Body Systems Flashcards
What is the skeletal system composed of?
Bones (axial and appendicular), cartilage, joints, bone marrow (red and yellow)
What are the main functions of the skeletal system?
- Supports and protects the body
- Provides surface area for bone protection
Where is red bone marrow found, and what does it do?
Found in flat bones (skull, sternum, ribs, pelvis) and is responsible for red blood cell production. Red bone marrow decreases with age.
Where is yellow bone marrow found, and what happens to it after a major bleed.
Found in the medullary cavity of long bones - femur, humerus and stores fat + some minerals. After a major bleed, yellow marrow turns into red marrow to produce more red blood cells.
What organs does the axial skeleton consist of?
Skull, vertebrae, sternum, sacrum, coccyx, supporting cartilage, ligaments
What are the functions of the axial skeleton?
Protects the brain, spinal cord, organs in the thorax, and special sense organs + supports the body weight over the lower limbs.
What are the functions of the appendicular skeleton?
It supports the positions of the limbs + allows the appendicular muscles to move the axial skeleton
Where is cartilage found?
Where two bones meet (articulate)
What are the two types of cartilage?
- Hyaline cartilage - where the ribs meet the sternum
- Fibrocartilage - in the discs within the vertebral column
What is the muscular system composed of?
Skeletal muscles, axial and appendicular muscles, tendons, aponeuroses
What are the functions of the skeletal muscles?
- Produce heat - shivering
- Protect soft tissues lying underneath
- Support skeleton
- Movement of the skeleton
- Controls opening of the entrance and exit to the digestive, respiratory and urinary systems
What are the Axial and Appendicular Muscles used for?
Axial muscles support and position the axial skeleton
Appendicular muscles allow movement and support of the limbs
What are aponeuroses?
Connective tissue between muscles
For example, aponeuroses between abdominal muscles define a six-pack
What are tendons?
Connective tissue between muscle and bone
What are the main components of the integumentary system?
Hair, skin, nails, oils and sweat glands
What are the layers of the skin?
Epidermis - outermost protective layer + produces vitamin D
Dermis - Hair follicles, sweat glands, nails, sensory receptors
Hypodermis - fat storage and connection to deeper tissues
What is the purpose of oil glands?
Lubricate the epidermis and hair shaft
What is the purpose of sweat glands?
Responsible for thermoregulation - sweat from sweat glands cools down the body through evaporation
What are the main components of the cardiovascular system?
Heart, Blood vessels (arteries, veins, capillaries), Blood
What is the function of the heart?
The heart pumps blood throughout the body to deliver oxygen and nutrients while removing waste products + maintaining blood pressure
What are the types of blood vessels and their functions?
Arteries - carry blood away from the heart
Capillaries - exchange of nutrients and waste occurs between the blood and tissues
Veins - carry blood towards the heart
Why is it incorrect to say arteries always carry oxygenated blood and veins always carry deoxygenated blood?
The pulmonary arteries carry deoxygenated blood to the lungs, and the pulmonary veins carry oxygenated blood to the heart, making this statement incorrect.
What are the major functions of blood?
Transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide, Regulation of temperature, pH balance and buffering, Immune defence, Waste removal, Transport of nutrients and hormones
What is another name for red blood cells?
Erythrocytes
What are the main components of the lymphatic system?
Lymphatic vessels, lymphatic fluid, lymph nodes, spleen, thymus
What is the primary function of the lymphatic system?
It maintains fluid balance by collecting excess interstitial fluid and returning it to the bloodstream, transports immune cells
What is Interstitial fluid (ISF)
A fluid that surrounds cells and tissues in the body. It’s made up of water and other substances that leak from blood capillaries.
What is the flow of fluid in the lymphatic system?
Heart → Arteries → Capillaries → Interstitial / Tissue Fluid → Some reabsorbed into blood, some absorbed by lymphatic vessels → Passes through lymph nodes (filter and monitor) → Lymphatic vessels empty into the venous system → Heart
What is the function of lymph nodes?
Lymph nodes monitor the composition of lymphatic fluid, trap pathogens, and stimulate immune responses by activating B and T cells.
What is the role of the spleen in the immune system?
