Introduction

• Physiology is the complement to anatomy and is concerned with the function, rather than the form, of structures in the body.
• It is the study of the physics and chemistry of structures, as well as how they work together to provide a specific function.

Homeostasis

• Homeostasis is the steady internal state which the body maintains.
• Physiology is concerned with how structures in the body function to maintain homeostasis.

Relationship with Anatomy

• Anatomy and physiology cannot be studied in isolation.
• Instead, they must be taken together, as two parts of the same puzzle.
• For example:
  • To understand how the spine functions, we must look at the structure of the bones.
  • But to understand the structure of the bones, we must look at how it functions.