Similia similibus curantur
Before addressing the systems of the body we want to provide a snippet of insightful knowledge in relation to the natural world of plants, that matches with our understanding of "like is cured by like."
like is cured by like
The Nervous System
The Nervous system represents the network of cells, tissues, and organs which control the reactions of the body to internal and external stimuli. This comprises of the brain, spinal cord, muscles, ganglia, and transmitter and effector organs sections of vertebrates.
Lymphatic system
The lymphatic system's well-being is vital to detoxification, immunity, and, in general, wellness. Because many factors contribute to a healthy lymphatic system, as it is diet, sports, and adequate rest, the stimulation of lymphatic drainage is necessary to preserve the health of the lymph.
Skeletal System
The Skeletal System represents the body's framework, made up of bones and other connective tissues
(associated cartilages, joints) that protect and sustain the tissues of the body and the internal organs, produces blood cells, and stores minerals. The human skeleton comprises 206 bones, six of which are the tiny middle ear bones (three in each ear) that serve in hearing.
Muscular system
The muscular system represents a tissue structure consisting of skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscles. This constitutes body balance, regulates posture, and circulates oxygen all over the body. The vertebrate muscle system is regulated by the nervous system, while certain muscles (such as the cardiac muscle) can be completely autonomous.
Digestive system
The digestive system is essentially a long tube, which starts from the mouth and ends at the anus.
The system's goal is to break down food for absorption into the body.
Related digestive organs, such as the liver, turn nutrients into substances that can be used for energy production and for the creation and repair of body tissues, cells, and blood constituents — metabolic processes that lead the digestive process a step further.
Respiratory system
The respiratory system represents a complex network of organs engaged in oxygen and carbon dioxide absorption and communication between body and environment, including nasal passages, larynx, trachea, bronchial tubes, and lungs.
Reproductive system
The reproductive system is closely related to other organs, especially the endocrine and urinary system.
The reproductive system is needed for the formation and development of new living organisms.
The essential characteristic of man is the ability to replicate life / to engender and sustain it.
Urinary system
The urinary tract consists of the kidneys, urinary bladder, and tubes.
Such organs regulate the amount of water and salts that are then absorbed back into the blood, and what is extracted as residues.
This system, besides, is functioning as a blood filtration device
Endocrine system
Integumentary/Exocrine system
Circulatory system
Etheric/Spiritual System
Homeostasis
What is homeostasis?
It is the body’s ability to maintain relatively stable internal conditions despite external
changes
• what things have to be kept in balance?
• fluids surrounding cells of tissues in the body (extracellular fluids, intracellular fluids,
interstitial fluids)
• these contain dissolved substances from blood plasma, tissue cells
• eventually, form lymphatic fluid which is monitored and regulated by the nervous
system and endocrine system
• How does the body maintain homeostasis?
has 3 interdependent components
• receptor, control center, effector organ
• harmful feedback mechanisms = output of system shuts off the original stimulus or reduces
its intensity; prevents sudden severe changes within the body
• example: blood sugar levels; typically have 95 mg sugar/100 ml of blood
• when drops below 95 mg, glucagon increases blood sugar by stimulating the liver to
breakdown glycogen into free glucose units which are then released into the blood
• when above 95 mg, insulin is released and stimulates the liver to remove glucose
from blood, convert it into glycogen, and store it
• positive feedback mechanisms = response enhances or exaggerates original stimulus;
activity is accelerated, resulting in cascades
• examples: uterine contractions – labor contractions release oxytocin which causes
increase in frequency and intensity of contractions until birth; blood clotting –
platelets release chemicals that attract more platelets
• what happens when homeostasis is not maintained? – disease, illness
Anatomical terms
a. anatomical position – body erect, facing forward, feet together, arms at sides, palms forward
b. anatomical directions:
• superior/cranial/cephalad – toward the head or upper part of the structure
• inferior/caudal – away from the head or toward lower part/tail end of the structure
• anterior – toward the front of the body; in front of
• ventral – toward belly or inferior surface
• posterior – toward or at the back of the body; behind
• dorsal – back, superior surface
• medial – towards the midline
• lateral – out towards sides
• intermediate – between medial/lateral
• proximal – the base of the structure
• distal – tip of the structure
• superficial – on or near the surface
• deep – under the surface
c. anatomical planes and sections:
• sagittal (or parasagittal) – divides the body into left and right sections unequally
• median (or midsagittal) – divides the body into left and right sections equally
• frontal or coronal – vertical planes that divide the body into anterior and posterior parts
• transverse – horizontal planes that divide the body into superior and inferior parts (cross-section)
Body cavities
a. dorsal cavity – protects fragile nervous system organs
1) cranial cavity – within the skull; encases the brain
2) spinal cavity – (aka vertebral cavity) – encloses the spinal cord
b. ventral cavity – houses internal organs/viscera; is separated by the diaphragm into 2 cavities
3) thoracic cavity – is surrounded by ribs and muscles of the chest; divided into lateral
pleural cavities (housing a lung) and mediastinum (containing pericardial cavity that houses the heart and surrounds remaining thoracic organs)
4) abdominopelvic cavity (also known as abdominal cavity and pelvic cavity) – incorporates the stomach, intestines, spleen, liver, gallbladder, pancreas in the abdomen, and the bladder, sigmoid colon, rectum, and reproductive organs; divided into nine regions
• superior – left, right, hypochondriac regions; separated by epigastric
• middle – left, right lumbar regions; separated by umbilical
• inferior – left, right iliac (inguinal) regions; separated by hypogastric (pubic)
Body membranes
• serous – enclose all portions of the ventral cavity; produce serous fluids that lubricate
organs/cavity walls
• parietal serosa – lines inner body wall of the cavity
• parietal pleura – lines pleural cavity wall
• parietal pericardium – lines pericardial cavity wall
• parietal peritoneum – lines abdominal (peritoneal) cavity wall
• visceral serosa – covers organ surface
• visceral pleura – covers lung surface
• visceral pericardium – covers heart surface (aka epicardium)
• visceral peritoneum – covers the surface of organs in the abdomen