New Words
Some of the words you have met in this book may be new to you. Many of
them are words you’ll meet again, so they are good words to know. Here
are some of these words. Next to each word you are shown how to say it:
Achilles’ tendon (uh [kihl]{.smallcaps} eez [tehn]{.smallcaps}
duhn). The part shown in capital letters is said a little more loudly
than the rest of the word. Under each word, the meaning is given in a
complete sentence.
Achilles’ tendon (uh KIHL eez TEHN duhn) The Achilles’ tendon is a
tough cord of tissue at the back of the ankle. It connects the calf
muscles to the heel bone. The name comes from a Greek legend about the
warrior, Achilles. When he was a baby, his mother dipped him in the
River Styx so that he would live forever. But the heel she held him by
did not get wet. So Achilles could be killed by a wound in the heel.
anvil [(an]{.smallcaps} vuhl)
The anvil is one of three small bones (the others are the hammer and
stirrup) in the middle ear. It is called the anvil because it is shaped
like a blacksmith’s anvil.
aorta (ay [awr]{.smallcaps} tuh)
The aorta is the biggest and longest artery in the body. It carries
fresh blood away from the heart.
appendix (uh [pehn]{.smallcaps} dihks)
The appendix is a small, narrow baglike tube attached to the large
intestine. So far as we know, it serves no purpose. But when it is
infected, it causes a disease called appendicitis.
artery [(ahr]{.smallcaps} tuhr ee)
An artery is a tube that carries fresh blood away from the heart.
bacteria (bak [tihr]{.smallcaps} ee uh)
Bacteria are tiny living cells. They can be seen only through a
microscope.
biceps [(by]{.smallcaps} sehps)
The large muscle in the front of the upper arm is called the biceps.
bladder [(blad]{.smallcaps} uhr)
The bladder is a stretchy baglike organ that stores urine until the body
is ready to get rid of it.
bronchial tubes [(brahng]{.smallcaps} kee uhl toobs) Bronchial tubes
lead from the trachea, or windpipe, to the lungs. The sickness called
bronchitis is caused by an infection of the bronchial tubes.
calf (kaf)
The large muscle at the back of the leg, below the knee, is called the
calf.
carbohydrate (KAHR boh HY drayt) Carbohydrate is one of three main
kinds of food (the others are protein and fat). Carbohydrates provide
the energy to operate muscles and nerves. They also repair and build
body tissues.
carbon dioxide [(kahr]{.smallcaps} buhn dy AHK syd) Carbon dioxide
is the tasteless, odorless, colorless gas made by cells as they use food
and oxygen.
cartilage (KAHR tuh lihj)
Cartilage is tough, strong tissue that is not as hard as bone. It is
found between bones and in the nose and ears.
cochlea [(kahk]{.smallcaps} lee uh)
The cochlea is a tube in the inner ear. It is shaped like the shell of a
sea snail. Nerves in the cochlea send messages about sound to the brain.
collarbone [(kahl]{.smallcaps} uhr bohn)
The long, thin, curved bone at the front of the shoulder is the
collarbone.
cornea (KAWR nee uh)
The cornea is a clear cover over the colored part of the eyeball.
cytoplasm [(sy]{.smallcaps} tuh [plaz]{.smallcaps} uhm) Everything
in a cell except the nucleus is called cytoplasm.
dental hygienist [(dehn]{.smallcaps} tuhl [hy]{.smallcaps} jee
nihst) A dental hygienist is a person who is trained to clean and polish
teeth and assist the dentist in other ways.
dermis [(dur]{.smallcaps} mihs)
The dermis is the layer of skin below the epidermis, which is the top
layer.
diaphragm [(dy]{.smallcaps} uh fram)
The diaphragm is the large muscle between the lungs and the part of the
body that contains the stomach and intestines. The diaphragm is used in
breathing.
digestion (duh [jehs]{.smallcaps} chuhn)
Digestion is the way in which food is changed in the body so that it can
be used by the body.
enzyme (EN zym)
An enzyme is a special substance that helps digest food by breaking it
down into tiny molecules.
epidermis (ehp uh DUR mihs)
The epidermis is the top layer of skin.
epiglottis (ehp uh [glaht]{.smallcaps} ihs)
The epiglottis is a kind of trap door made of cartilage that fits over
the opening into the trachea, or windpipe. The epiglottis is open when
air moves in and out of the trachea. When food is swallowed, the
epiglottis closes to keep the food from entering the trachea.
esophagus (ee [sahf]{.smallcaps} uh guhs)
The esophagus is the tube between the mouth and the stomach.
follicle [(fahl]{.smallcaps} uh kuhl)
A follicle is an opening in the skin from which a hair grows.
gall bladder (gawl BLAD uhr)
The gall bladder is a small sack that lies beneath the liver. It stores
liquids that help to digest food.
gene (jeen)
A gene is the tiny part of a cell that controls the color of hair, eyes,
and skin; the height and shape of a person; and other important things.
gland (gland)
A gland is a part in the body that makes certain special things the body
needs. There are sweat, tear, and oil glands. There are also glands that
make liquids that help digest food and glands that control growth.
hammer (HAM uhr)
The hammer is one of three small bones (the others are the anvil and
stirrup) in the middle ear. It is shaped like a hammer.
intestine (in [tes]{.smallcaps} tuhn)
The long, coiled tube that lies beneath the stomach is called the
intestine.
