Anatomy and Physiology

Anatomy and physiology is the study of the specific building blocks that make up the structure of the human body and the physical processes that these building blocks undergo in order to make the structures function to move and to exist.If you are venturing into the professions of health science, including medicine, nursing, paramedicine, physiotherapy and any number of other health science professions, or you have a keen interest in how your own body works, then a thorough understanding of anatomy and physiology is paramount.

Human Anatomy and Physiology

When studying anatomy and physiology it is necessary to break down the relative systems of the human body. These include:

– The skeletal System, which provides a structural framework for the human body, as well as protection from injury.

– The nervous system, which includes the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and the peripheral nervous system. The Nervous system is responsible for the control centre (brain) which directs all vital processes in the body, and the communication system that identifies  problems, such as pain, and sends messages to the brain to do something about it.

– The cardiovascular system, which includes the heart, lungs, and blood vessels and is responsible for the exchange of gas (co2 for oxygen) within the cells and removal of metabolic gas waste (co2) from cells.

– The lymphatic system, which is responsible for collecting excess fluid throughout the interstitial spaces and extracellular spaces, as well as performing many tasks required in the immune response to infections.

– The renal system, which is responsible for excreting metabolites and by-products in the blood through the kidneys as urine.

– The integumentary system, often recognised as the largest organ in the body, providing warmth, protection, sensation, regulation of body temperature, and many other vital processes.

– The endocrine system, which uses hormones to regulate certain physiological conditions within the body.

– The reproductive system, which is vital to ensuring the procreation of the human species.