DIGESTIVE SYSTEM OF THE FROG

Digestive system

The system in the frog responsible for digestion and absorption of food.

Alimentary canal

The long, complete, and coiled tube in the frog's digestive system consisting of the mouth, buccal cavity, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, intestine, rectum, and cloaca.

Digestive glands

Glands in the frog's digestive system that produce enzymes for digestion of ingested food.

Mouth

The starting point of the alimentary canal in the frog, with two bony jaws covered by immovable lips.

Buccal cavity

The wide and shallow cavity connected to the mouth, comprising a ciliated columnar epithelial lining and mucous glands for food lubrication.

Teeth

Rows of teeth found on the upper jaw and vomers of the frog's buccal cavity, used to check the escape of captured prey.

Internal nostrils

Openings in the roof of the buccal cavity near the vomerine teeth, connecting the buccal cavity to the nasal cavities for respiratory gas exchange.

Tongue

A large, sticky, muscular, and protrusible organ located at the base of the mouth cavity in frogs.

Orbit-bulging

Oval and large pale areas behind the vomerine teeth on the roof of the buccal cavity, which bulge the eyeballs and help push food into the pharynx during swallowing.

Pharynx

The part of the alimentary canal behind the buccal cavity, tapering and opening into the esophagus, with a wide Eustachian tube on each lateral side and the glottis for respiration.

Oesophagus

A broad, short, and muscular section of the alimentary canal that directs food from the pharynx to the stomach.

Stomach

A broad, slightly curved bag or tube with thick muscular walls in the left side of the frog's body cavity, responsible for storage and digestion of food.

Small intestine

A long, coiled, and narrow tube in the frog's digestive system, consisting of the anterior duodenum and posterior ileum, where digestion is completed and absorption of nutrients occurs.

Rectum

A short and wide tube in the frog's digestive system where undigested food material is stored before expulsion from the cloaca.

Cloaca

The terminal part of the digestive system in frogs, where the anus and urinogenital apertures open, and undigested food material is removed.

Liver

The largest gland in the frog's body that secretes bile, which is stored in the gallbladder and helps in digestion and pH regulation of food.

Pancreas

A long and irregularly lobed gland in the frog's digestive system that secretes pancreatic juice containing enzymes for digestion of food.

Buccal Digestion

The initial stage of digestion in the frog's buccal cavity, where no physical or chemical changes occur to the captured prey.

Gastric Digestion

The stage of digestion that occurs in the stomach of the frog, involving storage, mechanical mixing, and chemical modifications of food by gastric juice.

Intestinal Digestion

The final stage of digestion that occurs in the small intestine of the frog, where pancreatic juice and bile are secreted to further break down and digest food.

Steapsin

Lipase enzyme that acts on emulsified fat to form fatty acids and glycerol.

Succus Entericus

Alkaline fluid containing enzymes like enterokinase, peptidases, lipase, maltase, invertase, lactase, ribonuclease, and deoxyribonuclease.

Enterokinase

Enzyme that activates inactive trypsinogen to form active trypsin.

Peptidases

Proteolytic enzymes like erepsin that break down polypeptides into amino acids.

Lipase

Enzyme that acts on emulsified fats to convert them into fatty acids.

Maltase

Enzyme that acts on maltose to convert it into sugars.

Invertase

Enzyme that acts on sucrose to break it down into glucose.

Lactase

Enzyme that acts on lactose to break it down into glucose.

Ribonuclease

Enzyme that changes nucleic acids into nucleotides used in DNA, RNA, and ATP synthesis.

Deoxyribonuclease

Enzyme that changes nucleic acids into nucleotides used in DNA, RNA, and ATP synthesis.

Absorption

Process of taking in digested food into the blood.

Duodenum

Part of the alimentary canal where absorption mainly takes place.

Ileum

Part of the alimentary canal where absorption mainly takes place.

Villi

Small finger-like projections in the duodenum and ileum that increase the absorptive surface area.

Assimilation

Process of using absorbed food for energy and structure.

Glycogen

Excess glucose stored in the liver and skeletal muscles.

Amino acids

Building blocks of proteins used for growth and repair.

Egestion

Expulsion of undigested food materials from the body.

Anus

Opening through which undigested food is expelled from the body.

Peristalsis

Muscle contractions that move undigested food through the digestive tract.

Rectum

Part of the digestive tract where undigested food is stored before elimination.

Feces

Undigested waste material that is eliminated from the body.

Histology

Study of the microscopic structure of tissues and organs.

Tunica serosa

Outermost layer of an organ, formed by the visceral peritoneum.

Tunica muscularis

Layer of smooth muscle responsible for the movement of the organ.

Tunica submucosa

Layer of connective tissue containing blood vessels and nerves.

Tunica mucosa

Innermost layer of the organ, composed of epithelial cells.

Rugae

Longitudinal folds in the stomach that increase its surface area.

Villi

Finger-like projections in the small intestine that increase its surface area.

Liver

Largest gland in the body responsible for bile secretion and various metabolic processes.

Bile

Fluid secreted by the liver that aids in digestion and absorption of fats.

Pancreas

Accessory organ connected to the digestive tract, producing pancreatic juices and hormones.

Exocrine

Part of the pancreas that produces digestive enzymes.

Endocrine

Part of the pancreas that produces hormones like insulin and glucagon.

Islets of Langerhans

Clusters of cells within the pancreas that produce hormones.

Gastric hyperacidity

Excessive secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach.

Vomiting

Reflex act of expelling stomach contents through the mouth.

Indigestion

Disturbed digestion or failure to digest food properly.

Peptic ulcer

Loss of tissues in the digestive tract, often in the stomach or duodenum.

Colic

Acute abdominal pain usually caused by smooth muscle contraction or obstruction.

Gallstones

Precipitation of bile constituents in the gallbladder or bile ducts.

Jaundice

Yellowing of the skin and eyes due to obstruction of bile flow.

Constipation

Condition where bowels are evacuated infrequently or with difficulty.

Diarrhea

Increased frequency and loose bowel movements usually caused by gastrointestinal diseases.

Flatulence

Presence or sensation of excessive gas in the stomach and intestines.