Body functions

Guide for use:
Body functions are organised according to body systems. The term ‘body’ refers to the human organism as a whole and includes mental or psychological functions.
Body functions are classified in neutral terms. To indicate that there is a problem with a body function requires the use of the impairment extent code to denote the extent or magnitude of the problem together with the body functions code.

World Health Organization (WHO) 2001. ICF: International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. Geneva: WHO

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) 2003. ICF Australian User Guide Version 1.0. Canberra: AIHW

This glossary item is based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). The ICF was endorsed by the World Health Assembly in 2001 as a reference member of the WHO Family of International Classifications and of the Australian Family of Health and Related Classifications (endorsed by the National Health Information Management Group in 2002).

The ICF provides a framework for the description of human functioning and disability. The components of the ICF are defined in relation to a health condition. A health condition is an 'umbrella term for disease (acute or chronic), disorder, injury or trauma' (WHO 2001). A health condition may be recorded, for example, as Episode of care principal diagnosis, code (ICD-10-AM 3rd ed) ANN{.N[N]} and Episode of care additional diagnosis, code (ICD-10-AM 3rd ed) ANN{.N[N]}.