Anatomy & Physiology, GOI-INC

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.
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Anatomy & Physiology Encyclopedia Articles By Title

goitre
goitre, enlargement of the thyroid gland, resulting in a prominent swelling in the front of the neck. The normal......
goitrogen
goitrogen, substance that inhibits the synthesis of the thyroid hormones (thyroxine and triiodothyronine), thereby......
gonad
gonad, in zoology, primary reproductive gland that produces reproductive cells (gametes). In males the gonads are......
granulocyte
granulocyte, any of a group of white blood cells (leukocytes) that are characterized by the large number and chemical......
granulomatous thyroiditis
granulomatous thyroiditis, inflammatory disease of the thyroid gland, of unknown but presumably viral origin. It......
Graves disease
Graves disease, endocrine disorder that is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism (excess secretion of thyroid......
ground substance
ground substance, an amorphous gel-like substance present in the composition of the various connective tissues.......
guanine
guanine, an organic compound belonging to the purine group, a class of compounds with a characteristic two-ringed......
gum
gum, in anatomy, connective tissue covered with mucous membrane, attached to and surrounding the necks of the teeth......
gynecomastia
gynecomastia, enlargement of the breasts in the male, usually because of hormone imbalance. The growth and development......
hair
hair, in mammals, the characteristic threadlike outgrowths of the outer layer of the skin (epidermis) that form......
hamstring
hamstring, any of the three muscles at the back of the thigh that begin at the pelvis (specifically originating......
hand
hand, grasping organ at the end of the forelimb of certain vertebrates that exhibits great mobility and flexibility......
handedness
handedness, a tendency to use one hand rather than the other to perform most activities; it is the usual practice......
haptoglobin
haptoglobin, a colourless protein of the α-globulin fraction of human serum (liquid portion of blood plasma after......
Hashimoto disease
Hashimoto disease, a noninfectious form of inflammation of the thyroid gland (thyroiditis). Hashimoto disease is......
head
head, in human anatomy, the upper portion of the body, consisting of the skull with its coverings and contents,......
hearing
hearing, in biology, physiological process of perceiving sound. See ear; mechanoreception; perception; sound...
heart
heart, organ that serves as a pump to circulate the blood. It may be a straight tube, as in spiders and annelid......
heart rate
heart rate, the number of times the ventricles of the heart contract and relax (that is, beat) per minute or other......
heart sound
heart sound, audible rhythmic vibrations in the heart, typically heard through a stethoscope pressed to the chest......
heart–lung machine
heart–lung machine, a type of artificial heart...
heel
heel, in anatomy, back part of the human foot, below the ankle and behind the arch, and the corresponding part......
helper T cell
helper T cell, type of white blood cell that serves as a key mediator of immune function. Helper T cells play a......
hemagglutinin
hemagglutinin, any of a group of naturally occurring glycoproteins that cause red blood cells (erythrocytes) to......
hematology
hematology, branch of medical science concerned with the nature, function, and diseases of the blood. In the 17th......
hemicellulose
hemicellulose, any of a group of complex carbohydrates that, with other carbohydrates (e.g., pectins), surround......
hemochromogen
hemochromogen, compound of the iron-containing pigment heme with a protein or other substance. The hemochromogens......
hemocytoblast
hemocytoblast, generalized stem cell, from which, according to the monophyletic theory of blood cell formation,......
hemoglobin
hemoglobin, iron-containing protein in the blood of many animals—in the red blood cells (erythrocytes) of vertebrates—that......
hemolysis
hemolysis, breakdown or destruction of red blood cells so that the contained oxygen-carrying pigment hemoglobin......
heparin
heparin, anticoagulant drug that is used to prevent blood clots from forming during and after surgery and to treat......
hepatic vein
hepatic vein, any of a group of veins that transports blood from the liver to the inferior vena cava, which carries......
herd immunity
herd immunity, state in which a large proportion of a population is able to repel an infectious disease, thereby......
