Human Anatomy and Physiology Vocabulary Reference

Posted on May 13, 2026 in Biology

Nervous and Endocrine System Terminology

  • Neuron: A cell that transmits information by electrical and chemical signaling.
  • Motor Neuron: A neuron that helps to create the ability to move.
  • Nervous System: The bodily system that transmits signals and coordinates actions of the body.
  • Network: A group of connected neurons that process information.
  • Vertebrae: The small bones that together make up the backbone and surround the nerves of the spinal cord.
  • Reflex: An involuntary and immediate movement in response to a stimulus.
  • Brain: The large organ that controls bodily functions through the release of hormones or by activating muscles.
  • Nerve: A cordlike structure that enables the transmission of electric impulses through the nervous system.
  • Spinal Cord: A long bundle of nerve cells that extends downward from the brain.
  • Sensory: Relating to the five senses of sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell.
  • Adrenal Gland: A gland above the kidney that produces adrenaline and other hormones.
  • Adrenaline: A hormone that helps the body react to a sudden threat or stress.
  • Endocrine System: The bodily system that uses hormones to regulate the body’s functions.
  • Gland: A bodily organ that creates a substance and releases it, often into the bloodstream.
  • Hormone: A chemical released by one part of the body that sends out messages affecting other parts of the body.
  • Hypothalamus: The part of the brain that connects the nervous system with the endocrine system; it controls body temperature, hunger, thirst, and fatigue.
  • Melatonin: A hormone that controls the day and night cycles of the body.
  • Pineal Body: A small gland in the center of the brain that produces the melatonin hormone.
  • Pituitary Gland: A gland in the brain that emits numerous hormones to control body processes such as growth, blood pressure, and sex organ functions.
  • Thyroid Gland: A large gland in the neck that controls how the body uses energy and processes proteins.

Urinary System Terminology

  • Bladder: A bodily organ that holds urine before it is expelled from the body.
  • Cast: A tiny structure produced by the kidneys and present in urine that contains indicators of urinary health.
  • Flow: The smooth movement of something, usually a liquid.
  • Inferior Mesenteric Artery: The artery that comes off the surface of the abdominal aorta and transfers the blood supply to the intestines.
  • Inferior Vena Cava: A vein that carries deoxygenated blood to the right part of the heart.
  • Kidney: One of the two organs that removes waste from the blood and produces urine.
  • Kidney Stone: A hard, crystal-like mineral structure that forms in the kidneys and can be very painful to pass.
  • Pass: To process something through and out of one’s body.
  • Ureter: The tube that carries urine from the kidney to the urinary bladder.
  • Urethra: A tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body.
  • Urinary System: A part of the body that controls the creation and expulsion of urine.
  • Urine: Liquid waste that the body expels.

Irregular Verbs Reference

  • Bear – Bore – Born (Suportar)
  • Build – Built – Built (Construir)
  • Catch – Caught – Caught (Agafar / Atrapar)
  • Come – Came – Come (Venir)
  • Do – Did – Done (Fer)
  • Feed – Fed – Fed (Alimentar / Proveir)
  • Forbid – Forbade – Forbidden (Prohibir)
  • Go – Went – Gone (Anar)
  • Hear – Heard – Heard (Sentir)
  • Lie – Lay – Lain (Ajeure’s)
  • Lose – Lost – Lost (Perdre)
  • Meet – Met – Met (Trobar-se / Unir-se)
  • Set – Set – Set (Engegar / Configurar)
  • Sleep – Slept – Slept (Dormir)
  • Smell – Smelt – Smelt (Olorar)
  • Understand – Understood – Understood (Entendre)
  • Wear – Wore – Worn (Portar posat)
  • Read – Read – Read (Llegir)
  • Shut – Shut – Shut (Tancar)
  • Write – Wrote – Written (Escriure)

Anatomical Translation Glossary

  • Brain: Cervell
  • Bladder: Bufeta
  • Adam’s Apple: Nou del coll
  • Kidney Stone: Pedra ronyó / Càlcul
  • Adrenal Gland: Glàndula suprarenal
  • Spinal Cord: Mèdula Espinal
  • Flow: Flux
  • Cast: Cilindre urinari
  • Taste: Gust
  • Waste: Residu