Basic Anatomy - Tissues & Organs

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Basic Anatomy - Tissues & Organs

There are many different types of cells in the human body. None of these cells function well on there own, they are part of the
larger organism that is called - you.

Tissues
Cells group together in the body to form tissues - a collection of similar cells that group together to perform a specialized function.
There are 4 primary tissue types in the human body: epithelial tissue, connective tissue, muscle tissue and nerve tissue.

1. Epithelial Tissue - The cells of epithelial tissue pack tightly together and form continuous sheets that serve as linings in
different parts of the body. Epithelial tissue serve as membranes lining organs and helping to keep the body's organs
separate, in place and protected. Some examples of epithelial tissue are the outer layer of the skin, the inside of the mouth
and stomach, and the tissue surrounding the body's organs.
2. Connective Tissue - There are many types of connective tissue in the body. Generally speaking, connective tissue adds
support and structure to the body. Most types of connective tissue contain fibrous strands of the protein collagen that add
strength to connective tissue. Some examples of connective tissue include the inner layers of skin, tendons, ligaments,
cartilage, bone and fat tissue. In addition to these more recognizable forms of connective tissue, blood is also considered a
form of connective tissue.
3. Muscle Tissue - Muscle tissue is a specialized tissue that can contract. Muscle tissue contains the specialized proteins actin
and myosin that slide past one another and allow movement. Examples of muscle tissue are contained in the muscles
throughout your body.
4. Nerve Tissue - Nerve tissue contains two types of cells: neurons and glial cells. Nerve tissue has the ability to generate and
conduct electrical signals in the body. These electrical messages are managed by nerve tissue in the brain and transmitted
down the spinal cord to the body.

Organs
Organs are the next level of organization in the body. An organ is a structure that contains at least two different types of tissue
functioning together for a common purpose. There are many different organs in the body: the liver, kidneys, heart, even your skin is
an organ. In fact, the skin is the largest organ in the human body and provides us with an excellent example for explanation purposes.
The skin is composed of three layers: the epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous layer. The epidermis is the outermost layer of skin. It
consists of epithelial tissue in which the cells are tightly packed together providing a barrier between the inside of the body and the
outside world. Below the epidermis lies a layer of connective tissue called the dermis. In addition to providing support for the skin,
the dermis has many other purposes. The dermis contains blood vessels that nourish skin cells. It contains nerve tissue that provides
feeling in the skin. And it contains muscle tissue that is responsible for giving you 'goosebumps' when you get cold or frightened.
The subcutaneous layer is beneath the dermis and consists mainly of a type of connective tissue called adipose tissue. Adipose tissue
is more commonly known as fat and it helps cushion the skin and provide protection from cold temperatures. The sebaceous glands
are microscopic glands in the skin that release an oily or waxy matter, called sebum, to lubricate or moist the skin and hair of
mammals. The sebum mainly comprises a mixture of fats (triglycerides, wax esters, squalene, and cholesterol) and cellular debris. In
humans, they are found in huge abundance on the face and scalp and are also distributed throughout the skin, except on the palms and
soles.

Sweat glands occur in nearly all regions of the skin, but are most numerous in the palms and soles. Each gland consists of a tiny tube
that originates as a ball-shaped coil in the dermis or subcutaneous layer of the skin. The coiled portion of the gland is closed at its deep
end and is lined with sweat-producing cells. Some sweat glands, the "apocrine glands," respond to emotional stress. Apocrine
secretions typically have odors, and the glands are considered to be scent glands. They begin to function at puberty and are responsible
for some skin regions becoming moist when a person is emotionally upset, frightened, or experiencing pain. They are also active when
a person is sexually stimulated. In adults, the apocrine glands are most numerous in the armpits, groin, and in the regions around the
nipples. They are usually associated with hair follicles. Other sweat glands, the "eccrine glands," are not connected to hair follicles.
They function throughout life by responding to elevated body temperature due to environmental heat or physical exercise. These
glands are common on the forehead, neck, and back, where they produce profuse sweating on hot days and when a person is
physically active. They also are responsible for the moisture that may appear on the palms and soles when a person is emotionally
stressed.
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Melanocytes produce melanin, the pigment that gives skin its natural color. When skin is exposed to the sun, melanocytes produce
more pigment, causing the skin to tan, or darken.

