Frog Morphology

Frog Morphology Overview

External Features

• Nictitating Membrane

  • Definition: A transparent eye cover that helps protect the eye while maintaining visibility.
  • Function: Allows frogs to see underwater while keeping their eyes moist.

• Tympanic Membrane

  • Definition: The eardrum of a frog, located behind the eye.
  • Function: Essential for hearing and detecting audio signals in the environment.

Oral Anatomy

• Vomerine Teeth

  • Definition: Teeth located on the vomer bone in the frog's mouth.
  • Function: Initially grasp and hold prey.

• Maxillary Teeth

  • Definition: Teeth along the upper jaw.
  • Function: Support in prey capture, using a combination of placement and shape to secure food.

• Other key structures:

  • Glottis: Opening to the respiratory system.
  • Internal Nares: Openings for breathing located inside the mouth.
  • Eustachian Tube: Connects the throat to the middle ear, helping to equalize pressure.
  • Esophagus: Tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach.
  • Tongue: A sticky organ used for catching prey.

Internal Anatomy

• Heart & Ventricle

  • Role: Pumps blood throughout the frog’s body; important for circulation.

• Fat Bodies

  • Function: Store energy and help with buoyancy during swimming.

• Gall Bladder

  • Function: Stores bile produced by the liver, aiding in digestion.

• Liver (Right, Left, Medial Lobes)

  • Function: Produces bile and processes nutrients from food.

• Stomach

  • Description: Organ for digestion; featuring internal folds known as Rugae, which expand when food enters.

• Large Intestine

  • Role: Absorbs water and eliminates waste.

• Small Intestine

  • Function: Continues food digestion and nutrient absorption.

• Pancreas

  • Role: Produces digestive enzymes and hormones.

• Lungs

  • Description: Organs assisting with respiratory function.

Anatomical Relationships & Views

• Liver Removal Notes:

  • Understanding the anatomical layout is crucial when organs are deflected or removed, allowing clarity of relationships between structures.

• Kidneys

  • Function: Filter waste from the blood and regulate water balance.

• Oviduct (in females)

  • Function: Transports eggs from the ovaries for reproduction.

• Testis (in males)

  • Function: Produces sperm for reproduction.

• Urinary Bladder

  • Function: Stores urine before excretion.

• Spleen

  • Role: Involved in immune response and filtering blood.