Body Parts Vocabulary List (A-Z)

uh-KIL-eez TEN-dun | /əˈkɪl.iːz ˈtɛn.dən/

Meaning: The large tendon connecting the calf muscles to the heel bone.

Nutrition: Requires collagen and protein

Uses: Allows you to point your foot and push off the ground when walking.

Fun Fact: It is the largest and strongest tendon in the human body.

ANG-kul | /ˈæŋ.kəl/

Meaning: The joint where the foot meets the leg.

Nutrition: Requires calcium and vitamin D

Uses: Allows the foot to move up and down and supports body weight.

Fun Fact: The ankle is a synovial joint, meaning it is lubricated by fluid to reduce friction.

ay-OR-tuh | /eɪˈɔːr.tə/

Meaning: The main and largest artery in the human body.

Nutrition: Requires oxygen and nutrients

Uses: Carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body.

Fun Fact: The aorta is over a foot long and about an inch in diameter.

AHrm | /ɑːrm/

Meaning: The upper limb of the human body, extending from the shoulder to the wrist.

Nutrition: Requires protein and circulation

Uses: Used for reaching, lifting, and manipulating objects.

Fun Fact: The arm contains three main bones: the humerus, radius, and ulna.

AR-tuh-ree | /ˈɑːr.tər.i/

Meaning: A blood vessel that carries oxygenated blood away from the heart.

Nutrition: Requires oxygen and healthy fats

Uses: Transports oxygen-rich blood to tissues and organs.

Fun Fact: Arteries have thicker walls than veins to withstand the high pressure of blood pumped from the heart.

BYE-sep | /ˈbaɪ.sɛp/

Meaning: The large muscle on the front of the upper arm.

Nutrition: Requires protein

Uses: Flexes the elbow and rotates the forearm.

Fun Fact: The name 'bicep' comes from Latin meaning 'two-headed', as it has two tendons at the shoulder.

BLUD | /blʌd/

Meaning: The red liquid that circulates in the body's arteries and veins.

Nutrition: Contains iron and oxygen

Uses: Carries oxygen, nutrients, and immune cells throughout the body.

Fun Fact: Adults have about 1.2 to 1.5 gallons of blood in their bodies.

BOHN MAIR-oh | /boʊn ˈmær.oʊ/

Meaning: The soft, spongy tissue inside bones where blood cells are made.

Nutrition: Requires iron and vitamins

Uses: Produces red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

Fun Fact: Yellow marrow is mostly fat, while red marrow makes blood cells.

BRAYN | /breɪn/

Meaning: The organ inside the head that controls thought, memory, and movement.

Nutrition: Requires omega-3 fatty acids

Uses: Processes sensory information and controls the nervous system.

Fun Fact: The human brain is about 75% water.

BRONG-kuhs | /ˈbrɒŋ.kəs/

Meaning: One of the two main passageways that lead from the trachea to the lungs.

Nutrition: Requires oxygen

Uses: Carries air into the lungs for breathing.

Fun Fact: The right bronchus is wider and more vertical than the left, making it a common site for inhaled objects.

KAF | /kæf/

Meaning: The fleshy muscular back part of the lower leg.

Nutrition: Requires protein

Uses: Points the foot downward and helps you walk or run.

Fun Fact: The calf muscle is actually two muscles: the gastrocnemius and the soleus.

KAR-tuh-lij | /ˈkɑːr.təl.ɪdʒ/

Meaning: Firm, flexible connective tissue found in joints and the nose.

Nutrition: Requires collagen

Uses: Cushions bones at joints and provides structure to the nose and ears.

Fun Fact: Sharks have skeletons made entirely of cartilage, not bone.

ser-uh-BEL-um | /ˌsɛr.əˈbɛl.əm/

Meaning: The part of the brain responsible for balance and coordination.

Nutrition: Requires oxygen

Uses: Coordinates voluntary movements like walking and reaching.

Fun Fact: Despite being only 10% of the brain's volume, it contains over 50% of its neurons.

