Lesson 3 of 14 · Yoga & anatomy

Body organisation & systems

From a cell to a whole person.

Cells, tissues, organs, body systems, the seven systems in the notes and the spleen’s role.

Notes: Daniel Fewtrell · Edited 14 September 2026
Educational study material · No named teacher review recorded

01 · Study

Five levels in the notebook

For example, heart muscle cells contribute to cardiac muscle tissue, which forms part of the heart; the heart works within the cardiovascular system. Chemistry and molecules sit below the cell level in a fuller account.

Cell · a living structural and functional unit.
Tissue · cells and surrounding material working together.
Organ · a structure containing multiple tissue types.
Organ system · organs cooperating in major functions.
Body / organism · the integrated living person.

Further reading: OpenStax · Levels of organisation ↗

02 · Study

The seven systems you recorded

A common eleven-system classification also includes integumentary (skin), lymphatic/immune, urinary and reproductive systems. Systems overlap: a single organ can perform more than one kind of function.

System	Examples	Main role
Muscular	Skeletal muscles	Movement and force
Skeletal	Bones and cartilage	Support and protection
Digestive	Stomach and intestines	Processing food
Respiratory	Airways and lungs	Gas exchange
Nervous	Brain, spinal cord, nerves	Sensing and coordination
Endocrine	Hormone-producing glands	Chemical signalling
Cardiovascular	Heart and blood vessels	Circulation

Overview plate of six body systems with representative organs and short descriptions: integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, endocrine and cardiovascular. — **Body organ systems, part one**Body organ systems, part one — OpenStax, Anatomy and Physiology, CC BY 4.0. Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/anatomy-and-physiology/pages/1-introduction Source · CC BY 4.0Select the image for a full-size view.

Overview plate of lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, urinary and reproductive systems with representative organs and short descriptions. — **Body organ systems, part two**Body organ systems, part two — OpenStax, Anatomy and Physiology, CC BY 4.0. Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/anatomy-and-physiology/pages/1-introduction Source · CC BY 4.0Select the image for a full-size view.

Further reading: OpenStax · Levels of organisation ↗

03 · Study

How the systems cooperate in yoga

In a standing balance, muscles produce force, the skeleton bears load and the nervous system coordinates adjustments. Breathing and circulation continue supporting the task. A pose is therefore an activity of the whole person, even when the lesson focuses on one region.

Anatomy helps explain movement. It does not mean that a posture can isolate and ‘clean’ an organ, diagnose a disease or guarantee a specific hormonal effect.

04 · Study

The spleen: filter and immune support

The notes call the spleen a ‘blood bank’ and say it ‘kills viruses’ and stores blood. More precisely, the spleen helps filter blood, remove old or damaged red blood cells, regulate blood-cell levels and support immune responses. It is part of the lymphatic/immune system.

‘Kills viruses’ is too simple: the spleen helps the body respond to blood-borne germs through immune cells and related processes. ‘Blood bank’ is a teaching metaphor, not its full function. No yoga pose is known to disinfect the spleen or make it kill a particular infection.

Further reading: NHS · Spleen problems and spleen removal ↗

05 · Study

A quick study check

Can you trace the example from cell to tissue, organ and system without looking back? Then choose a different organ and repeat the exercise. Remember that a system is a useful way of studying the body, not a sealed compartment.

From notebook to page

Drawn from Friday’s anatomy page and the short spleen notes at the top of the following page. The seven listed systems are retained as the class focus, not treated as an exhaustive list.

Spelling has been standardised and explanations added. Traditional teaching cues, anatomical facts and uncertain handwriting are distinguished in the text. These pages support learning alongside appropriate teaching.