bodily function
Organism's automatic activity
A bodily function is any of the normal processes carried out by the body to sustain life, such as breathing, circulation, digestion, and elimination.
The term often appears in euphemistic contexts, where bodily functions refers specifically to urination and defecation—the activities people prefer not to name directly.
Medical and legal contexts use the phrase more broadly to encompass all physiological operations.
Releasing fluid waste
- defecationExpulsion of feces
- sweatingMoisture through pores
- tearsViolent pulls apart
- mucus productionSecretion of protective slime
menstruation · ejaculation · lactation · nasal discharge · vomiting · flatulence · exhalation · bladder control
Bodily food breakdown
- chewingCrushing food orally
- swallowingIngesting via throat muscles
- stomach churningCausing visceral unease
- hungerNeed for nourishment
satiation · nutrient absorption · peristalsis · defecation · bowel movement · flatulence · burping · bloating
Rhythmic cardiac contraction
- blinkingEyelid opening and closing
- sweatingMoisture through pores
- shiveringInvoluntary bodily trembling
- reflexesAutomatic physical responses
yawning · sneezing · coughing · salivation · goosebumps · hiccups · gagging · twitching
Pulmonary gas exchange
- inhalationTaking breath in
- exhalationBreathing out air
- coughingForceful air expulsion reflex
- sneezingSudden forceful nasal expulsion
yawning · sighing · gasping · hiccups · wheezing · panting · hyperventilation · breath holding
Rhythmic cardiac contraction
- pulseArterial blood throb
- blood pressureCirculatory force measurement
- blood flowMovement through vessels
- circulationMovement through a system
vasoconstriction · vasodilation · clotting · bruising · bleeding · blushing · pallor · lymphatic drainage
Monthly uterine bleeding
- ovulationEgg discharge from ovary
- erectionAct of building upward
- ejaculationSudden expulsion or outcry
- lactationMammary gland secretion
childbirth · contractions · labor · conception · arousal · orgasm · implantation · pregnancy
Ability to see
- hearingPerceiving sound waves
- smellOlfactory perception
- tasteFlavor perception ability
- touchPerceiving through physical contact
balance · proprioception · itching · tickling · nausea · dizziness
Cellular nutrient conversion
- energy productionCreating usable power supply
- calorie burningConsuming body fuel
- insulin responseBody's reaction to pancreatic hormone
- hungerNeed for nourishment
thirst · growth · tissue repair · cell regeneration · protein synthesis
urination
Releasing fluid waste
- defecationExpulsion of feces
- sweatingMoisture through pores
- tearsViolent pulls apart
mucus production · menstruation · ejaculation · lactation · nasal discharge · vomiting · flatulence · exhalation · bladder control
digestion
Bodily food breakdown
- chewingCrushing food orally
- swallowingIngesting via throat muscles
- stomach churningCausing visceral unease
hunger · satiation · nutrient absorption · peristalsis · defecation · bowel movement · flatulence · burping · bloating · nausea
heartbeat
Rhythmic cardiac contraction
- blinkingEyelid opening and closing
- sweatingMoisture through pores
- shiveringInvoluntary bodily trembling
reflexes · yawning · sneezing · coughing · salivation · goosebumps · hiccups · gagging · twitching · startle response
breathing
Pulmonary gas exchange
- inhalationTaking breath in
- exhalationBreathing out air
- coughingForceful air expulsion reflex
sneezing · yawning · sighing · gasping · hiccups · wheezing · panting · hyperventilation · breath holding · snoring
heartbeat
Rhythmic cardiac contraction
- pulseArterial blood throb
- blood pressureCirculatory force measurement
- blood flowMovement through vessels
circulation · vasoconstriction · vasodilation · clotting · bruising · bleeding · blushing · pallor · lymphatic drainage · wound healing
menstruation
Monthly uterine bleeding
- ovulationEgg discharge from ovary
- erectionAct of building upward
- ejaculationSudden expulsion or outcry
lactation · childbirth · contractions · labor · conception · arousal · orgasm · implantation · pregnancy · breastfeeding
vision
Ability to see
touch · balance · proprioception · itching · tickling · nausea · dizziness
metabolism
Cellular nutrient conversion
- energy productionCreating usable power supply
- calorie burningConsuming body fuel
- insulin responseBody's reaction to pancreatic hormone
hunger · thirst · growth · tissue repair · cell regeneration · protein synthesis
- gross-out comedyfart joke, poop joke, poop jokes, pee jokes, diarrhea joke
- slapstickpratfall, banana peel, pie throw, falling down, custard pie
bodily functionmental function
Psychological capacity of mind
cognitive function · thought process · soul · mind · thought
bodily functionautomated system
Machine-driven operation without intervention
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