A
ABDOMEN (L. _abdo_, to hide). So called from its containing the
intestines, &c.
ABDUCTOR (L. _abduco_, to draw from). _Abducent._ A muscle
whose office is to draw one part of the body away from another.
ABSORPTION. The act or process of imbibing or swallowing.
ABSORBENTS. Vessels which imbibe, as lymphatics and lacteals.
ALBUMEN (L. _albus_, white). Albumen is of two kinds, animal
and vegetable: 1. _Animal albumen_ exists in two forms, the
liquid and the solid. In the _liquid_ state, it is a thick, glairy
fluid, constituting the principal part of the white of egg. In
the _solid_ state, it is contained in several of the textures of the
body, as the cellular membrane, the skin, glands and vessels.—2.
_Vegetable albumen_ closely resembles animal albumen, and has
been found in wheat, rye, barley, peas and beans.
ANASTOMOSIS (Gr. _aná_, through, and _stoma_, a mouth). The
communication
of vessels with each other, as of the arteries with the
veins, which, by touching at numerous points, form a net-work
or reticulation. See _Inosculation_.
ANATOMY (Gr. _anatémnō_, to cut up). The science of organization;
the science whose object is the examination of the organs
or _instruments_ of life. Animal anatomy is divided into _human
anatomy_ and _comparative anatomy_, according as it treats of the
organization of the human body, or of that of other animals.
AORTA (Gr. _aèr_, air, _teréō_, to keep; as having been formerly
supposed
to contain only air). The great artery of the heart. It
is distinguished into the _ascending_ and _descending_.
AQUEOUS. Watery.
ARACANOID MEMBRANE (Gr. _arachnē_, a spider, and _eīdos_, likeness).
The fine _cobweb-like_ membrane situated between the
dura and pia mater. It is the serous membrane of the cerebro-spinal
centers.
ARBOR VITÆ. Literally, _tree of life_. A term applied to the
arborescent appearance presented by the cerebellum, when cut
into vertically.
ARTERY (Gr. _aèr_, air, and _teréō_, to hold). A vessel which carries
the blood from the heart; formerly supposed, from its being
found empty after death, to contain only air.
ARYTÆNOID (Gr. _arútaina_, a ewer, and _eīdos_, likeness). A term
applied to two triangular cartilages of the larynx.
AUDITORY (L. _audio_, to hear). Belonging to parts connected
with the sense of hearing.
AURICULA (L. dim of _auris_, the ear). An auricle; the prominent
part of the ear. Also, the name of two cavities of the heart.
AUTOMATIC MOTIONS (Gr. _automatos_, of his own accord). Those
muscular actions which are not dependent on the mind.
B
BILIS. Bile, gall, or choler; the secretion of the liver. A term
employed to characterize a class of diseases caused by a too
copious secretion of bile.
BRONCHUS (Gr. _bróngchos_, the windpipe, from _bréchō_, to moisten).
The windpipe; a ramification of the trachea; so called from
ancient belief that the solids were conveyed into the stomach by
the œsophagus, and the fluids by the bronchia.
BRONCHIAL-TUBES. The minute ramifications of the bronchi, terminating
in the _bronchial cells_, or air cells of the lungs.
BRONCHITIS. Inflammation of the bronchi or ramifications of the
trachea.
BURSÆ MUCOSÆ (_mucous bags_). Small sacs situated about the
joints, being parts of the sheaths of tendons.
C
CÆCUM, or CŒCUM (L. _cæcus_, blind). The first part of the colon
or _blind_ intestine.
CALLUS (Latin, _hardness_). New bone, or the substance which
serves to join together the ends of a fracture, and to restore
destroyed portions of bone.
CAPILLARY (L. _capillus_, a hair). Resembling a hair in size; a
term applied to the _vessels_ which intervene between the minute
arteries and veins.
CAPSULA (L. dim. of _capsa_, a chest). Literally, a little chest. A
capsule or bag, which incloses any part.
CARBON (L. _carbo_, a coal). A substance well known under the
form of coal, charcoal, lamp-black, &c. In chemical language,
it denotes the pure inflammable principle of charcoal; in its
state of absolute purity it constitutes the _diamond_.
CARBONIC ACID. Carbon and oxygen combined.
CARDIA (Gr. _kardia_, the heart). The entrance into the stomach;
so called from being near the heart.
CARDIAC (Gr. _kardia_, the heart). Relating to the heart.
CAROTID (Gr. _karóō_, to induce sleep). The name of two large
arteries of the neck; so called from an idea that tying them
would induce stupor.
CARPUS (Gr. _karpós_, fruit). The wrist. The _ossa carpi_, or carpal
bones, are eight in number, and form two rows.
CARTILAGE. Gristle. It is attached to bones, and must be distinguished
from the ligaments of joints and tendons of muscles.
CEREBELLUM (dim. of _cerebrum_). The little brain, situated behind
the larger or cerebrum.
