Sep 15, 2020

What are Anatomy and Physiology?

Anatomy

The term "anatomy" is derived from the Greek word "Anatome," meaning "to cut up." It refers to the study of the structures that make up the human body and the relationships between these structures. Anatomy encompasses several sub-specialties, including Gross Anatomy, Microscopic Anatomy, Developmental Anatomy, and Embryology.

  • Gross Anatomy examines the body's structure without the use of a microscope. It is further categorized into:
    • Systemic Anatomy: Studies the functional relationships of organs within a system.
    • Regional Anatomy: Focuses on specific regions of the body, studying the interrelations of structures within those areas.

Both systemic and regional approaches are used to study gross anatomy.

  • Microscopic Anatomy (Histology) requires the use of a microscope to study tissues that form the various organs of the body.

Physiology

The word "physiology" is derived from the Greek term for the study of nature. It focuses on understanding how the body and its parts function. Anatomy and physiology are often studied together to provide a comprehensive understanding of the human body.

Homeostasis

Homeostasis refers to the body's ability to maintain a stable internal environment, despite constant changes in the external environment. This relative stability of internal conditions is crucial for health and is achieved through the coordination of structure and function.

Under normal conditions, homeostasis is maintained by adaptive mechanisms, including control centers in the brain and chemical substances like hormones, which are secreted by various organs into the bloodstream. Key functions regulated by homeostatic mechanisms include blood pressure, body temperature, breathing, and heart rate.

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