GENERAL PHYSIOLOGY

Introduction

Physiology is a branch of science that deals with physical, biochemical and mechanical functions of human body. It deals more with cells, tissues and organs of a human body. Human physiological aspects are homologous to animal physiology. The other branch of science which is closely related to physiology is anatomy. Anatomy is a branch of science which deals with form whereas the physiology deals function.

Classification of physiological systems

Following are systems that are integrated with human are

• Neurophysiology: Central part of brain is nervous system and peripheral nervous system. This organ act as a organ for communicating one’s perception, feelings, sense movements and control over various systems of body parts. The clinical study of nervous system is referred as neuroscience, disease of nervous system is referred as neurology, behavior of nervous system is referred as psychiatry, vision sense of nervous system is referred as ophthalmology and other senses like hearing, taste and smell is referred as otolaryngology.
• Cell physiology: The branch of science that deals with musculoskeletal system that are related to bones, cartilages, tendons and ligaments. The study of skeleton is referred as osteology and disorders that occur in bones are referred as orthopedics.
• Cardiovascular physiology: The branch of physiology that deals with circulatory system which are related to blood vessels like arteries, veins and capillaries. The transport of nutrients is mediated only through blood stream. The branch of science dealing with heart is cardiology and dealing blood is referred as hematology.
• Respiratory physiology: The branch of physiology that deals with respiratory system is referred as respiratory physiology. It includes study on nose, trachea, lungs and nasopharynx.
• Gastrointestinal physiology: The branch of physiology that deals with gastro intestinal system is referred as gastrointestinal physiology. It deals with mouth, guts, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, pancreas, gall bladders, rectum and salivary glands.
• Skin physiology: The branch of science that deals integumentary system. It includes skin, hair, sweat glands, sebaceous glands and nails. Dermatology is a science that deals with skin.
• Renal physiology: The branch of physiology that deals with urinary system is renal physiology. It includes kidneys, urinary bladders, urether and urethra. The science dealing with function of urinary system is called nephrology and associated disease in structure is urology.
• Reproductive physiology: The science that deals with reproductive system. It concerns about gametes of each sex. Study of reproductive system in women is gynecology and in men is andrology, the behavioral aspects of reproductive system is referred as sexology and developmental aspects as embryology.
• Immunology: The study of immune system is immunology. It includes white blood cells, antibodies, cytokines, receptors, T cells and B cells.
• Endocrinology: The study that deals with endocrine system is endocrinology. It includes endocrine glands like adrenal, thyroid, parathyroid, gonads, pancreas, and pituitary glands.