Physiology is the study of how the human body works.

It describes the chemistry and physics

behind basic body functions, from how molecules behave in cells to how systems of organs work
together. It helps us understand what happens in a healthy body in everyday life and what goes
wrong when someone gets sick.
Most of physiology depends on basic research studies carried out in a laboratory. Some
physiologists study single proteins or cells, while others might do research on how cells interact
to form tissues, organs, and systems within the body.

Physiology vs. Anatomy

While human anatomy is the study of the body’s structures, physiology is the study of how those
structures work. An imaging scan like an X-ray or ultrasound can show your anatomy, but
doctors use other tests -- like urine and blood tests or electrocardiograms (EKGs) -- to reveal
details about your body’s physiology.

What Physiology Tells Us About the Body

Doctors use physiology to learn more about many different organ systems, including:

 The cardiovascular system -- your heart and blood vessels

 The digestive system -- the stomach, intestines, and other organs that digest food
 The endocrine system -- glands that make hormones, the chemicals that control many
body functions
 The immune system -- your body’s defense against germs and disease
 The muscular system -- the muscles you use to move your body
 The nervous system -- your brain, spinal cord, and nerves
 The renal system -- your kidneys and other organs that control the fluid in your body
 The reproductive system -- sex organs for men and women
 The respiratory system -- your lungs and airways
 The skeletal system -- bones, joints, cartilage, and connective tissue

For each system, physiology sheds light on the chemistry and physics of the structures involved.
For example, physiologists have studied the electrical activity of cells in the heart that control its
beat. They’re also exploring the process by which eyes detect light, from how the cells in the
retina process light particles called photons to how the eyes send signals about images to the
brain.
Physiology revolves around understanding how the human body maintains a steady state while
adapting to outside conditions, a process called homeostasis. How do your organ systems keep
your temperature relatively stable in different environments? How does your body keep
your blood sugar and other chemical levels constant even when you eat different foods? These
are the kinds of questions that physiologists aim to answer.
 1
 2

View All
 TOP PICKS








TODAY ON WEBMD

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

ARTICLE
Puppy to Dog: Your Pet's Life Stages

ARTICLE
Buena salud en la tercera edad: Los secretos claves

ARTICLE
How Anemia in Chronic Kidney Disease Is Diagnosed

QUIZ
Stem Cells Facts and Quiz

ARTICLE
Wiping Out Kitchen Germs
 QUIZ
Health Benefits of Crying

ARTICLE
Telemedicine for Seniors

ARTICLE
A Simple Fix for Nearsightedness

TOOLS & RESOURCES

 Your Digestive System

 Respiratory System
 What Is a Psychologist?
 What Happens to Your Body During Deep Sleep?
 Living With CLL in the Later Stages
 Puppy to Dog: Your Pet's Life Stages

SUBSCRIBE TO WEBMD NEWSLETTERS

WebMD Daily Women's Health Men's Health Food & Fitness

Subscribe
By clicking "Subscribe," I agree to the WebMD Terms and
Conditions and Privacy Policy. I also agree to receive emails from WebMD
and I understand that I may opt out of WebMD subscriptions at any time.

Health Solutions

 Penis Curved When Erect

 Could I have CAD?
 Treat Bent Fingers
 Top Transitional Care
 Tools to Improve Health
 Living With Psoriasis?
 Treat Relapsing MS
 AFib-Related Strokes
 Risk of a Future DVT/PE
 Is My Penis Normal?
 Weight-Loss Surgery
 Liver Transplants Save Lives
 Bent Finger Causes
 Discover hATTR Symptoms
 Keeping Patients Safe
 Missing Teeth?

More from WebMD

 Finding the Care You Need for MS

 How to Thrive With Narcolepsy
 Eat Better in the New Year
 Psoriatic Arthritis and Your Sleep
 What Psoriasis Feels Like
 First Psoriatic Arthritis Flare
 Talking to Your Doctor About RA
 Start a Home Fitness Program
 Avoiding Crohn’s Flares
 Living With Ankylosing Spondylitis
 COVID-19 & Minority Health Care
 Types of B-Cell Therapy for MS
 What Triggers Nerve Pain
 Why Prostate Cancer Spreads
 When Ulcerative Colitis Flares
 Where Breast Cancer Spreads


O FIND US ON:
o Facebook
o Twitter
o Pinterest
 Policies
o Privacy Policy
o Cookie Policy
o Editorial Policy
o Advertising Policy
o Correction Policy
o Terms of Use

About
o Contact Us
o About WebMD
o Careers
o Newsletter
o Corporate
o WebMD Health Services
o Site Map
o Accessibility
 WebMD Network
o Medscape
o Medscape Reference
o MedicineNet
o eMedicineHealth
o RxList
o OnHealth
o WebMDRx
o First Aid
o WebMD Magazine
o WebMD Health Record
o Dictionary
o Physician Directory
 Our Apps
o WebMD Mobile
o WebMD App
o Pregnancy
o Baby
o Allergy
o Medscape

For Advertisers
o Advertise with Us
o Advertising Policy


 



© 2005 - 2021 WebMD LLC. All rights reserved.

WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
See additional information.