digestive, reproduction, and urination

Ingestion

The process of eating food.

Propulsion

The action of swallowing and peristalsis to move food through the digestive tract.

Mechanical Breakdown

The physical process of breaking down food, including chewing and churning.

Digestion

The chemical breakdown of carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins.

Absorption

The process by which nutrients enter the bloodstream.

Defecation

The elimination of waste from the body.

Alimentary Canal

The gastrointestinal tract, which includes the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and anus.

Mouth

The entry point for food, including various anatomical structures such as the oral vestibule and palate.

Esophagus

The muscular tube that propels food from the pharynx to the stomach.

Stomach

The organ that holds food while it is being mixed with stomach enzymes and acids.

Small Intestine

The site of major nutrient absorption, divided into duodenum, jejunum, and ileum.

Large Intestine

Absorbs water and forms waste material (feces); includes several regions such as the cecum and colon.

Accessory Organs

Organs that aid in digestion but are not part of the GI tract, including teeth, tongue, salivary glands, liver, gall bladder, and pancreas.

Teeth

Structures that aid in mechanical digestion; humans have 20 deciduous and 32 permanent teeth.

Liver

The largest gland that produces bile, stores glycogen, and detoxifies blood.

Gall Bladder

Stores bile produced by the liver for digestion.

Pancreas

An organ with both endocrine (hormonal) and exocrine (digestive enzymes) functions.

Renal Cortex

The outer layer of the kidney where filtration begins.

Renal Medulla

The inner region of the kidney that contains the renal pyramids.

Renal Pyramids

Cone-shaped structures in the renal medulla that contain nephrons.

Renal Pelvis

A funnel-shaped structure that collects urine from the renal pyramids.

Ureters

Tubes that transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder.

Bladder

An elastic organ that stores urine.

Urethra

The tube that drains urine from the bladder to the exterior of the body.

Seminiferous Tubules

The site of sperm production in the testes.

Tunica Vaginalis

The serous sac surrounding the testes.

Tunica Albuginea

The fibrous capsule surrounding the testes.

Dartos Muscle

Muscle that wrinkles the scrotal skin for temperature regulation.

Cremaster Muscle

Muscle that elevates the testes for temperature control.

Epididymis

Organ where sperm matures and is stored.

Ductus Deferens

Tube that transports sperm from the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct.

Ejaculatory Duct

Duct that empties sperm into the urethra.

Seminal Glands

Glands that produce 60% of semen volume.

Prostate Gland

Gland that secretes fluid to enhance sperm motility.

Bulbo-Urethral Glands

Glands that secrete mucus for lubrication during sexual intercourse.

Muscular Layer of Uterus

Myometrium; contracts during childbirth.

Endometrium

Inner layer of the uterus where embryo implants.

Fimbriae

Finger-like projections at the end of the fallopian tubes.

Infundibulum

Funnel-shaped end of the uterine tubes.

Clitoris

Erectile tissue in females, homologous to the penis.

Mons Pubis

Fatty area with pubic hair in females.

Labia Majora

Outer folds of skin in the female external genitalia, homologous to the scrotum.

Labia Minora

Inner folds of skin in the female external genitalia.

Cervical Canal

Passage through the cervix of the uterus.

Urethra (Males)

Pathway for both urine and semen.

Cecum

The beginning of the large intestine.

Appendix

Small, tube-like structure attached to the cecum.

Colon

The main section of the large intestine, involved in water absorption.

Internal Sphincter

Muscle that controls the passage of feces from the rectum.

External Sphincter

Muscle that provides voluntary control over defecation.

Urinary System

System responsible for filtering blood, regulating blood volume, and eliminating urine.

Nephrons

The functional units of the kidney that filter blood.

Oblique Entry of Ureters

Prevents backflow of urine into the kidneys.

Elastic Organ

Type of organ that can expand, such as the bladder.

Urine Collection

Process by which urine is collected in the renal pelvis before being transported to the ureters.

Sexual Maturation

Biological process that leads to the development of reproductive ability.

Gametes

Reproductive cells (sperm in males and eggs in females).

Testes Function

Produce sperm and androgens (male hormones).

Ovaries Function

Produce eggs and female hormones (estrogen and progesterone).

Vagina

Birth canal and receptacle for penis during intercourse.

Vulva

Collective term for external female genitalia.

Sperm Pathway

Pathway of sperm from production in testis to ejaculation.

Fertilization Site

Ampulla of the uterine tubes.

Uterus Function

Site for embryo implantation and fetal development.

Corpus Spongiosum

Erectile tissue that surrounds the urethra in the penis.

Corpora Cavernosa

Paired structures of erectile tissue in the penis.

Perimetrium

Outer layer of the uterus.

Hepatic Portal Vein

Vein that carries blood from the digestive organs to the liver.

Common Hepatic Duct

Duct that carries bile from the liver to the gall bladder.

Bile Duct

Pathway for bile from the gall bladder to the intestine.

Sphincters (Internal/External)

Muscles that control the passage of substances in the digestive and urinary systems.

Chyme

Semi-liquid mixture of food and digestive juices in the stomach.

Rugae

Folds in the stomach lining that allow for expansion.

Major Duodenal Papilla

Entry point for bile and pancreatic enzymes into the small intestine.

Teniae Coli

Muscle strips that help form the haustra of the large intestine.

Haustra

Pouches in the large intestine formed by teniae coli.

Epithelial Appendages

Fatty structures attached to the colon.

Rectum

Final section of the large intestine before the anus.

Anal Canal

Final portion of the rectum that opens to the body exterior.

Nutrient Absorption

Process by which nutrients are taken into the bloodstream from the digestive tract.

Urine Storage Capacity

The bladder can hold approximately 500 mL of urine.

Oblique Entry of Ureters

Anatomy that prevents backflow of urine from the bladder.

Liver Functions

Produces bile, detoxifies blood, stores glycogen.

Cystic Duct

Duct that transports bile to and from the gall bladder.

Fertile Cervix

Cervical canal that allows passage during ovulation.

Scrotum

External pouch that contains the testes.

Semen Composition

A mixture consisting of sperm and secretions from various glands.

Duct System of Male Reproductive System

Includes the epididymis, ductus deferens, and ejaculatory duct.

Oocyte

Female reproductive cell produced in the ovaries.

Androgens

Male hormones produced by the testes.