anatomy of a snail![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
ovotestis ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Genital gland located at the apex of the shell ensuring production of sperm and eggs; the snail has both male and female organs.
hermaphroditic duct ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Channel into which the ovotestis and albumen gland open; it separates into a sperm duct and an egg duct that remain, nonetheless, conjoined.
albumin gland ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Organ opening into the hermaphroditic duct and secreting a viscous substance, which surrounds the fertilized ovum and contributes to the development of the egg.
copulatory bursa ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Sac where sperm accumulate before entering the spermatheca.
penis ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Male organ of copulation, internal when at rest; it is located on the ventral face of the foot, lateral to the vagina.
esophagus ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Canal in the anterior part of the digestive tract; it carries food to the crop.
gonopore ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Opening common to the penis and the vagina and located at the side of the head; it allows copulation and entry of the sperm into the copulatory bursa.
pedal gland ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Organ of the foot located near the mouth; it secretes an adhesive substance that allows the snail to crawl.
radula ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Tongue bearing numerous small corneous teeth allowing the snail to grasp and tear up food before ingesting it.
mouth ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Anterior cavity of the digestive tract having a jaw and a rough tongue (radula) to graze on plants.
dart sac ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Calcareous part located inside the vagina containing the dart with which snails sting one another to achieve arousal before copulation.
crop ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Large sac located beyond the esophagus, where food is held before being digested in the stomach.
salivary gland ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Organ located in the buccal cavity; it secretes saliva and enables especially the digestion of food.
lung ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Pouch formed of a network of blood vessels inside the shell; it ensures respiration and communicates with the outside through an orifice.
heart ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Muscular organ helping blood to circulate.
digestive gland ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Organ producing a secretion that contributes to digestion.
intestine ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Section of the digestive tract between the stomach and the anus where absorption of nutrients is carried out and waste is transformed into fecal matter.
spermatheca ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Pouch discharging into the vagina and housing the sperm used to fertilize the eggs.
kidney ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Organ secreting urine; it eliminates toxic substances from the body.
stomach ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Dilated section of the digestive tract preceding the intestine; it receives food to be digested.
ureter ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Long canal originating in the kidney and carrying urine to the excretory orifice.
spermoviduct ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Male genital duct carrying sperm toward the penis.
flagellum ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Movable filament appended to the penis allowing sperm to move about during copulation.
excretory pore ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Terminal opening of the ureter allowing urine to be evacuated.
anus ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Terminal orifice of the digestive tract enabling ejection of fecal matter.
vagina ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Female organ of copulation located on the ventral surface of the foot, lateral to the penis.