SUR-viks | /ˈsɜːr.vɪks/

Meaning: The lower, narrow end of the uterus that connects to the vagina.

Nutrition: Requires general health

Uses: Allows passage of menstrual blood and expands during childbirth.

Fun Fact: The cervix changes shape and firmness during a woman's menstrual cycle.

KLAV-ih-kul | /ˈklæv.ɪ.kəl/

Meaning: The long bone commonly known as the collarbone.

Nutrition: Requires calcium

Uses: Connects the arm to the body and supports shoulder movement.

Fun Fact: It is the most commonly fractured bone in the human body.

DEL-toyd | /ˈdɛl.tɔɪd/

Meaning: The large, triangular muscle covering the shoulder joint.

Nutrition: Requires protein

Uses: Allows the arm to lift and rotate.

Fun Fact: It is named after the Greek letter Delta, which is shaped like a triangle.

DUR-mis | /ˈdɜːr.mɪs/

Meaning: The thick, inner layer of skin beneath the epidermis.

Nutrition: Requires hydration

Uses: Houses blood vessels, nerves, and hair follicles.

Fun Fact: The dermis is where tattoos are injected to become permanent.

DY-uh-fram | /ˈdaɪ.ə.fræm/

Meaning: The dome-shaped muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen.

Nutrition: Requires oxygen

Uses: Contracts to pull air into the lungs during inhalation.

Fun Fact: Hiccups are caused by sudden, involuntary spasms of the diaphragm.

doo-uh-DEE-num | /ˌduː.əˈdiː.nəm/

Meaning: The first part of the small intestine immediately beyond the stomach.

Nutrition: Requires vitamins

Uses: Receives bile and pancreatic juices to digest food.

Fun Fact: It is named after the Latin word for 'twelve' because it is about twelve finger-breadths long.

DEN-teen | /ˈdɛn.tiːn/

Meaning: The hard, dense tissue that forms the bulk of a tooth beneath the enamel.

Nutrition: Requires calcium

Uses: Protects the inner pulp and supports the tooth's enamel.

Fun Fact: Dentine is actually harder than bone but softer than tooth enamel.

EER | /ɪr/

Meaning: The organ responsible for hearing and balance.

Nutrition: Requires general health

Uses: Detects sound waves and helps maintain physical equilibrium.

Fun Fact: The inner ear contains tiny hairs that send electrical signals to the brain.

EL-boh | /ˈɛl.boʊ/

Meaning: The joint between the upper and lower arm.

Nutrition: Requires calcium

Uses: Allows the arm to bend and straighten.

Fun Fact: The 'funny bone' is actually the ulnar nerve, not a bone, which causes a tingling feeling when hit.

ih-SOF-uh-gus | /ɪˈsɒf.ə.ɡəs/

Meaning: The muscular tube connecting the throat to the stomach.

Nutrition: Requires hydration

Uses: Transports swallowed food and liquids to the stomach.

Fun Fact: Muscles in the esophagus push food downward in waves, a process called peristalsis.

EYE | /aɪ/

Meaning: The organ of sight.

Nutrition: Requires Vitamin A

Uses: Detects light and converts it into images for the brain.

Fun Fact: The human eye can distinguish about 10 million different colors.

EYE-brow | /ˈaɪ.braʊ/

Meaning: The arch of hair above the eye.

Uses: Prevents sweat and debris from falling into the eyes.

Fun Fact: Eyebrows play a crucial role in non-verbal communication and facial expressions.

FAYS | /feɪs/

Meaning: The front part of the head from the forehead to the chin.

Nutrition: Requires general health

Uses: Houses the eyes, nose, and mouth, and displays facial expressions.

Fun Fact: The human face has over 40 muscles dedicated to making expressions.

FEE-mur | /ˈfiː.mər/

Meaning: The thigh bone, the longest and strongest bone in the body.

Nutrition: Requires calcium

Uses: Supports the body's weight and allows leg movement.

