Human physiology 631978 226000223 2008-07-16T11:35:33Z Jonathan Cardy 4071608 Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/124.217.31.5|124.217.31.5]] ([[User talk:124.217.31.5|talk]]) to last version by JForget '''Human physiology''' is the science of the mechanical, physical, and biochemical functions of [[human]]s in good health, their organs, and the cells of which they are composed. The principal level of focus of physiology is at the level of organs and systems. Most aspects of human physiology are closely [[homology (biology)|homologous]] to corresponding aspects of [[animal]] physiology, and [[animal experimentation]] has provided much of the foundation of physiological knowledge. [[Anatomy]] and physiology are closely related fields of study: anatomy, the study of form, and physiology, the study of function, are intrinsically tied and are studied in tandem as part of a [[medicine|medical]] curriculum. ==Integration, Communication, and Homeostasis== The biological basis of the study of physiology, integration refers to the overlap of many functions of the systems of the human body, as well as its accompanied form. It is achieved through communication which occurs in a variety of ways, both electrically as well as chemically. In terms of the human body, the [[endocrine]] and [[nervous system]]s play major roles in the reception and transmission of signals which integrate function. [[Homeostasis]] is the process by which the body maintains a stable internal environment, or one of “similar condition” as described by [[Walter Bradford Cannon]]. In Cannon’s Postulate, the body's ability to regulate pH, temperature, fluid volume, pressure, and osmolarity are recognized through highly evolved [[feedback]] systems, which act to finely tune many different chemical and electrical responses. * The concentration of ions in relations to one another (e.g. Na<sup>+</sup>, K<sup>+</sup>, H<sup>+</sup>) determine the body's pH, which is closely regulated by the respiratory and urinary systems. * Temperature in the body is determined by both the external environment of the organism as well as the amount of heat produced by anabolic reactions within the body regulated by respiratory and cardiovascular systems * Fluid volume and pressure, and osmolarity are regulated by the urinary, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems. Physiology is the study of these systems' integrated functions and the processes by which they maintain the '''''milieu interieur''''', or internal environment. ''' ==Systems== Traditionally, the academic discipline of physiology views the body as a collection of interacting systems, each with its own combination of functions and purposes. {| class="wikitable" | || '''System''' || '''Clinical study''' || '''Physiology''' |- | [[Image:Human brain NIH.jpg|50px]] || The '''[[nervous system]]''' consists of the [[central nervous system]] (which is the [[brain]] and [[spinal cord]]) and [[peripheral nervous system]]. The brain is the organ of thought, emotion, and sensory processing, and serves many aspects of communication and control of various other systems and functions. The '''[[special senses]]''' consist of [[Visual perception|vision]], [[Hearing (sense)|hearing]], [[taste]], and [[olfaction|smell]]. The [[eyes]], [[ear]]s, [[tongue]], and [[nose]] gather information about the body's environment. || [[neuroscience]], [[neurology]] (disease), [[psychiatry]] (behavioral), [[ophthalmology]] (vision), [[otolaryngology]] (hearing, taste, smell) || [[neurophysiology]] |- | [[Image:Skelett-Mensch-drawing.jpg|50px]] || The '''[[musculoskeletal system]]''' consists of the [[human skeleton]] (which includes [[bone]]s, [[ligament]]s, [[tendon]]s, and [[cartilage]]) and attached [[muscle]]s. It gives the body basic structure and the ability for movement. In addition to their structural role, the larger bones in the body contain [[bone marrow]], the site of production of blood cells. Also, all bones are major storage sites for [[Calcium in biology|calcium]] and [[phosphate]]. || [[osteology]] (skeleton), [[orthopedics]] (bone disorders) || [[cell physiology]] |- | [[Image:Diagram of the human heart (cropped).svg|50px]] || The '''[[circulatory system]]''' consists of the [[heart]] and blood vessels ([[artery|arteries]], [[vein]]s, [[capillary|capillaries]]). The heart propels the circulation of the [[blood]], which serves as a "transportation system" to transfer [[oxygen]], fuel, nutrients, waste products, immune cells, and signalling molecules (i.e., [[hormones]]) from one part of the body to another. The '''[[blood]]''' consists of fluid that carries [[Cell (biology)|cell]]s in the circulation, including some that move from tissue to blood vessels