Organ Systems Part I
This article is a review for the organs systems of the hum an body. It’s audience is directed toward massage therapist. It includes the a quick review of all the major organ systems of the human body.
Structures made up of two or more kinds of tissues that perform a more complex fund than it could alone is called an organ. A Group of organs arranged in such a way that they can together perform a more complex function than any organ alone is called an organ system.
The Integumentary system - The largest and most important organ in the integumentary system is the skin. The skin weight is about 20 pounds that’s approximately 16% of the total body weight. Hair, nails, specialized sweat glands and oil producing glands in the integumentary system are called appendages. Embedded in the skin, sense organs permit the body to respond to various stimuli such as pain, pressure, touch and changes in temperature. The skin in the integumentary system is crucial to survival its primary function is protection of any structure that lies below.
The skeletal system - The skeletal system is mad up of 206 bones in the average adult human body. The skeletal system is made up of bones, cartilage, and ligaments. Cartilage and ligaments provides the body with a rigid framework for support and protection. Movements of the body are made possible due to joints in the skeletal system. Bones provide storage areas for important minerals such as calcium and phosphorus.
The muscular system - The muscular system produces movement, maintains body posture and generates the heat required for maintaining a constant body core temperature for homeostasis. The three types of muscles are voluntary, involuntary (smooth), and cardiac muscle. Of the three only two are striated which is voluntary and cardiac. Smooth or involuntary muscle can be found in blood vessel walls, hallow organs, and tubular structures of the body. Muscles attach to bones via tendons and Bone attaches to bone via ligaments.
The Nervous system - The nervous system is made up of organs such as the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. The nerves send impulses to the brain via the spinal cord and primary nerves that run the length of the body and converge in the back of spinal column. Sense organs that start this process by creating electrical impulses from pressure, heat, and touch via sense organs which are in the integumentary system.
The Endocrine system - The endocrine system communicates in a similar way as the nervous system however at a much slower pace. Specialized glands secrete chemicals known as hormones directly in the blood system for transportation around the body. The organs of the endocrine system which perform the same general functions as the nervous system are called ductless glands. These hormones are the main body regulators of metabolism, reproduction and other body activities. Hormones influence fluid and electrolyte balance, acid-base balance and energy metabolism. The pituitary, hypothalamus, and the pineal gland are located inside the skull and can be considered part of the brain however they produce hormones. The endocrine gland that is located in the thoracic cavity is called the thymus. The endocrine gland that is in the abdominal cavity is called the pancreas.
