Fetal Pig Dissection Essay

-Three pairs of exocrine glands in the mouth that secrete saliva; the parotid, submandibular (sub maxillary), and sublingual glands The parotid is the largest and most easily visible of all the salivary glands. The sunbmaxillary is bean shaped and located under the bigger parotid gland. The submandibular gland lies near the jaw line. Glottis -The opening between the vocal cords at the upper part of the larynx. The epiglottis is what covers the glottis during swallowing, to block food/water form getting in the trachea. Epiglottis -The function of the epiglottis in a pig is to prevent food from going into the trachea. Epiglottis is attached to the entrance of the larynx and is made of elastic cartilage. The epiglottis projects up through the soft palate into a region called the nasopharynx Thymus Gland -Gland located near the heart; produces several hormones which stimulate development of cells important in immmunity Thyroid Gland -Endocrine gland located below the voice box; it produces hormones which control metabolism. The thyroid gland is darker and lies between the posterior ends of the two lobes of the thymus gland. Esophagus -Muscular tube that moves food from the pharynx to the stomach. The esophagus is dorsal to the trachea. Vocal Chords Lungs -To breathe, oxygenize blood Bronchi – At end of trachea, branches for air to enter lungs. Stomach – Digests food, breaks it down Small Intestine – Finishes digestion, absorbs nutrients, moves food to large intestine Large Intestine – Larger tubular structure that receives the liquid waste products of digestion, reabsorbs water and minerals, and forms and stores feces for defecation Rectum – A short tube at the end of the large intestine where waste material is compressed into a solid form before being eliminated; straight, posterior part of large intestine Cecum – The cecum houses a large number of bacteria that help in digestion of plant materials, mostly cellulose, that remains undigested in the stomach and small intestine. Appendix – Evolutionary remains of a larger cecum Anus – It allows the pig to release waste Liver – Organ that makes bile to break down fats; also filters poisons and drugs out of the blood Pancreas – Gland that produces hormones that regulate blood sugar; produces enzymes that break down carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids; and produces sodium bicarbonate, a base that neutralizes stomach acid Spleen – Organ near the stomach that produces, stores, and eliminates blood cells