Divisions of physiology

As you learnt earlier, physiology is the study of the function of
anatomical structures. Human physiology is the study of the functions of
the human body. These functions are complex and much more difficult
to examine than most anatomical structures. As a result, there are even
more specialties in physiology than in anatomy, which includes:

i. Cell physiology: This is the cornerstone of human physiology; it
is the study of the functions of cells. It deals with events at the
chemical and molecular levels.

ii. Special physiology: this is the study of the physiology of special
organs. For example, renal physiology is the study of kidney
function.

iii. Systemic physiology: includes all aspects of the function of
specific organ systems; cardiovascular physiology, respiratory
physiology and reproductive physiology are examples of
systemic physiology.

iv. Patho-physiology is the study of the effects of diseases on organ
or system functions (pathos is the Greek word for “disease”).
Modern medicine depends on an understanding of both normal
physiology and patho-physiology