Organ descriptions Flashcards
Skin layers
epidermis
dermis
hypodermis
Epidermis
skin
avascular
protection, waste removal
dermis
skin
vascularized
contains glands
temperature regulation, sensation
hypodermis
not technically skin (subcutaneous tissue)
vascularized
temperature regulation
sudoriferous (sweat) glands
temperature regulation (cooling), waste removal
Sebaceous (oil) glands
protection (oil creates a barrier)
hair
protection,sensation,temp regualtion
nails
protection of the tips of fingers and toes
nose
the organ of olfaction, which also acts as an air passage that warms, moistens, and filters the air on its way to the lungs.
anterior to the nasal cavity
nasal cavity
the space inside the nose that lies between the floor of the cranium and the roof of the mouth
anterior to the pharynx
pharynx
a passageway for food from the mouth to the oesophagus, and as an air passage from the nasal cavity and mouth to the larynx
posterior to the mouth and nasal cavity
larynx
the organ responsible for the production of vocal sounds, also serving as an air passage conveying air from the pharynx to the lungs
superior to the trachea and anterior to the pharynx
trachea
the part of the air passage between the larynx and the main bronchi
inferior to the larynx, medial to the lungs
bronchi (bronchus)
the air passages beyond the trachea (windpipe) that has cartilage and mucous glands in its wall
bronchiole
a subdivision of the bronchial tree that does not contain cartilage or mucous glands in its wall
alveoli (alveolus)
a blind-ended air sac of microscopic size where gas exchange occurs
diaphragm
a thin musculomembranous dome-shaped muscle that separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities. It contracts with each inspiration and relaxes and is restored to its dome shape during expiration
inferior to the other structures of the respiratory system
Superior vena cava
the vein that brings blood into the heart from above
inferior vena cava
the vein that brings blood into the heart from below
right atrium
The chamber superior the right ventricle
Receives deoxygenated blood from the venae cavae
right ventricle
the chamber inferior to the right atrium
pumps blood received from the right atrium into the pulmonary artery
pulmonary artery
the vessel anterior to the other structures of the heart
the artery that conveys blood from the heart to the lungs for oxygenation
pulmonary vein
vessel on the right and left lateral sides of the heart
a vein carrying oxygenated blood from the lung to the left atrium
left atrium
the chamber superior to the left ventricle
the left atrium receives oxygenated blood via the pulmonary vein
left ventricle
the chamber inferior to the left ventricle
receives blood from the left atrium and pumps it into the aorta
aorta
The vessel superior to the other structure of the heart
the main artery of the body, from which all others derive (it sends oxygenated blood to the rest of the arteries for circulation)
Arteries
- Transport blood away from the heart
- Carry oxygenated blood (except for pulmonary artery)
- Do not have valves, have a thicker lumen than veins
- Have higher pressure than veins
Veins
- Have valves (to prevent backflow of blood) and a thinner lumen than arteries
- Transport blood to the heart
- Have lower pressure than arteries
- Carry deoxygenated blood (except for pulmonary vein)
Capillaries
- very thin (1 cell thick)
- transport gases, nutrients, and water
Erythrocyte
red blood cells
transport oxygen
Thrombocyte
platelets
cell fragments that form blood clots
Leukocyte
White blood cells
immune cells that fight infection and perform disease protection
Lymph vessel
the structures that transport lymphatic fluid
Lymph fluid
a usually clear fluid that circulates in lymphatic vessels, bathes the cells of the body, and consists of white blood cells and a liquid portion resembling blood plasma
Lymph nodes
any of the rounded masses of lymphoid tissue that are surrounded by a capsule of connective tissue, are distributed along the lymphatic vessels, and contain numerous lymphocytes which filter the flow of lymph passing through the node
Lymph organs
The bodily parts performing a function or cooperating in an activity of the lymphatic system
Lymph tissues
an aggregate of cells involved in the lymphatic system
Lymphocytes
A subtype of white blood cells
Oral Cavity
the area from your teeth to your throat
Superior to the other structures of the digestive system
Salivary Glands
any of various glands that discharge a fluid secretion and especially saliva (a substance that breaks down starches) into the mouth cavity
various locations; sublinguals are inferior to the tongue, Submandibular glands are inferior to the sublingual salivary glands, and the parotid glands are posterior to the oral cavity.
