Earthworm Anatomy and Functions
Structure
Mouth
Buccal Cavity
Pharynx
Esophagus
Crop
Function
opening where food enters the worm; covered by flap called prostomium; helps with
digging
inside of mouth; contains the teeth, tongue, and palate
right behind the buccal cavity; helps suck in food
tube connecting the pharynx to the crop; food flows through tube to be digested
between esophagus and gizzard; stores the food; flexible structure to expand for more
food
Gizzard
between crop and intestine; muscular structure because it helps grind food; pieces of rock
or sand can get caught here to help further digest the food mechanically
Intestine
after gizzard and runs the length of the worms body to the anus; chemical digestion and
absorption of nutrients happens here
Aortic Arches
Clitellum
blood vessels that serve as the hearts; earthworms have 5 pairs
reproductive structure that holds the eggs and secretes fertilized eggs in cocoon