Anatomy & Physiology, COA-EAR
Human beings have long been curious about the way that things work, and that curiosity includes wondering about how we ourselves work. The fields of anatomy and physiology involve studying the structures of bodies and the way that those structures and bodies function.
Anatomy & Physiology Encyclopedia Articles By Title
coagulation
coagulation, in physiology, the process by which a blood clot is formed. The formation of a clot is often referred......
coccygeus muscle
coccygeus muscle, muscle of the lower back that arises from the ischium (lower, rear portion of the hipbone) and......
coccyx
coccyx, curved, semiflexible lower end of the backbone (vertebral column) in apes and humans, representing a vestigial......
cochlear implant
cochlear implant, electrical device inserted surgically into the human ear that enables the detection of sound......
Cold-bloodedness
Cold-bloodedness, the state of having a variable body temperature that is usually only slightly higher than the......
colic
colic, pain produced by the contraction of the muscular walls of any hollow organ, such as the renal pelvis, the......
Collagen
Collagen, any of a group of proteins that are components of whitish fibers of great tensile strength, such as those......
coloboma
coloboma, failure of one or more structures in the eye to fuse during embryonic life, creating a congenital fissure......
colon
colon, the longest segment of the large intestine. The term colon is often used to refer to the entire large intestine.......
colony-stimulating factor
colony-stimulating factor (CSF), any of a group of naturally occurring proteins that play a vital role in the formation......
colostrum
colostrum, viscous, yellow-colored fluid produced by the mammary glands of humans and other mammals during the......
colour blindness
colour blindness, inability to distinguish one or more of the three colours red, green, and blue. Most people with......
colour vision
colour vision, ability to distinguish among various wavelengths of light waves and to perceive the differences......
compact bone
compact bone, dense bone in which the bony matrix is solidly filled with organic ground substance and inorganic......
Comparative anatomy
Comparative anatomy, the comparative study of the body structures of different species of animals in order to understand......
complement
complement, in immunology, a complex system comprising a large number of proteins that act in concert to help eliminate......
cone
cone, light-sensitive cell (photoreceptor) with a conical projection in the retina of the vertebrate eye, associated......
congenital adrenal hyperplasia
congenital adrenal hyperplasia, any of a group of inherited disorders that are characterized by enlargement of......
conjoined twin
conjoined twin, one of a pair of twins who are physically joined and often share some organs. Fusion is typically......
Conjugation
Conjugation, in biology, sexual process in which two lower organisms of the same species, such as bacteria, protozoans,......
conjunctivitis
conjunctivitis, inflammation of the conjunctiva, the delicate mucous membrane that lines the inner surface of the......
connective tissue
connective tissue, group of tissues in the body that maintain the form of the body and its organs and provide cohesion......
constipation
constipation, delayed passage of waste through the lower portion of the large intestine, with the possible discharge......
contractile vacuole
contractile vacuole, regulatory organelle, usually spherical, found in freshwater protozoa and lower metazoans,......
cornea
cornea, dome-shaped transparent membrane about 12 mm (0.5 inch) in diameter that covers the front part of the eye.......
cornstarch
cornstarch, substance produced through wet milling of corn (Zea mays). Wet milling separates the components of......
coronary artery
coronary artery, one of two blood vessels that branch from the aorta close to its point of departure from the heart......
coronary circulation
coronary circulation, part of the systemic circulatory system that supplies blood to and provides drainage from......
corpus callosum
corpus callosum, bundle of nerve fibres in the longitudinal fissure of the brain that enables corresponding regions......
corpus luteum
corpus luteum, yellow hormone-secreting body in the female reproductive system. It is formed in an ovary at the......
Coxal gland
Coxal gland, in certain arthropods, one of a pair of excretory organs consisting of an end sac where initial urine......
cranial nerve
cranial nerve, in vertebrates, any of the paired nerves of the peripheral nervous system that connect the muscles......
cross-fertilization
cross-fertilization, the fusion of male and female gametes (sex cells) from different individuals of the same species.......
cross-modal plasticity
cross-modal plasticity, the ability of the brain to reorganize and make functional changes to compensate for a......
Cross-pollination
Cross-pollination, type of pollination in which sperm-laden pollen grains are transferred from the cones or flowers......
cryptorchidism
cryptorchidism, disorder in which one or both of the testes do not descend spontaneously to the usual position......
Curious uses of urine through the ages
“Gross!” is how most of us are likely to describe urine—that foul-smelling liquid byproduct of excretion. Unless......
