Definition and scope of anatomy and physiology
- The study of living things’ organisation and structure, with a special emphasis on the physical characteristics of the human body, is known as anatomy.
- It entails analysing the body’s many components, such as the tissues, blood vessels, organs, muscles, bones, and nerves.
Anatomy is further divided into several branches:
1) Gross anatomy (macroscopic anatomy):
- examines the organs and organ systems that are visible to the unaided eye.
2) Microscopic anatomy:
- investigates objects, such as cells and tissues, that are only visible under a microscope.
- Microscopic anatomy comprises the sub-disciplines of histology and cytology.
3) Developmental anatomy:
- examines how an organism’s structure changes from conception to adulthood, including embryology, which studies how an organism develops from fertilisation to birth.
4) Comparative anatomy:
- Analyses and compares the anatomical structures of different species, providing insight into evolutionary relationships and adaptations.
Physiology: Definition and Scope
- Physiology is the study of the functions and processes of living organisms, with a particular focus on how the human body’s various systems work together to maintain homeostasis.
- The study of physiology focusses on the ways in which the many systems of the human body cooperate to preserve homeostasis.
- Physiology studies the molecular, cellular, tissue, organ, and system mechanisms that underlie bodily activities.
The field is divided into several branches, including:
1) Cell physiology:
examines how cells and their constituent parts work and behave.
2) Systems physiology:
studies how particular organ systems—such as the respiratory, neurological, and cardiovascular systems interact and function.
3) Neurophysiology:
- Examines the functions and mechanisms of the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves.
4) Endocrinology:
- Studies the production, secretion, and action of hormones and their role in regulating the body’s functions.
5) Exercise physiology:
- Focuses on the effects of physical activity on the body and its systems, including adaptations and performance optimization
