Organ Systems Overview

Flashcards for Organ Systems Overview Lecture

Gallbladder

Organ that stores bile produced by the liver.

Esophagus

Tube that carries food from the pharynx to the stomach.

Pancreas

Gland that secretes digestive enzymes and hormones.

Liver

Organ that produces bile, detoxifies blood, and metabolizes drugs.

Stomach

Organ that stores and churns food, initiating protein digestion.

Large intestine

Absorbs water and electrolytes, forming feces.

Appendix

Small, vestigial structure at the junction of the small and large intestines.

Small intestine

Site of most nutrient absorption.

Integumentary System

Protects deeper organs from injury, excretes salts and urea, regulates body temperature, and produces vitamin D.

Skeletal System

Provides body support and protection of internal organs; provides levers for muscular action; cavities provide a site for blood cell formation.

Muscular System

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

Nervous System

Responds to internal and external changes by activating appropriate muscles and glands.

Endocrine System

Glands secrete hormones that regulate processes such as growth, reproduction, and nutrient use (metabolism) by body cells.

Cardiovascular System

Transports blood, which carries oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, wastes, etc. The heart pumps blood.

Lymphatic System/Immunity

Picks up fluid leaked from blood vessels and returns it to blood. Disposes of debris in the lymphatic stream. Houses white blood cells (lymphocytes) involved in immunity.

Respiratory System

Keeps blood constantly supplied with oxygen and removes carbon dioxide. The gaseous exchanges occur through the walls of the air sacs of the lungs.

Digestive System

Breaks down food into absorbable units that enter the blood for distribution to body cells. Indigestible foodstuffs are eliminated as feces.

Urinary System

Eliminates nitrogenous wastes from the body. Regulates water, electrolyte, and acid-base balance of the blood.

Reproductive System

Overall function is production of offspring.

Integumentary system function

Forms the external body covering and protects deeper tissues from injury. Synthesizes vitamin D and houses cutaneous receptors and glands.

Skeletal system function

Protects and supports body organs and provides a framework the muscles use to cause movement. Blood cells are formed within bones. Bones store minerals.

Muscular system function

Allows manipulation of the environment, locomotion, and facial expression. Maintains posture and produces heat.

Nervous system function

As the fast-acting control system of the body, it responds to internal and external changes by activating appropriate muscles and glands.

Endocrine system function

Glands secrete hormones that regulate processes such as growth, reproduction, and nutrient use (metabolism) by body cells.

Cardiovascular system function

Blood vessels transport blood, which carries oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, wastes, etc. The heart pumps blood.

Lymphatic system/immunity function

Picks up fluid leaked from blood vessels and returns it to blood. Disposes of debris in the lymphatic stream. Houses white blood cells (lymphocytes) involved in immunity. The immune response mounts the attack against foreign substances within the body.

Respiratory system function

Keeps blood constantly supplied with oxygen and removes carbon dioxide. The gaseous exchanges occur through the walls of the air sacs of the lungs.

Digestive system function

Breaks down food into absorbable units that enter the blood for distribution to body cells. Indigestible foodstuffs are eliminated as feces.

Urinary system function

Eliminates nitrogenous wastes from the body. Regulates water, electrolyte, and acid-base balance of the blood.

Reproductive system function

Overall function is production of offspring. Testes produce sperm and male sex hormones, and male ducts and glands aid in delivery of sperm to the female reproductive tract. Ovaries produce eggs and female sex hormones. The remaining female structures serve as sites for fertilization and development of the fetus. Mammary glands of female breasts produce milk to nourish the newborn.