Anatomy and Physiology of Animals/Glossary/M-N
Appearance
A-B | C-D | E-F | G-H | I-J | K-L | M-N | O-P | Q,R,S | T,U,V,W,X,Y,Z
Word | Meaning |
---|---|
M | |
Macrophage | A large phagocytic cell present in many tissues |
Mammary gland | The milk producing gland |
Mandible | The bone of the lower jaw |
Marrow | The soft sponge like material in the cavities of bone |
Matrix | The substance of a tissue in which the more specialised structures are embedded |
Maxilla | The bone of the upper jaw |
Medial | Towards the midline |
Mediastinum | The tissue that separates the two sides of the lung |
Medulla | Inner part of an organ |
Medulla oblongata | The part of the brain stem or hind brain |
Meiosis | The type of cell division for production of gametes. Halves the number of chromosomes |
Melanin | The dark pigment in the skin and hair |
Melatonin | The hormone produced by the pineal gland |
Membrane | A thin, flexible sheet of tissue |
Meninges | The membranes covering the brain and spinal cord |
Mesentery | The membrane attaching the small intestine to the abdominal wall |
Metacarpals | The bones of the “hand” |
Metastasis | The distant spread of disease especially a malignant tumour from its site of origin |
Metatarsals | The five bones of the foot that connect the “ankle” to the toes |
Microfilaments | A solid contracting strand in the cytoplasm of cells that brings about cell contraction. |
Microtubule | A hollow rod of protein in the cytoplasm of all eukaryotic cells and in cilia, flagella, and the cytoskeleton |
Microvilli | The microscopic fingerlike projections from the membrane of the cells covering the villi of the small intestine |
Middle ear | The cavity in the skull between the eardrum and inner ear housing the auditory ossicles |
Milk teeth | The first set of teeth in a young animal |
Minute volume | The volume of air inspired or expired during a minute of normal tidal breathing |
Mitochondrion | The organelle in cell cytoplasm that produces energy |
Mitosis | The cell division for growth and repair. Produces 2 cells identical to parent and each other |
Molars | The more posterior cheek teeth |
Monocyte | The largest leukocyte. It is phagocytic and has no granules in the cytoplasm |
Monosaccharide | The simplest carbohydrate. Also known as simple sugar |
Morula | The solid mass of cells produced by successive divisions of the fertilized ovum |
Mucus | A thick fluid secretion |
Myelin | The fatty insulating coating to an axon of a neuron |
N | |
Nasal cavity | The space just inside the nostril |
Negative feedback | Control in which the stimulus initiates actions that reverse or reduce the stimulus |
Nephron | The functional unit of the kidney |
Nerve | A bundle of nerve fibres |
Nerve impulse | The nerve “current’ that passes along a neuron |
Neuron | A nerve cell |
Neurotransmitter | Molecules released at a synapse to transmit the nerve impulse from one neuron to the next |
Neutral fat | A fat or triglyceride. Biological compound consisting of three fatty acids linked to one glycerol molecule |
Neutrophil | White blood cell with granules in the cytoplasm involved in phagocytosis |
Nictitating membrane | The third eyelid in the cat, tuatara and crocodiles |
Normal saline | A 0.9% solution of sodium chloride |
Nuclear membrane | The double layered membrane that surrounds the nucleus |
Nucleolus | The spherical body within the nucleus, containing RNA |
Nucleus | The spherical or oval body in the cell that contains the DNA |
Nutrient | A chemical substance in food that provides energy or assists various body processes |