Anatomy and physiology: a quick tour of the body’s systems
Anatomy is what the body is made of; physiology is how it works. The questions here move across the major systems so you can test yourself on structure, function and the links between them.
The skeletal system
An adult skeleton has 206 bones. The vertebral column has 33 vertebrae in total: 7 cervical, 12 thoracic and 5 lumbar, plus 5 fused sacral and 4 fused coccygeal vertebrae. The femur is the longest and strongest bone, and the stapes in the middle ear is the smallest.
The heart and circulation
- The heart has four chambers: two atria that receive blood and two ventricles that pump it out.
- The right side sends oxygen-poor blood to the lungs; the left side sends oxygen-rich blood to the body.
- Arteries carry blood away from the heart and veins carry it back; capillaries are where exchange happens.
- The left ventricle has the thickest wall because it pumps against the highest pressure.
Breathing and gas exchange
Air travels through the nose or mouth, pharynx, larynx, trachea and bronchi to the alveoli, where oxygen moves into the blood and carbon dioxide moves out. The diaphragm is the main muscle of inspiration.
The nervous and endocrine systems
The nervous system uses fast electrical signals; the endocrine system uses slower hormones. The central nervous system is the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system carries signals to and from the rest of the body. The skin is the body’s largest organ.
Study tips
- Draw each system from memory, then compare it with a textbook.
- Learn the Latin and Greek roots; they describe location and function.
- Study structure and function together: ask “why is it built this way?”
- Use spaced repetition: review a topic after one day, one week and one month.
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Frequently asked questions
How many bones are in the adult human body?
206 in most adults. Babies are born with more, which fuse as they grow.
What is the difference between anatomy and physiology?
Anatomy studies structure, while physiology studies function. They are best learned together.
Which is the largest organ?
The skin, by surface area and weight.
Why is the left ventricle thicker than the right?
It pumps blood to the entire body against higher pressure, whereas the right ventricle only pumps to the nearby lungs.
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