Bio Vocab Rat Dissection 5/1

External Nares

nostrils

Vibrissae

sensory hairs (whiskers) on the face used to locate food and sense predators

Incisors

large gnawing teeth that continuously grow

Nictitating Membrane

protective membrane at the inner corner of the eye

Pinnae

directs sound into the ear canal

Auditory Meatus

ear canal

Mammary Papillae

nipples with mammary glands found only in females

Horny Pads/Scales

structures on hands and feet for sensory and protection

Anus

opening where solid digestive waste exits the body

Urogenital Opening

opening for urine and sperm in males

Vaginal Opening

female reproductive opening

Scrotum

sac that contains the testes

Hard Palate

bony anterior roof of the mouth with ridges

Soft Palate

muscular posterior portion of the palate

Tongue

aids in digestion and sensory function

Epiglottis

cartilage flap that prevents food from entering the trachea

Trachea (Windpipe)

air passage to the lungs

Larynx

voice box that produces sound

Ribs

protective structure around heart and lungs

Esophagus

passageway for food to the stomach

Diaphragm

muscle separating thoracic and abdominal cavities and controls breathing

Lungs

responsible for gas exchange

Heart

pumps blood; includes atria (upper chambers) and ventricles (lower chambers)

Pericardium

protective covering around the heart

Thymus Gland

immune organ that produces and matures T-cells

Liver

detoxifies blood and produces bile for fat digestion

Stomach

stores food and begins physical and protein digestion

Pancreas

produces digestive enzymes and insulin for glucose regulation

Small Intestine

absorbs nutrients and minerals

Mesentery

tissue that holds the small intestine in place

Large Intestine

completes digestion and absorbs water

Rectum

stores feces before elimination

Spleen

involved in blood cell destruction and storage

Kidneys

filter blood and remove waste and excess water

Ureters

tubes connecting kidneys to the bladder

Bladder

stores urine before excretion through the urethra

Uterine Horns

structures containing ovaries and supporting multiple embryos

Ovaries

produce eggs and are located at the ends of uterine horns

Testes

produce sperm and are located in the scrotum