Anatomy and Physiology

Anatomy

The study of the internal and external structures of plants, animals, or the human body.

Microscopic Anatomy

The study of structures that can only be seen and examined with magnification aids.

Macroscopic Anatomy/ Gross Anatomy

The study of structures visible to the naked eye.

Physiology

The study of the functions and processes of the various structures that make up the human body.

Physiological Process

A normal, healthy biological function performed by an organism to sustain life.

Pathophysiology

The study of disease

Disease

Anything that negatively changes the normal structure and function of human body

Signs

obvious indicators of an illness that can be measured and expressed as numbers

Vital Signs

common, measurable indicators that help us asses the health of our patients

Symptoms

Subjective characteristics of disease felt only by the patient

Syndrome

A group of signs and symptoms typical of a particular disease or condition

Homeostasis

process by which organisms maintain a relatively stable internal environment

negative feedback loop

A feedback loop that causes a system to change in the opposite direction

positive feedback

Feedback that tends to magnify a process or increase its output.

positive feedback