major organs and glands

Introduction to anatomy and physiology

function of the heart

pump blood carrying oxygen and nutrients through the body and getting rid of any waste products e.g. carbon dioxide

function of the lungs

it is where gaseous exchange occurs and they allow oxygen to enter the body and carbon dioxide to leave

function of the liver

the liver has many functions including making bile into fat for digestion, removing toxins from the blood stream, balancing energy metabolisms and breaking down certain substances

function of the gall bladder

the main function is storing and releasing bile so the digestive system can break down fats

function of the pancreas

aids digestion and helps regulate blood sugar by secreting insulin

function of the stomach

secretes gastric acid to break down food before it goes to the small intestine

function of the small intestine

digest food further after receiving partially digested food from the stomach

function of the kidneys

filters blood which will form the waste product urine

function of the bladder

fills up with urine and then allows it to exit the body

function of the spleen

produces white blood cells to help fight infection and also stores and filters blood

function of the skin

protects internal structures and organs from harmful things, injuries and UV rays

function of the thyroid and parathyroid glands

aids regulation of metabolism and maintains calcium levels in the bloodstream

function of the adrenal glands

secretes the hormone adrenaline and produces aldosterone and cortisol

function of the thymus gland

enables T cell maturation which are involved in immunity, therefore making them an important part of the immune system