The average human takes 22,000 breaths per day. Inhale. Exhale. That's the function of the lungs. In other words, physiology.
The lungs are comprised of thousands of small branches inside a cavity made of elastic tissue. That's the structure of the lungs. That's anatomy.
Anatomy's purpose is to examine the elements of a biological organism and the overall structure of its organs, cells, and tissues. Physiology is exploring the action that the organs, cells, and tissues perform.
While both A&P can be taught separately, Portage Learning offers two courses where they are combined — BIOL251 and BIOL252.
Let's explore each of the disciplines to fully understand the difference between anatomy and physiology.
Anatomy
Anatomy is the study of the parts and systems of the human body, such as the lungs and the brain or the endocrine or nervous system. It's knowing the "what" and the "where." For example, an anatomical examination of the human heart could include:
- Where the heart chambers are
- What the valves are
- All the tissue types that make up the heart
- Different kinds of blood vessels
- The conduction system
Physiology
Meanwhile, physiology focuses on the actions the body performs and the reasons it does them. How do the human lungs take in and push out oxygen? Why does the heart pump blood? It's about the "how" and the "why" of the body. A physiological study of the heart could include questions such as:
- How and why the heart circulates blood
- Its coordination of muscular contractions and electric signaling
- How the heart responds to elevated blood pressure, intense activity, outside influences, etc.
- How it works with other major systems, such as the nervous or respiratory system
Interested in online courses?
Online courses, including healthcare/nursing prerequisites like Anatomy & Physiology, are a great way to get ahead in your healthcare career and allow you to take your course on your schedule, at any time, from anywhere. Portage Learning's A&P courses have just been updated: we have redesigned sets, a SynDaver, an online virtual lab, and hours of informational new content. Once you register for a course, you have six months to start, and then one year to complete once you've begun. As an accredited institution, we have successfully transferred credits to over 4,000 programs across the nation, helping you get to the next step in your educational journey. To check out our other healthcare prerequisites, click here.
