneration of the outer tissue of the kidney tubules.
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Neuropathy
A disease of the peripheral nerves, usually causing weakness and numbness. Peripheral nerves are all of the nerves outside of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). Neuropathy often occurs in the extremities of the arms and legs.
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Neutrophils
White blood cells that are distinguished by their granules, and are capable of digesting and killing bacteria.
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Oliguria
Very small output of urine.
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Osteoblasts
Cells that originate in the embryo to form bone.
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Osteomalacia
A defect in bone mineralization causing a softening of the bones. It is caused by a deficiency in vitamin D.
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Osteoporosis
A condition in which there is a loss of tissue in the bone, resulting in brittle and easily fractured bones.
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Oxidation
The combination of a substance with oxygen. Also, a chemical reaction that increases the valence of an element as a result of losing electrons.
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Parathyroid gland
A gland that stimulates parathyroid hormone, stimulated by low serum calcium.
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pH
A measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution that represents the degree of acidity. A pH of 7 is neutral, less than 7 is alkaline, and greater than 7 is acidic.
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Phospholipids
Lipids containing a phosphate group. Phospholipids are synthesized in the liver and small intestine and play a role in many metabolic processes.
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Phosphorylation
The metabolic process that combines an organic substance with a phosphate group.
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Pituitary gland
An organ that secretes hormones into the blood.
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Renal tubular
A tube-like part of the nephron in the kidney through which water and other substances are reabsorbed back into the body. The nephron is the entire unit in the kidney that is responsible for excretion.
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Reticulum
A network of tubules or blood vessels.
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Rickets
A disease of children, caused by a deficiency in vitamin D, resulting in the impairment of normal bone hardening. Bones are bent out of shape due to their lack of rigidity.
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Solutes
Dissolved substance; particles in solution. Soluble describes a substance able to be dissolved.
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Sprue
A deficiency in absorption of food due to a disease of the small intestine.
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Tetany
A condition causing spasms and twitching of muscles, especially the face, hands, and feet.
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Transferrin
A protein that binds iron and transports it in blood.
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Vasopressin
A hormone released by the pituitary gland that increases the reabsorption of water by the kidney, preventing excessive loss of body water. It is also known as antidiuretic hormone (ADH).
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Wilson's disease
An inborn error in copper metabolism in which there is a deficiency of ceruloplasmin. The excess copper may be deposited in the liver, causing jaundice and cirrhosis, or in the brain, causing mental retardation.
