Organ Systems and Fetal Anatomy Review

A Comprehensive set of fill-in-the-blank flashcards covering the anatomy and physiology of the digestive, respiratory, circulatory, urinary, and reproductive systems, including fetal circulation and membranes.

The _______ is the ring of muscle between the esophagus and stomach that prevents stomach acid and food from flowing backward.

Cardiac sphincter

The _______ controls the release of chyme from the stomach into the small intestine.

Pyloric sphincter

The three sections of the small intestine are the _______, _______, and _______.

duodenum, jejunum, ileum

The main site of chemical digestion and nutrient absorption is the _______.

small intestine

The _______ functions to absorb water and electrolytes while compacting waste into feces.

large intestine

The pouch at the beginning of the large intestine that houses gut bacteria and begins water absorption is the _______.

cecum

The _______ helps regulate blood sugar by producing hormones like insulin and glucagon.

pancreas

The liver produces _______ to help digest fats and detoxifies the blood.

bile

The _______ stores and concentrates bile until it is needed for fat digestion.

gallbladder

The _______ is a membrane that holds the intestines in place and contains the blood vessels and nerves supplying them.

mesentery

Food is moved through the esophagus to the stomach by a process of wave-like muscle contractions called _______.

peristalsis

The _______ gland, located near the heart, produces hormones that help mature T-cells for the immune system.

thymus gland

The _______ gland is located in the neck and produces hormones that regulate metabolism and energy use.

thyroid gland

The _______ is the main muscle for breathing and is stimulated to contract by the _______.

diaphragm; phrenic nerve

The actual site of gas exchange in the lungs, where $O_2$ enters the blood and $CO_2$ leaves, is the _______.

alveoli

In the heart, the _______ receives oxygen-poor blood from the body.

right atrium

The _______ pumps oxygen-rich blood to the entire body.

left ventricle

The _______ are unique arteries because they carry oxygen-poor blood to the lungs.

pulmonary arteries

The large vessel that leaves the right ventricle to carry blood toward the lungs is the _______.

pulmonary trunk

The _______ is the largest artery in the body, carrying oxygen-rich blood from the left ventricle.

aorta

The _______ prevent blood from flowing backward into the atria from the ventricles.

atrioventricular valves

The _______ are tendon-like cords attached to AV valves that prevent them from flipping backward during contraction.

chordae tendineae

The _______ arteries supply blood to the brain and head.

carotid

The _______ vena cava (also known as the superior vena cava) returns oxygen-poor blood from the upper body to the heart.

anterior

The blood flow pathway follows: Body → anterior vena cava → right atrium → _______ → right ventricle.

tricuspid valve

Blood leaves the right ventricle and passes through the _______ to reach the pulmonary trunk.

pulmonary semilunar valve

The _______ glands sit on top of the kidneys and produce hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol.

adrenal

The tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder are the _______.

ureters

The microscopic functional units of the kidney that filter blood and produce urine are called _______.

nephrons

In the nephron, the _______ is a knot of capillaries that filters water and small molecules from the blood.

glomerulus

The _______ reabsorbs most nutrients, water, and salts back into the blood after initial filtration.

proximal convoluted tubule

The _______ of the nephron reabsorbs water and salts to help concentrate urine.

loop of Henle

Urine formation follows the pathway: Glomerulus → Bowman’s capsule → PCT → DCT → _______ → renal pelvis.

collecting duct

The _______ are male gonads that produce sperm and testosterone.

testes

Sperm is stored and matured in a coiled tube called the _______.

epididymis

The _______ transports sperm from the epididymis to the urethra during ejaculation.

vas deferens

The _______ and _______ glands add alkaline and nutrient-rich fluids to sperm to form semen.

seminal vesicles; prostate gland

The _______ are the usual site of fertilization and connect the ovaries to the uterus.

fallopian tubes

The _______ is the organ connecting the fetus to the uterus for nutrient, oxygen, and waste exchange.

placenta

The _______ is the protective fetal membrane that forms a fluid-filled sac to cushion the fetus.

amnion

In the umbilical cord, the _______ carries oxygen-rich blood TO the fetus.

umbilical vein

The _______ is a fetal shortcut that sends blood directly from the right atrium to the left atrium to bypass the lungs.

foramen ovale

The _______ is a temporary fetal blood vessel that connects the pulmonary trunk to the aorta.

ductus arteriosus