Glossary 575cell respiration; lactic acid is formed, which contributes
to muscle fatigue (Syn.—recovery oxygen uptake)
(Chapter 7).
Oxytocin(AHK-si-TOH-sin) A hormone produced by the
hypothalamus and stored in the posterior pituitary gland;
stimulates contraction of the myometrium during labor
and release of milk by the mammary glands (Chapter 8).—P—
Palate(PAL-uht) The roof of the mouth, which separates
the oral cavity from the nasal cavities (Chapter 6).
Palpitation(pal-pi-TAY-shun) An irregular heartbeat of
which the person is aware (Chapter 12).
Pancreas(PAN-kree-us) 1. An endocrine gland located
between the curve of the duodenum and the spleen;
secretes insulin and glucagon. 2. An exocrine gland that
secretes digestive enzymes for the digestion of starch,
fats, and proteins (Chapter 10).
Pancreatic duct(PAN-kree-AT-ik DUKT) The duct that
takes pancreatic juices to the common bile duct (Chapter
16).
Pandemic(pan-DEM-ik) An epidemic that affects several
countries at the same time (Chapter 22).
Papillae(pah-PILL-ay) 1. Elevated, pointed projections. 2.
On the tongue, the projections that contain taste buds
(Chapter 16).
Papillary layer(PAP-i-lar-ee LAY-er) The uppermost layer
of the dermis; contains capillaries to nourish the epider-
mis (Chapter 5).
Papillary muscles(PAP-i-lar-ee MUSS-uhls) Columns of
myocardium that project from the floor of a ventricle and
anchor the flaps of the AV valve by way of the chordae
tendineae (Chapter 12).
Paradox(PAR-ah-dahks) Something that does not seem
logical and that, therefore, should not be true, but is true.
(Chapter 6)
Paralysis(pah-RAL-i-sis) Complete or partial loss of func-
tion, especially of a muscle (Chapter 7).
Paralytic ileus(PAR-uh-LIT-ik ILL-ee-us) Paralysis of the
intestines that may occur following abdominal surgery
(Chapter 16).
Paranasal sinus(PAR-uh-NAY-zuhl SIGH-nus) An air
cavity in the frontal, maxilla, sphenoid, or ethmoid
bones; opens into the nasal cavities (Chapter 6).
Paraplegia(PAR-ah-PLEE-gee-ah) Paralysis of the legs
(Chapter 8).
Parasite(PAR-uh-sight) An organism that lives on or in
another living organism, called a host, to which it causes
harm (from the Greek for “to eat at another’s table”)
(Chapter 22).
Parasympathetic(PAR-ah-SIM-puh-THET-ik) The divi-
sion of the autonomic nervous system that dominates
during non-stressful situations (Chapter 8).
Parathyroid glands (PAR-ah-THIGH-royd) The fourendocrine glands located on the posterior side of the
thyroid gland; secrete parathyroid hormone (Chap-
ter 10).
Parathyroid hormone (PTH)(PAR-ah-THIGH-royd) A
hormone secreted by the parathyroid glands; increases
the reabsorption of calcium from bones and the absorp-
tion of calcium by the small intestine and kidneys
(Chapter 10).
Parietal(puh-RYE-uh-tuhl) 1. Pertaining to the walls of a
body cavity (Chapter 1). 2. The flat bone that forms the
crown of the cranial cavity (from the Latin “wall”)
(Chapter 6).
Parietal cells(puh-RYE-uh-tuhl SELLS) The cells of the
gastric pits of the stomach that secrete hydrochloric acid
and the intrinsic factor (Chapter 16).
Parietal lobes(puh-RYE-uh-tuhl LOWBS) The parts of
the cerebrum posterior to the frontal lobes; contain the
sensory areas for cutaneous sensation and conscious mus-
cle sense (Chapter 8).
Parkinson’s disease(PAR-kin-sonz) A progressive disorder
of the basal ganglia, characterized by tremor, muscle
weakness and rigidity, and a peculiar gait (Chapter 8).
Parotid glands(pah-RAH-tid) The pair of salivary glands
located just below and in front of the ears (Chapter 16).
Partial pressure(PAR-shul PRES-shur) 1. The pressure
exerted by a gas in a mixture of gases. 2. The value used
to measure oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations in
the blood or other body fluid (Chapter 15).
Parturition(PAR-tyoo-RISH-uhn) The act of giving birth
(Chapter 21).
Passive immunity(PASS-iv im-YOO-ni-tee) The immu-
nity provided by the reception of antibodies from
another source; may be natural (placental, breast milk) or
artificial (injection of gamma globulins) (Chapter 14).
Pasteurization (PAS-tyoor-i-ZAY-shun) The process of
heating a fluid to moderate temperatures in order to
destroy pathogenic bacteria (Chapter 22).
Patella(puh-TELL-ah) The kneecap, a short bone (from
the Latin “flat dish”) (Chapter 6).
Patellar reflex(puh-TELL-ar REE-fleks) A stretch reflex
integrated in the spinal cord, in which a tap on the patel-
lar tendon causes extension of the lower leg (Syn.—knee-
jerk reflex) (Chapter 8).
Pathogen(PATH-oh-jen) A microorganism capable of pro-
ducing disease; includes bacteria, viruses, fungi, proto-
zoa, and worms (Chapters 14, 22).
Pathophysiology (PATH-oh-FIZZ-ee-AH-luh-jee) The
study of diseases as they are related to functioning
(Chapter 1).
Pelvic cavity(PELL-vik KAV-i-tee) Inferior portion of the
ventral cavity, below the abdominal cavity (Chapter 1).
Penis(PEE-nis) The male organ of copulation when the
urethra serves as a passage for semen; an organ of elimi-
nation when the urethra serves as a passage for urine
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