1. Anatomy as well as physiology have several subspecialties. Can you identify these subspecialties and explain what they specifically study?
Anatomy:
Embryology - the study of the development after human egg fertilization (first eight weeks).
Developmental Biology - the study of the complete development of an individual from fertilization to death.
Cell Biology - the study of cellular structure and functions.
Histology - the study of microscopic structure of tissue.
Gross Anatomy - the study of the larger structures of the body which can be examined without the use of a microscope.
Systemic Anatomy - the study of structures of specific systems of the body such as the digestive or circulatory systems.
Regional Anatomy - the study of specific regions of the body.
Surface Anatomy - the study of surface markings of the body to understand internal anatomy through visualization and palpation.
Radiographic Anatomy - the study of body structures that can be visualized with x-rays.
Pathological Anatomy - the study of structural changes associated with disease.
Physiology:
Neurophysiology - the study of functional properties of nerve cells.
Endocrinology - the study of hormones and how they control body functions.
Cardiovascular physiology - the study of the functions of the heart and blood vessels.
Immunology - the study of the body’s defenses against disease-causing agents.
Respiratory physiology - the study of the functions of the air passageways and lungs.
Renal Physiology - the study of the kidney functions.
Exercise Physiology - the study of the changes in cell and organ functions due to muscular activities.
Pathophysiology - the study of the functional changes associated with disease and aging.
[SOURCE: Tortora (13th Edition) Principles of Anatomy and Physiology]
2. Can you give your own example on how a structure of a body part is related to its function?
The skin consists of tiny ducts connecting the dermis to the skin's surface. Its structure allows the sweat produced by the dermis to reach the skin's surface. Another example is the retina of the eye. The structure of the eye, specifically the retina, contains cells ( rods and cones), allowing the primary function of the eye to see colors through light waves.