Habenula
/həˈbɛnjʊlə/
A small area in the brain involved in the regulation of neurotransmitters like dopamine.
Hallux
/ˈhæləks/
The anatomical term for the big toe.
Hamate
/ˈhæmeɪt/
A wedge-shaped carpal bone in the wrist characterized by a hook-like process.
Hamstring
/ˈhæmstrɪŋ/
Any of the three tendons at the back of the knee or the associated muscles in the thigh.
Haustra
/ˈhɔːstrə/
Small pouches in the colon caused by sacculation, giving it a segmented appearance.
Haversian
/həˈvɜːrʒən/
Minute tubes (Haversian Canals) in the outer layer of bone that contain blood vessels.
Helicotrema
/ˌhɛlɪkoʊˈtriːmə/
The part of the cochlear labyrinth where the scala tympani and scala vestibuli meet.
Helix
/ˈhiːlɪks/
The curved outer rim of the external ear.
Hematopoiesis
/ˌhiːmətəpɔɪˈiːsɪs/
The production of all types of blood cells including formation and development.
Hemoglobin
/ˈhiːməˌɡloʊbɪn/
The protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body.
Hepatic
/hɪˈpætɪk/
Relating to the liver.
Hepatocyte
/hɛˈpætəsaɪt/
A liver cell, responsible for protein synthesis and detoxification.
Hetoerodont
/ˈhɛtərəˌdɒnt/
Having different types of teeth (incisors, canines, molars).
Hiatus
/haɪˈeɪtəs/
A natural opening or gap in a structure, such as the esophageal hiatus in the diaphragm.
Hilum
/ˈhaɪləm/
An indentation in the surface of an organ, where blood vessels and nerves enter.
Hippocampus
/ˌhɪpəˈkæmpəs/
A complex brain structure in the temporal lobe highly involved in learning and memory.
Histology
/hɪˈstɒlədʒi/
The study of the microscopic structure of tissues.
Holoerine
/ˈhɒləkrɪn/
Glands whose secretions are produced in the cytoplasm and released by the rupture of the cell.
Homeostasis
/ˌhoʊmioʊˈsteɪsɪs/
The tendency toward a relatively stable equilibrium between interdependent physiological processes.
Humerus
/ˈhjuːmərəs/
The bone of the upper arm, between the shoulder and the elbow.
Humor
/ˈhjuːmər/
A bodily fluid, such as the aqueous or vitreous humor in the eye.
Hyaline
/ˈhaɪəlɪn/
A translucent bluish-white type of cartilage present in the joints and respiratory tract.
Hymen
/ˈhaɪmən/
A membrane which partially closes the opening of the vagina.
Hyoid
/ˈhaɪɔɪd/
A U-shaped bone in the neck that supports the tongue.
Hyperextension
/ˌhaɪpərɪkˈstɛnʃən/
The extension of a joint beyond its normal range of motion.
Hypertrophy
/haɪˈpɜːrtrəfi/
The enlargement of an organ or tissue from the increase in size of its cells.
Hypochondriac
/ˌhaɪpəˈkɒndriæk/
The upper lateral region of the abdomen, situated under the cartilage of the ribs.
Hypodermis
/ˌhaɪpəˈdɜːrmɪs/
The layer of tissue immediately below the dermis; the subcutaneous layer.
Hypoglossal
/ˌhaɪpəˈɡlɒsəl/
The twelfth cranial nerve, which provides motor control to the muscles of the tongue.
Hypophysis
/haɪˈpɒfɪsɪs/
Another name for the pituitary gland.
Hypothalamus
/ˌhaɪpəˈθæləməs/
A region of the brain that coordinates the autonomic nervous system and pituitary gland.
Hypothenar
/ˌhaɪpəˈθiːnər/
The group of muscles on the palm of the human hand at the base of the little finger.