earthworm anatomy

epidermis

outer most layer of tissue

gizzard

grinds the food before passing it to the intestine

esophagus

connecting tube between the pharynx and the crop, the aortic arches wrap around this structure

brain

concentration/cluster of nerve tissue, connected to the ventral nerve cords

aortic arches

“hearts”, pump blood

setae

aid with movement of the worm through soil

dorsal blood vessel

carries blood along tip of the body, reenters aortic arches

elitellum

used during mating, “cocoon” for developing young

nephridia

“kidney-like” structures found in each segment to secrete wastes

mouth

anterior opening, first anatomical structure of the digestive system

seminal vessels

male reproductive, produce sperm

anus

opening to release solid digestive wastes

intestine

digestive and absorption of food

pharyngeal muscle

aids in the movement of food source to esophagus

pharynx

located in segments 1-6, soil mixture passes through here after mouth

ventral nerve cord

attached to the brain, sends and receives messages aiding in the coordination of movement

ovaries

female reproductive organs, produce eggs

prostomium

covering over mouth, “lip”

ventral blood vessel

fluid travels from aortic arches by way of this vessel to the capillary beds

crop

storage area for food