Vertebrates I: Fetal Pig Dissection

Flashcards covering the vocabulary and key concepts from the Fetal Pig Dissection lecture notes.

Chordata

The phylum that includes all animals with an internal skeletal support system.

Vertebrate

Animals with true backbones, which are grouped into the subphylum Vertebrata.

Invertebrate

Animals without backbones, comprising about 95% of all animal species.

Notochord

A flexible rod providing skeletal support found in chordates.

Dorsal hollow nerve cord

The structure that develops into the central nervous system in chordates.

Pharyngeal gill slits

Grooves found in the pharynx of some chordates that allow for filter feeding or respiration.

Postanal tail

A tail that extends beyond the anal opening, characteristic of chordates.

Endoskeleton

A skeletal structure that grows with the organism, unlike the exoskeleton of many invertebrates.

Cranium

The part of the axial skeleton that encloses the brain.

Vertebral column

The series of vertebrae extending from the skull to the tail.

Pectoral girdle

The bony structure that connects the forelimbs to the axial skeleton.

Pelvic girdle

The bony structure that connects the hindlimbs to the axial skeleton.

Central nervous system (CNS)

The brain and spinal cord, developed from the dorsal hollow nerve cord.

Pharynx

The anteriormost portion of the digestive tract located just behind the mouth.

Diaphragm

A muscular partition that separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities.

Intrauterine embryonic development

A type of development in mammals where embryos are nourished by placental membranes.

Mammalia

The class under which pigs and humans fall, characterized by mammary glands.

Artiodactyla

The order of mammals that includes pigs, known as even-toed ungulates.

Endothermal Regulation

The ability of mammals to maintain a warm internal body temperature.

Sebaceous glands

Glands in the skin that secrete oil or fat.

Mammary glands

Glands that produce milk to nourish newborns.

Nares

Nostrils found in the snout of a pig.

Papillae

Small projections on the tongue containing taste buds.

Cardiac stomach

The larger chamber of the stomach where food is initially stored and broken down.

Pyloric sphincter

The muscular valve at the end of the stomach that opens into the small intestine.

Duodenum

The first segment of the small intestine adjacent to the stomach.

Gallbladder

The organ that stores bile produced by the liver.

Spleen

A lymphatic organ involved in the destruction of old red blood cells.

Esophagus

The tube that connects the pharynx to the stomach for food passage.

Peristalsis

The involuntary contractions that move food through the digestive tract.

Jejunum

The segment of the small intestine where most nutrient absorption occurs.

Ileum

The final segment of the small intestine before it joins the large intestine.

Ceacum

A small pouch at the start of the large intestine, involved in fermentation.

Colon

The longest segment of the large intestine, responsible for water reabsorption.

Rectum

The final segment of the digestive tract leading to the anus.

Mesentery

The membrane that supports and holds the intestines in place.

Rugae

Folds in the stomach lining that allow it to expand.

Xiphoid process

The posteriormost bone of the sternum, used in dissections as a pull tab.

Pleurisy

Inflammation of the pleural membranes in the thoracic cavity.

Peritonitis

Inflammation of the peritoneal membranes in the abdominal cavity.

Larynx

The voice box involved in sound production and respiration.

Trachea

The windpipe leading from the larynx to the bronchi.

Thymus gland

An endocrine gland important for immune system development in mammals.

Thyroid gland

An endocrine gland that regulates metabolism and development.