221 Human Body Parts Encyclopedia

The cerebral hemisphere has several folds present on its surface. These folds are called cortex. These folds can be divided into four sections, called the lobes: the frontal lobe, parietal lobe, occipital lobe and temporal lobe. These lobes are the control centre of various functions. The frontal lobe controls thought and speech, the temporal lobe […]

Thalamus The thalamus is a large dual lobe structural part of the brain which performs endocrine function. It is located between the cerebral cortex and mid-brain or at the top of the brain-stem. It performs an important function in our body. It receives the sensory impulses and relays them to the sensory centre of the

Cerebral cortex is an important region of the cerebrum; it is also known as the grey matter of the brain. Grey matter is the region where nerve cells concentrate. These nerve cells are arranged as irregular folds. These irregular folds increase the surface area of the cortex. These cells of the cortex are connected with

The fore-brain or the cerebrum is the largest part of the brain and it makes about 85% of the brain. The folds in the fore-brain help it to fit into the skull. The main parts of the fore-brain are: cerebral hemispheres and basal ganglia. Cerebrum is the base of memory, intelligence and mind. It is

The brain is the central control system of the body, also called the master organ of the body. It lies in the skull (brain case) and protected by a bony box called cranium. It has three main parts: the fore-brain, mid-brain and hind-brain. The human brain works like a master computer. The brain processes the

Sensory neurons, also known as afferent neurons, carry signals from the receptor in the body towards the central nervous system. Dendrites of the sensory neurons collect the signals from the receptors in the skin, eye, nose and other sensory organs, and carry them towards the central nervous system. The stimuli are transferred to the cell

Motor neurons, also known as efferent neurons, are the connecting unit between the muscular system and the central nervous system. They carry information from the nervous system to the muscles. The signals are transmitted through the neurons to the effector organs where an impulse has to be generated. In case of muscles, these impulses can

In the nervous system, a synapse is a space between two neurons that permits a neuron (or nerve cell) to pass an electrical or chemical signal to another cell (neural or otherwise). It provides a bridge between two neighbouring neurons or between a neuron and an effector organ; nerve impulses are transmitted by a chemical

Neuron or nerve cell is the basic unit of the nervous system. Neurons act as transmitters and receptors of nerve impulses. They carry information through electrical and chemical signals. Neurons are supported by a special tissue called the neuroglia. The main components of a neuron are: dendrites, cell body, node of ranvier and axon. The

The nervous system controls all the basic bodily functions and behaviour. That is why it is known as the principal organ system. The basic unit of the nervous system is a neuron. The two major parts of the nervous system are: the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. The central nervous system is

The male reproductive system is a set of organs which produce male gametes (sperm cells) and deliver them to the uterus of the female. The primary male reproductive organs are the testicles and scrotum. The testes or testicles generate sperms. The formation of sperms is activated by the hormone testosterone (male hormone). The sperms pass

Each ovary is connected with a narrow tube-like structure called the fallopian tube. The open end of the fallopian tubes looks like a flower sepal. These fallopian tubes are also called uterine tubes through which ova travel. The ovarian arteries supply blood to the ovaries and these tubes which are a duct and they transport

Vagina and Uterus Vagina is an interface between the external and internal reproductive organs. The external organs include: vulva, clitoris and vestibule. It is a muscular tube which is connected with blood vessels and nerves. It makes the connection between the vestibule and the uterus. Uterus is a pear-shaped organ which is the house where

Reproductive System Reproduction is the main link in the cycle of life. The lifecycle involves: birth, growth, generation of new life, ageing and death. The ability to generate a new life-form is called reproduction. The human reproductive system is a set of organs working together to produce live offspring. This system is also called the

Disposal of waste products is an essential activity of living organisms. In the process of excretion waste products (mainly in chemical form: Urea) in liquid form are excreted out of the body. The three main steps involved in the formation of urine are: filtration of the plasma, reabsorption of materials/useful solutes, formation of urine and