1. Anatomy as well as physiology have several subspecialties. Can you identify these subspecialties and explain what they specifically study?
Prof. Peter James Abad tackled six (6) subspecialties of Anatomy: embryology, developmental biology, cell biology, gross anatomy, systemic anatomy, and surface anatomy. However, Tortora & Derrickson (2014) mentioned additional subspecialties. The following are the subspecialties of Anatomy:
(a) Embryology, a subdivision of developmental biology concerns developmental changes that occur before birth.
(b) Developmental biology is the study of the individual's life cycle, from fertilized egg through adulthood, senescence, and death. It traces the structural changes that occur throughout the life span.
(c) Cell biology is focused on cell structure and function, how cells form and divide, and how they differentiate and specialize.
(d) Gross anatomy studies the large parts of an animal body — any animal body — that can be seen with the unaided eye.
(e) Body structure is studied system by system in systemic anatomy. For example, when studying the cardiovascular system, one would examine the heart and the blood vessels of the entire body.
(f) Surface anatomy studies internal structures relating to the overlying skin surface. Surface anatomy is used when identifying the bulging muscles beneath a bodybuilder's skin, and clinicians use it to locate appropriate blood vessels to feel pulses and draw blood.
(g) Histology, also known as microscopic anatomy, studies tissues and how they are arranged into organs.
(h) In regional anatomy, all the structures (muscles, bones, blood, vessels, nerves, etc.) in a particular body region, such as the abdomen or leg, are examined simultaneously.
(i) Imaging anatomy is the study of anatomic structures visualized using methods like CT scans, MRIs, and x-rays.
(j) The final subspecialty of anatomy called pathological anatomy focuses on the macroscopic, microscopic, biochemical, immunological, and molecular analysis of organs and tissues to understand disease's pathophysiological and morphological alterations.
For the subspecialties of physiology, Prof. Abad itemized six (6), specifically neurophysiology, endocrinology, cardiovascular physiology, immunology, renal physiology, and pathophysiology. But, Tortora & Derrickson (2014) detailed two (2) more subspecialties. The succeeding list is subspecialties of physiology.
(a) Neurophysiology is the physiology of the nervous system. It studies the brain, spinal cord, and nerves and how these work together to perform functions as complex and diverse as vision, movement, and thinking.
(b) Endocrinology is the physiology of hormones by dealing with the endocrine system.
(c) Cardiovascular physiology examines the operation of the heart and blood vessels.
(d) Immunology involves studying the immune system, its components, biological processes, physiological functioning, types, disorders, and whatnot.
(e) Renal physiology is concerned with kidney function and urine production.
(f) Pathophysiology involves the mechanisms of disease.
(g) Exercise physiology is the study of how the body reacts to physical exercise and how the body adapts to ongoing exercise and any changes to a routine.
(h) Respiratory physiology explores how the air passageways and lungs function.
2. Can you give your own example on how a structure of a body part is related to its function?
The body part that immediately came to mind is the human teeth. Humans have four (4) types of teeth, each having its structure and corresponding functions. Incisors are chisel-shaped teeth that help in cutting food and act like a pair of scissors. Canines are pointy teeth that look like fangs, allowing them to tear, grasp food, and act like a fork. Premolars are smaller than the molars, which helps to crush and grind food. The final type of teeth is the molars, the largest teeth in the human mouth, whose functionality is similar to premolars.
References: http://llavore.ml/N3A1References