Organ Systems of the Human Body


Integumentary System: hair, skin, nails, sweat glands (functions to protect body from damage, control body temperature, impede loss of water, assist in production of vitamin D).

Skeletal System: bones, related cartilage, joints, ligaments (framework of the body; lends support, protection, creates blood cells, permits movement, and provides storage for fat and minerals).

Muscular System: muscles and tendons (facilitate movement, generate body heat, and sustain posture).

Lymphatic System: lymph nodes, lymphatic vessels, various organs (eliminates foreign materials from circulation, fight illness, regulate tissue fluid level, absorbs fatty acids contained in the digestive tract).

Respiratory System: lungs, airways, respiratory muscles (exchanges molecules of carbon dioxide and oxygen between the external environment and the blood. Also maintains blood pH).

Digestive System: mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, and various organs (mechanical and chemical digestion of food, absorbing nutrients, and expelling waste products from the body).

Nervous System: brain, spinal cord, nerves, sensory receptors (sensory perception, exercising control over body movement, cognitive reasoning, and vast array of physiological processes).

Endocrine System: pituitary gland, thyroid gland, pancreas, and glands (release of hormones; influences growth and development, metabolism, reproduction, and other physiological processes).

Cardiovascular System: heart, blood vessels, blood (utilizes blood as vehicle; distributes gases, nutrients, hormones, and waste products. Also helps with immune response and body temperature maintenance).

Urinary System: kidneys, urinary bladder, ureters, and urethra (maintain blood pH, regulate water balance, expel waste products from blood).

Reproductive System: The female reproductive system includes ovaries, uterus, mammary glands, vagina, and other structures (produces oocytes, provides location for fertilization and fetal development. Also produces hormones which facilitate lactation and sexual behaviors and functions). The male reproductive system includes the penis, testes, various other structures (production of sperm cells and hormones which facilitate sexual behaviors and functions).

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