Pharynx
the muscular tubular passage of the digestive and respiratory tracts extending from the back of the nasal cavity and mouth to the esophagus
superior to the esophagus
Esophagus
a muscular tube that conveys food from the mouth to the stomach
inferior to the pharynx, superior to the stomach
Stomach
a saclike expansion of the digestive tract that stores, breaks down, and digests food
inferior to the esophagus and liver, superior to the pancreas, colon, and small intestine
Duodenum
the first part of the small intestine
lateral and inferior to the stomach
Liver
a large very vascular glandular organ of vertebrates that secretes bile and causes important changes in many of the substances contained in the blood
Gallbladder
a membranous muscular sac in which bile from the liver is stored
inferior to the liver
pancreas
a large lobulated gland of vertebrates that secretes digestive enzymes and the hormones insulin and glucagon
inferior to the stomach
small intestine
the narrow part of the intestine that lies between the stomach and colon, consists of duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, secretes digestive enzymes, and is the chief site of the digestion of food into small molecules which are absorbed into the body
medial to the colon
cecum
the blind pouch at the beginning of the large intestine into which the ileum opens from one side and which is continuous with the colon
inferior to the ascending colon
appendix
a narrow blind tube that extends from the cecum in the lower right-hand part of the abdomen
inferior to the cecum
ascending colon
The part of the colon that moves upwards and is located on the right side of the body
superior to the cecum, lateral to the small intestine
transverse colon
the part of the colon that moves across the body from the right to left sides of the body
superior to the small intestine, inferior to the stomach
descending colon
the part of the colon located on the left side of the body that moves downward towards the sigmoid colon
superior to the rectum, lateral to the small intestine
sigmoid colon
the contracted and crooked part of the colon immediately above the rectum
superior to the rectum
rectum
the terminal part of the intestine from the sigmoid colon to the anus
inferior to the sigmoid colon
The similarities of IBS and IBD are that
both are caused by inflammation, both cause abdominal pain and can lead to diarrhea, and stomach cramping and bloating are symptoms of both
The differences between IBS and IBD are that
IBS is more common, usually less serious, has less severe symptoms,is more common, is easier to treat, and is not life-threatening. IBD on the other hand is more rare, and more serious, has more severe symptoms, is harder to treat, and can be life-threatening in some cases
Kidney
either of the pair of organs responsible for the excretion of nitrogenous wastes, principally urea, from the blood
Adrenal glands
two triangular endocrine glands, each of which covers the superior surface of a kidney. They produce three kinds of corticosteroid hormones, which affect carbohydrate metabolism (e.g. cortisol), electrolyte metabolism (e.g. aldosterone), and the sex glands (oestrogens and androgens).
renal artery
either of two large arteries arising from the abdominal aorta and supplying the kidneys
abdominal aorta
The part of the descending aorta below the diaphragm
renal vein
A large vein that drains blood from the kidney and empties into the inferior vena cava; the renal veins lie on top of (anterior to) the renal arteries.
inferior vena cava
One of the two main veins, conveying deoxygenated blood from the other veins to the right atrium of the heart. It is formed by the union of the right and left common iliac veins, and receives blood from parts of the body below the diaphragm.
ureter
either of a pair of tubes, 25–30 cm long, that conduct urine from the pelvis of kidneys to the bladder.
urinary bladder
a sac-shaped organ that has a wall of smooth muscle and stores the urine produced by the kidneys
urethra
the tube that conducts urine from the bladder to the exterior
Uterus
the part of the female reproductive tract that is specialized to allow the embryo to become implanted in its inner wall and to nourish the growing fetus
Cervix
a necklike part, especially the cervix uteri (neck of the uterus), which projects at its lower end into the vagina.
Fallopian tubes
either of a pair of tubes that conduct ova (egg cells) from the ovary to the uterus
ovaries
the main female reproductive organ, which produces ova (egg cells) and steroid hormones in a regular cycle
vaginal canal
the lower part of the female reproductive tract: a muscular tube, lined with mucous membrane, connecting the cervix of the uterus to the exterior.
clitoris
the female counterpart of the penis, which contains erectile tissue but is unconnected with the urethra.
greater vestibular gland
The posterior pair of glands that open at the junction of the vagina and vulva. Their function is to lubricate the entrance to the vagina during coitus
epididymis
a highly convoluted tube that connects the testes to the vas deferens. The spermatozoa are moved passively along the tube over a period of several days, during which time they mature
vas deferens
either of a pair of ducts that conduct spermatozoa from the epididymis to the urethra on ejaculation.
seminal vesicle
either of a pair of male accessory sex glands that open into the vas deferens before it joins the urethra. The seminal vesicles secrete most of the liquid component of semen.
