physiologic

Physiologic is an adjective that refers to physiology, the branch of biology concerned with the functions and processes of living organisms and their parts. In clinical and scientific usage, physiologic describes normal, functioning biological processes as opposed to diseased or pathologic states. The term is commonly used in American English, where the spelling physiologic is often preferred in technical contexts.

Origin and usage: The word derives from Greek physis (nature) and logos (study). Physiologic and physiological are closely related; physiological is the more common form in many varieties of English, while physiologic is favored in some technical terms such as physiologic saline, physiologic pH, or physiologic tremor, where it specifies normal body function.

Contextual examples: In medicine and research, physiologic measurements include heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate, and physiologic parameters are used to assess homeostasis and organ function. The term often contrasts with pathologic findings and with factors outside normal physiology that influence function, such as pharmacologic or environmental influences.

See also: physiology; physiological; physiologic saline.