Activity 1. Anatomy and Physiology Subspecialties

MAMAUAG, Erika Bernadette F._Activity 1

MAMAUAG, Erika Bernadette F._Activity 1

by Erika Bernadette Mamauag -
Number of replies: 0

  1. Anatomy as well as physiology have several subspecialties. Can you identify these subspecialties and explain what they specifically study?

These are the subspecialties of Anatomy, and what they are focused on studying:

  1. Embryology - the study of the first 8 weeks of development after fertilization of a human egg.

  2. Developmental Biology - the study of the development of an individual from fertilization to death.

  3. Cell Biology - the study of the structure and function of the cells.

  4. Histology - the study of microscopic structures of the body tissues.

  5. Gross Anatomy - the study of body structures without the use of microscopes.

  6. Systemic Anatomy - the study of the structure of specific body systems.

  7. Regional Anatomy - the study of the specific regions found in the body.

  8. Surface Anatomy - the study of surface markings of the body to understand the internal anatomy through visualization and palpitations.

  9. Radiographic Anatomy - the study of the structures of the body using the visualization of x-rays.

  10. Pathological Anatomy - the study of the body’s structural changes, from gross to microscopic, that are associated with diseases.

Meanwhile, these are the subspecialties of Physiology and what they study:

  1. Neurophysiology - the study of the functional properties of the nerve cells.

  2. Endocrinology - the study of hormones and how it controls the functions in the body.

  3. Cardiovascular Physiology - the study of functions of the heart and blood vessels.

  4. Immunology - the study of the body's defenses against disease-causing agents.

  5. Respiratory Anatomy - the study of functions of the lungs and air passageways.

  6. Renal Physiology - the study of functions of the kidney.

  7. Exercise Physiology - the study of changes in the function of cells and organs due to muscular activities.

  8. Pathophysiology - the study of functional changes associated with disease and aging.



  1. Can you give your own example on how a structure of a body part is related to its function?

From my previous Anatomy and Physiology class, I have learned various structures and functions of the human body. One of these is the structure of the tissue inside the lungs. Since the respiratory system is responsible for the gas exchange between the blood and its external environment, the alveoli consist of only simple squamous epithelial cells. Its thin layer of cells is ideal for efficient and fast diffusion of gasses. 

Imagine if there is a thick layer of cells in the alveoli, the gasses that load and unload inside it would be too slow. For instance, the human body requires oxygen to generate energy for the body cells to function. If the oxygen supply needed by the body would be too slow to arrive at body cells, it would cause issues with the organ function that can lead to diseases.