Digestive System and Endocrine Function Review

These flashcards cover vocabulary and key concepts related to the digestive system and endocrine functions based on the provided lecture notes.

Liver

The largest visceral organ responsible for numerous metabolic processes.

Pancreas

An organ that has both exocrine and endocrine functions; produces digestive enzymes and hormones such as insulin.

Oral Cavity

The space within the mouth where digestion begins.

Esophagus

The muscular tube that connects the throat (pharynx) with the stomach.

Stomach

A hollow organ where the major part of digestion of food occurs.

Small Intestine

The part of the gastrointestinal tract where most of the end absorption of nutrients occurs.

Large Intestine

The last part of the digestive system, responsible for water absorption and feces formation.

Salivary glands

Glands that produce saliva to aid in digestion.

Gallbladder

A small organ that stores bile produced by the liver.

Peritoneum

A serous membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and covers the abdominal organs.

Lesser Omentum

A double layer of peritoneum that extends from the liver to the stomach.

Greater Omentum

A large fold of peritoneum that hangs down from the stomach and covers the intestines.

Mucosa

The innermost layer of the digestive tract, consisting of epithelial cells.

Submucosa

The layer of tissue external to the mucosa containing blood vessels and nerves.

Muscularis Externa

The muscle layer responsible for peristalsis in the digestive tract.

Serosa

The outermost layer of the digestive tract, composed of connective tissue.

Compaction

The process of absorbing water and consolidating feces in the large intestine.

Parotid gland

The largest salivary gland located near the cheek, involved in saliva production.

Sublingual gland

A salivary gland located beneath the tongue.

Submandibular gland

A salivary gland located beneath the mandible that produces the most saliva.

Salivary Amylase

An enzyme in saliva that begins the digestion of carbohydrates.

Salivary Lipase

An enzyme in saliva that begins the digestion of fats.

Motility

The capability of the digestive tract to move contents through contractions.

Neurotransmitter

A chemical messenger that transmits signals across a synapse.

Hormones

Chemical messengers produced by endocrine glands that regulate physiological processes.

Negative Feedback

A process through which the body maintains homeostasis by counteracting changes.

Positive Feedback

A process that amplifies changes, moving the system further away from equilibrium.

Endocrine glands

Glands that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream.

Target Cells

Cells that have receptors specific for certain hormones and respond to them.

Amine Hormones

Hormones derived from amino acids that cannot pass through cell membranes.

Peptide Hormones

Short chains of amino acids that also cannot pass through cell membranes.

Lipid-Derived Hormones

Hormones that can pass through cell membranes, including steroids.

Humoral stimuli

Stimulus that triggers hormone secretion in response to changing nutrient levels.

Neural stimuli

Stimulus in which neurotransmitters influence endocrine glands.

Thyroid Gland

Gland located in the neck that produces hormones regulating metabolism.

Thyroid Hormone

Hormones produced by the thyroid that regulate metabolism and growth.

Calcitonin

A hormone produced by the thyroid that decreases blood calcium levels.

Parathyroid Glands

Four small glands located on the back of the thyroid gland that regulate calcium.

Adrenal Glands

Glands that help the body respond to stress and regulate metabolism.

Epinephrine

A hormone produced by the adrenal medulla that enhances the body's fight or flight response.

Cortisol

A glucocorticoid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex involved in metabolism and stress response.

Aldosterone

A mineralocorticoid hormone that regulates sodium and water balance.

Pineal Gland

A small gland that secretes melatonin, regulating circadian rhythms.

Exocrine pancreas

Part of the pancreas that secretes digestive enzymes into ducts.

Endocrine pancreas

Part of the pancreas that secretes hormones directly into the bloodstream.

Glucagon

A hormone secreted by alpha cells of the pancreas that raises blood sugar levels.

Insulin

A hormone secreted by beta cells of the pancreas that lowers blood sugar levels.

The Thymus

An organ involved in the maturation of lymphocytes, mainly active during childhood.

Testes

Male reproductive glands that produce androgens such as testosterone.

Ovaries

Female reproductive glands that produce estrogen and progesterone.

Atrial Natriuretic Peptide

Hormone secreted by the heart that helps regulate blood pressure.

Juxtaglomerular Complex

Cells in the kidneys that secrete renin, contributing to blood pressure regulation.

Urethra

The duct through which urine is discharged from the bladder to the exterior.

Detrusor Muscle

The muscle layer of the bladder that contracts to expel urine.

Renal Cortex

The outer part of the kidney where filtration occurs.

Renal Medulla

The inner part of the kidney, containing renal pyramids.

Nephron

The functional unit of the kidney responsible for filtration and urine formation.

Filtration

The process by which waste and excess substances are removed from blood in the kidneys.

Tubular Fluid

The fluid in the nephron that has been modified from filtrate.

Renal Pelvis

The area where major calyces converge and urine collects before entering the ureter.

Calciums Role

Calcium regulates many physiological processes including muscle function and nerve transmission.

Rugae

Folds in the mucosa of the urinary bladder that allow for expansion.

Glomerulus

A network of capillaries that performs the first step of filtration in the kidneys.