Fun Fact: The femur is so strong it can support up to 30 times the weight of an adult's body.

FIB-yoo-luh | /ˈfɪb.jʊ.lə/

Meaning: The outer and thinner of the two lower leg bones.

Nutrition: Requires calcium

Uses: Provides stability to the ankle and supports leg muscles.

Fun Fact: The fibula bears very little body weight compared to the tibia.

FING-gur | /ˈfɪŋ.ɡər/

Meaning: One of the five digits at the end of the human hand.

Nutrition: Requires circulation

Uses: Used for grasping, typing, and feeling objects.

Fun Fact: The thumb is technically not a finger, as it has only two phalanges compared to three in the fingers.

FOOT | /fʊt/

Meaning: The terminal part of the leg below the ankle.

Nutrition: Requires circulation

Uses: Supports body weight and allows walking and running.

Fun Fact: A quarter of all the bones in the human body are located in the feet.

GAWL-blad-ur | /ˈɡɔːlˌblæd.ər/

Meaning: A small sac that stores bile produced by the liver.

Nutrition: Requires low-fat diet

Uses: Releases bile into the small intestine to help digest fats.

Fun Fact: You can live without a gallbladder, as the liver can release bile directly.

JEN-ih-tulz | /ˈdʒɛn.ɪ.təlz/

Meaning: The external reproductive organs.

Nutrition: Requires general health

Uses: Used for reproduction and urination.

Fun Fact: The development of genitals is influenced by hormones during fetal growth.

GLOO-tee-us | /ˈɡluː.ti.əs/

Meaning: The large muscles of the buttocks.

Nutrition: Requires protein

Uses: Allows you to stand up, walk, and climb stairs.

Fun Fact: The gluteus maximus is the largest muscle in the human body.

GUMZ | /ɡʌmz/

Meaning: The firm tissue that surrounds the bases of the teeth.

Nutrition: Requires Vitamin C

Uses: Holds teeth in place and protects the underlying bone.

Fun Fact: Healthy gums should be pink and firm, not red and swollen.

GUT | /ɡʌt/

Meaning: The stomach or the intestines; the digestive tract.

Nutrition: Requires fiber

Uses: Digests food and absorbs nutrients.

Fun Fact: The gut contains trillions of bacteria known as the microbiome.

HAIR | /hɛər/

Meaning: The fine, thread-like strands growing from the skin.

Nutrition: Requires protein

Uses: Provides warmth, protects skin, and traps debris.

Fun Fact: Humans have about 100,000 hair follicles on their scalp.

HAND | /hænd/

Meaning: The end part of the arm beyond the wrist.

Nutrition: Requires circulation

Uses: Used for grasping, holding, and manipulating objects.

Fun Fact: The human hand has 27 bones, making it highly dexterous.

HART | /hɑːrt/

Meaning: The muscular organ that pumps blood throughout the body.

Nutrition: Requires oxygen

Uses: Circulates oxygen and nutrients via the bloodstream.

Fun Fact: The heart beats about 100,000 times a day.

HEEL | /hiːl/

Meaning: The back part of the foot below the ankle.

Nutrition: Requires hydration

Uses: Supports the back of the foot during walking and standing.

Fun Fact: The heel bone is the largest bone in the foot.

hy-poh-THAL-uh-mus | /ˌhaɪ.pəˈθæl.ə.məs/

Meaning: A region of the brain that controls the nervous and endocrine systems.

Nutrition: Requires healthy fats

Uses: Regulates body temperature, hunger, and thirst.

Fun Fact: The hypothalamus is only about the size of an almond.

IL-ee-um | /ˈɪl.i.əm/

Meaning: The third and final portion of the small intestine.

Nutrition: Requires Vitamin B12

Uses: Absorbs nutrients, particularly Vitamin B12 and bile salts.

Fun Fact: The ileum is about 10 to 12 feet long in an adult.