After food leaves the stomach, it enters the intestine, where the last
part of digestion takes place.
iris [(eye]{.smallcaps} rihs)
The iris is the blue, brown, gray, or green circle in the eye.
joint (joynt)
A joint is a point where bones fit together. Some joints move, like
those in the legs. Other joints, like those at the top of the skull, do
not move.
jugular vein (JUHG yuh luhr vayn) The jugular vein is a large vein
that carries blood from the head to the heart.
kidneys (KIHD neez)
Kidneys are two large organs behind the stomach that clean waste
products from the blood.
kneecap (NEE kap)
The kneecap is the bone at the front of the knee joint.
laboratory (LAB ruh tawr ee) A laboratory is a place where
scientific work is done.
larynx (LAR ingks)
The larynx is a section of the air passage in the throat. It is between
the back of the tongue and the trachea. It is sometimes called the voice
box because it is shaped like a box and the upper part contains the
vocal cords.
lens (lehns)
The lens is the part of the eye just behind the pupil. It sends light
rays to the back of the eye.
liver [(lihv]{.smallcaps} uhr)
The liver is a large gland that lies under the diaphragm. It makes a
liquid that helps digest food. It does many other things as well. The
liver stores fat, sugar, and iron. It helps blood to clot and destroys
poisons.
lungs (lungz)
Lungs are two organs in the chest. Blood going back to the heart trades
carbon dioxide for oxygen in the lungs.
melanin (MEHL uh nihn)
Bits of color found in skin, hair, and eyes are called melanin.
minerals [(mihn]{.smallcaps} uhr uhlz) Minerals are found in certain
foods. The body needs minerals such as iron, calcium, and iodine to work
properly.
molecule [(mahl]{.smallcaps} uh kyool)
A molecule is the smallest bit into which something can be divided and
still be the same as the original thing.
mucus [(myoo]{.smallcaps} kuhs)
Mucus is a thick liquid found in the nose and other openings in the
body.
nasal cavity (NAY zuhl KAV uh tee) The nasal cavity is a large
tunnel behind the nose.
navel (NAY vuhl)
The navel is the scar or mark in the middle of the stomach. It is
sometimes called the bellybutton. This is where the umbilical cord was
attached to a baby before birth.
nerve (nurv)
A nerve is a tiny cord along which messages travel to and from the
brain.
nostrils (NAHS truhlz)
The nostrils are the two openings in the nose.
nucleus (NOO klee uhs)
The nucleus is the control center that directs the activities of a cell.
It is usually near the middle of the cell.
optic nerve (AHP tihk nurv)
The nerve that leads from the back of the eyeball to the seeing part of
the brain is called the optic nerve.
organ [(awr]{.smallcaps} guhn)
An organ is a part of the body that does a special job. The heart is an
organ. So are the lungs and brain.
orthodontist (awr thuh DAHN tihst) An orthodontist is a special
dentist who straightens teeth.
ovary [(oh]{.smallcaps} vuhr ee)
An ovary is one of two tiny glands in a girl’s body. When a girl is
grown, the ovaries will make the eggs from which babies can develop.
oxygen (AHK suh juhn)
Oxygen is a gas found in the air. Animals and plants need oxygen to
live.
pancreas [(pan]{.smallcaps} kree uhs)
The pancreas is a gland that makes a liquid that helps digest food.
pelvis [(pehl]{.smallcaps} vihs)
The frame made by the hip bones and the end of the spine is the pelvis.
penis (PEE nihs)
The penis is the part of a boy’s body that contains the urethra.
pituitary gland (pih TOO uh [tehr]{.smallcaps} ee gland) The
pituitary gland controls the other glands. It lies just underneath the
brain.
protein [(proh]{.smallcaps} teen)
Protein is one of three main kinds of food (the others are carbohydrates
and fats). Living things must have proteins to stay alive. The body
needs proteins to build new cells and repair damaged ones.
protoplasm [(proh]{.smallcaps} tuh [plaz]{.smallcaps} uhm) The stuff
that all living cells are made of is called protoplasm.
