Brain

The brain aids us to think, comprehend, and create. Marked by folds that meander through the surface area of the brain, the signals in the form of information, are passed from the brain as they navigate through the spinal cord, and then transported to other parts of the body. Know that the brain has four sections: the cerebrum, cerebellum, diencephalon, and brain stem.

Lungs

Regarded as the most vital organ of the respiratory system, a pair of lungs is located inside the chest, their primary function being the release of oxygen into the blood and extricating carbon dioxide from the blood. The trachea – also known as the windpipe – serves as the passageway for inhalation. When oxygen passes through the trachea into the lungs, it goes through tiny air sacs called alveoli. As oxygen penetrates the alveoli, the carbon dioxide is extricated from the blood as we exhale.

❒ Know This (?)
As astounding as it may sound, the lungs consist of over 300,000 capillaries. If they stretched into a line, placed end to end, the distance they would cover would be approximately 2400 km!

Heart

The heart is the most active muscular organ, residing marginally on the left section of the body that tirelessly supplies blood to the entire system. The heart pumps and circulates blood through the body, following a contraction-relaxation cycle. Blood is carried throughout the body through the capillaries, while the coronary arteries supply blood to the heart.

❒ Know This (?)
The heart can beat all by itself even after being separated from the body. The heart possesses its own electric impulse that causes it to function without the body, provided that it receives a constant supply of oxygen.

Liver

An important organ of the digestive system, the liver is located below the diaphragm and to the right of the stomach. The major function of the liver is to process and store substances ingested through the mouth, and those that we inhale and absorb via the epidermal layers. It essays an essential role in extricating matter that can be potentially toxic.

❒ Know This (?)
The liver is a very hardworking organ that filters more than a liter of blood per minute.

Stomach

The stomach is another vital organ of the digestive system. The substances ingested will pass the esophagus and lead its way into the stomach. The stomach stores food for a short period while the lining releases hydrochloric acid to facilitate the break down of food. The digestive acid it secretes is very strong and thus kills the bacteria that may cause damage to the lining of the stomach. It is protected from the harmful effects of the acid, by a mucosal substance that lines the abdominal cavity. The process reduces solid food into soft, mush-like matter which is then transported to the small intestine, that continues the process of digestion.

❒ Know This (?)
A new stomach lining is formed within a period of three to four days. Why? Well, know that the digestive acids produced in the stomach are so strong, that they might as well burn a hole, quite literally, through your stomach wall.

Spleen

The spleen is an organ that helps fight infection and balances bodily fluids. It cleanses the blood of bacteria and other harmful substances that may pose a threat to the smooth functioning of the entire system. The spleen also functions as the exterminator of toxicities along with unhealthy red blood cells.

❒ Know This (?)
In Ancient Greece, it was believed that the body consisted of fluids that may adversely affect an individual’s mood. The spleen was held responsible for making people feel sad or what was known as melancholia. It was believed that the spleen produced a black-colored fluid which interfered with the normal functioning of the system.

Pancreas

The pancreas is an organ located above the small intestine. It secretes digestive juices into the duodenum and aids in efficient digestion. Besides, it also controls sugar levels in the blood.

❒ Know This (?)
Researchers suggest that the pancreas consists of taste receptors that can identify sweet substances.

Gallbladder

The gallbladder resides under the liver and collects bile produced in the liver. It releases the bile after extracting water content from it into the small intestine, to facilitate the breakdown of fat and protein ingested through the food we consume.

❒ Know This (?)
The gallbladder mimics the mechanism of a balloon. Before a meal, the gallbladder enlarges itself with bile. The bile is released into the small intestine to digest fat and protein; this extraction of bile leads the gallbladder to deflate.

Kidney

Located toward the rear of the body, the kidneys are a pair of organs that cleanse blood and regulate water levels in the body. The primary function of the kidney is to extract water accompanied with other constituents from the blood. Waste matter is extricated from the system in the form of urine. Besides, the kidneys are also responsible for filtering blood and regulating blood pressure.

❒ Know This (?)
Healthy kidneys work toward filtering approximately two gallons of blood every hour.

Bladder

The bladder holds liquid waste matter — the urine. When the bladder starts to inflate, it triggers a signal to the brain indicating that its capacity is exhausted, and it needs to be relieved. The urine travels from the bladder through a tube called the urethra to be extricated from the body.

❒ Know This (?)
The urethra of a female’s is shorter, i.e., approximately 2.5 cm; whereas, in men, the passage is approximately 15 cm.

Small Intestine

The small intestine is a coiled organ where food passes through, beginning from the duodenum where the food intermixes with bile to facilitate the break down of fat and protein. The intestine is lined with microvilli; they are tiny projections that help in the absorption of nutrients from the food ingested.

❒ Know This (?)
The length of the small intestine is 18 to 23 feet, and is longer than the large intestine. It’s diametrically smaller than the large intestine; this is precisely the reason why the small intestine is regarded as “small.”

Large Intestine

The large intestine constitutes the cecum and the colon. As the break down of food is a process conducted in the small intestine, the role of the large intestine is to absorb water and minerals, and process the remains of the digested food into fecal matter.

❒ Know This (?)
The large intestine houses more than 700 species of bacteria. They are a source of vitamins and are deemed essential for the body.

Appendix

The appendix is a small, finger-like structure, attached to the large intestine. Thought to be useless, it is an organ much speculated for its role in the human body.

❒ Know This (?)
As mentioned, the appendix performs no apparent function in the human body. However, researchers are of the opinion that the appendix is a rather useful organ to deal with certain issues, with regard to digestion. Besides, researchers suspect that the appendix may save you from pernicious infections as well.

Uterus and Ovaries

The uterus – also known as the womb – is a pear-shaped organ. The cervix forms the lower section of the uterus, that opens into the vagina. The other major section of the uterus is regarded as the corpus, and serves as an expandable vessel that has the capacity to hold a growing fetus. The uterus has two oval-shaped glands on either of its sides, known as the ovaries.

❒ Know This (?)
The uterus is 2 to 3 cm thick, while in length it is 6 to 8 cm, approximately.

Testes and Penis

The testes is the male gonad; this being a part of the reproductive system. The function of the testes is to produce sperm and testosterone. The penis is a sexual organ, functioning as the passageway to pass urine and ejaculate
semen.