The document provides an overview of the major human body systems, their main organs and functions, and how they typically change with aging. It discusses the integumentary, circulatory, respiratory, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, renal, endocrine, nervous, immune, and reproductive systems. For each system it lists the main organs, their functions in the body, and common changes that occur with aging such as dryer skin, stiffer muscles, slower reflexes, and increased disease risk.

1. AnatomyandPhysiologyBasics
System Organs Functions Normal changeswith
aging
Integumentary(largest
systemof the body)
Skin(2 layers,
epidermisanddermis),
hair,nails,sweatand
oil glands
Regulate body
temperature,protect
frominfectionand
injury
Skindryer,more
fragile,age spots,
wrinkles,nail become
thicker,hairdryer,
turns gray,lesssweat
and oil production
Circulatory Heart,arteries(carry
bloodawayfromheart)
and veins(carryblood
to the heart)
Circulate oxygen,white
and red bloodcells,
platelets,nutrients, to
the bodyin the blood
Arteriesandveinsless
elastic,arteriesare
narrowerand maybe
filledwithplaque,
heartdoesn’tempty
out as well
Respiratory Nose,pharynx,larynx,
trachea,bronchi,two
lungs,alveoli,
diaphragm
Take in oxygenand
remove carbondioxide
Lungs don’tfill aswell,
difficultyclearing
secretions
Musculoskeletal Bones(206) muscles,
tendons,ligaments
Allow formovement,
create frame of body,
protectorgans,heat
production
Boneslessdense,
breakeasier,muscles
stiffen,personloses
some height,joints
stiff,withoutuse
contractures
(permanentshortening
of muscles) and
atrophy(decrease in
size of muscle) can
occur
Gastrointestinal
(digestive
Mouth, tongue,teeth,
pharynx,esophagus,
stomach,liver,
gallbladder,pancreas,
small andlarge
intestines
Take in foodand digest
nutrients;remove solid
waste (feces)
Peristalsisslowsdown,
foodstaysin stomach
longer,lessappetite,
may lose teeth,taste is
off,lesssaliva
production
Renal Kidneys,ureters,
bladder,urethra
Toxinsinbloodcleaned
or removedbykidneys,
and removal of liquid
waste (urine)
Kidneysmaynotclean
bloodas well,bladder
holdslessurine

2. Endocrine Ovaries
Testes
Pituitarygland
Thyroidgland
Pancreas(makes
insulin)
Organs thatproduce
hormonestoregulate
bodyfunctions
Metabolismslows
down,menopause,
male producesless
sperm, maynot
produce enoughinsulin
Nervous Brain,spinal cord and
nerves
Walking,talking,
seeing,hearing,
breathing,pickingup
messagesandsending
to the brainfor a
response
Memoryfails
Loss of balance
May needreading
glasses
Reflexesslower
Impulsesslower
Immune Tonsils,adenoids,
lymphnodes,white
bloodcells
Protectbodyfrom and
fightinfections
Increase riskfor
infections,slower
healing
Reproductive Male:penis,testicles,
scrotum,prostate
gland
Female:breasts,
uterus,ovaries,
fallopiantubes
Bearingchildrenand
sexual pleasure
Menopause,erectile
dysfunction,breastsag,
vaginal dryness,
enlargedprostate