| genital system | The complex system consisting of the male or female gonads, associated ducts, and external genitalia dedicated to the function of reproducing the species. Synonym: reproductive system. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| genitourinary system | The organs concerned in the production and excretion of urine, together with the organs of reproduction. (12 Dec 1998) |
| parasympathetic nervous system | <anatomy, neurology> One of the two divisions of the vertebrate autonomic nervous sytem. Parasympathetic nerves emerge cranially as pre ganglionic fibres from oculomotor, facial, glossopharyngeal and vagus and from the sacral region of the spinal cord. most neurons are cholinergic and responses are mediated by muscarinic receptors. The parasympathetic system innervates, for example: salivary glands, thoracic and abdominal viscera, bladder and genitalia. Compare:. Sympathetic nervous system. (18 Nov 1997) |
| vertebral-basilar system | The arterial complex comprising the two vertebral arteries joining to form the basilar artery, and their immediate branches. (05 Mar 2000) |
| vertebral venous system | Any of four interconnected venous networks surrounding the vertebral column; anterior external vertebral venous plexus, the small system around the vertebral bodies; posterior external vertebral venous plexus, the extensive system around the vertebral processes; anterior internal vertebral venous plexus, the system running the length of the vertebral canal anterior to the dura; posterior internal vertebral venous plexus, the system running the length of the vertebral canal posterior to the dura; the latter two constitute the epidural venous plexus. Synonym: plexus venosus vertebralis, Batson's plexus, vertebral venous plexus. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cartilaginous part of skeletal system | The part of the skeleton composed of cartilage. Synonym: pars cartilaginosa systematis skeletalis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| masticatory system | The organs and structures primarily functioning in mastication: the jaws, teeth with their supporting structures, temporomandibular joint, muscles of mastication, tongue, lips, cheeks, and oral mucosa. Synonym: dental apparatus, masticatory apparatus. (05 Mar 2000) |
| redox system | <enzyme> An enzyme system in the tissues by which oxidation and reduction proceed simultaneously through the transference of hydrogen or of one or more electrons from one metabolite to another. See: oxidation-reduction. Synonym: redox system. (05 Mar 2000) |
| vestibular system | <anatomy> The organ of the inner ear containing several three semicircular ducts at right angles to one another, helps keep the body balanced. (09 Oct 1997) |
| caudal neurosecretory system | urohypophysis |
| glandular system | All the glands of the body collectively. (05 Mar 2000) |
| visceral nervous system | <anatomy> Neurons that are not under conscious control, comprising two antagonistic components, the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The autonomic nervous system regulates key functions including the activity of the cardiac (heart) muscle, smooth muscles (e.g., of the gut), and glands. The autonomic nervous system has two divisions: 1. The sympathetic nervous system that accelerates the heart rate, constricts blood vessels, and raises blood pressure. 2. The parasympathetic nervous system slows the heart rate, increases intestinal and gland activity, and relaxes sphincter muscles. (03 Jul 1999) |
| reminder system | <psychology> Systems used to prompt or aid the memory. The systems can be computerised reminders, colour coding, telephone calls, or devices such as letters and postcards. (12 Dec 1998) |
| cell-free system | <cell culture, molecular biology> Any system in which a normal cellular reaction is reconstituted in the absence of cells for example in vitro translation systems that will synthesise protein from mRNA using a lysate of rabbit reticulocytes or wheat germ. A fractionated cell extract that maintains a biological function. A subcellular fraction isolated by ultracentrifugation or other separation techniques must first be isolated so that a process can be studied free from all of the complex side reactions that occur in a cell. The cell-free system is therefore widely used in cell biology. (12 Dec 1998) |
| renal portal system | An arterial portal system, in which efferent glomerular arterioles receive blood from the capillaries of the renal glomeruli and carry it to the peritubular capillary plexus surrounding the proximal and distal convoluted tubules. Synonym: hypothalamohypophysial portal system. (05 Mar 2000) |