Sometimes, clusters of melanocytes and surrounding tissue form noncancerous growths called moles.

Melanocytes are responsible for the color of our hair and skin. It is not how many of these cells that we have, but rather how much
melanin they produce. In addition to causing skin and hair to darken as their activity increases, melanocytes are also active in other
parts of the body such as the brain.

Goose bumps are a temporary local change in the skin. The chain of events leading to this skin change starts with a stimulus such as
cold or fear. That stimulus causes a nerve discharge from an involuntary portion of the nervous system called the sympathetic nervous
system. The nerve discharge causes contraction of little muscles called the arrectores pilorum (the hair erector muscles). Contraction
of these muscles elevates the hair follicles above the rest of the skin. And it is these tiny elevations we perceive as goose bumps.

Organ Systems
Organ systems are composed of two or more different organs that work together to provide a common function. There are 10 major
organ systems in the human body, they are the:

• Skeletal System:

Major Role:
The main role of the skeletal system is to provide support for the body, to protect
delicate internal organs and to provide attachment sites for the organs.
Major Organs:
Bones, cartilage, tendons and ligaments.

Image courtesy of A. McGann

• Muscular System:

Major Role:
The main role of the muscular system is to provide movement. Muscles work in pairs to move
limbs and provide the organism with mobility. Muscles also control the movement of materials
through some organs, such as the stomach and intestine, and the heart and circulatory system.
Major Organs:
Skeletal muscles and smooth muscles throughout the body.

Image courtesy of G. Huang


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• Circulatory System:

Major Role:
The main role of the circulatory system is to transport nutrients, gases
(such as oxygen and CO2), hormones and wastes through the body.
Major Organs:
Heart, blood vessels and blood.

Image courtesy of G. Huang


• Nervous System:

Major Role:
The main role of the nervous system is to relay electrical signals through the
body. The nervous system directs behaviour and movement and, along with
the endocrine system, controls physiological processes such as digestion,
circulation, etc.
Major Organs:
Brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves.

Image courtesy of G. Huang

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• Respiratory System:

Major Role:
The main role of the respiratory system is to provide gas exchange
between the blood and the environment. Primarily, oxygen is
absorbed from the atmosphere into the body and carbon dioxide is
expelled from the body.
Major Organs:
Nose, trachea and lungs.

Image courtesy of A. McGann

• Digestive System:

Major Role:
The main role of the digestive system is to breakdown and absorb
nutrients that are necessary for growth and maintenance.
Major Organs:
Mouth, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines.

Image courtesy of A. McGann

Excretory System:

Major Role:
The main role of the excretory system is to filter out cellular wastes, toxins
and excess water or nutrients from the circulatory system.
Major Organs:
Kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra.

Image courtesy of G. Huang

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• Endocrine System:

Major Role:
The main role of the endocrine system is to relay chemical
messages through the body. In conjunction with the nervous
system, these chemical messages help control physiological
processes such as nutrient absorption, growth, etc.
Major Organs:
Many glands exist in the body that secrete endocrine
hormones. Among these are the hypothalamus, pituitary,
thyroid, pancreas and adrenal glands.

Image courtesy of G. Huang



• Reproductive System:

Major Role:
The main role of the reproductive system is to manufacture cells that allow
reproduction. In the male, sperm are created to inseminate egg cells
produced in the female.
Major Organs:
Female (top): ovaries, oviducts, uterus, vagina and mammary glands.
Male (bottom): testes, seminal vesicles and penis.

Female:

Male:
Images courtesy of G. Huang

Lymphatic/Immune System:
Major Role:
The main role of the immune system is to destroy and remove invading microbes and viruses from the body. The lymphatic
system also removes fat and excess fluids from the blood.
Major Organs:
Lymph, lymph nodes and vessels, white blood cells, T- and B- cells.

Lymph organs

Include the bone marrow, lymph nodes, spleen, and thymus. Precursor cells in the bone marrow
produce lymphocytes. B-lymphocytes (B-cells) mature in the bone marrow. T-lymphocytes (T-cells)
mature in the thymus gland.

Besides providing a home for lymphocytes (B-cells and T-cells), the ducts of the lymphatic system
provide transportation for proteins, fats, and other substances in a medium called lymph.

Lymph nodes: "Human lymph nodes are bean-shaped and range in size from a few millimeters to
about 1-2 cm in their normal state.

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