The International Classification of Function

Body Functions are the physiological functions of body systems (including psychological functions).

Body Structures are anatomical parts of the body such as organs, limbs and their components.

This shift away from defining a disease allows us to concentrate more clearly upon the health needs of an individual. For example the loss of a limb in an elderly diabetic man has the same anatomical impact as the loss of a limb due to a landmine explosion in war survivor even though the two aetiologies are completely different.

The positive aspect of body functions and structure are what we take for granted when everything is working well

The negative aspect (impairment) is the consequence of, for example, diabetes or a landmine explosion