Anatomy Island
A showcase of the world’s most accurate anatomical resort
Welcome to Anatomy Island! There’s much to explore and discover within the human body. Here at Anatomy Island, we’ve made it our goal to educate our visitors about the human body and its needs. We offer 4 departments including bodily organization, tips to keep the body healthy and detailed explanations about the 11 body systems and their functions. There is also a section of tips to keep each specific system working its best. Enjoy your stay at the world’s most anatomically correct medical resort!
Departments Organization General Precautions Systems • • • • • • • • • • •
Integumentary Muscular Skeletal Cardiovascular Respiratory Nervous Digestive Urinary Endocrine Lymphatic Reproductive
Maintaining Healthy Systems
Organization Cells
Tissues
Organs
Organ Systems
Organisms
The cell is the basic form of life. Humans are made up of billions of cells. Different cells are designed to perform specific functions depending on their shape. Gametes (or reproductive cells,) split by a process called meiosis.
When cells group together, they create tissue. When tissue is torn or broken, cells repair the tissue by splitting into identical copies through mitosis.
Tissues then merge to form organs. Some organs are composed of such delicate tissue that they are irreplaceable. The spleen, for instance, cannot be fixed if ruptured. It must be removed through surgery.
Although organs serve important functions on their own, they are even more valuable when performing in unison with other organs. When many organs engage in carrying out the same general process, an organ system is formed. There are 11 organ systems in the human body.
Organ systems come together to create organismsliving, functioning beings of different species!
General Precautions
The human body requires care to stay healthy. To keep an overall satisfying lifestyle, it’s important to make wise decisions that will positively impact your wellbeing. Listed are some useful tips that will help you stay healthy and happy in everyday life.
Physical Health
Mental Health
Exercise is essential for the destruction of fat and the creation of muscles. It helps boost metabolism and is a great way to get fresh air, as well as a sense of accomplishment. Cardio exercises are best for burning calories although many alternatives are available depending on fitness level.
Mental and physical health are closely related, and sometimes the decisions you make under pressure or stress can affect your physical state. Smoking, for instance, is a popular method of calming or even “fitting in.” Smoking is also one the leading causes of cancer and is responsible for the death of 1 of 5 Americans.
Eating a balanced diet is also a crucial aspect of maintaining weight. Each meal should supply essential macronutrients including carbohydrates, protein, and dietary fats.
Another reason why so many people find themselves emotionally hurt and mentally unwell is due to lack of proper stress treatment. Resolving problems in a mature and responsible way benefits not only the individual but everyone involved and affected by the issue (friends, family, etc.). Numerous therapy techniques exist to help people deal with mental issues.
Social Health
An individual’s mental health is very much affected by their social circumstances. Having someone to talk to or simply share experiences with is a good way to build trust and acceptance among people.
Besides personal situations, social circumstances can play a role in someone’s financial or professional life. It’s important to treat people with respect to maintain peace within a community. For exampleopenly disrespecting your boss or coworkers will probably result in a loss of income. Bad for you and your family.
Integumentary System The integumentary system protects interior organs from environmental conditions. It also helps regulate temperature and physically activates the sense of touch.
Hair grows on nearly every part of the skin except the palms and soles of our feet. It consists of a protein called keratin and is useful in providing warmth. Hair such as the eyebrows and eyelashes serve the important function of protecting our eyes from sweat and dust. Nails are layers of keratin that protect the tips of our toes and fingers. The skin, or epidermis, is the largest organ of the human body. It serves as a shield from external forces and allows us to interact with our surroundings through touch. Oil and sweat are produced by sebaceous and sudoriferous glands. Arrectores pilorum are tiny muscles at the base of hair follicles that cause hair to “stand on end” during sudden changes in external or hormonal conditions.
The process of perspiration, or sweating, is a result of the body attempting to cool itself by releasing tobe-evaporated water. The human body’s temperature must remain at 37⁰C.
Muscular System The muscular system allows the body to move. It also has the ability to produce heat and raise temperature within the organism. This results in sweat being released through the skin.
Tendons connect muscles to bones that support them. A torn tendon can be very painful and takes months (or even years) to heal.
Muscles are important because they allow us to move. They must be maintained through exercise to function properly and stay strong. Muscles require oxygen and blood to contract. New muscle tissue grows when micro-tears occur due to the contraction of muscles.
