18 Organ Systems, The Whole Body, and Populations
Organ systems are made up of organs that work together to perform a specific function for the body as a whole. The table below describes the organ systems and their primary organs and physiological functions.
| Organ system | Key organ(s) | Primary function(s) |
|---|---|---|
| integumentary | skin | support; protection; regulation of fluid levels and temperature |
| skeletal | bones, cartilage | support; protection; movement; blood cell production |
| muscular | muscles, tendons | support; movement |
| urinary | kidneys, bladder, urethra | waste removal; regulation of fluid levels |
| digestive | tongue, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, gallbladder, rectum | digestion of food; waste removal |
| respiratory | trachea, lungs | gas exchange; regulation of temperature |
| cardiovascular | heart, blood vessels | transport of materials through the body; regulation of temperature |
| nervous | brain, spinal cord | control of behavior and body systems; cognition |
| endocrine | glands | control of body systems and development |
| immune | thymus, tonsils, spleen | defense against infection |
| lymphatic | lymph nodes, lymphatic vessels | immunity; regulating fluid balance |
| reproductive | penis, testes, prostate (males); uterus, ovaries, vagina (females) | reproduction |
The Whole Body
The organ systems of the body all work together to maintain proper physiological functions. Many times in the arena of anatomy and physiology, including in this course, we closely examine the molecules, cells, tissues and organs of the body to learn their forms and functions. However, it is important to consider that every molecule works as part of the entire system. Endocrine disorders such as diabetes affect glucose levels in the body. Altered blood glucose levels can affect many organ systems. For example, the immune system may not heal as well, the urinary system may experience kidney damage, and the cardiovascular system can experience vascular damage, even to the point of causing blindness. In the body, everything is interconnected.
Populations
Beyond the body, populations and environment can impact physiology and health. Some diseases and disorders are common to certain populations, most likely because of genetic connections. Also, environmental conditions can impact health. Particulates in the air can impact respiratory function. We are also affected by foods, exercise, sun exposure and other environmental conditions.
