The pinkish-grey coloured gland located at the upper part of the chest is the thymus gland. It is one of the main organs of the immune system. At birth, this gland is quite small but as growth progresses its size increases. It grows till a person attains puberty and then it shrinks again. Its functions […]
The parathyroid glands are four small glands placed two on each side of the thyroid gland in the neck. The hormone secreted by the parathyroid gland is parathormone which controls the amount of calcium in blood and bone. Over-secretion of parathormone causes calcium and phosphorous depletion from the bones and the teeth, and increase in
The thyroid gland is located just below the larynx. The principal hormone secreted by this gland is the thyroxine hormone which regulates the metabolism in the human body, such as maintaining normal blood pressure, heart rate, digestion, muscle tone and reproductive functions. The thyroid gland plays a vital role in the growth of bones and
The pituitary gland is a pea-sized gland that lies at the base of the skull, in the brain. It is considered as the master gland because it produces hormones that regulate hormones produced by other glands and exerts considerable control over the various bodily functions. The gland produces various hormones as–anti diuretic hormone (ADH), growth
The pineal gland is a small endocrine gland situated in the upper part of the brain. It looks like pine cone (name derived from the Latin word pinea) and is red in colour. It secretes a hormone called melatonin. Melatonin controls the skin colouration and affects the reproductive process.
Hormones are chemicals that are secreted in small amounts in one part of the body (endocrine gland) and then they travel through the bloodstream to control the activity of some other part of the body (target cell). The glands that produce hormones are principally controlled by the brain. Hormones speed up or slow down or
The endocrine system is a series of glands that are spread throughout the body. These glands secrete regulatory chemicals called hormones or chemical messengers that control bodily functions. So, in short, the endocrine system is a collection of glands that control the various functions of the human body by secreting hormones. Hormone is the main
Respiration is a process in which oxygen is taken in and carbon dioxide is given out of the body. The cells use oxygen to produce energy and carbon dioxide is generated in the process. The human lung is the main organ in the respiratory system, which performs two important functions: inhalation and exhalation. The whole
Asthma is a disease which makes breathing difficult. Asthma attacks all age-groups but often starts in childhood. The main reason behind asthma is inflammation in air passages that carry air to and fro from the lungs. These inflammations make the airways narrower. Due to the narrow airways, less air can pass through them, which in
An arched muscle separating thoracic cavity (chest region) from the abdominal cavity, located below the lungs, is called the diaphragm. It helps in respiration process. During breathing in the diaphragm flattens while during breathing out the diaphragm relaxes and becomes arched again. The diaphragm also compresses the abdominal cavity when the inhalation of oxygen occurs.
Each lung is surrounded by a double serous membrane, the pleura. The part of the pleura covering each lung is called the visceral pleura. The pleura lining the ribs, is the parietal pleura. With each breath, the lungs expand and contract. The whole inner lining that covers the lungs and the ribs secretes mucus which
The lungs are the principal organs of respiration. A human body has a pair of lung present inside the rib cage above an arched muscle called the diaphragm. The lungs are covered by two thin membranes called pleura. The lungs are cone-shaped organs with spongy texture. This spongy texture helps in the incorporation of inhaled
Bronchi The wind pipe branches into two smaller tubes. These tubes are called the bronchi (in plural), or bronchus (singular). Each bronchus opens into a lung. The main function of the bronchus is to conduct air into the lungs. In lungs, the bronchus divides further into several tributaries called bronchioles, just like a branch of
Pharynx The pharynx is a muscular tube which extends from the base of the skull to the oesophagus. It makes a bridge between the nasal cavity and the larynx and the oesophagus. It is common to both the respiratory tract and the digestive tract. In the respiratory tract it acts as an air passage during
Pharynx, Larynx, Epiglottis, Vocal Cords and Trachea Read More »
Nasal Cavity The nostrils open into the nasal cavity which is the space inside the nose between the base of the skull and the roof of the mouth. It connects the nostrils to the upper part of the pharynx (throat). The whole cavity is covered with mucous membrane (lining that secretes slimy fluid) and tiny