CEREBRUM (Gr. _káre_, the head). The brain; the chief portion of
the brain, occupying the whole upper cavity of the skull.
CEREBRO-SPINAL. System.
CERVIX. The neck; the hinder part of the neck. The fore part
is called _collum_.
CHEST. _Thorax._ An old English term, commonly traced to the
Latin _cista_.—“When it is considered that the same word was
anciently used for a _basket_, the appropriation of it to the human
thorax will appear quite natural to any one who has ever seen a
skeleton.”—_Forbes._
CHYLE (Gr. _chulòs_, juice). The milk-like fluid absorbed by the
lacteal vessels.
CHYLIFICATION (L. _fio_, to become). The process by which the
chyle is separated from the chyme.
CHYME (Gr. _chumòs_, juice). The semi-fluid matter which passes
from the stomach into the duodenum.
CHYMIFICATION (L. _fio_, to become). The process by which the
aliment is converted into chyme.
CLAVICULA (dim. of _clavis_, a key). The clavicle, or collar-bone;
so called from its resemblance to an ancient key.
COCCYX (Gr. _kókkux_, a cuckoo). The lower end of the spine; so
called from its resemblance to a cuckoo’s beak.
COLON (Gr. _kolīn_, quasi, _koīlon_, hollow). The first of the large
intestines, commencing at the cœcum, and terminating at the
rectum.
COMA (Gr. _kōma_, drowsiness, from _kéō_, to lie). Drowsiness;
lethargic sleep; dead sleep; torpor.
COMMISSURE (L. _commissura_). To joint or sever the place where
two bodies or parts of a body meet and unite.
CONDYLE (Gr. _kóndulos_, a knuckle). A rounded eminence in the
joints of several bones, as the humerus and the femur.
CONGESTION (L. _congero_, to amass). Undue fullness of the
blood-vessels.
CONJUNCTIVA (L. _conjungo_, to unite). The mucous membrane
which lines the posterior surface of the eyelids, and is continued
over the fore-part of the globe of the eye.
CORIUM. Leather. The deep layer of cutis, or true skin, forming
the basis of the support of the skin.
CORPUSCULUM (L. dim. of _corpus_, a body). A corpuscle, or little
body.
CRANIUM (Gr. _kára_, the head). The skull, or cavity, which contains
the brain, its membranes and vessels.
CRICOS (Gr. _krikíos_, a ring). Whence crícoïd, the name of the
ring-like cartilage of the larynx.
CRYSTALLINE (Gr. _krústallos_, ice). A term applied to the lens of
the eye.
CUTICLE (L. dim. of _cutis_). The epidermis or scarf-skin.
CUTIS (Gr. _kútos_, the skin). The true skin, as distinguished from
the cuticle, epidermis or scarf-skin.
D
DEGLUTITION (L. _deglutio_, to swallow). The act of swallowing.
DIAPHRAGM (Gr. _diàphragma_, a partition). The midriff; the
transverse muscular partition which separates the thorax from
the abdomen.
DIGESTION (L. _digero_, from _diversim gero_, to carry into different
parts). In _Physiology_, the change of food into _chyme_ by the
mouth, stomach and small intestines; and the absorption and
distribution of the more nutritious parts, or the _chyle_, through
the system.
DORSUM (Latin). The back; the round part of the back of a
man or beast. Whence _Dorsal_, appertaining to the back, as
applied to a region, ligaments, &c.
DUODENUM (L. _duodeni_, twelve). The twelve-inch intestine; so
called from its being equal in length to the breadth of twelve
fingers. The first portion of the small intestines, beginning
from the pylorus.
DURA MATER (_hard-mother_). The outermost membrane of the
brain.
E
EFFLUVIA (L. _effluo_, to flow out). Exhalations, vapors, &c.
ELASTICITY. The property or power by which a body compressed
or extended returns to its former state.
ENAMEL. The hard exterior surface of the teeth.
ENCEPHALON (Gr. _èn_, in, _kephalē_, the head). The brain; the
contents of the skull, consisting of the cerebrum, cerebellum,
medulla oblongata, and membranes.
EPIDERMIS (Gr. _epi_, upon, and _dérma_, the skin) The cuticle, or
scarf-skin; the thin, horny layer which protects the surface of
the integument.
EPIGLOTTIS. A cartilage of the larynx, situated above the glottis.
EPIPLOON (Gr. _plēo_, to sail). The omentum; a membranous expansion
which _floats_ upon the intestines.
EPITHELIUM (Gr. _títhēmi_, to place). The cuticle on the red part
of the lips, and on the mucous membranes in general.
EXCRETION (L. _excerno_, to separate from). A general term for
the perspiration, fæces, &c., which are separated and voided
from the blood or the food.
EXPIRATION (L. _expiro_, to breathe). That part of the respiration
in which the air is expelled. Compare _Inspiration_.
