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Lesson One - Inflammation

Body Systems

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Systems of the Human Body – Review


In HSS1010: Health Services Foundations you learned about 11 body systems. For a review of these systems, click on each collapsible row.

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The integumentary system includes several organs:

  • Skin (two layers—epidermis and dermis)
  • Sebaceous [se–bay'–shuss] glands—commonly called oil glands
  • Sudoriferous [su-dor'-if-er-us] glands—commonly called sweat glands
  • Hair
  • Nails


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The skeletal system and bones

  • serve as a support framework,
  • protect vital organs such as the brain, heart, and lungs,
  • work with muscles to produce movement,
  • store calcium salts, and
  • contain the red bone marrow that produces blood cells.


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The muscular system consists of

  • cardiac muscle, which forms the heart's wall and produces the pulsing action of the heart as it contracts,
  • smooth muscle, which makes up the hollow organs such as the stomach, intestines, and bladder, as well as those of the blood vessels and respiratory passageways, and
  • skeletal muscle, which is so named because this type of muscle is attached to bone and produces movement at the joints (In your face, the skeletal muscles are attached to the facial bones as well as the skin to allow facial expression.).


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The nervous system is a complex communication system with two major structural divisions:

  • The central nervous system (CNS) is composed of the brain and spinal cord, which control all the workings of all parts of the body. The brain and spinal cord together serve as the main processing centre for the entire nervous system.
  • The peripheral nervous system (PNS) consists of all the nerves outside the CNS. It includes all the cranial nerves that carry messages to and from the brain, and all the spinal nerves that carry messages to and from the spinal cord.

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The endocrine system is a system of glands that produce and secrete hormones, chemical messengers that travel in the blood to specific target organs. These hormones influence the function of almost every cell, organ, and system.

The endocrine system is instrumental in regulating

  • metabolism (the rate your body converts digested food into energy)
  • growth and development
  • tissue function
  • internal environment of the body (temperature, fluid balance)
  • mood
  • sexual function and reproductive processes

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The lymphatic system is an extensive drainage network of lymphatic vessels that transport a fluid called lymph. This system

  • helps balance the body’s fluid levels.
  • defends the body against pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi that can cause infections and illnesses.
  • collects extra lymph from the body tissues and returns it to the blood—an essential process because water, proteins, and other substances are leaking continuously from tiny blood capillaries into the surrounding body tissues.
  • makes lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, that produce antibodies.
  • includes the spleen that also helps the body fight infection (As blood passes through the spleen, old red blood cells and foreign bodies are filtered and removed. The lifespan of a red blood cell is about 120 days.).
The lymphatic system is part of the immune system and plays an important role in immunity and defense. The task of protecting the body from harmful agents is the responsibility of certain white blood cells and the lymphatic system, which are important parts of the immune system.
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Organs included in the digestive system are the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, gallbladder, pancreas, and liver. This system

  • digests food into nutrients that can be used by the body’s cells.
  • allows nutrients to be absorbed by the cells.
  • ensures solid waste materials are eliminated from the body.
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Organs included in the urinary system are two kidneys, left and right ureters, bladder, and urethra. This system

  • removes liquid wastes and dissolved substances from the body.
  • maintains the body's fluid balance and pH.
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Human reproduction is sexual, meaning that individuals have either male or female specialized cells designed specifically for the perpetuation of the species. Unlike other body systems, the reproductive system is not necessary for survival as individuals. Both the female and male reproductive system is categorized into two groups of organs, primary and accessory.

  • The primary organs are the gonads, or sex glands, which produce the gametes, or sex cells, as well as hormones (estrogen in females; testosterone in males). The female gonads are the paired ovaries (singular: ovary), and the female gametes are ova (singular: ovum). The male gonads are the paired testes or testicles (singular: testis), and the male gametes are sperm.
  • Female accessory organs include external genitals, various exocrine glands, and internal organs of the vagina, uterus, and uterine tubes (oviducts).
  • Male accessory organs include external genitals, various exocrine glands, and a series of internal ducts and tubules that transport semen containing male gametes (sperm).
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The cardiovascular system consists of the heart, blood, and blood vessels (arteries, the smaller arterioles, veins, the smaller venules, and the microscopic capillaries that connect them). This system

  • pumps blood (transporting nutrients, oxygen, and other needed substances) to all the body tissues.
  • carries waste materials, including carbon dioxide, away from the tissues.
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The respiratory system includes the lungs and the passages leading to and from them, which includes the trachea [tray–key–a] and the left and right bronchus (together called bronchi [brong’–ki]), and the smaller bronchioles [brong’–key–oles].

The respiratory system

  • takes in air and conducts it to the alveoli, tiny air sacs in the lungs designed for gas exchange.
  • provides body cells with oxygen and removes carbon dioxide that cells produce as waste.