Earthworm structure Flashcards
Pharynx
Muscular region of digestive system specialized for pumping in soil
Pumping vessels
“Hearts”- Specialized muscular branches of the dorsal blood vessel that rhythmically contract to circulate blood throughout the body
Esophagus
Passageway between pharynx and crop
Crop
Thin-walled chamber where food is temporarily stored
Gizzard
Thick-walled, muscular chamber where soil is mechanically ground and usable organic materials are separated from indigestible materials
Dorsal blood vessel
Longitudinal blood vessel that returns blood to the pumping vessels
Seminal receptacles
Ventrally located organs that receive sperm during copulation and store sperm until needed to fertilize eggs in cocoon
Seminal vesicles
Cream-colored, lobed organs fastened ventrally, but extending dorsally around each side of the esophagus that store maturing sperm
Intestine
Long tube occupying the majority of the body in which nutrients are absorbed into the blood-stream
Nephridia
Paired excretory organs found along the lateral margins of all but the most anterior and posterior segments; they release waste fluids out of the worm through small pores in the body wall
Septa
Thin, fleshy partitions between segments
Clitellum
A large band covering several segments about one-third of the way down the body from the head.
Nerve cord
Long white cord located along the ventral surface of the body; contains large swellings of ganglia in each segment that handle the majority of coordination without intervention of the brain.
Setae
Help the earthworm grip the dirt and assist in locomotion
Dorsal blood vessel
Longitudinal blood vessel that returns blood to the pumping vessels
