1. Training Room 2

1.1. Page 2

HSS1010: Health Services Foundations

Training Room 2: Inside Out—How the Body Works

 

Anatomy and Physiology

 

The two branches of science that will help you understand your body parts and functions are anatomy and physiology. Anatomy is the study of structure and the relationships among structures—in this case, structures of the body. Physiology studies the function of body parts and how they work.

 

Anatomy and physiology cannot be studied in isolation from each other. Each part of the body is structurally designed to carry out certain functions. So, structure (anatomy) and function (physiology) are studied together.

 

For example, bones function as rigid supports for the body. Glands perform the function of manufacturing chemicals that stimulate the bones to build up minerals so they can remain strong. Other chemicals cause bones to lose minerals that are carried out in the blood to other parts of the body, where those minerals are used for activities such as muscle contraction and nervous activity.

 

Pathology is the scientific study of the nature of disease and its causes, processes, development, and consequences. Pathological anatomy is the study of structural changes related to disease.

the study of structural changes related to disease
the scientific study of the nature of disease and its causes, processes, development, and consequences
the study of structure and the relationships among structures—in this case, structures of the body
the study of the function of body parts and how they work


Throughout this course you can access the definitions for bolded terms in Glossary Terms, also available from the Toolkit.