What is the difference between anatomy and physiology?

[mee9mee9]

I know the basic structure vs function, but im looking for a more in depth answer

[Halcyonn]

I'm not really sure there is a more in depth answer to your question. Although...it's late and I'm tired, so it may simply elude me at this moment. If you are trying to differentiate between the two, anatomy refers to a specific part of the body while physiology refers to how that specific part functions within the body.

[Guinevere39]

Structure vs. function is the answer. Nothing more to it. Anatomy is what it is and where it is. Physiology is what it does and how the part work together.

[NICUmiiki, DNP, NP]

anatomy - structure

physiology - function

There is a hugh amount of overlap, and it is hard to learn one completely without the other. This is why the classes are combined in many schools.

ex: A&P I (3 hours), and A&P II (3 hours) instead of Anatomy (3 hours) and Physiology (3 hours).

[x_factor]

I agree with the others... anatomy is the "what is it and where is it located" and physiology is the "how does it work". Not sure what other type of answer you're looking for, that basically covers it.

[SmoothKeys]

Great question!

Consider the anatomy of the heart:

It consists of four chambers with the left ventricle being the last chamber to pump blood through the aorta.

And now the physiology:

Electrical signal originates in the sinoatrial (SA) node, the main pacemaker of the heart.

This signal controls heart rate and ultimately the left ventricle contracts and pumps blood though the aorta (if you want to know where the aorta is located, that falls under anatomy)

If you wanted to know what triggers the SA node, this would fall under physiology and you'd find out it has leaky (or 'funny') channels that is sensitive to sodium (Na+) in phase 4 of the cycle.

Finally, consider the anatomy of a car (e.g. physical appearance, size, and parts etc...); the physiology is what makes the car drive.

Hopefully you now have a better understanding of Anatomy & Physiology.

[zoe92]

I love all the answers posted before mine. Personally I've always considered anatomy as the specific part while physiology is all those parts working together.

[ImDaMan11]

Go on Wikipedia or google they will tell you an indepth answer