Anatomy and Physiology of Animals/Glossary/C-D

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 WordMeaningCCallusA thickening of the skin or growth of new bone tissue in and around a fractureCaninesThe long, cone-shaped teeth just behind the incisorsCarbohydrateAn organic compound containing carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Made up of sugar subunitsCardiac cycleA complete heartbeat consisting of systole and diastoleCardiac muscleThe muscle that makes up the wall of the heart. Striated branched fibresCardiovascular systemThe body system comprising the heart, blood vessels and bloodCarnassial teethThe modified premolars and molars in carnivores that slice against each other like scissors for shearing flesh and bone.Carotid arteryThe artery from aorta that supplies the head and brainCarpalA bone of the “wrist”CartilageDense connective tissue found at ends of long bones, in trachea, ear pinna. Also forms the skeleton of the foetusCataractA condition in which the lens becomes cloudy resulting in blurred vision.CaudalNearer to the tail thanCaudal vena cavaThe large vein that collects blood from the body caudal to the heartCellThe basic structural and functional unit of all organismsCell divisionThe process by which a cell reproduces itself. Two types: mitosis and meiosisCell inclusionA substance produced by cell that is free in cytoplasm i.e. not enclosed by a membraneCellular respirationThe chemical pathway that produces energy in the cell It consumes a fuel, generally glucose, in the presence of oxygenCentral nervous systemThe part of the nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cordCephalicTo do with the headCerebellumThe part of the vertebrate hindbrain located dorsally; functions in unconscious coordination of movement and balanceCerebral cortexThe surface of the cerebrum; the largest and most complex part of the mammalian brain, containing sensory and motor nerve cell bodies of the cerebrumCerebrospinal fluidThe fluid that circulates around and within brain and spinal cordCerebrumThe dorsal portion of the brain composed of right and left hemispheres; the integrating center for memory, learning, emotionsCervical vertebraeThe neck vertebraeCervixThe neck of the uterusChemoreceptorA receptor that detects chemicalsChorionic gonadotrophinThe hormone secreted by the placenta that prevents uterine contractions before labour and prepares the mammary glands for lactationChoroidThe middle coat of the eyeballChromosomeOne of the small dark staining bodies in the cell nucleus. Contains the DNAChyleThe milky fluid found in the lacteals of the small intestineChymeThe semi fluid mixture of partly digested food and digestive secretions in the stomach and small intestineCilium (pl. cilia)A hair like process projecting from a cell. Used to move cell substances along the surface of the cellClassThe taxonomic grouping of related, similar orders; category above order and below phylumClavicleThe collar boneClotThe process that changes liquid blood to a gelatinous massCoagulationThe process by which blood clotsCoccyxThe tail bonesCoccygeal vertebraeThe vertebrae of the tailCochleaThe coiled tube forming the portion of the inner ear that converts sound waves to nerve impulsesCollagenA protein that is the main organic constituent of connective tissueColonPart of the large intestine.ColostrumThe first milk, it contains antibodies.Common bile ductThe duct that carries both bile and pancreatic juice into the small intestineCompact boneDense bone made up of Haversian systemsConditioned ReflexThe response that is elicited by a stimulus after training has taken placeCondyleA rounded protuberance at the ends of some bones where it forms an articulation with another boneConeA light sensitive receptor in the retina that responds to colourCongenitalPresent at the time of birthConjunctivaThe delicate membrane covering the cornea of the eyeConnective tissueOne of the 4 basic tissue types of the body. Binds and supports. Consists of cells and fibres in a matrixsConstipationDecreased defecation due to decreased mobility of the intestinesContinuous breedingWhen breeding continues throughout the yearCorneaThe transparent anterior layer of the eye through which the iris can be seenCoronary arteryThe artery that supplies the heart muscleCorpus luteumA yellow endocrine gland formed in the empty ovarian follicle after ovulationCortexThe outer layer of an organCostalTo do with a ribCowper’s glandOne of the accessory glands of the male reproductive systemCranialTowards the headCranial nerveOne of the 12 nerves that leave the brainCraniumThe brain case that surrounds and protects the brainCropThe bag-like structure at the base of the oesophagus in birds.In many birds it stores food before it enters the stomachA Crop-milkSecretion produced by glands in the wall of the crop of in pigeons and doves Parents regurgitate it to feed their youngCross sectionCrosswise slice of an animal or organCryptorchidismUndescended testesCutaneousTo do with the skinCytologyThe study of cellsCytosolThe semi fluid portion of the cytoplasmDDehydrationExcessive loss of water from the body or its partsDenaturationDisruption of the structure of a protein by heat, acids etc. to make it inactiveDendriteA nerve cell process that carries the nerve impulses towards the cell bodyDental formulaThe formula that describes the numbers of the different kinds of teethDentineThe tissue below the enamel in teethDermisThe layer of dense connective tissue lying under the epidermisDiabetes insipidusThe condition caused by under secretion of antidiuretic hormone (ADH). Symptom: excretion large amounts dilute urineDiabetes mellitusThe condition caused by under secretion of insulin. Symptoms: raised blood glucose levels, glucose in urineDiaphragmThe dome shaped skeletal muscle separating the thoracic from the abdominal cavitiesDiaphysisThe shaft of a long boneDiarrhoeaFrequent defecation of liquid faecesDiastemaThe space in the jaw in animals that have no (or reduced) caninesDiastoleThe phase of the heartbeat involving the relaxation of the ventriclesDiastolic blood pressureBlood pressure in the arteries between the passage of the pulsesDiffusionA passive process of movement of molecules from a region of high concentration to one of low concentrationDigestionThe mechanical and physical breakdown of foodDigitigrade locomotionLocomotion on the “fingers” as in cats and dogsDilateTo expand or swellDiploidHaving a double set of chromosomes one maternal, one paternalDirectional termsTerms that describe the locations of structures in relation to other structures or locations in the bodyDisaccharidesDouble sugar, consisting of two joined monosaccharidesDistalFarther away from the trunk of the body or point of originDiureticA chemical that reduces Antidiuretic hormone production and increases urine volumeDorsalNearer the back of the animal thanDuodenumFirst part of the small intestine