IN-deks FING-gur | /ˈɪn.dɛks ˈfɪŋ.ɡər/

Meaning: The finger next to the thumb, used for pointing.

Nutrition: Requires circulation

Uses: Used for precision tasks and indicating objects.

Fun Fact: In some cultures, pointing with the index finger is considered rude.

in-TES-tin | /ɪnˈtɛs.tɪn/

Meaning: The part of the digestive tract below the stomach.

Nutrition: Requires fiber

Uses: Absorbs water and nutrients from food.

Fun Fact: The small intestine is where 90% of nutrient absorption occurs.

EYE-ris | /ˈaɪ.rɪs/

Meaning: The colored part of the eye surrounding the pupil.

Nutrition: Requires Vitamin A

Uses: Controls the size of the pupil to regulate light entering the eye.

Fun Fact: Eye color is determined by the amount of melanin in the iris.

ISH-ee-um | /ˈɪʃ.i.əm/

Meaning: The lower, back part of the hip bone.

Nutrition: Requires calcium

Uses: Supports body weight when sitting.

Fun Fact: You are actually sitting on your ischium bones when you sit down.

JAW | /dʒɔː/

Meaning: The framework of the mouth containing the teeth.

Nutrition: Requires calcium

Uses: Holds teeth and allows the mouth to open and chew.

Fun Fact: The lower jaw is the only bone in the skull that can move.

juh-JOO-num | /dʒəˈdʒuː.nəm/

Meaning: The middle part of the small intestine.

Nutrition: Requires nutrients

Uses: Absorbs sugars, amino acids, and fatty acids.

Fun Fact: The jejunum has a thicker wall and more blood vessels than the rest of the intestine.

JOYNT | /dʒɔɪnt/

Meaning: A structure where two bones meet.

Nutrition: Requires collagen

Uses: Allows movement and provides structural support.

Fun Fact: There are over 300 joints in the adult human body.

JUG-yoo-lur VAYN | /ˈdʒʌɡ.jə.lər veɪn/

Meaning: The major veins in the neck that carry blood from the head to the heart.

Nutrition: Requires hydration

Uses: Drains deoxygenated blood from the brain and face.

Fun Fact: The jugular vein is often used to check a patient's pulse in emergencies.

KID-nee | /ˈkɪd.ni/

Meaning: A pair of organs that filter blood and produce urine.

Nutrition: Requires water

Uses: Removes waste and excess fluid from the blood.

Fun Fact: Kidneys filter about 200 quarts of fluid every day.

NEE-kap | /ˈniː.kæp/

Meaning: The small, round bone covering the front of the knee joint.

Nutrition: Requires calcium

Uses: Protects the knee joint and improves the leverage of the thigh muscles.

Fun Fact: The kneecap is scientifically known as the patella.

NUK-ul | /ˈnʌk.əl/

Meaning: The joints of the fingers, especially those visible when making a fist.

Nutrition: Requires calcium

Uses: Allows the fingers to bend and flex.

Fun Fact: Cracking your knuckles is caused by gas bubbles bursting in the joint fluid.

LAR-ingks | /ˈlær.ɪŋks/

Meaning: The organ in the throat that produces sound, commonly called the voice box.

Nutrition: Requires hydration

Uses: Houses the vocal cords and prevents food from entering the trachea.

Fun Fact: The larynx is larger in men, which causes the vocal cords to be longer, resulting in a deeper voice.

LEG | /lɛɡ/

Meaning: The limb used for walking, from the hip to the foot.

Nutrition: Requires protein

Uses: Supports the body and enables movement.

Fun Fact: The leg contains the femur, which is the longest bone in the body.

LIP | /lɪp/

Meaning: The fleshy edges of the mouth.

Nutrition: Requires hydration

Uses: Helps with speech, eating, and facial expressions.

Fun Fact: The skin on the lips is very thin, which is why they appear red from the blood vessels underneath.

LIV-ur | /ˈlɪv.ər/

Meaning: The large, reddish-brown organ that processes nutrients and detoxifies blood.

