Organ Anatomy & Functions

Vocabulary flashcards covering the anatomy and physiological roles of key human organs from the respiratory, circulatory, digestive, and renal systems.

Epiglottis

Known as the "trash can lid flap" of the airway, it closes over the trachea during swallowing to prevent food or liquid from entering the lungs and opens during breathing.

Larynx

Commonly referred to as the voice box, it houses the vocal cords for speech and connects the pharynx to the trachea.

Trachea

Also known as the windpipe, this main rigid airway tube is reinforced with cartilage rings and connects the larynx to the left and right mainstem bronchi.

Lungs

Respiration organs consisting of five lobes (3 right, 2 left) that trap airborne bacteria and produce specialized immune cells to prevent infections.

Diaphragm

The major muscle of respiration located beneath the lungs that contracts downward during inhalation and separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity.

Heart

The central muscular pump that delivers oxygen and nutrients to tissues and pumps carbon dioxide and cellular waste back to the lungs and kidneys.

Skin

The largest organ of the human body and part of the integumentary system; it acts as a physical barrier and regulates body temperature.

Esophagus

A muscular tube located behind the trachea that uses peristalsis (wave-like contractions) to push food from the throat to the stomach.

Stomach

A J-shaped muscular reservoir that uses acid and churning to break down food into a liquid mixture before passing it to the small intestine.

Liver

A large organ in the Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ) responsible for filtering toxins from the blood and producing bile for fat digestion.

Gallbladder

A non-essential pouch located beneath the liver that stores and releases extra bile to help break down fatty foods.

Pancreas

A gland located behind the stomach that produces insulin to regulate blood sugar and secretes digestive enzymes into the small intestine.

Small Intestine

A long, coiled tube where major chemical digestion occurs and nutrients are absorbed directly into the bloodstream.

Large Intestine

Also known as the colon; it absorbs water and salts from indigestible food waste and solidifies the product for excretion.

Appendix

A small pouch attached near the junction of the small and large intestine (RLQ) containing lymphatic tissue; its inflammation is known as appendicitis.

Spleen

A solid organ in the Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ) that filters blood, breaks down old red blood cells, and produces white blood cells.

Kidneys

Organs that prepare liquid waste for removal, assist in red blood cell production, and help regulate blood pressure and Vitamin D levels.

Bladder

A flexible, hollow muscular sac in the pelvis that collects, stores, and releases urine filtered by the kidneys.