For the human organism to function properly we need these twelve systems.
In this article we will know the 12 systems of the human body: specifically, we will talk about their characteristics, how they work and the organs and structures that configure them.
Human body systems: what are they?
Human body systems are groupings or sets of organs that operate by performing a number of specialized functions; Thus, each system deals with certain functions, all of which are necessary to live and enjoy good health.
These organs, in turn, are formed by sets of tissues, which are constituted by sets of cells, the smallest unit of all living beings.
Which ones are there?
Specifically, the 12 systems of the human body are: the excretory system (also called urinary system), the respiratory system, the circulatory system, the digestive system (also called the digestive system), the nervous system, the lymphatic system, the immune system, the endocrine system, the skeletal system, the integumentary system, the reproductive system (or reproductive system) and the muscular system.
Let’s look at the anatomy and how each of them works below.
1.Excretory system
The excretory system, also called the urinary system, is responsible for producing, storing and transporting urine. Its purpose is to excrete or eliminate harmful or residual substances from the body (that is, those that the body can no longer take advantage of or that can even be toxic if they accumulate).
These substances come from different cellular processes, as well as from food and nutrient remains that have already been absorbed and therefore used. On the other hand, the excretory system is also responsible for maintaining a proper balance in the levels of water and other bodily substances.
This system is made up of the urinary system (made up of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra), lungs, liver, and skin. In other words, the elimination of harmful substances does not occur only through urine, but also through the skin (sweat glands and pores) and breathing (lungs).
2. Respiratory system
The respiratory system is of vital importance, since it is what allows our breathing , which consists of an exchange of gases: specifically, the inhalation of oxygen and the exhalation or expulsion of carbon dioxide. This system operates jointly with the circulatory system, which we will see later.
The organs that make up the respiratory system are: the trachea, the diaphragm and the lungs.
3. Circulatory system
The circulatory system is responsible for transporting and distributing blood to all our organs ; Specifically, it enables oxygen that comes from the lungs (respiratory system) to pass to the heart.
The heart is the organ responsible for distributing blood throughout the body through the arteries and, together with the blood vessels, make up the organs of the circulatory system.
4. Digestive system
The digestive system is actually called the alimentary canal . It is responsible for carrying out the process of digesting food; that is, to transform them into substances that can be absorbed and used by the cells of the body.
This apparatus is made up of the following organs and structures: the mouth, the esophagus, the stomach, the small intestine, the large intestine, the ascending, transverse and descending colon, the rectum and the anus.
The different organs and body parts of the digestive system will operate in such a way to break down the food, which will pass to the digestive tract, where it will be broken down into smaller molecules. Finally, after the whole process, the body will be able to absorb the necessary nutrients from the food.
5. Nervous system
The nervous system is of vital importance in psychology, since, among others, it encompasses the brain and mental functions . It is one of the most complex and constantly studied human body systems.
This system is divided into two: the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The CNS is made up of the brain and spinal cord. The brain is actually made up of the cerebrum, cerebellum , and medulla oblongata. For its part, the PNS is formed by the nerves that enter and leave the spinal cord (these are sets of axons).
The functions of the nervous system include the control and execution of voluntary and involuntary actions, the performance of movement, the processing of information, the control of different bodily functions, etc.
6. Lymphatic system
This system is responsible for providing the necessary defenses for the body to protect itself from external or internal agents . Specifically, what it does is synthesize and distribute from the tissues to the bloodstream, a substance (lymph) that contains white blood cells (leukocytes) and that allows the body to be protected from infections (or to fight against them once they appear).
The lymph operates together with the spleen, an organ of the lymphatic system that is also responsible for fighting infections. The lymphatic system is made up of: nodes, lymphatic vessels and ducts, and is part of the immune system.
7. Immune system
The immune system, of which the lymphatic system is a part, also has the function of protecting or defending the body from pathogenic substances such as viruses, bacteria or other microorganisms. What it does is eliminate the infectious agents that invade the body, preventing them from damaging it.
When the immune system does not work properly, autoimmune diseases appear, where the body itself attacks itself.
8. Endocrine system
The next of the body’s systems, the endocrine system, is responsible for synthesizing hormones , substances that are involved in many physiological (for example, reproductive) and emotional processes.
It is formed by the glands (responsible for making hormones), which are 9: the thymus, the pineal gland, the pancreas, the ovaries, the testicles, the thyroid, the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland and the adrenal glands.
Thus, the main function of hormones is to regulate the different bodily functions, such as metabolism or growth, although they are also related to the regulation of emotional processes
9. Skeletal system
This system is made up of the skeleton and the different bones that make it up (specifically, 206), and has the functions of: allowing movement, creating blood cells and storing calcium.
10. Integumentary system
The integumentary system, less known, has the function of protecting the internal tissues through the skin , mainly. The structures that form it are: the skin, the subcutaneous tissue, the nails, the hair and various glands.
The skin, as the main structure of the integumentary system, is also part of the excretory system, as we have seen previously; Within that system, it performs waste disposal functions. It is the largest organ in the entire body (the one that occupies the largest surface area).
In addition, as part of the integumentary system, the skin forms the body’s first protective barrier against external and harmful agents. Another function it performs is to regulate body temperature.
11. Reproductive system
The reproductive system, also called the reproductive apparatus, is another of the systems of the human body, of vital importance for the perpetuation of the species and for the creation of life .
The organs that make it up vary from men (testes [responsible for synthesizing sperm], vas deferens and penis) to women (uterus, ovaries [responsible for synthesizing eggs], fallopian tubes and vagina).
The process that enables the creation of a new life consists of the introduction (or union) of a sperm with an egg (or more than one of the two, in the case of twins). This union will form the zygote.
12. Muscular system
The last of the systems of the human body, the muscular system , is the one that allows the execution of movements, together with the skeletal system. It is made up of 650 muscles distributed throughout the body and of different types.
Broadly speaking, we find three types of muscles: skeletal muscles, which allow movement by joining the bones; the cardiac muscle, located in the heart, of vital importance since it pumps the blood, and the smooth muscles, located inside the organs and that allow substances to be distributed within them.
References
- Latarjet, M., Ruiz, A., Pro, E. (2019). Human anatomy. Pan American Medical Publishing House.
- Gray, Henry (1918). “Anatomy of the Human Body”. Bartleby.
- Marieb, Elaine; Hoehn, Katja (2007). Human Anatomy & Physiology (7th ed.). Pearson Benjamin Cummings.
- Maton, Anthe; Hopkins, Jean Susan; Johnson, Charles William; McLaughlin, Maryanna Quon; Warner, David; LaHart Wright, Jill (2010). Human Biology and Health. Prentice Hall.
- Newman, Tim. “Introduction to Physiology: History And Scope.” Medicine News Today.
- Nielsen, N. (2012). Atlas of Human Anatomy. Panamerica: Panamerican Medical Publisher.
To the classic question “what do you do?” I always answer “basically I am a psychologist”. In fact, my academic training has revolved around the psychology of development, education and community, a field of study influenced my volunteer activities, as well as my first work experiences in personal services.