heterospecific mating
heterospecific mating, mating in which the man and woman have incompatible blood types, such that the woman may......
high-risk pregnancy
high-risk pregnancy, pregnancy in which the mother, the fetus, or the newborn has an elevated risk of experiencing......
hindbrain
hindbrain, region of the developing vertebrate brain that is composed of the medulla oblongata, the pons, and the......
hip
hip, in anatomy, the joint between the thighbone (femur) and the pelvis; also the area adjacent to this joint.......
hippocampus
hippocampus, region of the brain that is associated primarily with memory. The name hippocampus is derived from......
histogenesis
histogenesis, series of organized, integrated processes by which cells of the primary germ layers of an embryo......
histone
histone, type of protein that plays a critical role in the structural organization and regulation of DNA within......
Holliday junction
Holliday junction, cross-shaped structure that forms during the process of genetic recombination, when two double-stranded......
homeostasis
homeostasis, any self-regulating process by which biological systems tend to maintain stability while adjusting......
hoof
hoof, hard, flexible covering that protects the toes of ungulate mammals. Because all hoofed animals essentially......
horn
horn, in zoology, either of the pair of hard processes that grow from the upper portion of the head of many hoofed......
hot flash
hot flash, symptom of declining estrogen levels associated with menopause that is characterized by a sensation......
How Do Fish Breathe?
Fish primarily breathe through gills, which are specialized organs that extract dissolved oxygen from water. The......
How Do Fish Reproduce?
Fish reproduction is a fascinating process that varies significantly across different species. Most bony fishes......
How Do Fish Sleep?
Fish enter a restful state marked by minimal movement and decreased responsiveness. During this time, they maintain......
How Do Frogs Breathe?
Frogs have an adaptable respiratory system that allows them to breathe in multiple ways throughout their life cycle......
How Do Horses Sleep?
Horses sleep both standing up and lying down. Most of their sleeping time is spent standing, which is crucial for......
How Do Monkeys and Apes Trim Their Fingernails?
Have you ever seen a monkey getting a manicure? Though that line sounds like the beginning of a bad joke, it actually......
How Do Penguins Stay Warm?
Penguins have a unique feather arrangement and body structure that provides excellent insulation. Their feathers......
How Do Snakes Swallow Large Prey?
Snakes have a unique and fascinating way of swallowing prey that is much larger than their own heads and even bodies.......
How Do We Know That Dinosaurs May Have Had Feathers?
Modern birds are living dinosaurs, having evolved from a line of theropod dinosaurs more than 150 million years......
How Does A Ventilator Work?
Mechanical ventilators have played an important, if controversial, role in the treatment of patients with severe......
How Does the Human Body Maintain Its Temperature?
People are mammals, and mammals are warm-blooded creatures, capable of maintaining a relatively constant internal......
How Is BMI Calculated?
BMI stands for “body mass index” and is an estimate of total body fat. BMI does not measure body fat directly,......
How Long Can Whales Hold Their Breath?
Whales can hold their breath for varying durations depending on the species, with some capable of staying submerged......
How Long Do Chicken Eggs Take to Hatch?
Chicken eggs typically take about 21 days to hatch. This is the time it takes for a fertilized egg to develop into......
How Long Does It Take Food to Digest?
The process of food digestion typically takes between 24 and 72 hours. The precise length of time is determined......
How Long Does It Take for Rigor Mortis to Set In?
Rigor mortis typically sets in about two to six hours after death, beginning with the smaller muscles of the body,......
How Many Eyes Does a Spider Have?
Spiders typically have eight eyes, although some species may have fewer. The number and arrangement of eyes can......
How Many Pints of Blood Does a Human Have?
A typical adult human has approximately 8 to 12 pints (about 4.5 to 6.8 liters) of blood circulating through their......
How Many Teeth Does a Shark Have?
The number of teeth a shark has can vary significantly depending on the species, but some species may go through......
