Nervous, Endocrine, Digestive, and Lymphatic Systems

Vocabulary flashcards covering the somatic and autonomic nervous systems, homeostasis, key autonomic drugs, endocrine organs, digestive tract anatomy, and the lymphatic system based on lecture notes.

Somatic system

The voluntary nervous system.

Autonomic nervous system

The involuntary portion of the nervous system, divided into the sympathetic branch and the parasympathetic branch.

Sympathetic branch

The branch of the autonomic nervous system known as fight or flight, which dilates pupils, speeds heart rate, and dilates the bronchial tree.

Parasympathetic branch

The branch of the autonomic nervous system known as rest and relax, which slows heart rate, shrinks pupils, and causes bronchoconstriction.

Adrenaline

A hormone/neurotransmitter produced inside the body by the adrenal glands that powers the sympathetic nervous system.

Epinephrine

The synthetic version of adrenaline produced in a laboratory and administered via syringe or medical device.

Adrenal glands

Glands located on top of the kidneys that produce adrenaline inside the human body.

Homeostasis

The state of stability where the body continuously makes internal adjustments to maintain normal oxygen, $CO_2$, pH, and blood glucose levels.

Albuterol

A respiratory drug that stimulates the sympathetic nervous system to cause bronchodilation.

Atrovent

A bronchodilator (generic name ipratropium bromide) that functions by suppressing or paralyzing the parasympathetic nervous system.

Acetylcholine (ACh)

The primary neurotransmitter/hormone workhorse of the parasympathetic (rest and relax) nervous system.

Crocodile brain

A simplified term for the midbrain and brain stem, which manages automatic survival functions like breathing, heart rate, and autonomic responses.

Endocrine system

The system composed of glands and hormones responsible for the chemical control of the body.

Pancreas

An organ containing specialized endocrine tissue that manufactures the hormone insulin.

Digestive system

The organ system responsible for the three main functions: breakdown, absorption, and elimination.

Esophagus

A normally flat, posterior tube starting at the larynx that carries swallowed contents down to the stomach.

Peristalsis

The sequential, wave-like squeezing motion used by hollow tubes in the body (such as the esophagus or small intestine) to propel contents.

Gallbladder

An organ located on the liver in the right upper quadrant that stores and concentrates bile produced by the liver.

Lymphatic system

A system of vessels and nodes that picks up fluid escapees (interstitial fluid) from tissues, aids in immunity, and returns fluid to venous circulation.

Lymph nodes

Structures positioned along lymph vessels where immune system cells filter lymph fluid and destroy unwanted toxins or pathogens.

Somatic system

The voluntary branch of the nervous system.

Autonomic nervous system

The involuntary portion of the nervous system, divided into the sympathetic branch and the parasympathetic branch.

Sympathetic branch

The branch of the autonomic nervous system associated with fight or flight that dilates pupils, speeds heart rate, and dilates the bronchial tree.

Parasympathetic branch

The branch of the autonomic nervous system associated with rest and relax that slows heart rate, shrinks pupils, and causes bronchoconstriction.

Adrenaline

A hormone and neurotransmitter produced inside the human body by the adrenal glands to power the sympathetic nervous system.

Epinephrine

The synthetic version of adrenaline produced in a laboratory and administered via syringe or medical device.

Adrenal glands

Glands located on top of the kidneys that produce adrenaline naturally inside the human body.

Homeostasis

The state of internal stability where the body continuously makes adjustments to maintain normal oxygen, $CO_2$, pH, and blood glucose levels.

Albuterol

A respiratory medication that stimulates the sympathetic nervous system to cause bronchodilation.

Atrovent

A bronchodilator (generic name ipratropium bromide) that functions by suppressing or paralyzing the parasympathetic nervous system.

Acetylcholine (ACh)

The primary neurotransmitter and hormone workhorse of the parasympathetic (rest and relax) nervous system.

Crocodile brain

A simplified term for the midbrain and brain stem, which manages automatic survival functions like breathing, heart rate, and autonomic responses.

Endocrine system

The body system composed of glands and hormones responsible for chemical control of the body.

Pancreas

An organ containing specialized endocrine tissue that manufactures the hormone insulin.

Digestive system

The organ system responsible for the three main functions: breakdown, absorption, and elimination.

Esophagus

A normally flat tube located posterior to the trachea that carries swallowed contents from the larynx down to the stomach.

Peristalsis

The sequential, wave-like squeezing motion used by hollow tubes in the body (such as the esophagus, small intestine, or ureters) to propel contents.

Stomach

An organ located in the upper left quadrant of the abdomen responsible for mechanical and chemical digestion as well as liquid absorption.

Small intestine

A long, narrow-diameter hollow organ where the vast majority of chemical digestion and nutrient absorption takes place.

Large intestine

A short, wide-diameter organ responsible for reabsorbing water from indigestible waste before terminating at the rectum.

Gallbladder

An organ located on the liver in the right upper quadrant that stores and concentrates bile produced by the liver.

Liver

A large upper right quadrant organ that produces bile to assist in the digestion of fats.

Internal respiration

The exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) between systemic capillaries and the cells of the body.

Lymphatic system

A network of vessels and nodes that picks up interstitial fluid escapees from tissues, aids in immunity, and returns fluid to venous circulation.

Lymph nodes

Structures positioned along lymph vessels where immune system cells filter lymph fluid and destroy unwanted toxins or pathogens.

Interstitial fluid

The extracellular fluid located in the spaces between individual cells in body tissues.

Trachea

The rigid windpipe located anteriorly to the esophagus that carries air to and from the lungs.