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6: Body Systems

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    150548

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    Learning Objectives

    By the end of this chapter, you will be able to

      1. Differentiate the body systems
      2. Define the common functions of each of the body systems
      3. Describe the key components of each of the body systems
      4. List the combining forms common to each body system
      5. Describe the common pathologies that affect each of the body systems

    An understanding of body systems is fundamental to any career in a health profession. Much of the content covered in this chapter is required knowledge about topics that are frequently discussed in any clinic or hospital. Familiarity with the human body can even help you make healthful choices for yourself and prompt you to take appropriate action when signs of illness arise. This chapter will discuss the functions, components, and common pathologies found in all body systems. There will be an ample number of practice questions and activities throughout the chapter, as well as a final review.

    • 6.1: Cardiovascular System
      This page covers the cardiovascular system's components and functions, including the heart, blood, and blood vessels, which facilitate nutrient delivery and waste removal. It details common pathologies like hypertension and heart failure, alongside their symptoms and treatments.
    • 6.2: Respiratory System
      This page outlines the respiratory system's functions, including oxygen supply, carbon dioxide elimination, and acid-base balance, with key components detailed. It addresses common pathologies like asthma and COPD which impair gas exchange. Additionally, it discusses tuberculosis, its treatment complexities, and definitions of relevant respiratory terms. The importance of the lungs in gas exchange is emphasized, along with multiple educational sources for the content.
    • 6.3: Endocrine System
      This page covers the endocrine system's role in regulating body functions through hormones, highlighting key glands and related diseases such as diabetes and Cushing's syndrome. It also provides definitions of medical terms pertaining to reproductive and endocrine surgeries and conditions, emphasizing the significance of understanding these terms in relation to endocrine and reproductive health.
    • 6.4: Female Reproductive System
      This page discusses the female reproductive system, highlighting its main functions such as gamete production, hormone secretion, and fetal development support. Key structures include the vagina, cervix, uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes, with accessory organs like breasts for lactation.
    • 6.5: Male Reproductive System
      This page covers the male reproductive system's functions, focusing on sperm and testosterone production, as well as the role of various organs like the testes, epididymis, and prostate. It highlights the importance of the scrotum in temperature regulation for optimal sperm production. Additionally, it discusses common pathologies such as benign prostatic hyperplasia, cryptorchidism, hydrocele, prostate cancer, STIs, and varicocele, along with relevant medical terminology.
    • 6.6: Lymphatic System
      This page outlines the lymphatic system's role in fluid drainage, immune support, and includes its components such as lymph and lymph nodes. It highlights key immune functions like pathogen filtration and immune response coordination, while also noting common pathologies like AIDS, autoimmune diseases, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, mononucleosis, and SCID that can affect immune function.
    • 6.7: Urinary System
      This page discusses the urinary system's essential functions in blood cleansing, waste removal, and regulation of pH and blood pressure. It highlights the key components: kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra, along with common diseases such as albuminuria, cystitis, and kidney failure. The text emphasizes the importance of understanding these elements and their roles in health and the impact of untreated conditions.
    • 6.8: Nervous System
      This page covers the nervous system's structure and function, highlighting its division into the central and peripheral systems, and outlines major neurological pathologies including Alzheimer's, strokes, and epilepsy. It also provides references on definitions and concepts in neurology and ophthalmology, addressing inflammation-related conditions and surgical interventions.
    • 6.9: Integumentary System
      This page discusses the integumentary system, which includes skin, hair, nails, and glands, constituting 16% of body weight. It outlines the system's essential functions such as protection, thermoregulation, sensation, and vitamin D synthesis. The skin is structured in three layers: epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis, and it highlights common conditions like acne, albinism, alopecia, and skin cancers, particularly noting the ABCDE mnemonic for identifying malignant moles.
    • 6.10: Digestive System
      This page provides an overview of the digestive system, highlighting its functions in food breakdown, nutrient absorption, and key organs involved. It addresses common gastrointestinal diseases and includes definitions and terms relevant to digestive health, surgical procedures, and diagnostic tools, serving as a foundational reference for understanding medical terminology and anatomy related to this system.
    • 6.11: Musculoskeletal System
      This page covers the musculoskeletal system, detailing its components—bones, muscles, joints, tendons, and cartilage—and their functions in support, movement, and protection. It distinguishes the axial and appendicular skeletons, discusses common pathologies like arthritis and osteoporosis, and provides medical terminology related to these conditions and dental specialties.
    • 6.12: Review Exercises
      This page offers review exercises on medical terminology, stressing the need for independent study alongside the exercises. It features sections on combining forms and pathology to enhance understanding, and it acknowledges a specific source to underscore its educational intent.

    Attribution

    Unless otherwise indicated, material on this page has been adapted from the following resource:

    Betts, J. G., Young, K. A., Wise, J. A., Johnson, E., Poe, B., Kruse, D. H., Korol, O., Johnson, J. E., Womble, M., & DeSaix, P. (2013). Anatomy and physiology. OpenStax. https://openstax.org/details/books/anatomy-and-physiology licensed under CC BY 4.0

     

    This page titled 6: Body Systems is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Lisa Sturdy and Susanne Erickson via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.