Anatomy and Physiology of Animals/Glossary/O-P

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 WordMeaningOOedemaExcessive accumulation of fluid in the body tissuesOesophagusThe hollow muscular tube connecting the pharynx with stomachOestrogenThe female sex hormone produced by ovariesOlfactoryTo do with smellOmasumPart of the modified stomach of ruminants with a folded inner surfaceOpen rooted teethTeeth in which the root opening remains wide. They grow continuously e.g. the incisors of rabbits and ratsOptic NerveThe nerve carrying impulses from the retina of the eye to the brainOrbit The bony cavity in the skull that holds the eyeballOrganA structure with a specific functionOrganelleA structure in the cell with a specific functionOrganicA compound that contains carbon and hydrogen e.g. carbohydrates, lipids and proteinsOrganismA living form. One individualOriginThe attachment of a muscle to a bone that does not moveOsmosisThe movement of water molecules across a semi permeable membrane from an area of high water concentration to an area of low water concentrationOsmotic pressureThe pressure required to prevent water moving across a semi permeable membrane by osmosisOssicleA small boneOssificationThe formation of boneOtolithA particle of calcium carbonate embedded in the membrane of the otolith organ of the inner earOval windowThe small opening between the middle and inner earOvarian cycleThe series of events in the ovary associated with the maturation of the ovumOvarian follicleThe developing ovum with the epithelial tissues surrounding itOvaryThe female gonad that produces ova.OvulationThe release of the ovum from the mature follicle of the ovaryOvumThe egg cell (plural: ova)OxyhaemoglobinHaemoglobin combined with oxygenOxytocinThe hormone from the posterior pituitary gland. Stimulates milk “let down”PPalateThe roof of the mouthPalmarThe “walking” surface of the front pawPancreasThe organ lying along the caudal margin of the stomach. Has endocrine and exocrine functionsPancreatic juiceThe digestive secretion produced by the pancreasParasympathetic divisionOne of the two parts of the autonomic nervous system. Concerned with normal “at rest” activitiesParathyroid glandOne of four small endocrine glands on the dorsal surface of the thyroid glandParathyroid hormoneThe hormone secreted from the parathyroid glandParotid glandOne of the paired salivary glands ventral to the earParturitionThe act of giving birthPatellaThe kneecapPathogenA disease-producing organismPectoralTo do with the chest or breastPelvic cavityThe caudal portion of the abdominal cavity. Contains the bladder, colon and reproductive structuresPelvic girdleThe bony structure formed by the hip bones, sacrum and coccygeal bonesPelvisThe structure formed by the two hip bones, sacrum and coccyxPenisMale sexual organPepsinA protein digesting enzyme secreted by the stomach wallPericardial cavityThe small cavity between the two layers of the pericardial membranesPericardiumThe membrane that encloses the heartPeriosteumThe tough connective tissue covering of a bonePeripheralLocated on the outer part of the bodyPeripheral nervous systemThe part of the nervous system composed of the cranial and spinal nervesPeristalsisThe successive muscular contractions along the wall of the gutPeritoneumThe membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and covers the abdominal organPermanent teethThe second set of teeth that persist through lifePeyer’s PatchesLarge clusters of lymph nodules found in the wall of the small intestinepHA symbol that indicates the acidity or alkalinity of a solutionPhagocytosisThe process by which cells ingest particles and bacteriaPhalangesThe bones of the “fingers” and “toes”Pharynx The throatPhospholipid bilayerThe arrangement of phospholipids molecules in two layersPhospholipidsMolecules that make up the double layer of biological membranesPhotoreceptorA receptor that detects lightPhotosynthesisThe making of organic molecules by plants using energy from the sunPhysiologyThe science that deals with the functions of an organism and its partsPineal glandThe gland situated in the brain that secretes melatoniPinnaThe projecting part of the external earPinocytosisThe process by which cells ingest liquidPituitary glandThe endocrine gland lying under the caudal surface of the brain attached to the hypothalamus by a stalkPivot jointA synovial joint where a peg of bone articulates with a ring of bone as in the joint between the atlas and axisPlacenta The special structure through which the exchange of materials between the foetus and mother occursPlantarThe “walking” surface of the hind pawPlantigrade locomotionLocomotion involving placing the whole surface of the foot on the ground as in humans and bearsPlasmaThe fluid that surrounds the blood cellsPlasma membraneThe outer membrane surrounding the cellPlateletsCell fragments in the blood essential for clottingPleuraMembranes that cover the lungs and line the walls of the chest and diaphragmPleural cavityThe space between the two layers of the pleuraPlexusA network of nervesPoikilothermic‘Cold-blooded’ animals whose body temperature varies, to a large extent depending on the environmentPolysaccharidesA carbohydrate formed from up to a thousand monosaccharidesPreenTo clean, straighten and fluff feathersPremolarsThe more anterior cheek teethProgesteroneThe hormone produced by the corpus luteumProlactinA hormone produced by the anterior pituitary glandProstate glandThe gland caudal to bladder in malesProteasesEnzymes that split proteins into amino acidsProteinAn organic compound consisting of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen. Made up of amino acidsProximalNearer to the body or to the point of originPulmonaryTo do with the lungsPulp cavityThe cavity within the crown and neck of a tootPulseThe series of waves of high pressure blood passing along an arteryPupilThe hole in the centre of the iris of the eyePus Dead white blood cellsPyloric sphincter The ring of smooth muscle between the stomach and the small intestine