Laboratory 2.1: Organ Systems

What is an organ system?

A group of organs working together toward a particular function.

What are the main organs of the integumentary system?

Hair, skin, and fingernails.

What are the functions of the integumentary system?

Forms the external body covering, protects deeper tissues, synthesizes vitamin D, and houses sensory receptors and glands.

What are the main organs of the skeletal system?

Bones, cartilages, and joints.

What are the functions of the skeletal system?

Protects and supports organs, provides a framework for muscle movement, forms blood cells, and stores minerals.

What are the main organs of the muscular system?

Skeletal muscles.

What are the functions of the muscular system?

Allows locomotion and manipulation of the environment, maintains posture, and produces heat.

What are the main organs of the nervous system?

Brain, spinal cord, sensory receptors, and nerves.

What are the functions of the nervous system?

Fast-acting control system that responds to internal and external changes by activating muscles and glands.

What are the main organs of the endocrine system?

Pituitary, pineal, thyroid, parathyroid, thymus, adrenal glands, pancreas, ovaries, and testes.

What is the function of the endocrine system?

Glands secrete hormones that regulate growth, reproduction, and nutrient use by body cells.

What are the main organs of the cardiovascular system?

Heart and blood vessels.

What are the functions of the cardiovascular system?

Blood vessels transport blood carrying oxygen, nutrients, and hormones; the heart pumps the blood.

What are the main organs of the lymphatic system?

Lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels.

What are the functions of the lymphatic system?

Returns leaked fluid to blood, disposes of debris, and houses white blood cells for immunity.

What are the main organs of the respiratory system?

Nasal cavity, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs.

What is the function of the respiratory system?

Keeps blood supplied with oxygen and removes carbon dioxide via gas exchange in the lung air sacs.

What are the main organs of the digestive system?

Oral cavity, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, liver, pancreas, and gallbladder.

What is the function of the digestive system?

Breaks food into absorbable nutrients for the blood; eliminates indigestible material as feces.

What are the main organs of the urinary system?

Kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra.

What are the functions of the urinary system?

Eliminates nitrogen-containing wastes and regulates water, electrolyte, and acid-base balance of the blood.

What is the overall function of the reproductive system?

Production of offspring.

What structures make up the male reproductive system?

Testes, ductus deferens, seminal vesicles, prostate gland, penis, and scrotum.

What structures make up the female reproductive system?

Ovaries, uterine tubes, uterus, vagina, and mammary glands.

What is the trachea?

Also called the windpipe; a cartilage-ringed tube that runs from the larynx into the thoracic cavity to deliver air to the lungs.

What is the mediastinum?

The midline space of the thoracic cavity between the two pleural cavities; contains the heart and great vessels.

What is the pericardium?

The protective membrane surrounding the heart that forms the pericardial cavity.

What is the diaphragm?

A skeletal muscle forming the inferior border of the thoracic cavity; drives the pressure gradients of respiration.

What is the pleural cavity?

The space surrounding each lung, formed by the pleural membrane.

What is the esophagus?

A smooth muscle tube located behind the trachea that carries food from the pharynx to the stomach.

What is the pyloric sphincter?

A band of muscle at the junction of the stomach and small intestine that regulates stomach emptying.

What is the function of the small intestine?

Continues digestion and is the primary site of nutrient absorption; its length increases surface area.

What is the mesentery?

A serous membrane that anchors the intestines and contains blood vessels and fat deposits.

What is the function of the large intestine?

Houses microflora that digest fiber and release vitamins; absorbs water; ends in the rectum and anus.

What is the function of the liver?

Produces bile, which is stored in the gallbladder and used to aid digestion.

What is the dual role of the pancreas?

It secretes digestive enzymes into the small intestine (digestive) and hormones like insulin and glucagon (endocrine).

What is the spleen and what system does it belong to?

A dark red organ on the lateral left side of the ventral cavity; part of the lymphatic system that removes old red blood cells.

What is the thyroid gland and its function?

A butterfly-shaped endocrine gland that secretes thyroid hormone.

What is the parathyroid gland and its function?

Located on the posterior thyroid; secretes PTH to help regulate calcium levels.

What is the thymus gland?

A mass of glandular tissue over the heart; largest in infants, shrinks with age, and plays a role in immunity.

What are the adrenal glands and where are they located?

Two glands located superior/anterior to the kidneys (retroperitoneal); associated with the sympathetic nervous system and secrete corticoid hormones.

What are the kidneys and what do they do?

Retroperitoneal, bean-shaped organs that filter blood and produce urine.

What is the ureter?

A tube connecting each kidney to the urinary bladder to transport urine.

What is the urethra?

A tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body; in males it passes through the penis.

What do the testes produce?

Male sex hormones and sperm (male gametes).

What is the ductus deferens (vas deferens)?

A thin tube that carries sperm from the testes through the abdominopelvic cavity to the urethra.

What is the uterine horn (fetal pig)?

A Y-shaped structure superior to the bladder where fetuses develop; pigs have uterine horns instead of a single uterus.

What do the ovaries produce?

Female sex hormones and ova/eggs (female gametes).

What is the vagina?

The birth canal; the portion of the female reproductive tract that opens to the exterior.

What do the brain and spinal cord do?

Nervous tissue in the dorsal cavity that coordinates communication between organ systems.

What is the parietal peritoneum vs. visceral peritoneum?

Parietal peritoneum lines the abdominal wall; visceral peritoneum covers the individual organs within.