554 GlossaryCartilage(KAR-ti-lidj) A connective tissue made of chon-
drocytes in a protein matrix; is firm yet flexible (Chap-
ter 4).
Catabolism(kuh-TAB-uh-lizm) Breakdown or degradation
reactions, in which larger molecules are broken down to
smaller molecules; often release energy (ATP) and are
catalyzed by enzymes (Chapter 17).
Catalyst(KAT-ah-list) A chemical that affects the speed of
a chemical reaction, while remaining itself unchanged;
enzymes are catalysts (Chapter 2).
Cataract(KAT-uh-rackt) An eye disorder in which the lens
becomes opaque and impairs vision (from the Latin
“waterfall”) (Chapter 9).
Catecholamines(KAT-e-KOHL-ah-meens) Epinephrine
and norepinephrine, the hormones secreted by the adre-
nal medulla (Chapter 10).
Cation (KAT-eye-on) An ion with a positive charge
(Chapter 2).
Cauda equina(KAW-dah ee-KWHY-nah) The lumbar
and sacral spinal nerves that hang below the end of the
spinal cord, before they exit from the vertebral canal
(Chapter 8).
Cavity(KAV-i-tee) A hollow area inside the body; the
principal cavities are the dorsal and ventral cavities
(Chapter 1).
Cecum(SEE-kum) The first part of the large intestine, the
dead-end portion adjacent to the ileum (from the Latin
“blindness”) (Chapter 16).
Cell(SELL) The smallest living unit of structure and func-
tion of the body (Chapter 1).
Cell body(SELL BAH-dee) The part of a neuron that con-
tains the nucleus (Chapter 4).
Cell-mediated immunity (SELL-MEE-dee-ay-ted im-
YOO-ni-tee) The mechanism of adaptive immunity that
does not involve antibody production, but rather the
destruction of foreign antigens by the activities of T cells
and macrophages (Chapter 14).
Cell (plasma) membrane (SELL MEM-brayn) The
membrane made of phospholipids, protein, and choles-
terol that forms the outer boundary of a cell and regu-
lates passage of materials into and out of the cell
(Chapter 2).
Cell respiration(SELL RES-pi-RAY-shun) A cellular
process in which the energy of nutrients is released in the
form of ATP and heat. Oxygen is required, and carbon
dioxide and water are produced (Chapter 2).
Cellulose(SELL-yoo-lowse) A polysaccharide produced
by plants for their cell walls; it is not digestible by
humans but is important as roughage or fiber in the diet
(Chapter 2).
Central(SEN-truhl) The main part; or in the middle of
(Chapter 1).
Central canal(SEN-truhl ka-NAL) The hollow center
of the spinal cord that contains cerebrospinal fluid
(Chapter 8).Central nervous system(SEN-tral NER-vuhs) The part
of the nervous system that consists of the brain and spinal
cord (Chapter 8).
Centrioles(SEN-tree-ohls) The cell organelles that organ-
ize the spindle fibers during cell division (Chapter 3).
Cerebellum(SER-e-BELL-uhm) The part of the brain
posterior to the medulla and pons; responsible for many
of the subconscious aspects of skeletal muscle function-
ing, such as coordination and muscle tone (Chapter 7).
Cerebral aqueduct(se-REE-bruhl A-kwi-dukt) A tunnel
through the midbrain that permits cerebrospinal fluid to
flow from the third to the fourth ventricle (Chapter 8).
Cerebral cortex(se-REE-bruhl KOR-teks) The gray mat-
ter on the surface of the cerebral hemispheres. Includes
motor areas, sensory areas, auditory areas, visual areas,
taste areas, olfactory areas, speech areas, and association
areas (Chapter 8).
Cerebrospinal fluid(se-REE-broh-SPY-nuhl) The tissue
fluid of the central nervous system; formed by choroid
plexuses in the ventricles of the brain, circulates in and
around the brain and spinal cord, and is reabsorbed into
cranial venous sinuses (Chapter 8).
Cerebrovascular accident (se-REE-broh-VAS-kyoo-lur)
A hemorrhagic or ischemic lesion in the brain, often the
result of aneurysm, arteriosclerosis, atherosclerosis, or
hypertension (Syn.—stroke) (Chapter 8).
Cerebrum(se-REE-bruhm) The largest part of the brain,
consisting of the right and left cerebral hemispheres; its
many functions include movement, sensation, learning,
and memory (Chapter 8).
Cerumen(suh-ROO-men) The waxy secretion of cerumi-
nous glands (Chapter 5).
Ceruminous gland(suh-ROO-mi-nus) An exocrine gland
in the dermis of the ear canal that secretes cerumen (ear
wax) (Chapter 5).
Cervical(SIR-vi-kuhl) Pertaining to the neck (Chapter 1).
Cervical vertebrae(SIR-vi-kuhl VER-te-bray) The seven
vertebrae in the neck (Chapter 6).
Cervix(SIR-viks) The most inferior part of the uterus that
projects into the vagina (Chapter 20).
Cesarean section(se-SAR-ee-an SEK-shun) Removal of
the fetus by way of an incision through the abdominal
wall and uterus (Chapter 21).
Chaperone(SHA-per-own) One of a large group of intra-
cellular proteins that is responsible for the proper folding
of new proteins and for the repair or disposal of damaged
proteins (Chapter 3).
Chemical clotting(KEM-i-kuhl KLAH-ting) A series of
chemical reactions, stimulated by a rough surface or a
break in a blood vessel, that result in the formation of a
fibrin clot (Chapter 11).
Chemical digestion (KEM-i-kuhl dye-JES-chun) The
breakdown of food accomplished by digestive enzymes;
complex organic molecules are broken down to simpler
organic molecules (Chapter 16).30Scanlon(p3) Glossary 8/17/06 11:08 AM Page 554