Anatomical Functions Week 4

Vocabulary flashcards covering major anatomical structures, processes, and disorders of the Digestive and Urinary Systems.

Digestive System

Body system that breaks down food for absorption and metabolism.

Alimentary Canal (GI Tract)

Continuous tube from mouth to anus where food travels: mouth → pharynx → esophagus → stomach → small intestine → large intestine → anus.

Accessory Digestive Organs

Teeth, tongue, salivary glands, liver, gallbladder, pancreas that aid digestion.

Mechanical Digestion

Physical breakdown of food by chewing and churning.

Chemical Digestion

Enzymatic breakdown of macronutrients into smaller molecules.

Mastication

Chewing food into smaller pieces.

Peristalsis

Wavelike smooth-muscle contractions that move food through the GI tract.

Mucosa

Inner lining of GI tract that secretes mucus and digestive enzymes.

Submucosa

Connective tissue layer with blood vessels, lymph tissue, and nerves.

Muscularis

Smooth-muscle layer responsible for peristalsis.

Serosa (Visceral Peritoneum)

Outer protective covering of the digestive tract.

Vestibule

Area between teeth, lips, and cheeks inside the mouth.

Hard Palate

Bony anterior roof of the mouth.

Soft Palate

Posterior muscular part of roof of mouth that blocks nasal passages during swallowing.

Uvula

Hanging structure from soft palate that helps prevent food from entering nasal cavity.

Tongue

Muscular organ aiding in mastication, speech, and taste.

Incisors

Front teeth specialized to cut food.

Canines

Pointed teeth designed to tear food.

Premolars

Transitional teeth that grind and crush food.

Molars

Large back teeth that grind food.

Salivary Glands

Parotid, sublingual, and submandibular glands producing saliva.

Parotid Glands

Largest salivary glands located near ears; secrete amylase-rich saliva.

Sublingual Glands

Salivary glands under the tongue.

Submandibular Glands

Salivary glands beneath the jaw.

Amylase

Enzyme in saliva that begins starch digestion.

Pharynx

Throat; common passageway for food and air.

Esophagus

Muscular tube (~10 in) that transports food to stomach via peristalsis.

Esophageal Orifice

Opening in diaphragm through which esophagus passes.

Stomach

Expandable organ that churns food with gastric juices to form chyme.

Cardia

Region where esophagus enters the stomach.

Fundus

Upper left dome of the stomach.

Body (Stomach)

Main central region of the stomach.

Pylorus

Distal stomach region leading to small intestine.

Cardiac Sphincter

Valve controlling food entry from esophagus to stomach.

Pyloric Sphincter

Valve regulating chyme passage to duodenum.

Chyme

Semi-fluid mixture of food and gastric juices in stomach.

Hydrochloric Acid (HCl)

Strong acid in gastric juice activating pepsin and killing microbes.

Pepsin

Stomach enzyme that breaks proteins into amino acids.

Duodenum

First 10 in of small intestine; receives bile and pancreatic enzymes.

Jejunum

Middle section (~8 ft) of small intestine; primary site of nutrient absorption.

Ileum

Last section (~12 ft) of small intestine; absorbs vitamins and minerals.

Villi

Fingerlike projections in small intestine that increase absorptive surface area.

Microvilli

Microscopic extensions on villi that further expand surface area.

Peyer’s Patches

Lymphatic tissue clusters in ileum providing immune surveillance against intestinal pathogens.

Large Intestine

Organ that absorbs water/electrolytes, houses gut bacteria, and forms feces.

Cecum

First part of large intestine connecting to ileum.

Appendix

Narrow tube attached to cecum; part of immune system.

Colon

Main portion of large intestine: ascending, transverse, descending, sigmoid sections.

Rectum

Terminal large intestine segment storing feces before elimination.

Anus

Opening for feces elimination.

Liver

Large organ that produces bile and detoxifies blood.

Bile

Liver secretion that emulsifies fats for digestion.

Gallbladder

Organ that stores and concentrates bile.

Pancreas

Gland producing pancreatic juice for digestion and insulin for blood sugar regulation.

Pancreatic Juice

Enzyme-rich secretion that breaks down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats in small intestine.

Insulin

Pancreatic hormone that lowers blood glucose.

Urinary System

System that removes waste, excess water, and electrolytes from blood.

Kidneys

Bean-shaped organs that filter blood and form urine.

Ureters

Pair of tubes (~12 in) that carry urine from kidneys to bladder.

Bladder

Muscular sac that stores 700–800 mL of urine.

Urethra

Tube that conveys urine out of the body.

Renal Cortex

Outer layer of kidney where filtration begins.

Renal Medulla

Inner region containing pyramids and collecting ducts.

Renal Pelvis

Funnel-like cavity that channels urine to ureter.

Nephron

Functional unit of the kidney that forms urine.

Glomerulus

Capillary network in nephron where blood filtration occurs.

Bowman’s Capsule

Cup-shaped structure surrounding glomerulus to collect filtrate.

Renal Tubule

Nephron portion that reabsorbs nutrients and secretes wastes.

Collecting Duct

Channel that transports urine from nephrons to renal pelvis.

Filtration (Kidney)

Process where plasma leaves glomerulus into Bowman’s capsule.

Reabsorption

Return of water and nutrients from renal tubule to bloodstream.

Secretion

Active transport of wastes and drugs from blood into renal tubule.

Excretion

Elimination of urine through ureters, bladder, and urethra.

Kidney Stones

Crystallized minerals that obstruct urinary tract.

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

Bacterial infection of bladder or urethra.

Kidney Failure

Loss of kidney function; may require dialysis.

Lymphatic Vessels (in Digestion)

Absorb dietary fats from small intestine into bloodstream.

Gut Microbiome

Community of beneficial bacteria aiding digestion and immune function.

Lymphocytes (in Peyer’s Patches)

White blood cells that protect intestines from infection.