ejaculatory duct
Either of the paired ducts in males, formed by the junction of the seminal ducts with the vas deferens, that pass through the prostate and empty into the urethra, and through which semen is ejaculated
urethra
the tube that conducts urine from the bladder to the exterior. in males it also conducts the secretions of the male accessory sex glands (prostate and Cowper’s glands and seminal vesicles) and spermatozoa from the vas deferens
prostate
a male accessory sex gland that opens into the urethra just below the bladder and vas deferens. During ejaculation it secretes an alkaline fluid that forms part of the semen
bulbourethral gland
a pair of small glands that open into the urethra at the base of the penis. Their secretion contributes to the seminal fluid, but less than that of the prostate gland or seminal vesicles.
hypothalamus
inferior to the thalamus
secretes tropic hormones which inhibit or stimulate the release of hormones from other glands
pituitary gland
inferior to hypothalamus
produces 8 hormones. Known as the master gland because most of these hormones are tropic
pineal gland
posterior to the hypothalamus
secretes melatonin to regulate the circadian rhythm. it is stimulated by darkness and inhibited by light
thyroid gland
inferior to the pharynx
regulates metabolism
parathyroid glands
located on the posterior aspect of the thyroid
regulates blood calcium using parathyroid hormone
thymus gland
medial to the lungs
secretes tribes that stimulates development of lymphocytes
adrenal gland
located on superior aspect of kidneys
long term stress regulation is done by the adrenal cortex, and short term stress regulation (fight or flight) is done by the medulla
Gonads
Both produce sex hormones which stimulate production of sex cells/gametes and growth, development, and maintenance of sex organs
* ovaries
* produces estrogen
* lateral to the uterus
* testicles
* produces testosterone
* lateral to the bladder
Afferents vs. Efferents
afferent=information coming from periphery and moving toward CNS
efferent=carrying motor information away from central nervous system
neuroglial cells
neuron support cells with multiple purposes; protecting from disease, helping speed up electrical impulses, getting rid of debris
cerebrum
higher order processing
corpus callosum
connects cerebral hemisphere and facilitates communication
cerebellum
coordination and voluntary movement
thalamus
relay station for senses-decided where sensory information goes to in the brain
hypothalamus
controls release of hormones from pituitary gland and temperature regulation
midbrain
processing visual and auditory information
pons
relays sensory information from brainstem to cerebellum and thalamus
medulla oblongata
maintain vital body functions etc-breathing
frontal lobe
higher order mental and cognitive functioning, personality, voluntary motor, regulation of emotion and behavior
parietal
somatic sensory processing
temporal lobe
auditory processing
occipital lobe
visual processing
Broca’s area
The area of the brain located on the left frontal lobe that processes speech production
Wernicke’s area
An area of the brain located on the left temporal lobe that is involved with speech comprehension
Retina
the light-sensitive layer that lines the interior of the eye
Optic nerve
the second cranial nerve in vertebrates, which conveys sensory impulses from the eye to the brain
choroid
the layer of the eyeball between the retina and the sclera. It contains blood vessels and a pigment that absorbs excess light and so prevents blurring of vision
sclera
the white fibrous outer layer of the eyeball
cornea
the transparent circular part of the front of the eyeball. It refracts the light entering the eye onto the lens, which then focuses it onto the retina
iris
the part of the eye that regulates the amount of light that enters
lens
the transparent crystalline structure situated behind the pupil of the eye and enclosed in a thin transparent capsule. It helps to refract incoming light and focus it onto the retina
ciliary body
the part of the eye that connects the choroid with the iris. contains the ciliary muscle, contraction of which alters the curvature of the lens
aqueous humor
the watery fluid that fills the chamber of the eye immediately behind the cornea and in front of the lens.
outer ear
auricle/pinna
the flap of skin and cartilage that projects from the head at the exterior opening of the external auditory meatus of the ear
ear canal/auditory canal
the passage that extends from the external opening of the ear to the eardrum; the external auditory meatus
eardrum/tympanic membrane
separates outer and middle ear
When sound waves reach the ear the tympanum vibrates, transmitting these vibrations to the malleus – one of the auditory ossicles in the middle ear – to which it is attached
middle ear
eustachian/auditory tube
equalizes pressure in ears
ossicles
The auditory ossicles are three small bones (the incus, malleus, and stapes) in the middle ear. They transmit sound from the outer ear to the labyrinth (inner ear)
inner ear
cochlea
transduces vibration into electrical signals
semicircular canal
regulates balance