The spleen recycles old red blood cells, stimulates immune response, traps pathogens and monitors circulating blood for pathogens.
What is the function of the thymus?
The thymus is the site of T cell maturation and is a larger organ during childhood.
How does the lymphatic system contribute to immunity?
It transports white blood cells, filters pathogens, and initiates immune responses through lymph nodes and organs like the spleen and thymus.
What is the function of lymphatic vessels?
Lymphatic vessels drain excess interstitial fluid, transport immune cells, and return fluid to the bloodstream to maintain fluid balance.
What is the function of lymphatic fluid?
Lymphatic fluid contains water, proteins, and immune cells that help transport waste and pathogens to lymph nodes for filtration.
What is lymphodema?
Swelling of parts of the body as a result of the lymphatic system not working properly
What are the main components of the respiratory system?
Nasal cavity, Pharynx, Larynx, Trachea, Bronchi, Lungs (alveoli)
What is the function of the respiratory system?
To facilitate gas exchange, bringing oxygen into the body and removing carbon dioxide + acid-base control
What is the function of the alveoli?
Alveoli are the primary sites of gas exchange, where oxygen is absorbed into the blood and carbon dioxide is expelled.
What role does the diaphragm play in respiration?
The diaphragm contracts to expand the lungs during inhalation and relaxes to push air out during exhalation.
How is air filtered before reaching the lungs?
Air is filtered, warmed, and humidified by the nasal cavity and mucous membranes before reaching the lungs.
What is the function of the pharynx?
The pharynx conducts air to larynx
What is the function of the larynx?
Protects opening to trachea
What is the function of the trachea?
The trachea conducts air to the bronchi and contains C-shaped cartilage rings to keep the airway open.
What is the function of the bronchi?
The bronchi conduct air into the lungs and branch into smaller bronchioles to distribute air throughout the lung tissue.
What are the two main divisions of the nervous system?
Central Nervous System (CNS) - consists of the brain and spinal cord and is the control centre of the nervous system + other system for short periods if required
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) - consists of all neural tissue outside the CNS and links the CNS to other organ systems
What is the function of the Central Nervous System (CNS)?
The CNS processes and integrates information, coordinates sensory input and motor output, and is responsible for higher functions such as thinking and memory.
What is the function of the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)?
The PNS transmits sensory information to the CNS and carries motor commands from the CNS to muscles and glands.
What is the nervous system composed of?
Brain, spinal cord, optic nerve, sensory organs (ears and eyes)
What is the role of the spinal cord in the nervous system?
The spinal cord relays information between the brain and the body and is responsible for reflex actions.
What is the function of the brain?
The brain controls voluntary and involuntary activities, processes sensory information, coordinates movement, and is responsible for higher functions like memory, emotion, and reasoning.
What is the function of the endocrine system?
The endocrine system regulates bodily functions through hormones that control growth, metabolism, and homeostasis.
What are the main components of the endocrine system?
Pineal gland, Pituitary gland, thyroid, parathyroid gland, thymus, Adrenal gland, kidneys, pancreas, gonads (testes and ovaries)
What does the pineal gland do?
Regulates day-night rhythms/ circadian rhythms
Describe the function of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland
Controls many other endocrine glands, regulates growth, and fluid balance
Describe the function of the anterior pituitary gland
Produces growth hormone (GH)
which acts on the liver to produce insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1)
Too much GH during childhood ⇒ Gigantism
Too much GH during adulthood ⇒ Acromegaly
What hormones are secreted by the thyroid gland
Thyroxine
What does the parathyroid gland do?
Controls calcium levels
What are the main hormones secreted by the adrenal glands?
Cortisol - regulates metabolism and immune response to stress.
Adrenaline (epinephrine) - triggers the “fight or flight” response.
Aldosterone - regulates sodium and potassium balance, affecting blood pressure.
What is the function of the pancreas in the endocrine system?
The pancreas secretes insulin and glucagon to regulate blood glucose levels.
What is the role of insulin and glucagon?
Insulin - lowers blood glucose levels by promoting glucose uptake into cells.
Glucagon - raises blood glucose levels by stimulating glycogen breakdown in the liver.
