Organ Systems - Lecture Notes

Vocabulary flashcards based on lecture notes covering various organ systems, their structures, functions, and key concepts.

Organ

Structure made up of two or more kinds of tissues that can perform a more complex function than a single tissue.

Organ system

Group of organs that perform a more complex function than can any organ alone.

Integumentary System

The organ system that includes the skin and its appendages, primarily responsible for protection, regulation of body temperature, and sensation.

Skin

The only organ of the integumentary system, encompassing hair, nails, and glands.

Skeletal System

The organ system consisting of 206 named bones, which supports the body and protects internal organs.

Bones

Organs of the skeletal system that provide structure, support, and protection.

Ligaments

Bands of fibrous tissue that hold bones together at joints.

Cartilage

Tissue that connects and cushions bones in the skeletal system.

Muscular System

The organ system that includes muscles responsible for movement.

Voluntary muscle

Skeletal muscle that is under conscious control.

Involuntary muscle

Smooth muscle tissue found in the walls of some organs; not under conscious control.

Cardiac muscle

Muscle tissue found in the wall of the heart.

Nervous System

The organ system comprising the brain, spinal cord, and nerves responsible for communication and control of body functions.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Composed of the brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Includes cranial and spinal nerves and their branches.

Endocrine System

The organ system that communicates via hormones, integrating and controlling body functions.

Pituitary gland

An endocrine gland that regulates various bodily functions through hormone release.

Cardiovascular System

Also known as the circulatory system; consists of the heart and blood vessels.

Transportation

One of the primary functions of the cardiovascular system, moving substances throughout the body.

Lymphatic System

An organ system involved in transportation of lymph and immune responses.

Phagocytes

Protective immune cells that ingest harmful pathogens.

Respiratory System

The organ system responsible for gas exchange, including the nose, trachea, and lungs.

Digestive System

The organ system responsible for breaking down food and absorbing nutrients.

Alimentary canal

The pathway along which food passes through the body from mouth to anus.

Accessory organs

Organs such as the liver and pancreas that assist in digestion but are not part of the alimentary canal.

Urinary System

The organ system responsible for filtering blood and excreting waste products as urine.

Kidneys

Organs that filter waste from the blood and produce urine.

Reproductive System

The organ system involved in the survival of genes through the production of sex cells.

Ovaries

The female gonads that produce eggs (ova) and hormones.

Testes

The male gonads that produce sperm and hormones.

Homeostasis

The stable condition of an organism and its internal environment.

Organ replacement

The process of substituting a damaged organ with a prosthetic or transplanted organ.

Prostheses

Artificial devices to replace missing body parts or organs.

Transplantation

The surgical process of moving an organ from one body to another.

Stem cell treatment

A regenerative medicine approach that uses stem cells for therapy.

Artificial joint

A prosthetic device designed to replace a natural joint.

Pacemaker

A medical device used to regulate the heartbeat.