Chapter 5 - Organ Systems Flashcards
integumentary system
a system of the body made up of only one organ: the skin
skin
also called the integument; the body’s covering, and also its heaviest organ, weighing over 20 pounds; its primary purpose is protection but it also contains many microscopic sense receptors that can detect things like pain, pressure, touch, texture, vibration, and temperature
appendage
structure attached to a main part
skeletal system
a system of the body made up of 206 bones, with some additional bones that vary from person to person; it also contains the cartilage used to cushion the bones
ligaments
bands of fibrous connective tissue that help hold bones together
joints
connections between two or more bones that make movement possible
muscular system
a system of the body containing muscles; most of the muscles are skeletal muscle tissue
tendon
a dense strap or sheet of regular dense fibrous connective tissue; a tendon is part of a muscle organ that attaches the muscle to a bone (or to another muscle)
nervous system
the system of the body made up of the brain, nerves, and spinal cord
central nervous system (CNS)
the part of the nervous system that contains the brain and spinal cord
peripheral nervous system (PNS)
the part of the nervous system made up of the cranial and spinal nerves, and all their branches; this system makes it possible for the CNS to control the body and process sensation
cranial nerves
nerves that extend from the brain
spinal nerves
nerves that extend from the spinal cord
nerve impulses
a signal transmitted along a nerve fiber
sense organs
organs that can recognize certain stimuli such as heat, light, and sound (e.g. the eyes)
endocrine system
a system made up of glands that secrete chemicals known as hormones directly into the blood
ductless glands
another name for the organs of the endocrine system
pituitary gland
located in the skull and part of the endocrine system; controls the function of most other endocrine glands
pineal gland
located in the skull and part of the endocrine system; it produces melatonin, a serotonin-derived hormone which modulates sleep patterns
hypothalamus (gland)
located in the skull and part of the endocrine system; it coordinates both the autonomic nervous system and the activity of the pituitary gland, controlling body temperature, thirst, hunger, and other homeostatic systems, and is involved in sleep and emotional activity
thyroid gland
a large ductless gland in the neck which secretes hormones regulating body growth and metabolism
parathyroid gland
small glands of the endocrine system, located in the neck, that control the amount of calcium in our blood and bones
thymus gland
located in the thoracic cavity, specifically in the mediastinum; it is the organ primarily responsible for the production and maturation of immune cells
adrenal gland
small glands located on top of each kidney; they produce sex hormones and cortisol
pancreas
a heterocrine gland located in the abdomen behind the stomach; as an endocrine gland, it functions mostly to regulate blood sugar levels; as an exocrine gland, it works by secreting pancreatic juice into the duodenum through the pancreatic duct
heterocrine gland
glands which function as both exocrine gland and endocrine gland (e.g. pancreas, testes, ovaries)
cardiovascular system
sometimes called the circulatory system; a system that consists of the heart and a closed system of vessels made up of arteries, veins, and capillaries
lymphatic system
a system made up of a network of tissues and organs that help rid the body of toxins, waste and other unwanted materials; it works closely with the immune and cardiovascular system
cardiovascular system
sometimes called the circulatory system; a system that consists of the heart and a closed system of vessels made up of arteries, veins, and capillaries
immune system
a system that protects us from disease-causing microorganisms, harmful toxins, transplanted tissue cells, and any of our own cells that have turned malignant or cancerous; the immune system is composed of protective cells (such as phagocytes) and various types of defensive protein molecules (produced by secretory immune cells)
complement (immune system)
any of several inactive enzymes normally present in blood, which, when activated, kill foreign cells by dissolving them
antibodies
substances produced by the body that destroy or inactivate a specific substance (antigen) that has entered the body
antigen
a substance that, when introduced into the body, causes formation of antibodies against it
respiratory system
the system that contains organs such as the nose, pharynx (throat), larynx (voice box), trachea (windpipe), bronchi, and lungs; these organs facilitate the movement of air into the tiny, thin-walled sacs of the lungs called alveoli
alveoli
(1) any of the many tiny air sacs of the lungs which allow for rapid gaseous exchange (carbon dioxide for oxygen); (2) the bony socket for the root of a tooth
digestive system
the system responsible for proper digestion, absorption of nutrients, and elimination of waste; it is made up of primary and secondary organs
primary organs (digestive system)
the organs that form the digestive tract; they include the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anal canal.
secondary organs (digestive system)
(also called accessory organs) the organs that attach to the digestive tract; they include the teeth, salivary glands, tongue, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and appendix
alimentary canal
(also called the digestive tract) the whole passage along which food passes through the body from mouth to anus, made up of primary organs
gastrointestinal tract
also called GI tract; the tract from the mouth to the anus which includes all the organs of the digestive system (primary and secondary) in humans and other animals
urinary system
a system consisting of the kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra; this system filters your blood, removing waste and excess water
radiography
the art and science of using radiation to provide images of the tissues, organs, bones, and vessels that comprise the human body
reproductive system
the biological system made up of all the anatomical organs involved in sexual reproduction; it is made up of two sub-systems: the male reproductive system and the female reproductive system
radiologists
medical doctors that specialize in diagnosing and treating injuries and diseases using medical imaging (radiology) procedures (exams/tests) such as X-rays, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear medicine, positron emission tomography (PET) and ultrasound