EXUDATION. _Transpiration._ The flow of liquid from the surface
of the skin or membrane, an ulcer, &c.
F
FACIAL (L. _facies_, the face). Belonging to the face; as _facial
nerve_, _facial vein_, &c.
FALX. A scythe or sickle. The _sickle_-like processes of the dura
mater, situated between the lobes of the cerebrum and cerebellum.
FASCIA (L. _fascis_, a bundle). Literally, a scarf or large band.
Hence it is applied to the aponeurotic expansion of a muscle.
FASCICULUS (L. dim. of _fascis_, a bundle). A little bundle; a
handful. Thus, a muscle consists of _fasciculi_ of fibres.
FAUCES. The gullet or upper part of the throat; the space surrounded
by the vellum palati, the uvula, the tonsils, and the
posterior part of the tongue.
FEMUR, FEMORIS. _Os femoris._ The thigh-bone; the longest,
largest and heaviest of all the bones of the body.
FIBRE (L. _fibra_, a filament). A filament or thread, of animal,
vegetable or mineral composition.
FIBRIL. A small filament or fibre, as the ultimate division of a
nerve. The term is derived from _fibrilla_, L. dim. of _fibra_, a
filament.
FIBRIN. A tough, fibrous mass, which, together with albumen,
forms the basis of muscle.
FIBRO-CARTILAGE. Membraniform cartilage; a substance intermediate
between proper cartilage and ligament.
FILAMENT (L. _filum_, a thread, _forma_, likeness). Thread-like;
applied to the papillæ at the edges of the tongue.
FISSURE. A cleft; a longitudinal opening.
FLEXOR (L. _flecto_, to bend). A muscle which bends the part into
which it is inserted. Its antagonist is termed _extensor_.
FLUIDS. Substances which have the quality of fluidity, and are,
in consequence, of no fixed shape.
FOLLICLE (L. dim. of _follis_, a pair of bellows). Literally, a little
bag or scrip of leather. In anatomy, a very minute secreting
cavity.
FORAMEN (L. _foro_, to pierce). An opening.
FOSSA (L. _fodio_, to dig). A ditch or trench; a little depression,
or sinus.
FUNCTION (L. _fungor_, to discharge an office). The office of an
organ in the animal or vegetable economy; as of the heart in
circulation, of the leaf in respiration, &c.
G
GALL-BLADDER. A membranous reservoir, lodged in a fissure on
the under surface of the right lobe of the liver, and containing
the bile.
GALL-DUCTS. These are the _cystic_, proceeding from the gall-bladder;
the _hepatic_, proceeding from the liver; and the _ductus
communis choledochus_, resulting from the union of the two
preceding.
GANGLION (Gr. _gangglíon_, a nerve-knot). A small nervous center,
or an enlargement in the course of a nerve, sometimes termed a
_diminutive brain_.
GASTER. The Greek term for stomach.
GASTRIC (Gr. _gaster_, the stomach). Pertaining to the stomach; as
the gastric juice, &c.
GASTRIC JUICE. The peculiar digestive fluid secreted by the
stomach.
GELATINE (L. _gelu_, frost). The principle of jelly. It is found in
the skin, cartilages, tendons, membranes and bones. The purest
variety of gelatine is _isinglass_.
GLAND (L. _glans_, _glandis_, an acorn). A soft body, composed of
various tissues, vessels, nerves, &c., usually destined to separate
some fluids from the blood.
GLENOID (Gr. _glēne_, a cavity, _eīdos_, likeness). The name of a
part having a shallow cavity; as the socket of the shoulder joint.
GLOBULES RED (L. dim. of _globus_, a ball). The red coloring
matter of the blood; a peculiar animal principle.
GLOSSA, or GLOTTA (Gr. _glōtta_). The tongue; the organ of
speech. _Glosso._ Terms compounded of this word belong to
nerves or muscles attached to the tongue.
GLOTTIS. The aperture of the larynx between the arytænoïd
cartilages. It is covered by a cartilage called the _epi-glottis_.
GRANULE. A small particle.
H
HÆMATOSIN (Gr. _haima_, blood). A characteristic constituent of
the blood, derived from the globules.
HÆMORRHAGE. A rupture of a blood-vessel; a bursting forth of
blood; loss of blood.
HEPATIC. A term applied to any part belonging to the liver.
HUMERUS. The bone of the upper arm.
HUMOR (L. _humeo_, to be moist). An aqueous substance; as the
humors of the eye.
HYGIENE (Gr. to be well). Health; the preservation of health;
that part of medicine which regards the preservation of health.
HYOIDES (the Greek letter _upsilon_). A bone situated between
the root of the tongue and the larynx.
HYPOGASTRIUM. The lower anterior region of the abdomen.
HYPOGLOSSAL. The name of the _lingualis_, or ninth pair of
nerves, situated beneath the tongue.