Anatomy Study Guide

This Anatomy Study Guide is organized in the context of anatomy and physiology. It is not meant to be comprehensive, but to be a brief description of physiological systems. At the end of each system's description is a link that can be clicked on for more in-depth review.

Urinary System

• Functions: Filters waste, regulates blood volume, electrolyte balance, and blood pressure. Produces hormones like erythropoietin and renin.
• Organs: Kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra.
• Urine Formation: Filtration, reabsorption, secretion.
• Age-Related Changes: Decreased kidney function and bladder capacity.

Link: Anatomy Study Guide for the Urinary System

Digestive System

• Functions: Breaks down food, absorbs nutrients, and eliminates waste.
• Organs: Mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver, pancreas, gallbladder.
• Processes: Ingestion, digestion (mechanical and chemical), absorption, defecation.

Link coming soon:

Cardiovascular System

• Functions: Transports blood, oxygen, nutrients, and removes waste.
• Organs: Heart, blood vessels (arteries, veins, capillaries).
• Circulatory Pathways: Pulmonary (lungs) and systemic (body).
• Heart Structure: Four chambers – right and left atria, right and left ventricles.

Link coming soon:

Endocrine System

• Functions: Produces hormones to regulate metabolism, growth, and homeostasis.
• Glands: Hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, pancreas, ovaries, testes.
• Key Hormones: Insulin, cortisol, growth hormone, thyroid hormone.

Link coming soon:

Respiratory System

• Functions: Facilitates gas exchange, supplies oxygen, and removes carbon dioxide.
• Organs: Nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, lungs, alveoli.
• Breathing Process: Inhalation (oxygen in) and exhalation (carbon dioxide out).
• Gas Exchange: Occurs in the alveoli.

Link coming soon:

Special Senses

• Sight (Eye): Retina, optic nerve, and lens help focus light and create images.
• Hearing (Ear): External ear, eardrum, cochlea, and auditory nerve.
• Smell (Nose): Olfactory receptors in nasal cavity detect scents.
• Taste (Tongue): Taste buds on the tongue sense flavors.
• Touch (Skin): Sensory receptors detect pressure, temperature, and pain.

Link coming soon:

Female Reproductive System

• Functions: Produces eggs, supports fertilization, pregnancy, and childbirth.
• Organs: Ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, vagina.
• Menstrual Cycle: Regulated by hormones, includes ovulation and menstruation.
• Pregnancy: Fertilization occurs in the fallopian tubes, implantation in the uterus.

Link coming soon:

Male Reproductive System

• Functions: Produces sperm and hormones (testosterone), and facilitates reproduction.
• Organs: Testes, epididymis, vas deferens, prostate, penis.
• Sperm Production: Occurs in the testes.
• Hormones: Testosterone regulates sperm production and secondary sexual characteristics.

Link coming soon:

Nervous System

• Functions: Controls body activities through electrical signals, processes sensory information.
• Divisions: Central Nervous System (CNS - brain and spinal cord) and Peripheral Nervous System (PNS - nerves).
• Neurons: Functional units that transmit impulses.
• Brain Areas: Cerebrum (thinking), cerebellum (coordination), brainstem (basic functions).

Link coming soon:

Blood Anatomy and Physiology

• Functions: Transports oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and waste; regulates temperature and pH.
• Components: Red blood cells (oxygen transport), white blood cells (immune defense), platelets (clotting), plasma (fluid).
• Circulation: Blood flows through arteries, veins, and capillaries via the heart's pumping action.

Link coming soon:

This guide provides a very basic framework for understanding key body systems and their functions. For in-depth study, each system has a link that can be clicked for exploring each system's processes, organs, and physiological interactions.