Anatomy and Physiology Flashcards

Flashcards for key vocabulary terms related to the urinary, digestive, and respiratory systems.

Urinary System

Filters blood, regulates fluid/electrolyte & acid-base balance, regulates blood pressure, produces RBCs, activates vitamin D

Nephron

Functional unit of the kidney that filters blood, reabsorbs essential substances, and secretes waste.

Afferent Arteriole

Brings blood to the glomerulus in the nephron.

Glomerulus

Capillary network in the nephron that filters blood.

Bowman’s Capsule

Collects filtrate from the glomerulus in the nephron.

Proximal Convoluted Tubule (PCT)

Reabsorbs water, glucose, amino acids, and ions in the nephron.

Loop of Henle

Part of the nephron responsible for reabsorbing water (descending limb) and sodium/chloride (ascending limb).

Distal Convoluted Tubule (DCT)

Part of the nephron involved in reabsorption and secretion, affected by hormones.

Collecting Duct

Final adjustment of water/salt balance in the nephron, affected by ADH.

Cortical Nephrons

Nephrons located in the cortex with a short loop of Henle (85%).

Juxtamedullary Nephrons

Nephrons with a long loop of Henle extending into the medulla; helps concentrate urine (15%).

Renal Pelvis

Funnels urine into the ureter within the kidney.

Ureter

Transports urine to the bladder via peristalsis.

Urinary Bladder

Stores urine.

Urethra

Releases urine from the body.

Hilum

Entry/exit point for blood vessels, nerves, and the ureter in the kidney.

Cortex (Kidney)

Outer layer of the kidney containing glomeruli and tubules.

Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)

Increases water reabsorption in the collecting ducts.

Renin

Secreted by juxtaglomerular cells when blood pressure is low; activates RAAS to increase blood pressure.

Chyme

A semi-liquid mixture of food and gastric juices formed in the stomach.

Villi

Fingerlike projections in the small intestine that increase surface area for absorption.

Rugae

Folds in the stomach lining that allow it to expand when full.

Amylase

Breaks down carbohydrates (in saliva and from pancreas).

Pepsin

Breaks down proteins (in the stomach).

Lipase

Breaks down fats (from pancreas).

Trypsin

Breaks down proteins (from pancreas into small intestine).

Nuclease

Breaks down nucleic acids like DNA and RNA (from pancreas).

Lacteal

Lymphatic capillary in the villi that absorbs dietary fats.

Peristalsis

Wave-like muscle contractions that move food through the digestive tract.

Bile

Emulsifies fats to make digestion easier.

Mastication

Chewing food in the mouth.

Absorption

Nutrient uptake into blood or lymph (mainly in the small intestine).

Defecation

Elimination of undigested waste through rectum and anus.

Alveoli

Tiny air sacs where gas exchange occurs between air and blood.

Epiglottis

Flap of cartilage that covers the trachea during swallowing to prevent food from entering the airway.

Goblet Cell

Secretes mucus to trap dust and microbes in the respiratory tract.

Pathway for Urine & Function

• Glomerulus → glomerular capsule → oroximal convoluted tublue → nephron loop ascending limb → distal convoluted tubule → collecting duct → minor calyx → major calyx→ renal pelvis → ureter → urinary bladder → urethra

Nephron tubules

Filter and process blood

Collecting duct

Adjusts water/salt levels; sends urine to calyces

Minor calyx

Collects urine from renal papilla

Major calyx

Collects urine from minor calyces

Which Kidney Is Higher?

The left kidney

Pathway of Blood Through the Nephron

Renal artery → Interlobar artery → Arcuate artery → Cortical radiate artery→ Afferent arteriole → Glomerulus capillaries→ Efferent arteriole → Peritubular capillaries / Vasa recta (for reabsorption and secretion)→ Arcuate vein → Interlobar vein → Renal vein

Substances Reabsorbed by the Kidney

• Water

• Glucose

• Amino acids

• Sodium (Na⁺)

• Chloride (Cl⁻)

• Potassium (K⁺)

• Bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻)

• Calcium and other electrolytes

Renal pelvis

Funnel-shaped cavity collecting urine from calyces

Calyx (minor and major):

Channels urine from pyramids to pelvis

Renal column

Cortical tissue between pyramids

Pyramid

Cone-shaped tissue in the medulla that drains urine

Function of the digestive system

breaks down food into nutrients, absorbs nutrients and water, eliminates waste

Pathway of food

mouth → pharynx → esophagus → stomach → small intestine → large intestine → rectum → anus

Alimentary canal

continuous tube that includes mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus

Pancreas

produces enzymes and bicarbonate

Liver

makes bile to break down fats

Gallbladder

stores and releases bile

Salivary glands

produce saliva with amylase to digest starch

Parotid salivary gland

in front of the ears

Submandibular salivary gland

under the jaw

Sublingual salivary gland

under tongue

Stomach

churns food, digests proteins

Small intestine

digestion and nutrient absorption

Large intestine

absorbs water, forms feces

Liver

produces bile

Pancreas

releases digestive enzymes

Gallbladder

stores bile

Carbs

mouth (amylase), small intestine

Fats

small intestine (bile and lipase)

Proteins

stomach (pepsin), small intestine (trypsin)

Nucleic acids

small intestine (nuclease)

Function of the respiratory system

supplies oxygen to the blood and removes carbon dioxide

Uvula function

prevents food from entering the nasal cavity during swallowing

# of lobes in each lung

right lung has 3 lobes, left lung has 2 lobes

sinuses

lighten the skull, warm and moisten air, enhance voice resonance

Nasal cavity

filters, warms, and moistens incoming air

Coughing

clears lower respiratory tract

Sneezing

clears upper respiratory tract

Laughing/crying

involve breathing rhythm changes

Hiccups

involuntary diaphragm spasms

Yawning

increases oxygen intake when blood O₂ is low