what is Anatomy and Physiology

What is Anatomy?

The word Anatomy is derived from the Greek word Ana means “up” or “apart” and Tomy means “to cut”.

Anatomy is the identification and representation of the structures of living things.

Especially as revealed by dissection and the separation of body parts. Anatomy is a branch of medicine and biology which studies about shape and structure of the body and the relationship of its organs.

 Know here anatomical position and directional terms.

What is Physiology?

Physiology is the study of the function of the body parts, how they work. It is the study of how the human body works, how the function and relationship of body parts occurs, how systems of organs work together.

Studies and understanding of anatomy are key to the practice of medicine and other areas of health where learn about the structure of the body.

What is Anatomy and Physiology

Areas of Anatomy

The field of Anatomy has three broad Areas-

1. Human anatomy – anatomy

2. Animal anatomy – zootomy, dissection, or anatomy of animals

3. Plant anatomy – phytotomy; anatomy of plants

How many types of cavity in human body, Check out here.

Human Anatomy

Human anatomy is the study of the structures of the human body. It is the study of the structure and the relationship among the structure of the human body.

Structure refers to the shape, size, and characteristics of the component of the human body.

Know here what are the body planes and sections.

Branches of Anatomy

To learn about anatomy are “Two” main Approaches-

1. Gross or macroscopic anatomy

2. Microscopic or ultramicroscopic anatomy

1. Gross or macroscopic anatomy

Studies of gross anatomy are to learn about the major systems of the body. A person does not need a microscope to see structural features.

The study of gross anatomy may be involved dissection or non-invasive methods. The aim is to collect data about the structures of organs and organ systems.

In dissection, a scientist cuts open an organism’s body system and examines what they discover inside.

Medical and dental students also perform dissection procedures; it is part of their practical work during their studies.

Endoscopy, Angiography, MRI scans, CT scans, PET scans, X-rays, ultrasounds, and other types of imaging can also show what is happening inside a living body.

Endoscopy

An endoscopy is a tool used for diagnosing illness. In this, the procedure involves a scientist or doctor inserting a long, thin tube with a camera at the end into different parts of the body to examine the inside the body by passing it through the mouth or rectum.

For example, to examine the inside of the gastrointestinal tract.

Angiography

Angiography is also a less invasive method of investigation and for studying the blood vessels. 

This procedure is used to reveal how the circulatory system is working, identify a vessel, localization, and assessment of the extent of damage caused by obstructive and whether there are any blockages.

In this procedure, a scientist or doctor may inject an opaque dye, and then use imaging technology, to see the vessels that contain the dye. 

Paramedics, nurses, medical doctors, physical therapists, occupational therapists, prosthetists, psychiatrists, and biological scientists all need knowledge of anatomy.

 2. Microscopic or ultramicroscopic anatomy

The study of structures that require the use of a microscope or ultramicroscope is known as microscopic anatomy. It is also known as histology.

It is the microscopic study of cells and tissues of a living organism and what changes occur associated with the disease.

Through microscopic anatomy, one can learn about the structure of cells and how they relate to each other.

For example,

If a person has cancer, after taking a sample examining the tissue under the microscope will reveal how the cancerous cells are acting and how they affect and spread healthy tissue.

The staining tissues and cells technique is used, the aim of staining tissues and cells is to make it easier to identify the specific tissues under investigation through the microscope.

Histology

Histology is the microscopic study of tissues and cells, vital for the understanding pathogenesis and diagnosis of various diseases and advancement of medicine, biology, and other aspects of life science.

Study of histology use for –

1. Diagnosis

2. Autopsies

3. Forensic investigations

4. Teaching

5.  Archeology

Human Body Systems

There are 11 organ systems in the human body-

1. Nervous system, including the central and autonomic systems

2. Skeletal system

3. Muscular system

4. Cardiovascular system, including the heart

5. Lymphatic system

6. Respiratory system

7. Urinary system/ excretory system

8. Digestive system

9. Integumentary system, which includes the skin, hair, and nails, among other areas

10. Endocrine system, which regulates hormone production

11. Reproductive system

In the human body, these systems all work together and depend on each other to function.

Check out here 6 levels of structural organization of the human body.