Nutrition: Requires healthy diet

Uses: Filters toxins and produces bile for digestion.

Fun Fact: The liver can regenerate itself even if up to 75% of it is removed.

LUNG | /lʌŋ/

Meaning: The organs in the chest responsible for breathing.

Nutrition: Requires oxygen

Uses: Exchanges oxygen and carbon dioxide with the air.

Fun Fact: The right lung is slightly larger than the left to make room for the heart.

MAN-di-bul | /ˈmæn.dɪ.bəl/

Meaning: The lower jawbone.

Nutrition: Requires calcium

Uses: Holds the lower teeth and allows the mouth to open and close.

Fun Fact: The mandible is the strongest and largest bone in the human skull.

met-uh-KAR-pus | /ˌmɛt.əˈkɑːr.pəs/

Meaning: The bones of the hand between the wrist and fingers.

Nutrition: Requires calcium

Uses: Forms the structure of the palm and supports finger movement.

Fun Fact: There are five metacarpal bones in each hand.

MOH-lur | /ˈmoʊ.lər/

Meaning: The large, flat teeth at the back of the mouth used for grinding.

Nutrition: Requires calcium

Uses: Crushes and grinds food during chewing.

Fun Fact: Adults typically have 12 molars, including the wisdom teeth.

MOWTH | /maʊθ/

Meaning: The opening in the face used for eating and speaking.

Uses: Intake of food, verbal communication, and breathing.

Fun Fact: The mouth is the start of the digestive system.

MUS-ul | /ˈmʌs.əl/

Meaning: A tissue that contracts to produce movement.

Nutrition: Requires protein

Uses: Moves body parts, maintains posture, and circulates blood.

Fun Fact: It takes 17 muscles to smile and 43 to frown.

NAYL | /neɪl/

Meaning: The hard, keratinous covering on the tips of fingers and toes.

Nutrition: Requires biotin

Uses: Protects the fingertips and enhances tactile sensitivity.

Fun Fact: Fingernails grow about three times faster than toenails.

NAY-vul | /ˈneɪ.vəl/

Meaning: The small scar on the abdomen where the umbilical cord was attached.

Uses: No biological function after birth; a remnant of the umbilical cord.

Fun Fact: The navel is also commonly called the belly button.

NEK | /nɛk/

Meaning: The part of the body connecting the head to the shoulders.

Nutrition: Requires calcium

Uses: Supports the head and allows it to turn and nod.

Fun Fact: The neck contains the cervical spine, which has seven vertebrae.

NURV | /nɜːrv/

Meaning: A bundle of fibers that transmits electrical signals between the brain and the body.

Nutrition: Requires Vitamin B12

Uses: Carries sensory input to the brain and motor commands to muscles.

Fun Fact: The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the human body.

NOHZ | /noʊz/

Meaning: The part of the face used for smelling and breathing.

Uses: Detects odors filters and warms air before it reaches the lungs.

Fun Fact: Your nose can remember around 50,000 different scents.

ok-SIP-i-tul BOHN | /ɒkˈsɪp.ɪ.təl boʊn/

Meaning: The bone at the back of the skull.

Nutrition: Requires calcium

Uses: Protects the brain's visual processing center.

Fun Fact: The occipital bone surrounds the foramen magnum, where the spinal cord connects to the brain.

OP-tik NURV | /ˈɒp.tɪk nɜːrv/

Meaning: The nerve that transmits visual information from the eye to the brain.

Nutrition: Requires Vitamin A

Uses: Allows you to see by sending images to the brain.

Fun Fact: Each eye has over a million nerve fibers making up its optic nerve.

OR-ul KAV-i-tee | /ˈɔːr.əl ˈkæv.ɪ.ti/

Meaning: The space inside the mouth containing the teeth and tongue.

Uses: Begins digestion and houses the taste buds.

