1. Anatomy as well as physiology have several subspecialties. Can you identify these subspecialties and explain what they specifically study?
Subspecialties in Anatomy
Embryology - The first 8 weeks of development following fertilization of an egg
Development Biology - The complete development of an individual from fertilization of an egg to death
Cell Biology - Cellular structure and functions
Surface anatomy - Surface markings of the body to understand internal anatomy through visualization and palpation
Gross anatomy - Structures that can be examined without using a microscope
Systemic anatomy - Structure of specific systems of the body such as the nervous system or respiratory systems
Subspecialties of Physiology
Neurophysiology - Functional properties of nerve cells
Endocrinology - Hormones and how they control body functions
Cardiovascular physiology - Functions of the heart and blood vessels
Immunology - How the body defends itself against disease-causing agents
Renal physiology - Functions of the kidneys
Pathophysiology - Functional changes associated with disease and aging.
2. Can you give your own example of how a structure of a body part is related to its function?
- My example of how the structure of a body part is related to its function is that our lungs allow us to inhale and exhale air to exchange gases between blood and lung space deep within the lungs themselves.