and back, as well as the [[spleen]] and [[bone marrow]]. || [[cardiology]] (heart), [[hematology]] (blood) || [[cardiovascular physiology]] |- | [[Image:Stomach colon rectum diagram.svg|50px]] || The '''[[gastrointestinal system]]''' consists of the [[mouth]], [[esophagus]], [[stomach]], [[gut]] ([[small intestine|small]] and [[large intestine]]s), and [[rectum]], as well as the [[liver]], [[pancreas]], [[gallbladder]], and [[salivary gland]]s. It converts food into small, nutritional, non-toxic [[molecule]]s for distribution by the circulation to all tissues of the body, and excretes the unused residue. || [[gastroenterology]] || [[gastrointestinal physiology]] |- | [[Image:heart-and-lungs.jpg|50px]] || The '''[[respiratory system]]''' consists of the [[nose]], [[nasopharynx]], [[Vertebrate trachea|trachea]], and [[lungs]]. It brings oxygen from the air and excretes [[carbon dioxide]] and [[water]] back into the air. || [[pulmonology]]. || [[respiratory physiology]] |- | [[Image:Kidneys from behind.jpg|50px]] || The '''[[urinary system]]''' consists of the [[kidney]]s, [[ureter]]s, [[Urinary bladder|bladder]], and [[urethra]]. It removes water from the blood to produce urine, which carries a variety of waste molecules and excess [[ion]]s and water out of the body. || [[nephrology]] (function), [[urology]] (structural disease) || [[renal physiology]] |- | [[Image:PBNeutrophil.jpg|50px]] || The '''[[immune system]]''' consists of the [[white blood cell]]s, the [[thymus]], [[lymph node]]s and [[lymph]] channels, which are also part of the [[lymphatic system]]. The immune system provides a mechanism for the body to distinguish its own cells and tissues from alien cells and substances and to neutralize or destroy the latter by using specialized proteins such as [[antibodies]], [[cytokines]], and [[toll-like receptors]], among many others. || [[immunology]] || immunology |- | [[Image:Illu endocrine system.png|50px]] || The '''[[endocrine system]]''' consists of the principal endocrine glands: the [[pituitary]], [[thyroid]], [[adrenal]]s, [[pancreas]], [[parathyroid]]s, and [[gonad]]s, but nearly all organs and tissues produce specific endocrine [[hormone]]s as well. The endocrine hormones serve as signals from one body system to another regarding an enormous array of conditions, and resulting in variety of changes of function. || [[endocrinology]] || endocrinology |- | [[Image:Male anatomy.png|50px]] || The '''[[reproductive system]]''' consists of the [[gonad]]s and the internal and external [[sex organ]]s. The reproductive system produces [[gamete]]s in each [[sex]], a mechanism for their combination, and a nurturing environment for the first 9 months of development of the offspring. || [[gynecology]] (women), [[andrology]] (men), [[sexology]] (behavioral aspects) [[embryology]] (developmental aspects) || [[reproductive physiology]] |- | [[Image:Skin-no language.PNG|50px]] || The '''[[integumentary system]]''' consists of the covering of the body (the [[skin]]), including [[hair]] and [[nail (anatomy)|nails]] as well as other functionally important structures such as the [[sweat gland]]s and [[sebaceous gland]]s. The skin provides containment, structure, and protection for other organs, but it also serves as a major sensory interface with the outside world. || [[dermatology]] || cell physiology |} The traditional divisions by system are somewhat arbitrary. Many body parts participate in more than one system, and systems might be organized by function, by embryological origin, or other categorizations. In particular, is the "'''[[neuroendocrinology|neuroendocrine system]]'''", the complex interactions of the neurological and endocrinological systems which together regulate physiology. Furthermore, many aspects of physiology are not as easily included in the traditional organ system categories. The study of how physiology is altered in disease is [[pathophysiology]]. == See also == * [[Comparative physiology]] * [[Darwinian medicine]] * [[Evolutionary psychology]] * [[Krogh Principle]] * [[Physiology]] * [[Thrifty phenotype]] ==External links== {{wikibooks|Human Physiology}} * [[b:Human Physiology|Human Physiology textbook at Wikibooks]] * [http://www.lib.mcg.edu/edu/eshuphysio/program/default.htm Overview] at [[Medical College of Georgia]] {{Cardiovascular physiology}} {{Respiratory physiology}} {{Gastrointestinal physiology}} {{Renal physiology}} {{Reproductive physiology}} {{Nervous system physiology}} [[Category:Human physiology|*]] [[ar:فيزيولوجيا الإنسان]] [[es:Fisiología humana]] [[ga:Fiseolaíocht daonna]] [[mk:Физиологија на човекот]] [[ja:人類生物学]] [[pl:Fizjologia człowieka]] [[pt:Fisiologia humana]] [[sv:Humanfysiologi]] [[vi:Sinh lý học con người]] [[zh:人体生理学]]