Fun Fact: Saliva in the oral cavity contains enzymes that start breaking down food immediately.

ol-FAK-tuh-ree BULB | /ɒlˈfæk.tər.i bʌlb/

Meaning: A neural structure in the front of the brain involved in smell.

Nutrition: Requires oxygen

Uses: Processes information about smells detected by the nose.

Fun Fact: Unlike many other brain cells, neurons in the olfactory bulb can regenerate.

PAN-kree-us | /ˈpæŋ.kri.əs/

Meaning: A gland behind the stomach that produces insulin and digestive enzymes.

Nutrition: Requires healthy diet

Uses: Regulates blood sugar and helps digest food.

Fun Fact: The pancreas acts as both an endocrine and exocrine gland.

puh-TEL-uh | /pəˈtɛl.ə/

Meaning: The small bone in front of the knee, also known as the kneecap.

Nutrition: Requires calcium

Uses: Protects the knee joint and improves thigh muscle function.

Fun Fact: The patella is a sesamoid bone, meaning it is embedded within a tendon.

PEL-vis | /ˈpɛl.vɪs/

Meaning: The large bony structure at the base of the spine.

Nutrition: Requires calcium

Uses: Connects the spine to the legs and supports the abdominal organs.

Fun Fact: The pelvis is shaped differently in men and women to accommodate childbirth.

fuh-LAN-jeez | /fəˈlæn.dʒiːz/

Meaning: The bones that make up the fingers and toes.

Nutrition: Requires calcium

Uses: Provides structure and allows movement of the digits.

Fun Fact: Each hand has 14 phalanges, and each foot has 14 as well.

PUL-muh-ner-ee AR-tuh-ree | /ˈpʊl.məˌnɛr.i ˈɑːr.tər.i/

Meaning: The artery carrying deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs.

Nutrition: Requires oxygen

Uses: Transports blood to the lungs to pick up oxygen.

Fun Fact: It is the only artery in the body that carries deoxygenated blood.

KWOD-ri-sep | /ˈkwɒd.rɪ.sɛp/

Meaning: The large muscle group at the front of the thigh.

Nutrition: Requires protein

Uses: Straightens the knee and flexes the hip.

Fun Fact: As the name implies, the quadricep is actually a group of four muscles.

RAY-dee-us | /ˈreɪ.di.əs/

Meaning: The shorter and thicker of the two bones in the forearm.

Nutrition: Requires calcium

Uses: Supports the forearm and allows it to rotate.

Fun Fact: The radius is the bone that moves when you twist your wrist.

REK-tum | /ˈrɛk.təm/

Meaning: The final straight portion of the large intestine.

Nutrition: Requires fiber

Uses: Stores feces before they are excreted.

Fun Fact: The rectum signals the brain when it is full and ready to empty.

RET-i-nuh | /ˈrɛt.ɪ.nə/

Meaning: The light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eye.

Nutrition: Requires Vitamin A

Uses: Converts light into neural signals sent to the brain.

Fun Fact: The retina has over 100 million photoreceptor cells.

RIB | /rɪb/

Meaning: One of the curved bones protecting the chest cavity.

Nutrition: Requires calcium

Uses: Protects the heart and lungs.

Fun Fact: Humans have 12 pairs of ribs, despite the myth that men have one fewer than women.

ROH-tay-tur KUF | /ˈroʊ.teɪ.tər kʌf/

Meaning: A group of muscles and tendons surrounding the shoulder joint.

Nutrition: Requires protein

Uses: Stabilizes the shoulder and allows arm rotation.

Fun Fact: Injuries to the rotator cuff are common in baseball pitchers.

SHOHL-dur | /ˈʃoʊl.dər/

Meaning: The joint connecting the arm to the torso.

Nutrition: Requires protein

Uses: Provides a wide range of motion for the arm.

Fun Fact: The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the human body, making it the most prone to dislocation.

SY-nus | /ˈsaɪ.nəs/

Meaning: Air-filled cavities in the bones of the face.

