The Definition of Anatomy & Physiology

Anatomy and physiology are essential studies for anyone who plans to enter a health care profession. By learning the form and function of the human body, the health care practitioner can detect disease and prescribe ways to live a healthier life.

Anatomy

• Anatomy, from the roots "ana" (apart) and "tom" (cut), is the study of the form of the body. Gross anatomy can be seen with the naked eye. Microscopic anatomy, or histology, is the study of tissues under a microscope.

Physiology

• Physiology is the study of the function of the human body. While anatomy names the muscles in the body and their locations, physiology describes how they attach to bones and how their movement is controlled.

First Thinkers

• Hippocrates (460 to 375 BCE) urged healers to stop attributing diseases to the gods and look for rational remedies. Aristotle (384 to 322 BCE) believed disease could have either supernatural causes--"theologi"--or natural ones, called "physici"--the origin of the modern word "physician."

First Drawings

• In 1543, Vesalius published the first atlas of anatomical drawings, which began a rich tradition that reached its pinnacle with "Gray's Anatomy" in 1856, which is still often used today.

Classes

• Today, anatomy and physiology are often taught together as one class, stretched out over 2 semesters in college. A typical curriculum includes memorizing every bone, muscle, joint and major blood vessel in the body.