Final answer:
Gross anatomy is the study of the body's larger structures visible without magnification, known as macroscopic anatomy, in contrast to microscopic anatomy which requires a microscope.
Step-by-step explanation:
Gross anatomy is the branch of biology that deals with the study of the larger structures of the body, those visible without the aid of magnification.
This field of anatomy is also known as macroscopic anatomy and includes studying the physical attributes and relationships of body parts that can be seen, manipulated, measured, and weighed with the unaided eye. In contrast to microscopic anatomy, which requires the use of a microscope to observe smaller structures, gross anatomy studies large structures such as the brain, bones, and organs.
The distinction between gross and microscopic anatomy is important in medical fields and education, where the former can be observed through dissection and medical imaging techniques, while the latter involves cytology and histology—the study of cells and tissues at the microscopic level.
Anatomy is a comprehensive field that also encompasses other sub-disciplines like comparative anatomy, regional anatomy, and systemic anatomy, each focusing on different aspects and approaches to the study of the body's structures.
Comparative anatomy examines the similarities and differences across species, while regional and systemic anatomy look into the interrelationships within a specific body region or system, respectively.