Organ Functions

Glottis

Opening at back of throat; opens into the trachea & esophagus

Epiglottis

Flap of cartilage that lies over the glottis; closes over the trachea during swallowing

Trachea

Tube that carries air between the pharynx (throat) and the bronchi/lungs

Esophagus

Tube that carries food from the pharynx (throat) to the stomach

Heart

Pumps blood to the lungs and all body tissues

Aorta

Major artery that carries oxygenated blood from L. ventricle toward the body tissues

Inferior & Superior Vena Cava

Major vein that carries deoxygenated blood from body tissues back to R. atrium

Diaphragm

Thin muscle that separates thoracic and abdominal cavities; assists in breathing by changing air pressure in the thoracic cavity

Lungs

Site of exchange of CO₂ and O₂ between air and blood

Peritoneum

Thin membrane that surrounds

Stomach

Churns to mechanically break down food; adds acids to food; partial protein digestion

Small Intestine

Most chemical digestion of food occurs here; absorbs nutrients into bloodstream

Large Intestine

Absorbs water

Gall Bladder

Stores bile

Pancreas

Makes digestive enzymes

Spleen

Immune system functions and recycles worn-out red blood cells

Kidneys

Filter urea and other wastes from blood to form urine

Liver

Makes bile and urea; carbohydrate and lipid metabolism; detoxifies alcohol; regulates blood sugar by storing glycogen

Pericardial Sac (or Pericardium)

Thin, fluid-filled membrane that surrounds and
protects the heart

Ureters

Carry urine from kidney to bladder

Urinary Bladder

Temporarily stores urine

Urethra

Carries urine from bladder to outside the body

Hepatic Duct

Carries bile from the liver to the gall bladder

Bile Duct

Carries bile from the gall bladder to the small intestine