pulse (puhls)
The pulse is a beating caused by a stretching of the arteries after each
heartbeat. It can be felt on the underside of the wrist and other places
where an artery is near the surface.
pupil [(pyoo]{.smallcaps} puhl)
The pupil is a round opening through
which light enters the eye. It looks like a black circle and is in the
middle of the iris.
rectum (REHK tuhm)
The rectum is the lowest part of the large intestine. Solid waste
products pass through it as they leave the body.
retina [(reht]{.smallcaps} uh nuh)
The retina is the inner layer at the back of the eyeball. It contains
thousands of nerves that carry messages to the optic nerve.
salivary glands (SAL uh vehr ee glandz) Three pairs of glands,
called salivary glands, make saliva. Saliva is a sticky liquid made in
the mouth. It is important in the digestion of food.
scrotum (SKROH tuhm)
The scrotum is the part of a boy’s body that contains the testicles.
shoulder blade (SHOHL duhr blayd) The shoulder blade is the broad,
flat bone at the back of the shoulder.
sinuses [(sy]{.smallcaps} nuhs uhz)
Sinuses are air cavities, or openings, in the skull joined to the nasal
cavity.
sperm (spurm)
Sperm are cells that help a new life begin. Sperm cells are made in a
man’s testicles.
spinal cord [(spy]{.smallcaps} nuhl kawrd) The spinal cord is a
long, thick bundle of nerves in the spine.
stirrup (STUR uhp)
The stirrup is one of three small bones (the others are the anvil and
the hammer) in the middle ear. It looks like a stirrup.
tendon [(tehn]{.smallcaps} duhn)
A tendon is a tough, strong cord that joins a muscle and a bone.
testicles [(tehs]{.smallcaps} tuh kuhlz)
Testicles are glands in a boy’s scrotum. When the boy is grown, the
testicles will make the sperm cells that make the eggs in a woman’s body
develop into a baby.
tissue (TISH oo)
Groups of cells that are alike and work together to do special jobs for
the body are called tissue. There are many kinds of tissue. Muscles are
tissue. Organs are made of many tissues.
tonsils [(tahn]{.smallcaps} sulz)
Tonsils are a special tissue in the throat that help the body fight
germs. But when the tonsils are badly infected, they may almost block
the throat. Then they have to be taken out.
trachea [(tray]{.smallcaps} kee uh)
The trachea, or windpipe, is the tube that carries air to the lungs. The
lower part of the trachea is connected to the bronchial tubes.
triceps [(try]{.smallcaps} sehps)
The triceps is the large muscle at the back of the upper arm.
umbilical cord (uhm [bihl]{.smallcaps} uh kuhl kawrd) The umbilical
cord is the cord that joins a baby to its mother before birth. A baby
receives food and oxygen through this cord. After a baby is born, this
cord is cut. The scar or mark that is left is called the navel.
ureters (yu REE tuhrz)
Ureters are the tubes that lead from the kidneys to the bladder.
urethra (yu REE thruh)
The urethra is the tube that leads from the bladder out of the body. It
carries liquid waste products the body cannot use.
urine (YUR uhn)
Urine is the liquid waste product made by the kidneys.
uterus (YOO tuhr uhs)
The uterus is the organ in a mother’s body where a baby can grow and
wait to be born.
vagina (vuh JY nuh)
The vagina is the part of a girl’s body that leads from the uterus out
of the body.
veins (vaynz)
Veins are tubes in the body that carry used blood back to the heart.
vena cava [(vee]{.smallcaps} nuh KAY vuh) A vena cava is either of
two large veins that open into the heart.
vitamin (VY tuh mihn)
A vitamin is an important substance that the body needs to stay healthy.
There are many different kinds of vitamins. Milk, meat, fish,
vegetables, fruit, eggs, and cereal contain vitamins.
vocal cords [(voh]{.smallcaps} kuhl kawrds)
The vocal cords are two strips of tissue that stretch across the larynx.
Air passing through the larynx vibrates the vocal cords and makes
sounds.
waste products (wayst PRAHD uhktz) Things the body cannot use are
called waste products. Liquid waste is passed out through the urethra.
Solid waste is passed out of the body through the rectum.
Illustration acknowledgments
The publishers of Childcraft gratefully acknowledge the following
artists, photographers, publishers, agencies, and corporations for
illustrations in this volume. Page numbers refer to two-page spreads.
The words \”(left),\” \”(center),\” \”(top),\” \”(bottom),\” and
\”(right)\” indicate position on the spread. All illustrations are the
exclusive property of the publishers of Childcraft unless names are
marked with an asterisk (*).
- (top left) Childcraft photo; (top right and bottom left) © Steve
Leonard *; (center) Childcraft photo by Phoebe Dunn; (bottom
right) Lawrence Migdale *
