What is Medical Physiology?
Medical physiology is the study of the various systems of the body, from a molecular level through integrated functioning as it relates to the whole being. Generally, the term medical physiology applies to human beings. However, the science of physiology applies equally to all living things. In other words, what is understood about cellular metabolism in any kind of plant or animal can be extrapolated to human physiology. I The scope of scientific disciplines that have branched from medical physiology is no less encompassing. In fact, while its primary concentration pertains to organs and body systems, the interdisciplinary nature of medical physiology lends itself to a variety of expanded fields, such as molecular biology, biochemistry, and pharmacology. As a solo area of study, medical physiology stems from the work of the early 20th century physiologist, Walter Cannon, who presented his theory of homeostasis, or body wisdom. Inspired by the earlier concept of milieu interieur, Canno
Medical Physiology is a study of the normal and abnormal function of the human body with particular emphasis on applied aspects, such as practical anatomy, exercise physiology, fitness testing, instrumentation and measurement of body systems and first aid techniques. The programme covers a wide range of biomedical areas including anatomy, human physiology, nutrition, pharmacology, biochemistry and microbiology. Medical physiologists work in a variety of fields, as health care scientists in the NHS interpreting collected data which can than be used to inform diagnosis and therapy. Alternatively, the degree would suit jobs in teaching, the pharmaceutical industry, management and IT. There is the possibility that, with further study, they could become Doctors or Dentists or other positions allied to medicine. Many science graduates also study for higher qualifications such as MSc or PhD enabling them to undertake careers in research.
