Human
anatomy, which, with human physiology and biochemistry, is a
complementary basic medical science, is primarily the scientific study
of the morphology of the human body. Anatomy is subdivided into gross
anatomy and microscopic anatomy. Gross anatomy (also called
topographical anatomy, regional anatomy, or anthropotomy) is the study
of anatomical structures that can be seen by unaided vision. Microscopic
anatomy is the study of minute anatomical structures assisted with
microscopes, which includes histology (the study of the organization of
tissues), and cytology (the study of cells). Anatomy, physiology (the
study of function) and biochemistry (the study of the chemistry of
living structures) are complementary basic medical sciences when applied
to the human body. As such, these subjects are usually taught together
(or in tandem) to students attending medical school.
In some of
its facets human anatomy is closely related to embryology, comparative
anatomy and comparative embryology, through common roots in evolution;
for example, much of the human body maintains the ancient segmental
pattern that is present in all vertebrates with basic units being
repeated, which is particularly obvious in the vertebral column and in
the ribcage, and can be traced from very early embryos.
The human
body consists of biological systems, that consist of organs, that
consist of tissues, that consist of cells and connective tissue.
Physiology
Physiology is the
science of the functioning of living systems. It is a subcategory of
biology. In physiology, the scientific method is applied to determine
how organisms, organ systems, organs, cells and biomolecules carry out
the chemical or physical function that they have in a living system.