Apparently at my school one can take physiology without having anatomy under the belt. I am wondering if this is a good idea and if it's possible for someone to do well in P without having taken A. How much overlap is there between the two courses (I under that curricula differ across schools, but just generally)? Thanks.
I think those two areas are irrelevant. Just overlap between two areas can be seen when u study neuro part (eye, ear), muscle(smooth muscle, skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle)...skeletal system (The most relevant..but only simple things)
It all depends on which schools u are applying to. Some of dental schools want you to complete both anatomy and physiology.
Anyway, anatomy class is more focused on nomenclature. On the other hand, physiology reqires u to understand our body function with a broader picture.
For example, 1) all starts from your brain...hormone/nervous system...homeostatis..effectors (Except for simple reflex)
& 2) Internal factor or external factor
I din't take anatomy, but only physiology. (Again, Bone formation, brain physiology, muscle physiology..there u will see very few of anatomy)
Instead, anatomy is essential for you to further study disease mechanism. Osteoporosis, mineral deficiency syndrom..if u have chance to read a lot of medical literatures, ur basic knowledge in anatomy is essential..It's one reason I got lower grade in mineral disease course ..and have a lot difficulty in other disease courses....
Biochem + physiology ---> The most relevant things before u handle disease mechanism
Anatomy--> Will make it easier in the science communication...u don't have to spend extra time to know more about any body parts, but u can just focus on the understanding of body mechanism..(Real medical field, they are dealing so complicated things....the experiemental results can be all different depending on each part of our body!!)
In other perspective...
Anat ---> Language, experience
Physiology ---> Understanding, (physics; nonideal fluid, circuit when dealing with neuroscience, optics in studying eyes, math when u learn feedback mechanism, basic conceptual things from chem)
Last comment...
I think if u master physiology thoroughly, understanding disease mechanism will be prompted!! (I would recommend to memorize all things in the physiology text book, then u will become a medically genius predental student)
But, for communication purpose, u should also study anatomy! (Just knowing there are that kinds of things will not be enough!)
Does dental schools provide anatomy class before physiology??? 😕 (I think learning anat first, then learn physiology is best for me)