What hormones do the gonads (testes and ovaries) produce, and what are their functions?
Testes - produce testosterone, which regulates male reproductive functions and secondary sexual characteristics.
Ovaries - produce estrogen and progesterone, which regulate female reproductive functions and menstrual cycles.
What are the main components of the male reproductive system?
Testes
Penis and scrotum
Epididymis
Vas deferens
Seminal vesicles
Prostate gland
Urethra
What are the main components of the female reproductive system?
Ovaries
Fallopian tubes
Uterus
Vagina
Mammary glands
What is the function of the testes?
The testes produce sperm and secrete testosterone, which regulates male reproductive development and secondary sexual characteristics.
What is the function of the epididymis?
The epididymis stores and matures sperm before they are transported through the vas deferens.
What is the function of the vas deferens?
The vas deferens transports mature sperm from the epididymis to the urethra.
What is the function of the prostate gland?
The prostate gland produces prostatic fluid, which nourishes and protects sperm.
What is the function of the ovaries?
The ovaries produce oocytes (eggs) and secrete estrogen and progesterone, which regulate reproductive functions and menstrual cycles.
What is the function of the fallopian tubes?
The fallopian tubes transport oocytes from the ovaries to the uterus and are the site of fertilization.
What is the function of the uterus?
The uterus provides a suitable environment for implantation and supports fetal development during pregnancy.
What is the function of the cervix?
The cervix acts as a gateway between the uterus and the vagina, producing mucus that changes consistency based on hormonal cycles.
What is the function of the vagina?
The vagina serves as the birth canal, receives sperm during intercourse, and allows for menstrual flow to exit the body.
What is the function of the mammary glands?
The mammary glands produce milk to nourish newborns.
What are the main functions of the digestive system?
The digestive system processes food, absorbs nutrients, and eliminates waste.
What are the main components of the digestive system?
Oral cavity, salivary glands, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver, pancreas, gallbladder.
What is the function of the stomach?
The stomach secretes acid and enzymes to break down food and begins protein digestion.
What is the function of the small intestine?
The small intestine absorbs nutrients and completes digestion with the help of digestive enzymes.
What is the function of the large intestine?
The large intestine absorbs water and forms waste (feces) for elimination.
What is the function of the liver in digestion?
The liver produces bile, which helps digest fats, and regulates nutrients in the blood.
What is the function of the pancreas in digestion?
The pancreas produces digestive enzymes and bicarbonate to neutralize stomach acid.
What is the function of rectum + anus?
Store and remove waste
What is the function of the gallbladder?
The gallbladder stores and concentrates bile, releasing it into the small intestine to aid fat digestion.
What is Peristalsis?
smooth muscle contraction down the tube to move gut contents (in both small and large intestine)
What are the main functions of the urinary system?
The urinary system removes waste, regulates blood volume and pressure, and maintains electrolyte balance.
What are the main components of the urinary system?
Kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra.
What is the function of the kidneys?
Produces and concentrates urine, regulates blood volume and blood pressure, regulates pH, regulates levels of ions, produces hormone EPO (endocrine)
What is the function of the ureters?
The ureters transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder.
What is the function of the bladder?
The bladder stores urine until it is expelled from the body.
What is the function of the urethra?
The urethra transports urine and sperm out of the body.
What hormone is secreted by the kidneys and what is its function?
Erythropoietin (EPO) stimulates red blood cell production in response to low oxygen levels.
Name the eight organs that are found in 2 systems (PUMP T KOT)
Pancreas
Urethra
Mammary Glands
Pharynx
Thymus
Kidney
Ovaries
Testes
What two systems do the mammary glands belong to?
Integumentary + Reproductive
What two systems does the thymus belong to?
Endocrine + Lymphatic
What two systems does the pharynx belong to?
Digestive + Respiratory
What two systems does the kidney belong to?
Urinary + Endocrine
What two systems does the pancreas belong to?
Digestive + Endocrine
What two systems do the testes belong to?
Reproductive + Endocrine
What two systems do the ovaries belong to?
Reproductive + Endocrine
What two systems does the urethra belong to?
Urinary + Reproductive
