Antecubital

Area of the forearm (around the crease of the elbow) most commonly
used for selecting veins prior to venipuncture.

Anterior

Surface region of the body characterized by the front (or ventral)
area and including the thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic cavities.
*Front

Aorta

The largest artery in the body.

Arterioles

Smaller branches of arteries.

Artery

Highly oxygenated blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart.

Atria

Plural of atrium; a chamber of the heart that receives blood from the
veins and forces it into a ventricle or ventricles.

Blood Cell

Components of blood, the 3 main types of circulating blood are
erythrocytes, leukocytes, and thrombocytes.

Blood Volume

The total amount of blood in an individual's body.

Capillary

Microscopic blood vessel that carries blood and links arterioles to venules.

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

Fluid surrounding the brain, meninges, and spinal column.
*Minenges are the 3 membranes surrounding the brain; dura mater,
arachnoid, pia mater.

Cardiovascular System

Body system that provides for rapid transport of water, nutrients,
electrolytes, hormones, enzymes, antibodies, cells and gases to all
cells of the body. It includes the heart, vascular system, and the blood.

Distal

Distant or away from the point of attachment (e.g., the birthmark was
distal to the wrist).

Dorsal

Surface region of the body characterized by the back (or posterior)
area and including the cranial and spinal cavities.
*Back

Hematology

The study of blood.

Hematopoiesis

The process of blood cell formation that occurs in the bone marrow.

Homeostasis

Means literally "remaining the same".

Iatrogenic Anemia

A type of induced blood-loss resulting in anemia when too much blood
is withdrawn in a short period of time.

Immunology

The study of diseases of the immune system

Invasive

Description for medical procedures whereby a medical instrument is
inserted directly into a body cavity or organ.

Lateral

Directional term meaning toward the sides of the body.

Lipemic

When referring to serum, it is a cloudy or milky appearance, usually
due to a temporarily elevated lipid level after the ingestion of fatty foods.

Medial

Directional term meaning toward the midline of the body.

Microbiology

The study of microbes.

Osteoporosis

A condition of the bone whereby the mineral density is reduced,
making the bone more fragile.

Pathogenisis

The origin of disease.

Pathology

The study of all aspects of disease and abnormal conditions of the body.

Phlebotomy

A cut or incision into the vein.

Pleural Fluid

Fluid from the lung cavity.

Posterior

Surface region of the body characterized by the back (or dorsal) area
and including the cranial and spinal cavities.
*Back

Proximal

Near the point of attachment (e.g., the leg broke on the proximal
side of the knee).

Pulmonary Arteries

The lungs receive deoxygenated (without oxygen) blood from the right
side of the heart via the pulmonary arteries.

Pulmonary Veins

Two veins from each lung that return blood with oxygen to the heart.

Steady State

Homeostasis; a condition that allows the normal body to stay in
balance by continually compensating with necessary changes, thereby
remaining in a healthy condition.

Superficial

Near the surface of the body.

Synovial Fluid

Joint fluid.

Turbid

Cloudy or milky in appearance.

Vascular

A network of blood vessels that include veins, arteries, and capillaries.

Veins

Blood vessels that carry blood toward the heart after oxygen has been
delivered to the tissues.

Vena Cavae

Largest veins of the body.

Ventral

Surface region of the body characterized by the front (or anterior)
area and including the thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic cavities.
*Front

Ventricles

Two lower chambers (of the 4 chambers) of the heart.

Venules

Minute veins that flow into larger veins.