Cushing syndrome
Cushing syndrome, disorder caused by overactivity of the adrenal cortex. If caused by a tumour of the pituitary......
Cuticle
Cuticle, the outer layer or part of an organism that comes in contact with the environment. In many invertebrates......
cystic fibrosis
cystic fibrosis (CF), an inherited metabolic disorder, the chief symptom of which is the production of a thick,......
Cytochrome
Cytochrome, any of a group of hemoprotein cell components that, by readily undergoing reduction and oxidation (gain......
cytokine
cytokine, any of a group of small, short-lived proteins that are released by one cell to regulate the function......
cytoplasmic streaming
cytoplasmic streaming, the movement of the fluid substance (cytoplasm) within a plant or animal cell. The motion......
Cytosine
Cytosine, a nitrogenous base derived from pyrimidine that occurs in nucleic acids, the heredity-controlling components......
dacryocystitis
dacryocystitis, inflammation and infection of the lacrimal sac, usually stemming from obstruction of the flow of......
deaf-blindness
deaf-blindness, disability in which an individual has both a hearing impairment and a visual impairment. Deaf-blind......
death
death, the total cessation of life processes that eventually occurs in all living organisms. The state of human......
- Introduction
- Mortality, Grief, Loss
- Process, Event, Causes
- Cell Death, Apoptosis, Necrosis
- Brainstem, Cells, Death
- Brainstem, Diagnosis, Tests
- Ancient Egypt, Rituals, Beliefs
- Mesopotamia, Mortality, Beliefs
- Hinduism, Reincarnation, Karma
- Afterlife, Immortality, Soul
- Resurrection, Judgment, Afterlife
- Descartes, Pineal, Brainstem
- Attitudes, Beliefs, Rituals
defecation
defecation, the act of eliminating solid or semisolid waste materials (feces) from the digestive tract. In human......
deltoideus muscle
deltoideus muscle, large, triangular muscle that covers the shoulder and serves mainly to raise the arm laterally.......
Denaturation
Denaturation, in biology, process modifying the molecular structure of a protein or nucleic acid. Denaturation......
dentin
dentin, in anatomy, the yellowish tissue that makes up the bulk of all teeth. It is harder than bone but softer......
Deoxyribose
Deoxyribose, five-carbon sugar component of DNA (q.v.; deoxyribonucleic acid), where it alternates with phosphate......
dermatochalasis
dermatochalasis, sagging of the eyelid skin and underlying muscle that occurs commonly during the aging process.......
dermatome
dermatome, the outer portion of an embryo from which the skin and subcutaneous tissues are developed and, postnatally,......
dermis
dermis, the thicker, deeper layer of the skin underlying the epidermis and made up of connective tissue. It is......
detached retina
detached retina, eye disorder involving separation of the transparent light-sensing portion of the retina from......
dextrin
dextrin, class of substances prepared by the incomplete hydrolysis of starch or by the heating of dry starch. Dextrins......
diabetes insipidus
diabetes insipidus, pathological endocrine condition characterized by excessive thirst and excessive production......
diabetes mellitus
diabetes mellitus, disorder of carbohydrate metabolism characterized by impaired ability of the body to produce......
diabetic nephropathy
diabetic nephropathy, deterioration of kidney function occurring as a complication of diabetes mellitus. The condition......
diaphragm
diaphragm, dome-shaped, muscular and membranous structure that separates the thoracic (chest) and abdominal cavities......
diarrhea
diarrhea, abnormally swift passage of waste material through the large intestine, with consequent discharge of......
diastole
diastole, in the cardiac cycle, period of relaxation of the heart muscle, accompanied by the filling of the chambers......
Did Dinosaurs Really Have Feathers?
Science is learning more and more about the versatility of form in dinosaurs with each great find in China, the......
Diego blood group system
Diego blood group system, classification of human blood according to the properties conferred by the presence of......
diethylstilbestrol
diethylstilbestrol (DES), nonsteroidal synthethic estrogen used as a drug and formerly used to promote growth of......
digestion
digestion, sequence by which food is broken down and chemically converted so that it can be absorbed by the cells......
digestive nerve plexus
digestive nerve plexus, intricate layers of nervous tissue that control movements in the esophagus, stomach, and......
digestive system, human
human digestive system, system used in the human body for the process of digestion. The human digestive system......
