As such it encompasses traditional approaches to study of the human body, as well as very modern molecular and microscopical approaches using the latest techniques and ideas. It seeks to discover the relationship between the structure of organs and cells and the function they perform.

It is an integral part of the biological disciplines, closely related to Physiology, Biochemistry and Biological Anthropology, and fundamental to all biomedical science.

Otago is the only university in New Zealand to offer this subject for the Bachelor of Science (BSc) and Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc(Hons)) degrees.