Define Anatomy & Physiology

Anatomy and Physiology are complementary subjects that are typically taken together (either in one combined class or in consecutive semesters) at colleges. This is because if you want to have a career in a medical field that uses anatomy (for instance, surgeon, physician, etc.), you will have to know about physiology as well.

Anatomy Defined

• The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines anatomy as "a branch of morphology that deals with the structure of organisms." In other words, anatomy is the science of identifying parts of the body.

Physiology Defined

• Physiology is defined by Merriam Webster as "a branch of biology that deals with the functions and activities of life or of living matter (as organs, tissues, or cells) and of the physical and chemical phenomena involved." Essentially, physiology is the science of understanding the functions of the body.

Careers

• To become a physician, surgeon, nurse or physical therapist, an extensive amount of knowledge of both anatomy and physiology is required.

Warning

• If you are an expert in anatomy, but do not have a good understanding of physiology, you will not understand how the organ or bodily function works; you will simply know that it is there. On the other hand, without grasping anatomy, you may know what certain functions are, but not know where they are located.

Significance

• If you are planning a career in the field of medicine, make sure that the university you are attending has a curriculum in place that adequately teaches both anatomy and physiology (many will have introductory classes that combine the two).