Frog Anatomy and Physiology Overview

Frog Anatomy Overview

• External nares are nostrils located on the outside of the frog's head.
• The nicitating membrane acts as a third eyelid, providing protection to the eyes.
• Vomerine teeth are found on the roof of the mouth and help to hold prey.
• Frogs belong to the classification of amphibians.

Digestive System Components

• The pharynx serves as a passage for both air and food.
• The liver synthesizes bile, crucial for digestion.
• The gall bladder stores bile underneath the liver.
• Chyme is a semi-liquid mass of partially digested food found in the digestive tract.
• The esophagus is the tube through which food is swallowed.
• The stomach is the first major site for chemical digestion.
• The small intestine is where nutrient absorption occurs.
• The large intestine is responsible for carrying solid waste to the cloaca.
• Peristalsis refers to the rhythmic contraction that moves food through the digestive tract.

Excretory and Urinary Systems

• Kidneys function as excretory organs, filtering waste.
• The urinary bladder collects and stores urine.
• Ureters are tubes that transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder.

Reproductive System

• Testes designate male frogs, while ovaries produce eggs, the female sex cells.
• Oviducts are the tubes responsible for carrying eggs in female frogs.
• Sperm ducts transport sperm away from the testes.

Circulatory and Respiratory Systems

• The heart has three chambers: a single ventricle and two atriums (left and right).
• The frog's circulatory system is closed, ensuring efficient blood flow.
• Lungs serve as hollow sacs for gas exchange, aiding in respiration.

Other Notable Features

• The cloaca is a common exit chamber for excretory and reproductive systems.
• The tympanic membrane, located on the side of the head, functions as an eardrum.
• The glottis is an opening in the mouth used as an airway for breathing.
• Maxillary teeth are sharp teeth along the upper jaw, assisting in securing and crushing prey.
• Fat bodies serve as storage locations for nutrients within the frog's body.
• Eustachian tubes connect the pharynx to the ear, playing a role in balance and hearing.

Functional Insights

• The nictitating membrane helps frogs to protect and keep their eyes moist both in water and on land.
• The positioning of a frog's teeth suggests that they are adapted to grip and secure larger prey items.
• Ingestion process: Food is captured with the tongue, crushed by teeth, swallowed through the pharynx, and continues through the digestive tract to waste excretion.