1. Anatomy as well as physiology have several subspecialties. Can you identify these subspecialties and explain what they specifically study?
The subspecialties under anatomy are embryology, developmental biology, cell biology, histology, gross anatomy, regional anatomy, surface anatomy, radiographic anatomy, and pathological anatomy.
Embryology is the study of the formation, growth, and development of an embryo. Specifically, it is the study of the first eight weeks after the fertilization of a human egg (Feldman, 2021).
On the other hand, developmental biology is the branch of anatomy that studies the processes and mechanisms in the human body from fertilization up until death from a molecular, cellular, and genetic perspective (Merriam-Webster, n.d.). At the same time, cell biology is the study of cells, their structure, behavior, and function (Bisceglia, 2014).
Histology is the microanatomy of cells, tissues, and organs through the lens of a microscope (Brelje & Sorenson, 2005).
Gross anatomy is the counterpart of histology. The macro anatomy study of organs is large enough to be studied without magnifying lenses or a microscope (The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, n.d.).
While systemic anatomy is the study of the specific organ systems in the body (Rad, 2022), regional anatomy studies the different divisions of regions of the body. These regions may include limbs, trunk, head, etc. (Merriam-Webster, n.d.).
Surface anatomy is the study of the external features of the body to understand the internal anatomy beneath (PHED 301 Students, 2018). Radiographic anatomy is the study of the body with the use of radiographic imaging, like x-rays (Stassa & Author Affiliations American Registry of Pathology Armed Forces Institute of Pathology - Washington, 1969). Lastly, pathological anatomy is the study of the body structure (microscopic or gross) to diagnose or learn about a disease (Clitrofa, n.d.).
For physiology, the subspecialties are neurophysiology, endocrinology, cardiovascular physiology, immunology, respiratory physiology, renal physiology, exercise physiology, and pathophysiology.
Neurophysiology is the study of how the nervous system functions, especially the nerves and the nerve cells. The subspecialty of endocrinology focuses on the human body's hormones and how it affects the body. Meanwhile, cardiovascular physiology studies how the heart, blood, and vessels function. On the other hand, immunology studies how our body's defense system against pathogens functions. Respiratory physiology studies the function of our air passageways and lungs. Renal physiology studies how our kidneys, ureters, and urethra work together. Exercise physiology studies our body's response after physical activity. Specifically, it studies our cells and organ functions after an exercise. And lastly, pathophysiology studies how our body functions and changes with disease and aging.
2. Can you give your own example of how a structure of a body part is related to its function?
The stomach is an expandable organ with muscular walls in our digestive system. This structure is made so that the stomach can expand when we eat and shrink back to its original size once the food has been digested there (Paxton et al., 1970).
References:
* Bisceglia, N. (2014). Cell Biology. Nature News. Retrieved September 9, 2022, from https://www.nature.com/scitable/topic/cell-biology-13906536/
* Brelje , T. C., & Sorenson, R. L. (2005). Histology guide. Histology Guide - virtual microscopy laboratory. Retrieved September 9, 2022, from https://www.histologyguide.com/#:~:text=Histology%20is%20the%20study%20of,is%20determined%20by%20their%20function
* Clitrofa. (n.d.). Pathological anatomy. Clitrofa. Retrieved September 9, 2022, from https://www.clitrofa.com/clinic/specialties/pathological-anatomy/?lang=en
* Feldman, M. (2021). Embryology. Embryology - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics. Retrieved September 9, 2022, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/embryology#:~:text=Embryology%20is%20a%20branch%20of,birth%20of%20a%20new%20individual.
* Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Developmental biology. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved September 8, 2022, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/developmental%20biology
* Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Regional anatomy. In Merriam-Webster.com medical dictionary. Retrieved September 9, 2022, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/regional%20anatomy
* Paxton, S., Peckham, M., & Knibbs, A. (1970, January 1). The Leeds Histology Guide. Home: The Histology Guide. Retrieved September 9, 2022, from https://www.histology.leeds.ac.uk/digestive/stomach.php
* PHED 301 Students. (2018, May 1). Surface Anatomy. Advanced Anatomy 2nd Ed. Retrieved September 9, 2022, from https://pressbooks.bccampus.ca/advancedanatomy1sted/chapter/surface-anatomy-3/
* Rad, A. (2022, July 27). Human Anatomy. Kenhub. Retrieved September 9, 2022, from https://www.kenhub.com/en/library/education/the-human-anatomy,
* Stassa, G., & Author Affiliations American Registry of Pathology Armed Forces Institute of PathologyWashington. (1969, June 1). Radiology, anatomy, and the medical student. Radiology. Retrieved September 9, 2022, from https://pubs.rsna.org/doi/10.1148/92.7.1562
* The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (n.d.). Gross Anatomy. Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved September 9, 2022, from https://www.britannica.com/science/gross-anatomy