Glossary 579by hypertrophy of the pyloric sphincter; a congenital dis-
order (Chapter 16).
Pyrogen(PYE-roh-jen) Any microorganism or substance
that causes a fever; includes bacteria, viruses, or chemi-
cals released during inflammation (called endogenous
pyrogens); activates the heat production and conserva-
tion mechanisms regulated by the hypothalamus
(Chapter 17).—Q—
QRS waveThe portion of an ECG that depicts depolariza-
tion of the ventricles (Chapter 12).
Quadrants(KWAH-drants) A division into four parts, used
especially to divide the abdomen into four areas to facil-
itate description of locations (Chapter 1).
Quadriplegia(KWAH-dri-PLEE-jee-ah) Paralysis of all
four limbs (Chapter 17).—R—
Radiation(RAY-dee-AY-shun) 1. The heat loss process in
which heat energy from the skin is emitted to the cooler
surroundings. 2. The emissions of certain radioactive ele-
ments; may be used for diagnostic or therapeutic pur-
poses (Chapter 17).
Radius(RAY-dee-us) The long bone of the forearm on the
thumb side (from the Latin “a spoke”) (Chapter 6).
Range-of-motion exercises(RANJE of MOH-shun)
Movements of joints through their full range of motion;
used to preserve mobility or to regain mobility following
an injury (Chapter 7).
Receptor(ree-SEP-tur) A specialized cell or nerve ending
that responds to a particular change such as light, sound,
heat, touch, or pressure (Chapter 5).
Receptor site(ree-SEP-ter SIGHT) An arrangement of
molecules, often part of the cell membrane, that will
accept only molecules with a complementary shape
(Chapter 3).
Recessive(ree-SESS-iv) In genetics, a characteristic that
will be expressed only if two genes for it are present in
the homologous pair of chromosomes (Chapter 21).
Recovery oxygen uptake(ree-KOV-e-ree AHKS-ah-jen
UP-tayk) Oxygen debt (Chapter 7).
Red blood cells(RED BLUHD SELLS) The most numer-
ous cells in the blood; carry oxygen bonded to the hemo-
globin within them (Syn.—erythrocytes) (Chapter 4).
Red bone marrow(RED BOWN MAR-row) The primary
hemopoietic tissue; found in flat and irregular bones;
produces all the types of blood cells (Chapter 6).
Reduced hemoglobin(re-DOOSD HEE-muh-GLOW-
bin) Hemoglobin that has released its oxygen in the sys-
temic capillaries (Chapter 11).
Referred pain(ree-FURDPAYNE) Visceral pain that is
projected and felt as cutaneous pain (Chapter 9).Reflex(REE-fleks) An involuntary response to a stimulus
(Chapter 8).
Reflex arc(REE-fleks ARK) The pathway nerve impulses
follow when a reflex is stimulated (Chapter 8).
Refraction(ree-FRAK-shun) The bending of light rays as
they pass through the eyeball; normal refraction focuses
an image on the retina (Chapter 9).
Relaxin(ree-LAKS-in) A hormone produced by the corpus
luteum and placenta; inhibits contractions of the
myometrium (Chapter 20).
Releasing hormones (ree-LEE-sing HOR-mohns)
Hormones released by the hypothalamus that stimulate
secretion of hormones by the anterior pituitary gland
(Syn.—releasing factors) (Chapter 10).
Remission(ree-MISH-uhn) Lessening of severity of symp-
toms (Chapter 8).
Renal artery(REE-nuhl AR-te-ree) The branch of the
abdominal aorta that takes blood into a kidney (Chap-
ter 18).
Renal calculi (REE-nuhl KAL-kew-lye) Kidney stones;
made of precipitated minerals in the form of crystals
(Chapter 18).
Renal corpuscle(REE-nuhl KOR-pus’l) The part of a
nephron that consists of a glomerulus enclosed by a
Bowman’s capsule; the site of glomerular filtration
(Chapter 18).
Renal cortex(REE-nuhl KOR-teks) The outermost tissue
layer of the kidney; consists of renal corpuscles and con-
voluted tubules (Chapter 18).
Renal failure(REE-nuhl FAYL-yer) The inability of the
kidneys to function properly and form urine; causes
include severe hemorrhage, toxins, and obstruction of
the urinary tract (Chapter 18).
Renal fascia(REE-nuhl FASH-ee-ah) The fibrous connec-
tive tissue membrane that covers the kidneys and the sur-
rounding adipose tissue and helps keep the kidneys in
place (Chapter 18).
Renal filtrate(REE-nuhl FILL-trayt) The fluid formed
from blood plasma by the process of filtration in the renal
corpuscles; flows from Bowman’s capsules through the
renal tubules where most is reabsorbed; the filtrate that
enters the renal pelvis is called urine (Chapter 18).
Renal medulla(REE-nuhl muh-DEW-lah) The inner tis-
sue layer of the kidney; consists of loops of Henle and
collecting tubules; the triangular segments of the renal
medulla are called renal pyramids (Chapter 18).
Renal pelvis(REE-nuhl PELL-vis) The most medial area
of the kidney; a cavity formed by the expanded end of the
ureter at the hilus of the kidney (Chapter 18).
Renal pyramids(REE-nuhl PEER-ah-mids) The triangu-
lar segments of the renal medulla; the papillae of the pyr-
amids empty urine into the calyces of the renal pelvis
(Chapter 18).
Renal tubule (REE-nuhl TOO-byool) The part of a
nephron that consists of a proximal convoluted tubule,30Scanlon(p3) Glossary 8/17/06 11:08 AM Page 579