Anatomy as well as physiology have several subspecialties. Can you identify these subspecialties and explain what they specifically study?
- Histology – this focuses on tissues’ microscopic structures
- Embryology – focuses on the first weeks of development when a human egg is fertilized
- Developmental Biology – the development of a human from fertilization to death
- Cell Biology – focuses on the structure and functions of cells
- Gross anatomy – in contrast to histology, this focuses on structures that can be seen without a microscope
- Systematic anatomy – focuses on the structure of a given body system
- Regional anatomy – focuses on the different regions of the body
- Surface anatomy – focuses on visualizing and palpation of surface markings to understand the internal anatomy
- Radiographic Anatomy – studies body structures with the help of x-rays
- Pathological Anatomy – structural changes that are associated with diseases
- Neurophysiology – the functions and properties of nerve cells
- Endocrinology – focuses on hormones and how they work in the body
- Cardiovascular Physiology – functions and properties of the cardiovascular system (heart and blood vessels)
- Immunology – studies the body’s defence against diseases and the like
- Respiratory Physiology – Functions and properties of the lungs and airways
- Renal Physiology – focuses on the kidneys
- Exercise Physiology – focuses on the differences observed when undergoing muscular activity
- Pathophysiology – studies functional changes that are associated with disease and aging
Can you give your own example on how a structure of a body part is related to its function?
For example, the lungs, they can expand and condense depending on the amount of, or the presence of air. When the diaphragm contracts, it allows air to be pulled into our body, which then expands the lungs because of the air present and the suction that the diaphragm creates. This is all possible due to membranes as well as connective and elastic tissue that is present in the lungs.