Descriptionary

liver the large organ beneath the diaphragm that produces bile and metabolizes fats, carbohydrates, proteins, minerals, and vitamins.

lungs in the chest, five air-processing lobes that oxy­genate and remove carbon dioxide from blood.

mammary glands the breast glands that produce milk.

ovaries an either side of the uterus, the female sex organs that produce progesterone, estrogen, and eggs.

pancreas near the duodenum, the organ that manu­factures insulin and digestive juices.

parathyroid glands behind the thyroid in the neck, four small glands that produce parathyroid hormone for the regulation of calcium and phos­phate metabolism.

parotid glands in front of each ear, the salivary glands.

penis the male sexual organ that conveys urine from the bladder and sperm from the testicles.

pharynx the passage for air and food; the throat.

pituitary gland important gland at the base of the skull, it secretes hormones that control metabolism and growth and the regulation of other glands.

prostate gland in men, a chestnut-shaped gland surrounding the urethra; it secretes the fluid in which sperm are transported in an ejaculation.

pylorus the outlet of the stomach that regulates the flow of food into the small intestine.

seminal vesicles located above the prostate gland in men, they store and discharge semen.

spinal cord from the base of the brain to the lower back, a cord containing nerves that send nerve impulses to and from the brain.

spleen beneath the diaphragm, an organ that destroys old blood cells.

stomach in the upper left portion of the abdomen, the organ that breaks down food through churning and acid action and then sends it on to the small intestine for digestion into the body.

testicles two small, ball-like organs in the scrotal sac that produce sperm and secrete male hormones.

thymus gland located beneath the sternum, it is thought to be useful in development up to the age of two, after which it degenerates.

thyroid gland on either side of the trachea, it manu­factures thyroxin, which regulates body metabolism.

tongue the organ of taste; aids in chewing, swallow­ing, and speech.

tonsils the lymph glands located at the back of the mouth, which frequently become infected and swol­len; their function is unknown.

trachea the windpipe leading to the lungs.

ureters the two urine-conveying tubes leading from the kidneys to the bladder.

uterus in women, the pelvic organ in which an embryo and fetus develops.

vagina the female sexual organ through which sperm is passed and through which a newborn is delivered.

psychology and psychiatry

abasia see astasia.

abreaction the psychoanalytic process of reducing anxiety by reliving through speech or action the expe­riences that cause anxiety.

accident-prone referring to a person whose neurotic desire for attention manifests itself by an unusual number of accidents or injuries.

achiria a hysterical state in which a person feels he has lost one or both of his hands.

acting out the external expression, through behav­ior, of an internal conflict.

aeroneurosis airplane pilot's neurosis characterized by restless anxiety.

affect the outward presentation or expression of oneself or one's mood, as through body language, tone of voice, facial expressions, all of which can be read for signs of distress or depression.

affective disorder any psychological disorder aris­ing from the emotions.

akathisia extreme restlessness, marked by pacing, fidgeting, foot-tapping, sometimes caused by psycho- tropic medications.

alethia dwelling excessively on past events.

altruism an unselfish concern for others or assis­tance to others without desire for reward.

ambivert a person with a combination of extro­verted and introverted personality traits.

amnesia the total loss of memory of past events.

anaclisis the psychological attachment to a person who reminds one of his mother or father during child­hood.

anniversary reaction anxiety or depression that may occur on the anniversary of a past loss or traumatic event.

anomie feelings of not being a part of society; alien­ation.

anorexia nervosa a psychiatric disorder character­ized by extreme dieting to the point of emaciation.

anosognosia in stroke or brain damage victims, a lack of awareness of and indifference toward one's medical condition.

antidepressant any one of various medications, such as Prozac, used to change brain chemistry and treat clinical depression.

antisocial personality a personality character­ized by impulsiveness, absence of conscience, and a complete disregard for others. Formerly known as a sociopath or psychopath.