The heart is a muscle that does not get tired. It pulses thousands of times a day to keep blood flowing to the rest of the body.
Skeletal System The skeletal system serves as the framework for the body. Without it we wouldn’t be able to stand or move because organs would have no support. Bones also produce blood cells and store nutrients. Bones make up the skeletal system and are crucial in the human body. Besides providing support for interior and exterior organs, bones produce blood cells (primarily red and some white) through the process of haematopoiesis. The tip of a bone is called “cartilage.” Cartilage is softer and more flexible than compact bone.
Ligaments are tissues that connect bones together. Ligament injuries are common among athletes because joints are used excessively. At birth, the human body contains 270 bones which later fuse to only 206.
Although bones are strong, they are light due to spongy ends. The most important nutrient to healthy bones in calcium. Various other nutrients and fats are stored in bone marrow as well. Bones can absorb foreign substances that may harm other organs in the body. The ribs and skull are examples of bones that surround and protect soft tissue. These spaces are referred to as “cavities.”
Cardiovascular System The cardiovascular system circulates blood to and from organs in the body. Blood is important because it contains oxygen and other nutrients.
The heart is a vital organ that pulses thousands of times a day. It is responsible for pumping oxygen-rich blood for distribution around the body. It’s important for white blood cells to be transported throughout the body. They help fight disease and contribute to keeping organs healthy. A red blood cell is pictured on the right. A controversial topic in medicine is the transplantation of animal hearts into humans. Arteries carry oxygenated blood from the heart to the body. The further away they get from the heart, the more they branch to get smaller. These tiny, thin branches are called capillaries. Capillaries are the thinnest type of blood vessel. They distribute oxygen and nutrient rich blood to tissues. They exchange this blood for cell waste and carbon dioxide. Capillaries then branch back together to form veins.
Veins carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart. On the way there, waste in the blood is collected by other organs for disposal.
Respiratory System The respiratory system allows us to breathe and produce speech. It is responsible for gas exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. The pharynx, pictured on the right, is composed of 3 sections. The nasopharynx allows air inhaled from the nose to pass. The oropharynx enables the inhalation of air and ingestion of food. The laryngopharynx is the food path. It connects to the esophagus. The larynx serves as the opening to the trachea. It contains the vocal cords, which open when an individual takes a breath. Speech is produced as a result of vibrations between the cords when they close and air passes through them. The trachea, which follows the larynx, leads to the bronchi. The trachea is lined with mucus and cilia (tiny hairs) that prevent foreign substances from entering the lungs. The trachea’s exterior is protected by several cartilage rings. In males, one of these rings expands during adolescence and forms what’s known as an “Adam’s apple.” The trachea also helps regulate the temperature of air entering the lungs.
Air passes from the trachea to the left and right bronchi (pictured above). Each bronchus delivers oxygen to the lungs, which expand and contract with the help of a muscle called the diaphragm.
Nervous System The nervous system consists of the brain, spinal cord and nerves. It is a fragile system that is crucial to the physical and mental development of an individual.
The spine protects nerves that connect to the brain. If the spine breaks and a section become disconnected, everything below the breaking point becomes paralyzed. This occurs because nerves can no longer receive messages from the brain.
The brain is the most important, complex organ in the body. It is the reason we are able to move, think, and communicate. The brain houses over 100 billion neurons. Neurons are nerve cells that transmit information when they receive or detect electrical and chemical signals. Nerves that emerge directly from the brain are called cranium nerves. Nerves that sprout from the spine are called spinal nerves. All 5 senses excluding touch are associated with cranium nerves. There are 3 types of nerve cells. Motor nerves control movement through the contraction of muscles. Sensory nerves allow humans to feel (touch and pain) and recognize physical textures. Autonomic nerves stimulate involuntarily actions such as temperature regulation, blood pressure and heart rate. Because there are no pain receptors in the brain, patients may be awake during brain surgery.
Digestive System The digestive system is responsible for breaking down and extracting nutrients from food. It is also an important system for releasing waste products.
The digestive process begins in the mouth. Food is partially broken down by teeth and saliva. It then passes through the laryngopharynx and into the esophagus, through which it is carried to the stomach.