- Introduction
- Teeth, Enzymes, Digestion
- Salivary Glands, Enzymes, Digestion
- Pharynx, Esophagus, Stomach
- Esophagus, Stomach, Intestines
- Blood, Nerve Supply
- Gastric Mucosa, Digestive Processes, Enzymes
- Gastric Secretion, Digestive Process, Nutrient Absorption
- Anatomy, Organs, Processes
- Contractions, Motility, Digestion
- Enzymes, Absorption, Nutrients
- Secretions, Enzymes, Absorption
- Rectum, Anus, Digestion
- Organs, Processes, Functions
- Microscopic Anatomy, Organs, Processes
- Bile, Enzymes, Absorption
- Islet Cells, Digestion, Nutrition
- Proteins, Enzymes, Absorption
- Fats, Enzymes, Absorption
- Calcium, Enzymes, Absorption
- Intestinal Gas, Digestive Process, Nutrition
- Hormones, Enzymes, Absorption
- Gastrointestinal Tract, Immunity, Digestion
- Evolution, Development, Anatomy
digestive system, Invertebrate
Invertebrate digestive system, any of the systems used by invertebrates for the process of digestion. Included......
digit
digit, in anatomy, finger or toe of land vertebrates, the skeleton of which consists of small bones called phalanges.......
digitalis
digitalis, drug obtained from the dried leaves of the common foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) and used in medicine......
dilator muscle
dilator muscle, any of the muscles that widen a body part. In humans, the dilator muscle of the iris contains fibres......
Disaccharide
Disaccharide, any crystalline water-soluble compound that is composed of two molecules of simple sugars (monosaccharides)......
dizygotic twin
dizygotic twin, two siblings who come from separate ova, or eggs, that are released at the same time from an ovary......
DNA
DNA, organic chemical of complex molecular structure that is found in all prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and......
Do animals dream?
The answer is “probably.” Research has shown that many animals experience a sleep phase similar to humans known......
Do bees die after stinging?
The answer: it depends on the bee. There are more than 20,000 species of bees, with quite a bit of diversity when......
Do Camels Store Water in Their Humps?
Camels have long been known for their ability to go weeks at a time without needing to drink water—an ability that......
Do fish drink water?
Many marine fish, i.e., those that live in seawater, drink large quantities of water, while freshwater fish typically......
Do jellyfish have brains?
Jellyfish, with their ethereal translucent bodies, seem otherworldly, and watching them move in the water like......
Do male seahorses give birth?
In the world of seahorses it is the males who carry their developing young. After an elaborate courtship dance......
Do porcupine quills grow back?
Yes, they do, in case you were wondering whether shedding their quills leaves these spiny rodents with noticeable......
Do Sharks Sleep?
It is a common misconception that sharks as a species never sleep because they must keep moving to stay alive.......
Do snakes sleep?
Snakes do sleep, but their sleep patterns are significantly different from those of mammals and birds. Snakes,......
Do Vaccines Cause Autism?
No, vaccines do not cause autism. This damaging claim became a controversial issue in 1998, when a paper published......
Do We Really Swallow Spiders in Our Sleep?
The belief that we swallow an average of eight spiders in our sleep every year has become so ingrained in popular......
Do We Really Use Only 10 Percent of Our Brain?
It’s one of Hollywood’s favorite bits of pseudoscience: human beings use only 10 percent of their brain, and awakening......
Do whales have teeth?
Yes, whales can have teeth. Specifically, toothed whales, called odontocetes, are a diverse group of cetaceans......
Do whales sleep?
Whales do sleep, but their sleep is quite different from what we typically understand as sleep in humans. Whales,......
Does Eating Turkey Make You Sleepy?
Contrary to popular belief, eating turkey itself does not cause drowsiness. The sleepiness that is often felt after......
Dombrock blood group system
Dombrock blood group system, classification of human blood based on the presence of certain glycoproteins, originally......
Double fertilization
Double fertilization, in flowering plant reproduction, the fusion of the egg and sperm and the simultaneous fusion......
double vision
double vision, perceiving of two images of a single object. Normal binocular vision results from the brain’s fusion......
dream
dream, a hallucinatory experience that occurs during sleep. Dreaming, a common and distinctive phenomenon of sleep,......
ductus arteriosus
ductus arteriosus, Channel between the pulmonary artery and the aorta in the fetus, which bypasses the lungs to......
ductus deferens
ductus deferens, thick-walled tube in the male reproductive system that transports sperm cells from the epididymis,......
Duffy blood group system
Duffy blood group system, classification of human blood based on the presence of glycoproteins known as Fy antigens......
duodenum
duodenum, the first part of the small intestine, which receives partially digested food from the stomach and begins......
ear bone
ear bone, any of the three tiny bones in the middle ear of all mammals. These are the malleus, or hammer, the incus,......