Difference Between Anatomy & Physiology

So, what is the difference between anatomy and physiology?

Anatomy is the layout of the body and how different body parts are organized (i.e. arm, leg, foot, face, etc).

Physiology describes the processes of a bodily function (i.e. how food is digested, how cells grow and reproduce, how an injury affects the body, etc).

Anatomy

It is essential for you to understand the basic anatomy of the body parts we are discussing. With a strong understanding in human anatomy, we can better understand what kinds of treatments are necessary for different types of injuries.



Let's briefly talk about some of the major bones in the body. Try your best to memorize these anatomical features, because they are common sites for injury and medical problems. You may come across someone that has broken his or her femur, so you should know where it is, the approximate size and the potential for further injury. The above listed are common bones that we may talk about in our every day lives.

Skull- Head

Sternum- The chest bone

Humerus- The bone that goes along the length of our upper arm.

Radius/ Ulna- Two bones in the forearm that connect to the wrist and the elbow.

Femur- Thigh bone

Patella- Knee

Tibia- Shin

Scapula- Shoulder

Vertebral Column- Spine

Physiology

The human body holds anywhere from 2-3 two liters of blood, and this is in constant circulation, even when we sleep. Visualize 3 liter-sized soda bottles and that is how much blood is normally circulating throughout the body. When you see an injury, you should be able to describe, to the best of your ability, how much blood a person has lost. This is often hard to do because blood is made up mostly of water and can evaporates quickly, just like water.



On the other hand, seeing a large pool of bright red blood might make you think there is a bigger loss than there actually is. Just try to account for as much as you can see and how much time has passed since the person started bleeding. Controlling bleeding at this point is critical to survival, as we will discuss later.

Other Tips!

Be Observant
Injuries may also include broken or dislocated bones. It is acceptable to say that a bone doesn't look right or might look out of place. Compare injuries on arms and legs to the other unaffected arm or leg. In the case of dual involvement, compare your own. If something doesn't look right, be sure to make a note of it and point it out to the EMTs.

Be a Detective
For illnesses, describe what has been going on with the person. What made them seek help or look like they needed help? Was it a breathing problem? Were they dizzy, nauseated, etc…? Were they speaking in an incoherent manner? Do you know if the person has any medical problems like diabetes or epilepsy (seizure disorder)?

Be Specific in Descriptions
Remember that the more basic and specific you can be, the better. Be persistent! Don't let healthcare providers brush aside your observations. Remember that you are taking a proactive step by learning first aid and attempting to help the person. Again, be persistent about your findings.