In the stomach, food is broken down thoroughly. Gastric acid (with which the stomach is lined) helps make food easier to enter the intestines. An organ under the stomach called the pancreas produces a basic liquid to regulate the stomach’s chemical levels (acidity and basicity). The liver produces bile, which is an acid that aids in the digestion of fats. Bile is stored in the gull bladder and is released once food enters the small intestine. Nutrient absorption takes place in the small intestine. Without the small intestine, humans would still starve to death despite how much food they ate. When the process of nutrient absorption has been completed, the now digested food travels to the colon (also known as the large intestine). Water absorption takes place here. Once liquids have been removed from the waste, feces travel to the rectum. Here they are stored until the next time defecation happens through the outer opening of the digestive system (the anus).
Urinary System The urinary system eliminates liquid waste. It is composed of the kidneys, ureturs, urinary bladder and urethra.
Hydration is crucial to the human body. Because the body is composed of approximately 60% water, it’s important to maintain healthy liquid levels. Hydration also helps regulate temperature in the body. If there is no liquid ready to access when sweat glands must produce sweat, body temperature can rise exponentially. Even a slight change in degrees can have a huge negative impact on the body.
There are 2 kidneys. Together they collect water and waste from blood to create urine. If water is needed elsewhere in the body (such as for sweating,) the brain sends a message to the kidneys to reduce urine production. From the kidneys, urine is released into the bladder by two tubes called the ureturs.
Urine collects in the bladder. Eventually it expands to a large enough size that the brain sends a message that it’s time to empty. Unless the person has a urinary bladder condition, it is impossible for the bladder to burst. Urine is then released from the body through a tube called the urethra. If urine comes out nearly clear, it means there is a good amount of water in the system. If it is primarily dark yellow, it means the person could be close to dehydration.
Endocrine System The endocrine system produces hormones that control body activity. All hormone production and release is non-voluntary unless it is forced through the consumption of hormone-inducing foods.
The pituitary gland is located just below the brain. It is often referred to as the “master The adrenal glands gland” because it sit right above the controls the kidneys. They release of all release the hormones in the hormone body. adrenaline, which dictates a person’s reaction in the case of a potentially dangerous or exciting situation. These reactions are known as “fight” or “flight” (run away from the situation). The thyroid controls metabolism by secreting hormones that maintain the speed of calorie use. People with a highly active thyroid burn more calories than people with a slowsecreting thyroid. The pancreas is tucked slightly under the stomach. It is responsible for regulating levels of blood sugar by producing the hormone insulin.
The thymus is an organ of the lymphatic system that is active in early stages of life. It is responsible for creating disease-fighting T-cells, which form with the help of the thymus hormone.
The ovaries (female) and testicles (male) produce gender-specific hormones that give the sexes differentiating characteristics. Ovaries produce estrogen and progesterone while testes produce testosterone and .
Lymphatic System The lymphatic system fights disease and infection by using white blood cells against foreign bodies. Ironically, the lymphatic system is also capable of spreading cancer. The thymus is an organ that produces white blood cells called T-cells. T-cells fight disease and are crucial to keeping the body free of foreign substances. The thymus is active during childhood. During puberty, its growth stops and it begins to reduce in size. Lymph is a liquid that consists of white blood cells known as lymphocytes. Lymphocytes are produced by the spleen. Lymph has small amounts of red blood cells and proteins as well. Lymph is transported around the body through lymph vessels. As it passes, it disperses necessary nutrients to cells while removing their waste. The problem with lymph vessels is that they can pick up cancerous cells and as a result spread cancer.
Besides the production of lymphocytes (pictured on the right), the spleen also holds extra blood. It filters blood that is brought back by the lymph vessels and supplies lymph with more white blood cells.
Lymph nodes (pictured above) are located in several parts of the human body. They act as the first line of interior defense by filtering foreign substances before they can enter the body. Lymph vessels remove bacteria from the nodes and carry them back to the spleen.
Male Reproductive System The male reproductive system consists of organs that enable males to impregnate females. This is important to keep the human race alive. There are 2 seminal vesicles which create a thick, nourishing fluid for the sperm. This is part of what makes up the reproductive liquid known as semen.
The prostate gland produces the majority of chemicals that seminal liquid is composed of.
