552 GlossaryBacteria (bak-TEER-ee-yuh) (Sing.— bacterium) The
simple unicellular microorganisms of the class Schizo-
mycetes; may be free living, saprophytic, or parasitic
(Chapter 22).
Bactericide(bak-TEER-i-sigh’d) A chemical that kills bac-
teria (Chapter 22).
Bacteriostatic (bak-TEE-ree-oh-STAT-ik) Capable of
inhibiting the reproduction of bacteria (Chapter 22).
Bacteruria(BAK-tur-YOO-ree-ah) The presence of large
numbers of bacteria in urine (Chapter 18).
Ball-and-socket joint(BAWL and SOK-et) A diarthrosis
that permits movement in all planes (Chapter 6).
Band cell(BAND SELL) An immature neutrophil with a
nucleus that has not yet segmented (Chapter 11).
Bartholin’s glands(BAR-toh-linz) The small glands in the
wall of the vagina; secrete mucus into the vagina and
vestibule (Syn.—vestibular glands) (Chapter 20).
Basal ganglia(BAY-zuhl GANG-lee-ah) Masses of gray
matter within the white matter of the cerebral hemi-
spheres; concerned with subconscious aspects of skeletal
muscle activity, such as accessory movements (Chapter 8).
Basal metabolic rate(BAY-zuhl met-ah-BAHL-ik RAYT)
The energy required to maintain the functioning of the
body in a resting condition (Chapter 17).
Base(BAYS) A hydrogen ion (H) acceptor, or hydroxyl ion
(OH) donor; when in solution, has a pH greater than 7
(Chapter 2).
Basilar layer(bah-SILL-ar LAY-er) The permanent vascu-
lar layer of the endometrium that is not lost in menstru-
ation; regenerates the functional layer during each
menstrual cycle (Chapter 20).
Basophil(BAY-so-fill) A type of white blood cell (granular);
contains heparin and histamine (Chapter 11).
Benign(bee-NINE) Not malignant (Chapter 3).
Beta cells(BAY-tah SELLS) The cells of the islets of
Langerhans of the pancreas that secrete the hormone
insulin (Chapter 10).
Beta-oxidation(BAY-tah-AHK-si-DAY-shun) The process
by which the long carbon chain of a fatty acid molecule
is broken down into two-carbon acetyl groups to be used
in cell respiration; takes place in the liver (Chapter 16).
Bile(BYL) The secretion of the liver that is stored in the
gallbladder and passes to the duodenum; contains bile
salts to emulsify fats; is the fluid in which bilirubin and
excess cholesterol are excreted (Chapter 16).
Bile salts(BYL SAWLTS) The active component of bile
that emulsifies fats in the digestive process (Chapter 16).
Bilirubin(BILL-ee-roo-bin) The bile pigment produced
from the heme portion of the hemoglobin of old red
blood cells; excreted by the liver in bile (Chapter 11).
Binary fission(BYE-na-ree FISH-en) The asexual repro-
ductive process in which one cell divides into two identi-
cal new cells (Chapter 22).
Binocular vision (bye-NOK-yoo-lur VI-zhun) Normalvision involving the use of both eyes; the ability of the
brain to create one image from the slightly different
images received from each eye (Chapter 9).
Biopsy(BYE-op-see) Removal of a small piece of living tis-
sue for microscopic examination; a diagnostic procedure
(Chapter 5).
Birth canal(BERTH ka-NAL) The vagina during delivery
of an infant (Chapter 21).
Blastocyst(BLAS-toh-sist) The early stage of embryonic
development that follows the morula; consists of the
outer trophoblast and the internal inner cell mass and
blastocele (cavity) (Chapter 21).
Blister(BLISS-ter) A collection of fluid below or within the
epidermis (Chapter 5).
Blood(BLUHD) The fluid that circulates in the heart and
blood vessels; consists of blood cells and plasma (Chap-
ter 4).
Blood–brain barrier(BLUHD BRAYN) The barrier be-
tween the circulating blood and brain tissue, formed by
astrocytes and brain capillaries; prevents harmful sub-
stances in the blood from damaging brain neurons
(Chapter 8).
Blood pressure(BLUHD PRE-shure) The force exerted
by the blood against the walls of the blood vessels; meas-
ured in mmHg (Chapter 13).
Body(BAH-dee) 1. The physical human being as a whole.- The supporting part of a vertebra. 3. The central por-
tion of the sternum. 4. Any of a number of small struc-
tures, such as the cell body of a neuron or the sensory
carotid body (Chapter 1).
Body-mass index(BAH-dee mass IN-deks) A measure of
leanness using height and weight (Chapter 17).
Bond(BAHND) An attraction or force that holds atoms
together in the formation of molecules (Chapter 2).
Bone(BOWNE) 1. A connective tissue made of osteocytes
in a calcified matrix. 2. An organ that is an individual part
of the skeleton (Chapter 4).
Botulism(BOTT-yoo-lizm) A disease, characterized by
muscle paralysis, caused by the bacterium Clostridium bot-
ulinum(Chapter 7).
Bowman’s capsule(BOW-manz KAP-suhl) The expanded
end of the renal tubule that encloses a glomerulus;
receives filtrate from the glomerulus (Chapter 18).
Bradycardia(BRAY-dee-KAR-dee-yah) An abnormally slow
heart rate; less than 60 beats per minute (Chapter 12).
Brain(BRAYN) The part of the central nervous system
within the skull; regulates the activity of the rest of the
nervous system (Chapter 8).
Brain stem(BRAYN STEM) The portion of the brain that
consists of the medulla, pons, and midbrain (Chapter 8).
Broad spectrum (BRAWD SPEK-trum) An antibiotic
that is effective against a wide variety of bacteria (Chap-
ter 22).
Bronchial tree(BRONG-kee-uhl TREE) The entire sys-
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