What is the study of body structure called?

The study of body structure is called anatomy. Anatomy is the branch of biology that deals with the structure of organisms and their parts. It focuses on the physical arrangement of the body's systems, organs, and tissues. This study can be further subdivided into different areas such as gross anatomy, which involves examining structures that can be observed with the naked eye, and microscopic anatomy, which involves tissues and cells that require a microscope for examination.

Understanding anatomy is crucial for healthcare providers, as it provides the foundational knowledge required to assess and treat patients. It enables practitioners to identify normal structures and recognize deviations from the norm, which is essential in diagnosing medical conditions.

The other fields mentioned, while related, focus on different aspects: physiology studies the functions of these structures, histology examines cells and tissues at a microscopic level, and embryology studies the development of organisms from fertilization to birth. Each of these disciplines complements anatomy but does not primarily focus on the structures themselves.