Uses: Lighten the weight of the skull and produce mucus.

Fun Fact: Sinus infections often cause pressure and pain in the face.

SKIN | /skɪn/

Meaning: The outer layer of tissue covering the body.

Nutrition: Requires Vitamin E

Uses: Protects internal organs and regulates body temperature.

Fun Fact: Skin is the largest organ in the human body.

SKUL | /skʌl/

Meaning: The bony framework of the head.

Nutrition: Requires calcium

Uses: Protects the brain and forms the structure of the face.

Fun Fact: The skull is made up of 22 individual bones fused together.

SPYN | /spaɪn/

Meaning: The series of vertebrae running down the back.

Nutrition: Requires calcium

Uses: Supports the body and protects the spinal cord.

Fun Fact: A healthy human spine has natural S-shaped curves.

STUR-num | /ˈstɜːr.nəm/

Meaning: The long flat bone in the center of the chest.

Nutrition: Requires calcium

Uses: Protects the heart and connects the rib bones.

Fun Fact: The sternum is also commonly called the breastbone.

STUM-uk | /ˈstʌm.ək/

Meaning: The muscular organ where food is broken down by acid.

Nutrition: Requires hydration

Uses: Breaks down food using digestive acids.

Fun Fact: The stomach's lining replaces itself every 3 to 4 days to prevent acid damage.

TEETH | /tiːθ/

Meaning: The hard, calcified structures in the mouth used for chewing.

Nutrition: Requires calcium

Uses: Bites, tears, and crushes food.

Fun Fact: Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body.

TIB-ee-uh | /ˈtɪb.i.ə/

Meaning: The inner and larger bone of the lower leg, below the knee.

Nutrition: Requires calcium

Uses: Bears the weight of the body and connects the knee to the ankle.

Fun Fact: The tibia is commonly known as the shinbone.

TUNG | /tʌŋ/

Meaning: The fleshy muscular organ in the mouth used for tasting and speaking.

Uses: Manipulates food and houses taste buds.

Fun Fact: Just like fingerprints, everyone's tongue print is unique.

TRAY-kee-uh | /ˈtreɪ.ki.ə/

Meaning: The windpipe; the tube connecting the larynx to the lungs.

Nutrition: Requires oxygen

Uses: Allows air to pass to and from the lungs.

Fun Fact: The trachea is kept open by C-shaped rings of cartilage.

TOH | /toʊ/

Meaning: The digits at the end of the foot.

Nutrition: Requires circulation

Uses: Helps with balance and pushing off the ground when walking.

Fun Fact: The big toe is medically known as the hallux.

UL-nuh | /ˈʌl.nə/

Meaning: The longer and thinner of the two bones in the forearm.

Nutrition: Requires calcium

Uses: Forms the elbow joint and stabilizes the forearm.

Fun Fact: The ulna is the bone that makes up the pointy part of your elbow.

um-BIL-i-kus | /ʌmˈbɪl.ɪ.kəs/

Meaning: The medical term for the navel or belly button.

Uses: Marks the spot where the umbilical cord was attached before birth.

Fun Fact: The shape of the umbilicus is determined by how the scar heals after birth.

yoo-REE-tur | /jʊˈriː.tər/

Meaning: The tube carrying urine from the kidney to the bladder.

Nutrition: Requires water

Uses: Transports urine away from the kidneys.

Fun Fact: Kidney stones often get stuck in the narrow ureter, causing severe pain.

YOO-tur-us | /ˈjuː.tər.əs/

Meaning: The organ in the pelvis where a fetus develops.

Nutrition: Requires iron

Uses: Houses and nourishes a developing baby.

Fun Fact: During pregnancy, the uterus can expand to 500 times its normal size.

YOO-vyoo-luh | /ˈjuː.vjʊ.lə/

Meaning: The fleshy extension hanging at the back of the throat.

Uses: Helps prevent food from entering the nasal cavity.

Fun Fact: The uvula plays a role in the gag reflex and snoring.

