1. Anatomy as well as physiology have several subspecialties. Can you identify these subspecialties and explain what they specifically study?
Subspecialties of anatomy and what they specifically study:
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Embryology - the study of the first 8 weeks of development after the fertilization of an egg
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Developmental Biology - the study of the complete development of an individual from fertilization of an egg to death
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Cell Biology - the study of cellular structure and functions
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Histology - the study of microscopic structure of body tissues
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Gross anatomy - the study of structures that can be examined without using a microscope
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Systemic anatomy - the study of structure of specific systems of the body
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Regional anatomy - the study of specific regions in the body
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Surface anatomy - the study of surface markings of the body to understand internal anatomy through visualization and palpation
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Radiographic anatomy - the study of body structures that can be visualized with x-rays
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Pathological anatomy - the study of structural changes, from gross to microscopic, that are associated with disease
Subspecialties of physiology and what they specifically study:
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Neurophysiology - the study of functional properties of nerve cells
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Endocrinology - the study of hormones and how they control body functions
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Cardiovascular physiology - the study of functions of the heart and blood vessels
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Immunology - the study of the body’s defense mechanisms against disease-causing agents
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Respiratory physiology - the study of functions of the air passageways and lungs
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Renal physiology - the study of functions of the kidneys
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Exercise physiology - the study of changes in cell and organ functions due to muscular activity
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Pathophysiology - the study of functional changes associated with disease and aging
2. Can you give your own example on how a structure of a body part is related to its function?
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One of the simplest examples of how a body part’s structure is related to its function can be seen in human teeth. The main function of our teeth is to tear and grind the food we consume into smaller pieces that can be easily swallowed and absorbed into the body. The teeth that can be seen in the front, which are called the sharp incisors, are shaped like tiny chisels with sharp ends that can tear food. Meanwhile, the teeth in the back, which are also known as the molars, have a wide flat surface that can grind food into tiny pieces.