Sea Turtle Anatomy: Cardiopulmonary System, Digestive System Flashcards
What is the structure of the heart in turtles?
two atria and one ventricle, with a large thin-walled sinus venosus.
What adaptations allow turtles to hold their breath for extended periods?
hypoxia tolerance, large lung volume, and mechanisms for blood shunting away from the lungs.
What function do arteries serve in the circulatory system?
Arteries carry blood away from the heart.
How are veins different from arteries?
Veins carry blood towards the heart and have thinner muscle layers and valves.
Where is the turtle heart located?
within the pericardium, bordered by the pectoral muscles, lungs, and liver.
What are the major parts of the turtle heart?
sinus venosus, right atrium, left atrium, and ventricle.
What is the purpose of the gubernaculum cordis?
anchors heart and allows for proper contraction.
What is a unique feature of the turtle’s myocardial structure?
The myocardium tends to have low outer compact muscle and is internally spongy with rich trabeculae.
Which major arteries emerge from the ventricle?
left aorta, right aorta, and pulmonary trunk.
How does the turtle’s pulmonary artery function?
The pulmonary artery arises from the pulmonary trunk and quickly bifurcates into right and left pulmonary arteries for the lungs.
How is venous blood returned to the turtle’s heart?
via the sinus venosus from four major veins, including the left precaval vein and postcaval vein.
What is the purpose of the turtle’s esophagus?
transports food from mouth to stomach and aids in expelling excess water.
How does digestion begin in turtles?
Digestion starts in the stomach through chemical and mechanical processes.
What is the role of the pyloric sphincter in turtles?
controls food passage from stomach to small intestine.
What adaptations do turtles have for respiration?
Turtles have unique lung structures and rely on muscle contraction to alter intracoelomic pressure for breathing.
How do shunts function in turtle circulation?
Shunts reroute blood between systemic and pulmonary circuits via shunting mechanisms in the heart.
What is the effect of ventricular systole in turtles?
allows blood propulsion into pulmonary and systemic circuits.
What is the significance of the right and left pulmonary veins in turtles?
carry oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium.
How do turtles manage blood flow during gas exchanges?
Turtles can shunt blood away from the lungs using manageable pressure via vasculature.
What is the anatomical term for the turtle’s lung structure?
Turtles have multicameral lungs that extend caudally along the carapace.
What muscles are involved in the turtle’s respiratory cycle?
diaphragm, transversus abdominis, obliquus abdominalis muscles
What is the digestive role of the small intestine in turtles?
The small intestine continues digestion and is the primary site for nutrient absorption.
How do turtles’ intestinal lengths vary?
varies based on their diet; herbivores have longer intestines than carnivores.
What is the function of papillae in the turtle’s esophagus?
Papillae line the esophagus and help trap food and expel excess water before swallowing.
How does blood return to the heart after circulating through the body?
via the sinus venosus, which gathers blood from major veins.
What does the left aorta supply?
supplies blood to abdominal viscera and joins with right aorta to form dorsal aorta.
What does the term “aestivation” refer to in turtles?
Aestivation refers to summer dormancy periods in turtles.
How does the turtle’s system manage to tolerate hypoxia?
Turtles have physiological adaptations that enhance their ability to survive low oxygen conditions.
What affects a turtle’s digestive rate?
body temperature, food type, meal size.
What function does the diaphragm serve in turtles?
separates pulmonary and coelomic compartments, aiding in respiration.
Which structures assist in the absorption of nutrients in turtles?
The intestines, which have extensive folds, help increase the surface area for nutrient absorption.
Describe the turtle’s respiratory gas exchange.
Turtles change intracoelomic pressure and rely on large-bore tracheas to facilitate gas exchange.
What muscles aid in expiration for turtles?
contraction of the transversus abdominis and diphragmaticus muscles
What is the anatomical structure at the base of the turtle’s tongue?
glottis; helps manage air intake.
Discuss the significance of having spongy myocardial structures in turtles.
allows for efficient blood flow and flexibility during contraction.
How is the turtle’s lung anatomy distinct from mammalian lungs?
Turtle lungs have an unbranched bronchus and their parenchyma is organized differently than mammalian lungs.
How do turtles accomplish inhalation?
by expanding coelomic cavity through muscle contractions.
What does the term “brumation” refer to in turtles?
Brumation refers to winter dormancy periods in turtles.
How does the circulatory system in turtles adapt to their lifestyle?
The circulatory system allows for efficient oxygen uptake while accommodating periods of breath-holding.
What role do lymphatic vessels play in turtles?
transport fluid from outside the circulatory system back to the blood.
What are the roles of the cavum venosum, cavum arteriosum, and cavum pulmonale in the turtle heart?
compartments within the ventricle facilitating the routing of blood to the lungs and body.
