Digestive and Urinary Systems Vocabulary

Flashcards covering the key vocabulary terms from the lecture notes about the digestive and urinary systems.

Intraperitoneal

Organs enclosed by the peritoneum, more mobile (e.g., stomach, liver).

Retroperitoneal

Organs lying behind the peritoneum, less mobile (e.g., kidneys, pancreas).

Mesentery

Double layer of peritoneum anchoring organs; contains vessels and nerves.

Mesentery Proper

Anchors small intestine (jejunum and ileum) to posterior wall.

Mesocolon

Attaches the colon to the posterior wall (e.g., transverse mesocolon).

Falciform Ligament

Attaches liver to anterior body wall.

Lesser Omentum

Connects stomach and liver.

Greater Omentum

Hangs from greater curvature of stomach over intestines.

Mucosa

Innermost layer of GI tract; includes epithelium, lamina propria, muscularis mucosae.

Submucosa

Dense connective tissue with blood vessels, lymphatics, and nerves beneath the mucosa.

Muscularis Externa

Main muscle layer (circular and longitudinal); responsible for peristalsis.

Serosa

Outer covering of digestive tract (if intraperitoneal).

Adventitia

Outer covering of digestive tract (if retroperitoneal and not covered in serosa).

Rugae

Folds in the stomach lining that allow the stomach to expand.

Villi

Fingerlike projections of the mucosa in the small intestine; increase surface area.

Microvilli

Tiny projections on the villi (on epithelial cells) that create the brush border.

Haustra

Pouches in the colon created by taeniae coli that help with segmentation.

Peyer's Patches

Aggregated lymphoid nodules in the ileum that monitor and prevent bacterial growth.

Acinar Cells

Exocrine pancreas cells that produce digestive enzymes.

Islets of Langerhans

Endocrine clusters in pancreas that secrete hormones like insulin and glucagon.

Glomerulus

Capillary network in the kidney where filtration occurs.

Nephron

Functional unit of the kidney that filters blood and forms urine.

Collecting Duct

Carries urine to renal papilla.

Renal Papilla

Tip of renal pyramid that releases urine into minor calyx.

Ureter

Tube that carries urine from kidney to bladder.

Urethra

Tube that carries urine from bladder to outside of body.

Adrenal Cortex

Outer part of adrenal gland; produces corticosteroids and androgens.

Adrenal Medulla

Inner part of adrenal gland; produces epinephrine and norepinephrine.

Peristalsis

Wave-like muscle contractions that move food through the GI tract.

Segmentation

Churning contractions that mix food (no net movement); mostly in small intestine.

Chyme

Semi-liquid food + gastric secretions in the stomach that moves to the small intestine.

Gastric Pits

Small openings on stomach lining that lead to gastric glands.

Podocytes

Cells in Bowman's capsule aiding filtration.

Vasa Recta

Capillaries around the nephron loop; help concentrate urine.