In A&P, the anatomical connections are easy to see. All organs are connected by
ID: 42757 • Letter: I
Question
In A&P, the anatomical connections are easy to see. All organs are connected by the cardiovascular system, bones are united by ligaments and cartilage, and accessory organs of the digestive system are joined to the alimentary canal by common ducts. What is sometimes difficult to see is the physiological connections that exist between all organs and organ systems.
Your task is to identify physiological (NOT anatomical) connections between seemingly unrelated groups of organs.
1. Heart, parathyroid glands, bone (Hint: Think electrophysiology of the heart)
2. Spleen, liver, large intestine
3. Adrenal glands, blood vessels, kidney
4. Pancreas, sympathetic nervous system, liver
Explanation / Answer
1. When the calcium levels are high in the blood, the parathyroid hormone is not released. Low blood calcium levels stimulate the parathyroid hormone to release and increase the calcium levels. The more calcium levels stimulate the kidneys to absorb calcium. The bones deposit more calcim. The intestines absorb more calcium. The heart requires normal calcium levels which is crucial for its function.
2. Spleen, liver, large intestine: The spleen is accessory organ of digestive system. The spleen is the site of RBC synthesis . The dead RBC are processed in the liver. Liver is four lobed organ. It performs major function of storage of glycogen and fats. It processes the blood borne nutrients. it detoxify substances generated and blood and body. The bile secreted in liver emulsifies the fat.
The large intestine is mainly involved in absorption of water and remaining food molecules and eliminate the excreta. The large intestine contains beneficial bacteria that synthesize K vitamin and B complex vitamins.
3. Adrenal glands, blood vessels, kidney: Adrenal glands are endocrine glands andproduces various hormones. The adrenal cortex produces steroid hormones like glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids. These are involved in regulation of blood pressure and electrolyte balance. Glucocorticoids regulate the glycogen and lipid metabolism. The inner layer of cortex secretes sex hormons like androgens. The adrenal medulla secretes catecholamines, epinephrine and noepinephrine that are involved glucose metabolism and flight or fight responses.
Mineralocorticoid production is mainly under regulation of the renin