26 ANATOMY FOR NURSES [Chap. Ill 



SYSTEM 



An arrangement of organs closely allied to each other and set 

 apart to perform some general function is spoken of as a system. 

 Eight systems are found in the human body. Their names with 

 the functions of each are briefly expressed as follows : — 



Skeletal system. — Support and locomotion. 



Muscular system. — Irritability and motion. 



Vascular system. — Distribution of the body fluids to all the 

 cells. 



Respiratory system. — To provide oxygen and get rid of carbon 

 dioxide. 



Alimentary system. — To receive, digest, and absorb the food 

 so as to provide heat, energy, and materials to replace worn-out 

 tissues. 



Excretory system. — To eliminate the waste products that result 

 from the activities of life. 



Nervous system. — To control and insure coordination in the 

 working of all the systems in the body. Contains the centres for 

 all the sensations, intelligence, and thought that we recognize as 

 the highest functions of life. 



Reproductive system. — To insure the continuance of the race 

 by the production of another being. 



It is important for the student to remember that these different 

 systems are closely related and dependent on each other. While 

 each forms a complete unit, specially adapted for the performance 

 of some function, yet that function cannot be properly performed 

 without the assistance and cooperation of other systems. The 

 most perfect skeleton is not capable of locomotion, unless assisted 

 by the muscular and nervous systems. Any interference with the 

 circulatory system also affects the work of the excretory system, 

 etc. 



CLASSIFICATIOX 



By the aid of the microscope the different distinct tissues of 

 which the body is formed are found to be comparatively few in 

 number, and some of these, although at first sight apparently 

 distinct, yet have so much in common in their structure and origin, 

 one with another, that the number becomes still further reduced, 

 until we can distinguish only four distinct tissues, viz. : — 



