Lecture Notes on Body Systems

Flashcards to review key concepts from lecture notes on the digestive, urinary, endocrine, and reproductive systems.

List the organs of the digestive tract.

Oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, anus

List the accessory organs of the digestive system.

Salivary glands, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, teeth, tongue

List the functions of the digestive system.

Ingestion, propulsion, mechanical digestion, chemical digestion, secretion, absorption, defecation

What is the difference between mechanical and chemical digestion?

Physical breakdown (e.g., chewing, churning) vs. Enzymatic breakdown (e.g., saliva, gastric juice, bile)

What is the parietal peritoneum?

Lines abdominal wall

What is the visceral peritoneum?

Covers organs

What is the mesentery?

Double-layer support of intestines

What is the function of the mucosa layer of the GI tract?

Epithelium (closest to bolus), absorption/secretion

What does the submucosa layer of the GI tract contain?

Blood vessels, lymph, nerves

What is the function of the muscularis layer of the GI tract?

Inner circular & outer longitudinal layers (aids in propulsion, churning)

What is the serosa/adventitia layer?

Outer layer (serosa hangs freely; adventitia anchors)

What is the esophagus?

Muscular tube for peristalsis

What are the regions of the stomach?

Cardia, fundus, body, pylorus

What are the functions of the stomach?

Storage, mixing, digestion

What do parietal cells secrete?

HCl, intrinsic factor

What do chief cells secrete?

Pepsinogen (activated to pepsin)

What do mucous cells secrete?

Protective mucus

What is the sphincter from the stomach to the duodenum?

Pyloric sphincter

What is the function of the duodenum?

Digestion (receives bile & enzymes)

What is the function of the jejunum?

Nutrient absorption

What is the function of the ileum?

B12 & bile salt absorption

What features increase absorption in the small intestine?

Villi & microvilli

What are the regions of the large intestine?

Cecum → Ascending → Transverse → Descending → Sigmoid → Rectum → Anus

What is the function of the large intestine?

Water absorption, feces formation

What are the salivary glands and what do they secrete?

Parotid, Submandibular, Sublingual → Secrete saliva (amylase, mucus, IgA)

What are the lobes of the liver?

Right, left, caudate, quadrate

What are the functions of the liver?

Bile production (by hepatocytes), detox, metabolism

What kind of blood is carried by the hepatic artery?

O₂-rich blood

What kind of blood is carried by the hepatic portal vein?

Nutrient-rich blood from GI

What kind of blood is carried by the Hepatic vein?

Drains blood out

What is the portal triad?

Hepatic artery, portal vein, bile duct

Explain the exocrine function of the pancreas.

Acinar cells → Digestive enzymes → Pancreatic duct → Duodenum

Explain the endocrine function of the pancreas.

Beta cells: Insulin; Alpha cells: Glucagon

What are the functions of the urinary system?

Filtration, waste removal, fluid/electrolyte balance

What is the structure of the kidney?

Cortex, medulla, pyramids, renal columns, calyces, pelvis

What is the nephron path?

Glomerulus → Bowman's capsule → PCT → Loop of Henle (descending → ascending) → DCT → Collecting duct → Minor calyx → Major calyx → Renal pelvis → Ureter → Bladder → Urethra

What is the epithelium of the bladder?

Transitional

What is hte function of the rugae (mucosa folds) of the bladder?

Allow expansion

What is the muscle of the bladder?

Detrusor

What are the functions of the endocrine system?

Hormone secretion, long-term regulation

What is the difference between the nervous and endocrine systems?

Fast, short-lived vs. Slow, long-lasting

What is negative feedback?

Hormone presence inhibits further secretion (e.g., LH)

What is positive feedback?

Amplifies (e.g., oxytocin in labor)

What hormones does the hypothalamus secrete?

Regulatory hormones

What hormones does the pituitary gland secrete?

Anterior: FSH, LH, GH, ACTH, TSH, Prolactin; Posterior: Oxytocin, ADH (vasopressin)

What hormones does the thyroid secrete?

T3, T4 (metabolism), Calcitonin (↓ blood calcium)

What hormones does the parathyroid secrete?

PTH (↑ blood calcium)

What hormones does the adrenal gland secrete?

Cortex: Aldosterone (Na⁺), Cortisol (stress); Medulla: Epinephrine, norepinephrine

Where does spermatogenesis occur?

In seminiferous tubules

What is spermatogenesis?

Spermatogonia → mature sperm

What is the function of nurse cells (Sertoli)?

Support sperm

What is the function of Interstitial (Leydig) cells?

Produce androgens (testosterone)

What hormones are related to the male reproductive system?

FSH, LH, testosterone

What is the sperm path?

Seminiferous tubules → Rete testis → Epididymis → Vas deferens → Ejaculatory duct → Urethra

What is the function of the cremaster muscle?

Temp regulation

What are the glands of the male reproductive system and what do they secrete?

Seminal vesicles: Fructose; Prostate: Enzymes; Bulbourethral: Mucus

What is the main organ of the female reproductive system?

Ovary (eggs + hormones)

What is the pathway of the female reproductive system?

Ovary → Uterine tube → Uterus → Cervix → Vagina

What does the vulva consist of?

Labia majora/minora, clitoris, vestibule

What are the phases of the ovarian cycle?

Follicular → Ovulation → Luteal

What is the ovarian follicle?

Ovum + follicular cells

What is the function of the corpus luteum?

Produces progesterone

What makes up the uterine wall?

Endometrium – sheds; Myometrium – muscle; Perimetrium – outer

What are the phases of the uterine cycle?

Menstrual → Proliferative → Secretory

What is the Progestational phase?

Progesterone from corpus luteum