physiology
physiology Lexical Profile
physiology Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The branch of biology that deals with the normal functions of living organisms and their bodily parts, including all physical and chemical processes.
"Medical students must complete rigorous coursework in human physiology before beginning clinical rotations."
The way in which a living organism or bodily part functions, or the organic processes and phenomena of a specific organism.
"Prolonged exposure to zero gravity significantly alters the physiology of astronauts."
Word Nuance & Usage
'Physiology' is often confused with 'anatomy'; while anatomy studies the physical structure of organisms and their parts, physiology focuses on how those parts function and interact.
• Rhymes for physiology
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the 16th century from Middle French physiologie, from Latin physiologia, and ultimately from Ancient Greek physiología ('natural philosophy'), combining phýsis ('nature') and -logía ('study of').