Pig Anatomy Vocab

Alveoli

Alveoli

Tiny air sacs in the lungs designed to exchange gaseous oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blodd

Anterior vena cava

Vein of the heart receives blood from portions of the body anterior to the heart

Anus

External opening to the rectum controlled by sphincter muscles

Aorta

The largest artery in the body, bringing oxygenated blood from the left ventricle of the heart

Atrium

One of two upper chambers of the heart; the left atrium receives oxygenated blood via the pulmonary veins, and the right atrium receives deoxygenated blood from the body via the anterior vena cava and posterior vena cava

Auricle

External, earlike flap composed of muscle from the atria

Bladder

Hollow, muscular organ that stores urine from the kidneys

Bronchi

The two branches of the trachea that carry gases into and out of the lungs

Bronchioles

Branches of the bronchi that no longer contain cartilage and eventually end in alveoli

Cardiac region, stomach

Region of the stomach adjacent to the cardiac sphincter that recieves food from the esophagus

Cardiac sphincter

Muscle that opens to allow food to enter the stomach and can contract to prevent food from going back up the esophogus

Chest plate

The sternum and attached ribs that cover the heart and lungs

Coronary artery

Artery supplying oxygenated blood to the heart muscle

Cortex, Kidney

The outer region of the kidney where the blood is filtered

Diaphragm

Bell-shaped muscle that seperates the abdominal cavity from the thoracic cavity

Diener

A morgue assistant who helps a medical examiner with observations and dissection

Duodenum

The beginning of the small intestine that is connected to the stomach

Esophagus

Muscular tube extending from the mouth to the stomach that transports partially digested food

Estrogen

Primary female sex hormone responsible for female sex characteristics and regulating the menstrual cycle

Fundic region, stomach

Top portion of the stomach located above the cardiac region

Gall bladder

Small, pear-shaped organ that stores bile produced by the liver until needed for digestion

Glucagon

A hormone produced by the pancreas that can increase blood sugar levels when needed

Hydrochloric acid

The main component of gastric acid in the stomach

Illeocecal valve

Sphincter muscle controlling the passage

Ileum

The terminal section of the small intestine that connects to the large intestine

Insulin

Hormone that helps regulate blood glucose levels by decreasing any excess glucose

Jejunum

The central portion of the small intestine between the duodenum and the ileum

Kidney

Bean-shaped organ that filters the blood and excretes urea and water as urine

Larynx

Voice box having vocal cords which produce distinct sounds for communication

Liver

Organ at the base of the lungs that decomposes toxins and drugs as well as the waste byproducts of protein metabolism. It also stores vitamins, iron, and glycogen

Lymph nodes

Glands that collect and destroy bacteria and viruses

Meconium

Material in the digestive tract of a fetus, ingested before birth, consisting of amniotic fluid, mucous, and cells from the skin and digestive tract

Medulla, kidney

The central portion of the kidney containing the renal pyramids that empty wastes into the renal pelvis and ureter

Mesentery

Folds of membranes that hold the small intestine together and attach it to the dorsal abdominal wall

Ovaries

Female reproductive organs that produce ova and hormones

Oviduct

Tube running from the ovary to the uterus that allows eggs to be transported to the uterus

Pancreas

Digestive organ that produces insuline and pancreatic juice for digestion

Penis

Male organ for reproduction and urination

Posterior vena cava

Vein of the heart receiving blood from portions of the body posterior to the heart

Prosector

Medical examiner or forensic pathologist who conducts an autopsy to determine the cause of death

Pyloric region, stomach

Lower portion of the stomach adjacent to the pyloric sphincter

Pyloric sphincter

Valve controlling the passage of food from the stomach to the small intestine

Rectum

The final straight portion of the colon, just prior to the anus

Renal pelvis

Funnel-like structure that empties into the ureter

Rugae

Folds in the stomach that allow it to expand. They also contain the gastric glands for digestion

Scrotum

External sac containing the testes

Spleen

Organ lying dorsal to the stomach that is part of the lymphatic system. It destroys and recycles old red blood cells, produces antibodies, and supplies extra blood volume in emergencies

Testes

Male reproductive glands that produce sperm and testosterone

Thymus

Endocrine gland in the throat region involved with the development of the immune system

Thyroid

Endocrine gland that produces thyroxine for regulating metabolic rates

Trachea

Cartilage-lined airway leading from the larynx to the bronchi of the lungs

Umbilical cord

Tube connecting the fetus with the placenta

Ureter

Muscular tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder

Urethra

Tube through which urine from the bladder is discharged

Uterine horns

Left and right extensions of the uterus in certain mammals to accommodate large litters

Uterus

Organ in female mammals that serves as the site for fetal implantation and development

Vas deferens

Duct connecting the epididymis to the urethra in male mammals

Ventricle

One of two lower chambers of the heart; the left ventricle forces blood into the aorta, and the right ventricle forces blood into the pulmonary arteries

Dorsal side

The back plane

Ventral side

The belly plane

Anterior side

Toward the head or front

Posterior

Toward the tail or rear

Lateral

Toward the side

Medial

Toward the midline

Proximal

In a limb only; closer to body attachment

Distal

In a limb only; further away from the body attachment

Thymosin

A hormone that stimulates the maturation of T cells

T cells

A type of white blood cell that is made in the bone marrow and matured here

Sternum

Protects the heart and lungs

Large intestine

Absorbs water and changes waste from liquid to stool

Small intestine

Further digests food coming from the stomach

Lungs

Process of respiration, breathing

Pericardial sac (pericardium)

A fluid-filled membrane that surrounds the heart and supports, cushions, and lubricates it

Septum

Prevents the mixing of oxygen-poor and oxygen-rich blood

Pulmonary circulation

Where blood is pumped to the lungs and back

Arteries

Large vessels that carry blood from the heart to the tissues of the body

Veins

Return oxygen-poor blood back to the heart

Valve

Keep blood from moving toward the heart

Apex

The “point” of the bottom of the heart

Glycogen

Chains of the glucose sugar

Bile

Helps to break down fats

Bile duct

Drains bile into the small intestine

Bolus

Partially digested food, lump

Corpus

The largest portion of the stomach, the curved region

Chyme

Liquified food

Amniotic fluid

Liquid that surrounds the unborn baby during pregnancy

Adrenal glands

Sit on top of the kidneys and react to stress

Adrenaline

Hormone the adrenal glands produce to react to stress

Renal artery and vein

Conducts blood to the kidney

Nephrons

Where excess water, salts, and proteins are filtered from the blood

Progesterone

Female hormone that prepares the uterus for the development of a fertilized egg and sustains the pregnancy during the early stages

Fallopian tube

A small tube that is connected to each ovary and transports the eggs to a larger tube (the uterine horn)

Epididymis

Where sperm mature and are stored

Autopsy

A Greek word meaning “to see for oneself”

Clinical autopsy

Done in hospitals to determine the cause of death, usually for research or due to a family request

Forensic autopsy

Done for legal purposes when “foul play” is suspected

Forensic pathologist

A physician who has graduated from medical school and has done a residency

Prosector

Conducts an autopsy

Diener

Helps the prosector

Materials manager

Organizes and handles medical instruments