Unit 4 - Anatomy and physiology for health and social care
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Unit 5
P3- Outline the gross structure of all the main body systems
Our body consists of 12 body systems that carry out specific functions necessary for everyday living.
Body systems include the cardiovascular system, the respiratory system, the digestive system, the
renal system, the nervous system, the endocrine system, the reproductive system, the muscular
system, the lymphatic system, the immune system and the skeletal system. I will now talk about
each systems structure, function and location.
The digestive system
This is made up of the gastrointestinal tract also known as the digestive system. The mouth is where
the digestive system begins. The smell of food triggers the secretion of saliva, which contains salivary
amylase enzyme aiding in the disintegration of starch. The pharynx then passes chewed food into
the oesophagus. Food is then converted into small molecules and moved into the stomach, by the
cardiac sphincter closing the end of the oesophagus trapping the molecules in the digestive system,
this process is known as peristalsis. The food in the stomach is then coated with digestive enzymes
and acids in the stomach, helping to disintegrate food. The digested food is then passed on to the
small intestine, the small intestine comes in three parts the duodenum, jejunum and ileum.
Nutrients from the food are then absorbed into the bloodstream from the villi in the small intestine.
In the duodenum, fats, proteins and carbohydrates are broken down using enzymes provided by the
pancreas. Next, the molecules move to the large intestine which absorbs water and disintegrates any
waste. Finally, once the nutrients have been extracted what’s left will become faeces, which will be
extracted through the anal canal.
The main function in summary
The function of the digestive system is digestion and absorption. Digestion is the breakdown of food
into small molecules, which are then absorbed into the body. During digestion firstly food is digested
in the mouth, stomach and small intestine. Then digested food is absorbed into the bloodstream in
the small intestine. Excess water is absorbed back into the body in the large intestine. Any
undigested food from the large intestine passes out of the anus as faeces when we go to the toilet.
For example, if we eat an apple the apple then travels down our body through the throat to the
stomach, it is then broken down disintegrated and passed into the small intestine where nutrients
from the apple are absorbed, then it the unwanted molecules move to the large intestine then turns
into faeces, coming out through the anal canal.
The renal system
The renal system is organs that, produce, store and release urine made up of the kidneys, stomach,
uterus, bladder, and urethra. The kidneys are a part of the renal system and are located in the back
cavity of the abdominal cavity, one on either side. The kidney transports urine into the uterus,
previous from its exit from the body. The bladder makes up the renal system situated in the pelvic
area, its function being the collection and storage of the urine that has excited the kidneys. When
the bladder becomes full it exits into the uterus leaving the bladder. The uterus tubes are made from
muscle and attached to both the kidney and bladder. They use a small amount of pressure to push
urine from the kidneys into the bladder, and then into the urethra on its way to exit the body. The
urethras main function is to allow urine to exit the body however, urethras also prevent the urine
from travelling back into the kidneys, a condition known as reflux. The urethra is the last destination
for the urine, it is a hollow tube connected to the bladder that allows urine to exit through the
genitals.
, The main function in summary
The renal system, also known as the urinary system, consists of the kidneys, uterus, bladder and
urethra. The purpose of the urinary system is to eliminate waste from the body, regulate blood level
and blood pressure, control levels of electrolytes and metabolites, and regulate blood PH.
The respiratory system
The respiratory system has three major parts the airway, the lungs and the muscles of respiration,
with its main function to inhale oxygen into our bodies and expelling carbon dioxide. Firstly, the air is
inhaled through the nose and mouth and then travelling through to the lungs via the pharynx, larynx
and trachea. The air is then distributed around the body into the bloodstream allowing our body to
function properly. The respiratory system is also responsible for phonation. Phonation is the creation
of sound in the respiratory tract. Whilst exhaling the air moves through the larynx and when we
speak the muscles move the arytenoid cartilages. These cartilages push vocal cords towards each
other, air passing through at the time causes sound.
The main function in summary
The respiratory which includes air passages, pulmonary vessels, the lungs and breathing muscles,
aids the body in exchange of gases between air and blood, and between the blood and the body’s
cells. Most of the organs of the respiratory system help to distribute air, but only the alveoli and
alveolar ducts are responsible for this. In addition to air distribution and gas exchange, the
respiratory system filters warms and humidifies the air you breathe, it also helps the body maintain
homeostasis which keeps a constant internal temperature.
The cardiovascular system
The cardiovascular system consists of the heart, blood vessels, and blood. The cardiovascular system
also is known as the circulatory system transports and supplies oxygen to the cells in the body. The
cells require oxygen to survive, oxygen is supplied as most cells do not have direct contact. The
cardiovascular system also supplies the body with nutrients and energy. When food is digested it
travels through the intestines and is absorbed into the bloodstream along with glucose from the
liver. The blood also absorbs waste matter and transports them to excretory organs. The blood also
transports cells that fight disease, these are created by organs in the immune system. The
cardiovascular system is also responsible for the transportation of hormones produced in a singular
location within the body and then transported to another. The circulatory system also aids in the
regulation of body temperature. If the temperature becomes too low, the blood vessels will
constrict, the smaller surface area of the blood vessels will cause less heat to escape, conserving
more body heat.
The main function in summary
The cardiovascular system has three main functions, transport of nutrients, oxygen, and hormones
to cells throughout the body, regulation of body temperature and clotting of open wounds. The
cardiovascular system transports nutrients to the cells of your body via capillaries, tiny blood vessels
that connect arteries to veins. Nutrients, oxygen and wastes all pass in and out of your blood
through capillary walls. To regulate the temperature the blood vessels become narrower, they
constrict which allows less blood flow through the skin, conserving the core body temperature.
Lastly, the cardiovascular system clots open wounds by creating a thick mass of blood tissue to help
the body stop bleeding. Proteins in your blood called fibrins work with small blood cells called
platelets to form the clot.
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