Origin: Greek suffix -ology
Physiology has 3 different meanings across 1 category:
the branch of the biological sciences dealing with the functioning of organisms
"Physiology is the branch of science that studies how living organisms function and maintain life processes."
processes and functions of an organism
"The study of physiology focuses on understanding the complex processes and functions that keep a living organism alive."
A branch of biology that deals with the functions and activities of life or of living matter (as organs, tissues, or cells) and of the physical and chemical phenomena involved.
"The study of physiology explores how the heart pumps blood and how muscles contract to sustain life."
In plain English: Physiology is the study of how living things work inside their bodies to stay alive and function properly.
"The book explains how physiology works by showing what happens inside our bodies when we exercise."
Usage: Physiology specifically refers to how biological systems function rather than their structure. Use this term when discussing processes like digestion or nerve impulses instead of anatomy, which describes body parts.
The word physiology entered English via French and Latin, ultimately deriving from Ancient Greek terms for "nature" and "word." Originally meaning natural philosophy, it describes the study of how living organisms function.