VAY-gus NURV | /ˈveɪ.ɡəs nɜːrv/

Meaning: The longest cranial nerve, running from the brainstem to the abdomen.

Nutrition: Requires healthy fats

Uses: Controls heart rate, digestion, and reflexes like coughing.

Fun Fact: Stimulating the vagus nerve has been shown to reduce anxiety and depression.

VAYN | /veɪn/

Meaning: A blood vessel carrying deoxygenated blood toward the heart.

Nutrition: Requires hydration

Uses: Returns blood from the body back to the heart.

Fun Fact: Veins have one-way valves to prevent blood from flowing backward.

VEN-tri-kul | /ˈvɛn.trɪ.kəl/

Meaning: The two lower chambers of the heart.

Nutrition: Requires oxygen

Uses: Pumps blood out of the heart to the lungs and body.

Fun Fact: The left ventricle is the thickest chamber because it pumps blood to the entire body.

VUR-tuh-bruh | /ˈvɜːr.tə.brə/

Meaning: One of the small bones forming the backbone.

Nutrition: Requires calcium

Uses: Protects the spinal cord and supports the upper body.

Fun Fact: Humans typically have 33 vertebrae at birth, which fuse into 26 in adults.

VIT-ree-us HYOO-mur | /ˈvɪt.ri.əs ˈhjuː.mər/

Meaning: The clear, gel-like substance filling the inside of the eye.

Nutrition: Requires hydration

Uses: Keeps the eye's shape and holds the retina in place.

Fun Fact: Floaters in your vision are tiny clumps in the vitreous humor casting shadows.

WAYST | /weɪst/

Meaning: The part of the abdomen between the ribs and hips.

Uses: Provides flexibility to the torso.

Fun Fact: Waist size is often used as an indicator of cardiovascular health.

WYTE BLUD SEL | /waɪt blʌd sɛl/

Meaning: Cells of the immune system that protect the body from infection.

Nutrition: Requires Vitamin C

Uses: Fights off bacteria, viruses, and foreign invaders.

Fun Fact: A single drop of blood contains thousands of white blood cells.

WIND-pype | /ˈwɪnd.paɪp/

Meaning: The common name for the trachea.

Nutrition: Requires oxygen

Uses: Carries air to and from the lungs.

Fun Fact: The windpipe is located just in front of the esophagus.

RIST | /rɪst/

Meaning: The joint connecting the hand to the forearm.

Nutrition: Requires calcium

Uses: Allows the hand to move, rotate, and flex.

Fun Fact: The wrist is made up of eight small carpal bones arranged in two rows.

ZY-foid PRAH-ses | /ˈzaɪ.fɔɪd ˈprɒs.ɛs/

Meaning: The small, cartilaginous lower part of the sternum.

Nutrition: Requires calcium

Uses: Serves as an attachment point for abdominal muscles.

Fun Fact: It is mostly cartilage until it ossifies into bone around age 40.

YEL-oh MAIR-oh | /ˈjɛl.oʊ ˈmær.oʊ/

Meaning: The fatty tissue found in the central cavity of long bones.

Nutrition: Requires healthy fats

Uses: Stores fat and acts as an energy reserve for the body.

Fun Fact: In emergencies, yellow marrow can convert back into red marrow to produce blood cells.

zy-goh-MAT-ik BOHN | /ˌzaɪ.ɡəˈmæt.ɪk boʊn/

Meaning: The bone that forms the prominence of the cheek.

Nutrition: Requires calcium

Uses: Provides structure to the face and protects the eye.

Fun Fact: It is commonly known as the cheekbone.

zy-goh-MAT-ik MAY-jur | /ˌzaɪ.ɡəˈmæt.ɪk ˈmeɪ.dʒər/

Meaning: A muscle of the face that draws the corners of the mouth upward.

Nutrition: Requires circulation

Uses: Creates the facial expression of a smile.

Fun Fact: It is often referred to as the 'smiling muscle'.