Anatomy & Physiology Chapter 3: Human Organ Systems & Major Organs

Brain: Function

controls nervous system processing, cognition, memory, emotion, sensory integration, and bodily homeostasis.

Brain: Location

cranial cavity inside the skull

Spinal cord: Function

transmits nerve signals between brain and body; coordinates spinal reflex arcs

Spinal cord: Location

vertebral canal extending from brainstem to lumbar region

Eyes: Function

detect light stimuli and transduce visual information to the brain via optic nerves

Eyes: Location

orbital cavities of the skull

Ears: Function

process auditory stimuli (hearing) and maintain vestibular equilibrium (balance)

Ears: Location

temporal bones on either side of the skull

Heart: Function

pumps oxygenated blood to systemic circulation adn deoxygenated blood to lungs

Heart: Location

mediastinum of thoracic cavity, between lungs

Blood vessels: Function

transport blood, nutrient ions, respiratory gases, hormones, and metabolic wastes

Blood vessels: Location

prevade all body tissues (arteries, capillaries, veins)

Lungs: Function

facilitate gas exchange (O₂ uptake and CO₂ excretion) across alveolar capillary membranes

Lungs: Location

pleural cavities of the thorax, flanking heart

Trachea: Function

windpipe that conducts air to and from lungs; warm/filter air via ciliated mucosa

Trachea: Location

anterior toneck, superior to trachea

Stomach: Function

mechanical and chemical breakdown of food; secretes pepsiogen and HCl to form chyme

Stomach: Location

upper left quadrant of abdominal cavity

Liver: Function

produce bile, processes absorbed nutrients, metabolized toxins, and synthesizes plasma proteins

Liver: Location

upper right quadrant of abdominal cavity

Gallbladder: Function

stores and concentrates bile before releasing it into duodenum for fat emulsification

Gallbladder: Location

inferior surface of right lobe of liver

Pancreas: Function

exocrine: secretes digestive enzymes into duodenum; Endocrine: secretes insulin and glucagon

Pancreas: Location

retroperitoneal, posterior to stomach

Small Intestine: Function

primary site of enzymatic digestion and nutrient/water absorption into blood and lymph

Small Intestine: Location

abdominal cavity (duodenum, jejunum, Ileum)

Large Intestine: Function

absorbs remaining water/electrolytes; compacts and eliminates indigestible waste (feces)

Large Intestine: Location

frames abdominal cavity around small intestine

Kidneys: Function

filter blood, produce urine, regulate blood pressure, electrolyte balance, and fluid volume

Kidneys: Location

retroperitoneal, on posterior abdominal wall

Ureters: Function

muscular tubes that transport urine from kidnets to urinary bladder via peristalsis

Ureters: Location

extend retroperitoneally from kidney renal pelvis to bladder

Urinary Bladder: Function

hollow distensible muscular organ that stores urine prior to micrturition

Urinary Bladder: Location

pelvic cavity posterior to pubic symphysis

Pituitary Gland: Function

“Master gland”; secretes tropic hormones regulating growth, metabolism, and reproduction.

Pituitary Gland: Location

sella turcica of sphenoid bone at base of brain

Thyroid Gland: Function

secretes thyroid hormones to regulate basal metabolic rate, and calcitonin

Thyroid Gland: Location

anterior neck below larynx, wrapping trachea

Adrenal Glands: Function

cortex secretes cortisol/aldosterone; Medulla secretes epinephrine/norepinephrine (stress)

Adrenal Glands: Location

superior pole of each kidney (retroperitoneal)

Spleen: Function

filters blood, removes old erythrocytes, stores platelets, and mounts immune responses

Spleen: Location

superior mediastinum, posterior to sternum

Thymus: Function

site of T-lymphocyte maturation and immunological self-tolerance development

Thymus: Location

superior mediastinum, posterior to sternum

Lymph Nodes: Function

filter lymph fluid, trap pathogens, and facilitate adaptive immune activation

Lymph Nodes: Location

clustered along lymphatic vessels (axilla, groin, neck)

Ovaries: Function

produce female gametes (ova) and ex hormones (estrogen and progesterone)

Ovaries: Location

pelvic cavity on either side of uterus

Uterus: Function

provides structural and metabolic support for embryonic implantation and fetal development

Uterus: Location

pelvic cavity superior to bladder

Testes: Function

produce male gametes (spermatozoa) and principal androgen (testosterone)

Testes: Location

scrotal sac outside abdominal cavity

Skin (Cutaneous): Function

largest organ; provides physical protection, thermoregulation, sensation, and vitamin D synthesis

Skin (Cutaneous): Location

covers entire external surface of human body