Sperm production takes place in the testicles. Sperm is then stored in the epididymis. It travels through the vas deferens to the urethra, through with it exits the body as semen through the penis.
Unlike women, men are not born with all their gametes. Therefore sperm cells must divide to create new sperm cells. This process is called meiosis (pictured on the right). As a result, 4 genetically different “daughter cells� are created. A fertilized egg is called an embryo. When a sperm cell fertilizes the ova of a female sexual partner, the babies’ sex is determined by X and Y chromosomes. The presence of a Y chromosome in sperm results in male offspring. 2 X chromosomes result in a female baby. Identical twins occur when an egg splits in half during fertilization. Fraternal twins occur when 2 eggs released at the same time are fertilized by 2 different sperm.
Female Reproductive System The female reproductive system allows for women to carry, give birth to and nurture their offspring. This is important to keep the human race alive.
An embryo is considered a fetus after 8 weeks. The uterus is where the fetus develops during pregnancy.
Ovaries contain eggs and female hormones. Females are born with Eggs are released all their eggs and do from the ovaries to not produce more the uterus through over their lifetime. fallopian tubes. An When girls make the egg getting transition to young fertilized outside women, they begin a the uterus is known menstrual cycle. as an ectopic During the menstrual (misplaced) period an egg (ova) is pregnancy. Ectopic The vagina released from the pregnancies can is the outer body over the course lead to the rupture opening of a few days. through of the nurturing Menstrual blood exits organ if not treated which the body through the babies exit early. They almost vagina. always result in a the uterus. miscarriage. The fetus grows in the uterus over a course of 9 months. Ultrasound scans are used to monitor its development.
The cervix is located between the uterus and vagina. It expands to approximately 4 inches during labor.
The breasts produce milk during pregnancy. For the first 6 months of infant life, breast milk provides nutrients because babies cannot digest other foods yet.
Constant exposure to UV rays can be harmful to the skin. Use sunscreen when under strong sunlight to reduce the risk of skin cancer and other diseases.
Protein is essential for the development of muscles. Lean meat is a great source of obtaining protein. Besides physical weakness and fatigue, protein deficiency can lead to hair loss and make skin more prone to sun damage. Eating greasy, fattening foods can result in fat clogging the arteries. This is dangerous because it increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Smoking is one of the world’s leading causes of cancer. The system it mostly effects is the respiratory system. It can however cause cancer in numerous other organs. Sleep is essential for keeping the brain healthy and well functioning. The amount of sleep a person gets effects their memory and ability to process information. Lack of sleep is likely to cause stress. Pictured above is a stress ball. This is a popular method of dealing with stress.
Calcium and Vitamin D are essential nutrients for the healthy maintenance of bones. Although sunlight is the best way to absorb Vitamin D, cheese is an alternative that also supplies calcium. Lack of nutrients in the bones can result in osteoporosis, a disease that makes bones prone to breakage and significantly reduces their ability to carry out important functions.
Exercise is important for the digestive system to function. Inactivity will reduce the efficiency of digestive organs by lowering metabolism. This will result in weight gain. It’s also important to eat healthy food so that the body absorbs things that are good for it. Water plays a huge role in the urinary system. Drink lots of water to maintain liquid levels within the body. Reducing the consumption of salt helps lower a person’s chances of developing kidney disease. Salt absorbs water and contributes to the elevation of blood pressure. A longer term case of high blood pressure can result in kidney failure. Excessive salt can also create kidney stones. Caffeine has been known to raise levels of adrenaline production. Constantly stimulated hormonal imbalance is unhealthy because it keeps the body in “fight or flight” mode. When levels of adrenaline drop, so does energy, and the caffeine drinker experiences fatigue.
Taking reasonable amounts of fish oil pills (omega-3 fatty acids) can help enhance the lymphatic system. Omega-3 fatty acids boost the activity of white blood cells, helping the body fight disease and infection. Pictured on the low right are white blood cells (pink) It’s easy to catch diseases attacking a virus (purple). Some other through sexual intercourse. sources of omega-3 include flaxseed, eggs, Sex with multiple partners soybeans and almonds. increases the risk of infection and disease exponentially. Seek out information about safe sex and talk to your partner. Sex also results in pregnancy, so use protection if you’re not ready for the responsibility of being a parent!
Anatomy Island Medical Resort 2013