How Many Tentacles Does a Jellyfish Have?
Jellyfish are a diverse group of marine animals, and their tentacle count varies significantly across different......
How the First Surviving Quintuplets Became a Tourist Attraction
On May 28, 1934, a miracle happened. In a modest farmhouse in Corbeil, Ontario, Canada, parents Oliva and Elzire......
human aging
human aging, physiological changes that take place in the human body leading to senescence, the decline of biological......
human body
human body, the physical substance of the human organism, composed of living cells and extracellular materials......
human development
human development, the process of growth and change that takes place between birth and maturity. Human growth is......
human microbiome
human microbiome, the full array of microorganisms (the microbiota) that live on and in humans and, more specifically,......
humerus
humerus, long bone of the upper limb or forelimb of land vertebrates that forms the shoulder joint above, where......
humour
humour, (from Latin “liquid,” or “fluid”), in early Western physiological theory, one of the four fluids of the......
hyaline cartilage
hyaline cartilage, type of connective tissue, glossy pearl-gray or blue-white in appearance and resilient, found......
hyaluronic acid
hyaluronic acid, naturally occurring polysaccharide found in the extracellular matrix of vertebrate tissues, particularly......
hydrocele
hydrocele, excessive accumulation of fluids in the scrotal sac that surrounds the testes in the male reproductive......
hymen
hymen, in the female reproductive system, the membrane that encircles or covers part of the opening of the vagina.......
hyoid bone
hyoid bone, U-shaped bone situated at the root of the tongue in the front of the neck and between the lower jaw......
hyperaldosteronism
hyperaldosteronism, increased secretion of the hormone aldosterone by the cells of the zona glomerulosa (the outer......
hyperopia
hyperopia, refractive error or abnormality in which the cornea and lens of the eye focus the image of the visual......
hyperparathyroidism
hyperparathyroidism, abnormal increase in the secretion of parathormone by one or more parathyroid glands. Hyperparathyroidism......
hypertension
hypertension, condition that arises when the blood pressure is abnormally high. Hypertension occurs when the body’s......
hyperthyroidism
hyperthyroidism, excess production of thyroid hormone by the thyroid gland. Most patients with hyperthyroidism......
hypoaldosteronism
hypoaldosteronism, abnormally low serum levels of aldosterone, a steroid hormone secreted by the adrenal gland.......
hypogonadism
hypogonadism, in men, decreased testicular function that results in testosterone deficiency and infertility. Hypogonadism......
hypoparathyroidism
hypoparathyroidism, inadequate secretion of parathormone. Hypoparathyroidism can be due to decreased secretion......
hypopituitarism
hypopituitarism, deficiency of pituitary hormones caused by damage to the pituitary gland. Patients may have a......
hypotension
hypotension, condition in which the blood pressure is abnormally low, either because of reduced blood volume or......
hypothalamus
hypothalamus, region of the brain lying below the thalamus and making up the floor of the third cerebral ventricle.......
hypothyroidism
hypothyroidism, a deficiency in hormone production by the thyroid gland. Hypothyroidism usually results from a......
Ii blood group system
Ii blood group system, classification of human blood based on the presence of antigens I and i on the surface of......
ileum
ileum, the final and longest segment of the small intestine. It is specifically responsible for the absorption......
iliocostalis muscle
iliocostalis muscle, any of the deep muscles of the back that, as part of the erector spinae (sacrospinalis) muscle......
immunization
immunization, process by which resistance to disease is acquired or induced in plants and animals. This discussion......
immunology
immunology, the scientific study of the body’s resistance to invasion by other organisms (i.e., immunity). In a......
implantation
implantation, in reproduction physiology, the adherence of a fertilized egg to a surface in the reproductive tract,......
incontinence
incontinence, inability to control the excretion of urine or feces. Starting and stopping urination relies on normal......

Anatomy & Physiology Encyclopedia Articles By Title