Anatomy, Pathology, and Lab Essentials: A Comprehensive Glossary

Anatomy, Pathology, and Lab Essentials

Bones: Rigid organs that make up the skeletal system of vertebrates, providing support and protection for the body’s organs.

Cranium: The part of the skull that protects the brain.

Backbone: Also known as the spine or vertebral column, a flexible and strong structure running along the center of the back, made up of small bones called vertebrae.

Skull: A bony framework enclosing the brain of a vertebrate.

Joints: The points where two or more bones, or a bone and cartilage, are attached in the body.

Ligaments: Short bands of tough, flexible fibrous connective tissues that connect two bones or cartilages, or hold joints together.

Cartilage: Firm, flexible connective tissue found in various forms, from which the bones of babies are made.

Skeleton: A framework of bones, cartilages, or other rigid material supporting or containing the body.

Bone marrow: A semi-solid tissue found within the spongy portions of bones.

Spinal cord: A long, thin, tubular structure made up of nervous tissues, extending from the medulla to the lumbar region of the backbone.

Reagent: A substance or compound used in a chemical reaction to detect, measure, analyze, or produce other substances.

Toxic chemicals: Substances that can cause harm, illness, or death when ingested, inhaled, or come into contact with the skin.

Corrosive: A substance that can cause damage or destruction to materials, living tissues, or the environment through chemical reactions.

Oxidizer: Also known as an oxidizing agent, a substance that can accept electrons from another substance in a chemical reaction.

Biological samples: Materials derived from living organisms used for scientific analysis, research, or diagnostic purposes.

Cells: The basic structural and functional units of all living organisms.

Tissues: Groups of cells that work together to perform a specific function in an organism. In multicellular organisms, cells organize themselves into tissues to carry out specialized tasks efficiently.

DNA: A molecule that carries the genetic instructions for the development, functioning, growth, and reproduction of all living organisms.

Bioethics: A field of study that explores the ethical, legal, and social implications of advances in biology, medicine, and healthcare.

Biobanking: The collection, storage, and management of biological samples for research purposes.

Samples: Small or representative portions of a larger population or substance collected and analyzed for research purposes.

Biosamples: Biological samples collected from living organisms for scientific research and analysis.

Biological materials: Any substance derived from living organisms that can be used for scientific research, medical diagnostics, or therapeutic purposes.

Disease: A pathological condition that alters the normal functioning of an organism, leading to characteristic symptoms and signs.

Facilities: The physical structures, buildings, and spaces used to support the functioning of an organization or business.

General pathology: A branch of medical science that deals with the study of the underlying mechanisms of diseases.

To diagnose: To identify or determine the nature or cause of a disease, condition, problem, or issue by examining the symptoms.

Fungi: A diverse group of eukaryotic organisms, distinct from plants, animals, and bacteria, playing essential roles in various ecosystems as decomposers, symbionts, and pathogens.

Cross contamination: The transfer of harmful microorganisms, allergens, or other contaminants from one surface to another.

Photosensitive materials: Polymers that undergo rapid physical and chemical changes in a relatively short period of time after being irradiated by light.

Sterile container: A container designed to collect biological samples.

To keep aside: To reserve something to be used at a later time.

Infectious substances: Substances known to contain, or reasonably expected to contain, pathogens.

Absorbent material: A material having the capacity or tendency to absorb another substance.

Pouch: A bag, sac, or small container for small quantities of something.

Workload: The amount of work that an employee is expected to perform.

Disposal: The act of getting rid of something.

Glassware: Articles made of glass.

Magnetic stirrers: A device consisting of a rotating magnet that creates a rotating magnetic field.

Micropipette: A very slender pipette for transferring or measuring minute amounts of something.

Hazardous materials: Any item or agent (biological, chemical, physical) which has the potential to cause harm to humans, animals, or the environment.

First aid: The medical attention that is usually administered immediately after an injury occurs.

Fire blanket: A safety device designed to extinguish incipient (starting) fires.

Fire drill: The set of actions that should be performed to safely leave a building, such as an office, factory, or school, when it is on fire, or an occasion when this is practiced.

Fire alarm: A device making a loud noise that gives warning of a fire.

Epithelial cells: A type of cell that lines the surfaces and cavities of the body, forming a protective barrier that helps to separate different tissues and organs from each other.

Red blood cells: The most common type of blood cell in the human body, responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body’s tissues and organs, and for transporting carbon dioxide back to the lungs to be exhaled.

Hemorrhoids: Also known as piles, swollen and inflamed veins in the rectum and anus that can cause discomfort, pain, itching, and bleeding.

White blood cells (WBC): A type of blood cell that plays an essential role in the immune system, helping the body fight off infections and diseases by attacking and destroying pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, etc.

Slide dryer: Equipment used to prepare slides for viewing in histology, cytology, pathology, biology, and other laboratory or clinical contexts.

Automatic slide stainers: Devices that automate the staining of peripheral blood and other hematologic smears to facilitate laboratory microscope differential counts.

Cooling plate: A metallic plate with a fluid circulating inside.

Microtome: An instrument for cutting extremely thin sections of material for examination under a microscope.