Open Post #6: The Organ Systems of the Body

In this post, I will be talking about the organ systems of the human body. I read an article about this and I figured since my blog is about physiology, I should share some of the information!

There are 11 organ systems in the body and there are all very important. Even if you’re not a physiology major or someone interested in the medical/health field, you should know about the organ systems!

Photo credit:anatomyandphysiologyi.com

So, here they are:

• The Integumentary system: forms the external body covering and protects deeper tissues from injury. Examples: skin, hair, and nails

• The Muscular system: maintains posture and produces movement (locomotion). This system also produces heat. Examples: skeletal muscles

• The Skeletal system: supports and protects the body’s organs. It also provides a framework for muscles. Examples: bones, joints

• The Endocrine system: glands secrete hormones that regulate many processes like growth, metabolism, and reproduction. Examples: pineal gland, thymus, pancreas

• The Nervous system: the control system of the body that responds to internal and external changes and activates muscles and glands. Examples: brain, spinal cord, nerves

• The Cardiovascular system: the heart pumps blood and blood vessels transport it. Blood carries oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, waste and more through the body. Examples: heart, blood vessels

• The Lymphatic system: houses white blood cells involved in immunity. It also returns leaked fluid from the blood vessels to the bloodstream and disposes debris. Examples: spleen

• The Respiratory system: removes carbon dioxide and continuously supplies blood with oxygen. Gaseous exchanges also occur in the lungs. Examples: nasal cavity, trachea, lungs

• The Digestive system: breaks down food to be absorbed and eliminates waste. Examples: oral cavity, live, stomach, rectum, anus

• The Urinary system: eliminates nitrogenous wasted from the body and regulates acid-base, electrolyte, and water balance of blood. Examples: kidney, bladder, urethra

• The Reproductive system: produces offspring. Sex hormones and sperm are produced by the male testes and ovaries produce female sex hormones and eggs.

From this article, I learned more about the different organ systems of the body and their functions. This is useful information for everyone to know and I think it is really important. Hopefully you learned more while reading this and check out the article below for more details!

"Human Body Organ Systems: An Orientation." Anatomy & Physiology. Anatomy and Physiology, 17 May 2013. Web. 3 Mar. 2016.