Interactive
Body Systems Explorer
Browse all the major body systems in one place and jump straight to the guide for each.
Body Systems Explorer
Nervous system
The control network: brain, spinal cord and nerves. It senses, decides and signals at high speed.
Cardiovascular system
The heart and blood vessels transport oxygen, nutrients and waste throughout the body.
Respiratory system
The lungs and airways move air and exchange oxygen for carbon dioxide.
Digestive system
Breaks food into nutrients and absorbs them, from mouth to intestine.
This tool is for education and general interest only. It is not a medical device and must not be used to diagnose, treat or make health decisions. Always consult a qualified professional.
How to use it
- Step 1Select a body system.
- Step 2Read the summary.
- Step 3Open the full guide to learn more.
One body, many systems
The human body runs on around eleven cooperating organ systems. This explorer lets you tour them and open the full guide for any that interest you.
Start here
New to anatomy? The complete beginner's guide ties all the systems together, and the body systems overview article gives the big picture.
Questions & Answers
Frequently asked questions
Usually described as eleven, though some are grouped differently in different textbooks.
No. They constantly cooperate — for example, the respiratory and cardiovascular systems work together to deliver oxygen.
Begin with the foundations — cells and tissues — then explore each system.
Understand the science
Go beyond the numbers
Every tool pairs with a guide that explains the biology behind it in plain language.