Human Organs
An organ is a collection of tissues joined in a structural unit to serve a
common function. Organs exist in most multicellular organisms, including not
only humans and other animals but also plants. In single-celled organisms
such as bacteria, the functional equivalent of an organ is an organelle.
Tissues in Organs
Although organs consist of multiple tissue types, many organs are composed
of the main tissue that is associated with the organ’s major function and other
tissues that play supporting roles. The main tissue may be unique to that
specific organ. For example, the main tissue of the heart is cardiac muscle,
which performs the heart’s major function of pumping blood and is found only
in the heart. The heart also includes nervous and connective tissues that are
required for it to perform its major function. For example, nervous tissues
control the beating of the heart, and connective tissues make up heart valves
that keep blood flowing in just one direction through the heart.
Vital Organs
The human body contains five organs that are considered vital for survival.
They are the heart, brain, kidneys, liver, and lungs. The locations of these five
organs and several other internal organs are shown in the figure below. If any
of the five vital organs stops functioning, the death of the organism is
imminent without medical intervention.
1. The heart is located in the center of the chest, and its function is to
keep blood flowing through the body. Blood carries substances to cells
that they need and also carries away wastes from cells.
2. The brain is located in the head and functions as the body’s control
center. It is the seat of all thoughts, memories, perceptions, and
feelings.
3. The two kidneys are located in the back of the abdomen on either side
of the body. Their function is to filter blood and form urine, which is
excreted from the body.
4. The liver is located on the right side of the abdomen. It has many
functions, including filtering blood, secreting bile that is needed for
digestion, and producing proteins necessary for blood clotting.
5. The two lungs are located on either side of the upper chest. Their main
function is exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide with the blood.
Human Organ Systems
Functionally related organs often cooperate to form whole organ systems. The
12 diagrams in the figures below show 11 human organ systems, including
separate diagrams for the male and female reproductive systems. Some of
the organs and functions of the organ systems are identified in the figure.
Each system is also described in more detail in the text that follows. Most of
these human organ systems are also the subject of separate chapters in this
Flexbook.
Integumentary System
Organs of the integumentary system include the skin, hair, and nails. The skin
is the largest organ in the body. It encloses and protects the body and is the
site of many sensory receptors. The skin is the body’s first defense against
pathogens, and it also helps regulate body temperature and eliminate wastes
in sweat.
Skeletal System
The skeletal system consists of bones, joints, teeth. The bones of the skeletal
system are connected by tendons, ligaments, and cartilage. Functions of the
skeletal system include supporting the body and giving it shape. Along with
the muscular system, the skeletal system enables the body to move. The
bones of the skeletal system also protect internal organs, store calcium, and
produce red and white blood cells.
Muscular System
The muscular system consists of three different types of muscles, including
skeletal muscles, which are attached to bones by tendons and allow for
voluntary movements of the body. Smooth muscle tissues control the
involuntary movements of internal organs, such as the organs of the digestive
system, allowing food to move through the system. Smooth muscles in blood
vessels allow vasoconstriction and vasodilation and thereby help regulate
body temperature. Cardiac muscle tissues control the involuntary beating of
the heart, allowing it to pump blood through the blood vessels of the
cardiovascular system.
Nervous System
The nervous system includes the brain and spinal cord, which make up the
central nervous system, and nerves that run throughout the rest of the body,
which make up the peripheral nervous system. The nervous system controls
both voluntary and involuntary responses of the human organism and also
detects and processes sensory information.
Endocrine System
The endocrine system is made up of glands that secrete hormones into the
blood, which carries the hormones throughout the body. Endocrine hormones
are chemical messengers that control many body functions, including
metabolism, growth, and sexual development. The master gland of the
endocrine system is the pituitary gland, which produces hormones that control
other endocrine glands. Some of the other endocrine glands include the
pancreas, thyroid gland, and adrenal glands.
Cardiovascular System
The cardiovascular system (also called the circulatory system) includes the
heart, blood, and three types of blood vessels: arteries, veins, and capillaries.
The heart pumps blood, which travels through the blood vessels. The main
function of the cardiovascular system is transport. Oxygen from the lungs and
nutrients from the digestive system are transported to cells throughout the
body. Carbon dioxide and other waste materials are picked up from the cells
and transported to organs such as the lungs and kidneys for elimination from
the body. The cardiovascular system also equalizes body temperature and
transports endocrine hormones to cells in the body where they are needed.
Urinary System
The urinary system includes the pair of kidneys, which filter excess water and
a waste product called urea from the blood and form urine. Two tubes called
ureters carry the urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder, which stores
the urine until it is excreted from the body through another tube named the
urethra. The kidneys also produce an enzyme called renin and a variety of
hormones. These substances help regulate blood pressure, the production of
red blood cells, and the balance of calcium and phosphorus in the body.
Respiratory System
Organs and other structures of the respiratory system include the nasal
passages, lungs, and a long tube called the trachea, which carries air between
the nasal passages and lungs. The main function of the respiratory system is
to deliver oxygen to the blood and remove carbon dioxide from the body.
Gases are exchanged between the lungs and blood across the walls of
capillaries lining tiny air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs.
Lymphatic System
The lymphatic system is sometimes considered to be part of the immune
system. It consists of a network of lymph vessels and ducts that collect excess
fluid (called lymph) from extracellular spaces in tissues and transport the fluid
to the bloodstream. The lymphatic system also includes many small
collections of tissue, called lymph nodes, and an organ called the spleen, both
of which remove pathogens and cellular debris from the lymph or blood. In
addition, the thymus gland in the lymphatic system produces some types of
white blood cells (lymphocytes) that fight infections.
Digestive System
The digestive system consists of several main organs — including the mouth,
esophagus, stomach, and small and large intestines — that form a long tube
called the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Food moves through this tract where it is
digested, its nutrients absorbed, and its waste products excreted. The
digestive system also includes accessory organs (such as the pancreas and
liver) that produce enzymes and other substances needed for digestion but
through which food does not actually pass.
Male and Female Reproductive Systems
The reproductive system is the only body system that differs substantially
between individuals. There is a range of Biological sex, but most books divide
them into male and female. We will discuss the Biology of sex in detail in the
reproductive and development chapters.
