Anatomy and Physiology of Animals/Glossary/T,U,V,W,X,Y,Z

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 | Print version WordMeaningTTarget cellA cell whose activity is affected by a particular hormoneTarsalsThe bones of the “ankle”TendonsA tough cord of fibrous connective tissue that connects muscles to bonesTestisThe male gonad that produces spermTestosteroneThe hormone produced by the cells between the seminiferous tubules of the testisThoracic cavityThe chest cavity that contains the heart and lungsThoraxThe part of the body between the neck and the diaphragmThymus glandThe organ dorsal to the sternum that is essential to the immune responseThyroid glandThe endocrine gland with lobes on either side of the tracheaThyroxineThe hormone secreted by the thyroid glandTibiaThe medial bone of the lower hind limbTidal breathingNormal at rest breathingTidal volumeThe volume of air breathed in or out in any one “at rest” breathTissueA group of similar cellsTissue fluidPlasma that has left the capillaries and flowed into the spaces between the cells of the tissues; also known as intercellular fluid or interstitial fluidTotal lung capacityThe sum of the tidal volume, inspiratory reserve, expiratory reserve and residual volume of the lungsTracheaThe windpipeTransverseA crosswise slice of an animal or organTricepsThe muscle that extends from the shoulder to the elbow responsible for extending the forearmTriglyceridesA biological compound consisting of three fatty acids linked to one glycerol molecule. A fatTrunkThe part of the body to which the fore and hind limbs are attachedTympanic membraneThe thin transparent membrane of connective tissue between the external ear, canal and the middle ear. Also called the eardrumUUlnaThe longer bone of the forelimb between the humerus and the “wrist”Umbilical cordThe cord containing arteries and vein that attaches the foetus to the placentaUnguligrade locomotionLocomotion on the “fingernails” as in horses and pigsUreaThe soluble excretory product produced when excess amino acids (from proteins) are broken down by the bodyUreterOne of two tubes that connect the kidney with the bladderUrethraThe duct from the bladder to the exterior of the bodyUric acidAn insoluble excretory product produced when excess amino acids(from proteins) are broken down by the bodyUrinalysisThe analysis of urineUrineThe fluid produced by the kidneysUterusThe hollow muscular organ in females where the foetus developsVVaginaThe muscular, tubular organ in the female where sperm are deposited during copulationVagus nerveThe cranial nerve that controls the muscles that bring about swallowing,the muscles of the heart, airways, lungs, stomach and intestinesVane The flat part of a feather emerging from the shaft; there are two vanes per featherVas deferensThe duct that conducts the sperm from the epididymis to the urethraVascularTo do with bloodVasoconstrictionThe decrease in size of the channel down a blood vesselVaso dilationThe increase in size of the channel down a blood vesselVeinA blood vessel that carries blood towards the heartVelvetThe tissue layer that covers antlersVena cavaOne of two large blood vessels that return blood to the heartVentralNearer the belly of the animal thanVentriclesThe caudal chambers of the heartVenuleA small veinVertebral canalThe channel that encloses and protects the spinal cordVertebratesAnimals that have a backbone or vertebral columnVesiclesSmall, intracellular membrane-bound sacVestibular organThe organ of balance – semicircular canals and otolith organVillus (pl. villi)A projection from the lining of the small intestine to help absorb digested food moleculesVisceraThe organs in the abdominal and pelvic cavitiesVisceral skeletonBones formed in the organs of the bodyViscosityThe thickness or stickiness of a liquidVital capacityThe sum of the inspiratory and expiratory reserve volumes and the tidal volumeVital capacityThe volume of the air expired when a maximum expiration follows a maximum inspirationVitaminAn organic molecule necessary in minute quantities for the proper functioning of the chemical processes in the bodyVitreous HumorThe fluid in the posterior chamber of the eyeWWhite matterMasses of myelinated axons located in the brain and spinal cordXXiphoid process (or xiphisternum)A small process/ extension at the lower part of the sternum. Cartilage at birth; gradually ossifies to bone and fuses with the sternumYYellow marrowBone marrow that is yellow with fat; found at the ends of long bonesZZona pellucidaThe tough layer surrounding the ovumZygoteSingle cell resulting from the union of the sperm and egg