Digestive and Urinary Tract Notes - Week 7: Accessory Digestive Organs

Vocabulary flashcards covering key functions and components of the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas as described in the notes.

Liver

Manufactures bile; forms blood plasma; detoxifies; regulates blood glucose; destroys old red blood cells; stores iron and fat-soluble vitamins; synthesizes urea.

Gallbladder

Pear-shaped sac located under the liver; concentrates and stores bile.

Bile

Digestive fluid that emulsifies fats; produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder; helps eliminate cholesterol.

Pancreas (Exocrine Function)

Produces pancreatic juice containing enzymes for carbohydrates, proteins, and fats; contains sodium bicarbonate to neutralize stomach acid.

Pancreas (Endocrine Function)

Contains endocrine cells (pancreatic islets) that secrete insulin and glucagon.

Pancreatic juice

Most important digestive juice; contains enzymes for carbohydrates, proteins, and fats; includes sodium bicarbonate to neutralize stomach acid.

Insulin and Glucagon (Islets of Langerhans)

Hormones secreted by pancreatic islets; regulate blood glucose (insulin lowers blood glucose, glucagon raises it).