Body Systems

Health Term 2

Functions of the skeletal system

Protect vital organs, enable movement, produce blood cells, store minerals and nutrients

Cervical vertebrae

7 bones in the neck

Thoracic vertebrae

12 bones in the upper back

Lumbar vertebrae

5 bones in the lower back

Sacrum

5 fused bones at the base of the spine

Coccyx

4 fused bones at the tailbone

Functions of the muscular system

Create movement, maintain posture, produce heat

Tendons

Tough bands that connect muscle to bone, facilitating movement as muscles contract/relax.

Reciprocal Inhibition

When one muscle contracts (agonist), the paired muscle relaxes (antagonist) to enable movement.

Arteries

Carry blood away from the heart; generally carry oxygenated blood

Veins

Carry blood to the heart; generally carry deoxygenated blood

Heart

Pump that pushes blood throughout the cardiovascular system

Pathway of blood

Right atrium → Right ventricle → Pulmonary artery → Lungs → Pulmonary vein → Left atrium → Left ventricle → Aorta → Body

Diaphragm

Major muscle of respiration that helps inhale and exhale

Inspiration (inhale)

Air drawn into the lungs due to decreased air pressure

Expiration (exhale)

Air expelled from the lungs due to increased air pressure

Ligaments

A fibrous tissue that connects bone to bone, providing stability at the joint.

Flexion

Movement that decreases the angle formed by the joint.

Extension

Movement that increases the angle formed by the joint.

Agonist

The muscle that contracts (shortens) during reciprocal inhibition.

Antagonist

The paired muscle that relaxes (lengthens) during reciprocal inhibition.

Capillaries

The smallest and thinnest type of blood vessel where nutrients and waste are exchanged between the blood and cells.

Atria (Right and Left)

Chambers of the heart that receive blood.

Ventricles (Right and Left)

Chambers of the heart that pump blood.

Alveoli

Tiny air sacs within the lungs where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged during breathing.