THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES

FACULTY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES

THE UWI SCHOOL OF NURSING, MONA

Course Outline

COURSE TITLE : HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY 1

COURSE CODE : NURS 1108
DURATION : 75 Hours
CREDITS : 3 (2 Theory, 1 Lab)
PRE-REQUISITE : Matriculation Requirements
CO-REQUISITE : Biochemistry, Microbiology

COURSE DESCRIPTION

An organ to system approach, the correlation between anatomical structure and physiological
functions, the interaction of chemicals, tissues, organs and organ systems in the maintenance of
homeostasis is presented in this course. The course is divided into two parts. Part 1 introduces
anatomy and physiology and focus on the integumentary, musculo-skeletal, nervous, endocrine,
and respiratory systems. Human Anatomy and Physiology II covers the remaining body
systems, and is taught in the second semester. Laboratory exercises are included in both courses.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the course, the student will be able to:

1. Understand the meaning of anatomical and physiology terms used in this course;

2. Describe the structure and characteristics of living matter;

3. Name the primary and secondary chemical elements of the body;

4. Use correct anatomical terms to describe body directions, regions, and body planes or
sections;

5. Explain the structure and functions of the basic tissues of the human body;

6. Describe the organization and structural units of the body;

7. Describe the structure and function of the integumentary, musculoskeletal, nervous, endocrine,
and respiratory systems;

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8. Understand the histological structure of bone and the differences between compact and spongy
bone;

9. Comprehend the characteristics and functions of cell types of the bone;

10. Understand the process of bone formation;

11. Understand the repair processes of bone;

12. Explain the role of the musculo-skeletal system in providing support and movement of the
body;

13. Describe the transmission of nerve impulse;

14. Explain the role of the sense organs, nervous and endocrine systems in controlling and
integrating the body’s functions;

15. Describe the main hormones and their effects on the body;

16. Explain the process of respiration;

17. Recognize the primary and secondary elements and their abbreviations found in the body;

18. Differentiate between the discrete and integrated structures and functions of each system
within the human body;

19. Determine the functions of the human body in relation to its chemical, cellular, tissue, organ,
and system structures;

20. Integrate anatomic and physiological concepts into science-laboratory-based exercises;

21. Recognize the importance of the knowledge of human anatomy and physiology as a pre-
requisite for nursing care of patients;

UNIT I : INTRODUCTION TO ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY

Hours : 5 Theory

Specific Objectives

At the end of the unit, the student will be able to:

1. Define terms used in this unit;

2. Describe the type, structure and characteristics of living matter;

3. Discuss the primary and secondary elements found in the body;

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4. Identify the anatomic directions, planes, positions, and cavities of the body;

5. Identify the structural units of the body;

6. Explain the location, structure and function of the basic tissues of the human body;

7. Describe the types, location, and function of the membranes of the human body;

8. Name the systems of the body;

9. Identify diagnostic clinical technology instruments used in diagnosing select body parts.
(Look up)

Content

1. Definition

 Anatomy
 Physiology
 Biology
 Gross anatomy
 Microscopic anatomy
 Cytology
 Histology

2. Living matter

 Definition
 Types

 Solids
 Liquids
 Gases

3. Structure of matter

 Molecules
 Atoms: protons, electrons, neutrons
 Ions
 Definition
 Electrolytes
 Types
 Functions

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  pH

4. Characteristics of living matter

 Metabolism
 Growth
 Reproduction
 Adaptation
 Organization

5. Elements

 Compounds
 Mixture

6. Chemical elements

 Primary bio-elements

 Carbon
 Hydrogen
 Oxygen
 Nitrogen
 Sulphur
 Phosphorous

 Other chemical elements

 Sodium
 Chloride
 Calcium
 Magnesium
 Potassium
 Iodine
 Iron
 Barium
 Cobalt
 Copper
 Gold
 Lead
 Mercury

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7. Anatomic directions

 Anterior (ventral)
 Posterior (dorsal)
 Distal
 Proximal
 Medial
 Dorsal
 Ventral
 Lateral
 Superior
 Inferior
 Caudal

8. Anatomical body planes

 Frontal
 Horizontal
 Median
 Sagittal

9. Body positions

 Supine
 Prone
 Dorsal recumbent
 Lithotomy
 Knee-chest
 Sims’/Lateral
 Trendelenburg & modified Trendelenburg
 Sitting
 Fowler’s

10. Main body cavities & functions

 Cranial
 Vertebral
 Thoracic
 Abdominal
 Pelvic

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11. Structural units of the body

 Chemical
 Cellular (covered in Biochemistry)
 Tissue
 Organ
 Organ system

12. Tissues & membranes

A. Tissues

 Definition
 Basic types & functions

 Epithelium
 Connective
 Muscle
 Nervous

B. Membranes

 Definition
 Types, location, functions

 Mucous
 Serous
 Cutaneous
 Synovial

13. Clinical technology diagnostic instruments

 X-rays
 Computerized tomography (CT) scans
 Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
 Spiral CT scans
 Ultrasound images
 Digital subtraction angiography images (DSA)
 Position emission tomography (PET) scans.

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UNIT 2 : INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM (SKIN, NAIL & HAIR)
Hours : 5 Theory

Specific Objectives

At the end of the unit, the student will be able to:

1. Identify the different layers of the skin and their structure and functions;

2. Discuss the structure and functions of the accessory structures of the skin;

3. Compare the two kinds of glands in the skin based on structure and secretion;

4. Discuss the functions of the skin;

5. Explain the importance of sweating;

6. Explain the role of the skin in regulating body temperature;

7. Explain the term pigment and its role in skin colour differences among people;

8. Discuss the growth and repair process of the skin and accessory structures.

Content

1. Skin structure & functions

 Epidermis & cells

 Dermis & cells
 Hypodermis: blood vessels & nerve cells

2. Accessory structures: structure & functions

 Sweat gland
 Sebaceous gland
 Hair
 Nail

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3. Functions of the skin

 Protection
 Regulation of body temperature
 Sensation
 Absorption
 Excretion

4. Pigment & functions

5. Growth & repair of skin & accessory structures.

UNIT 3 : MUSCULO-SKELETAL SYSTEM

Hours : 5 Theory
15 Practical

Specific Objectives

At the end of the unit, the student will be able to:

1. Discuss the organization of the skeletal system;

2. Discuss the classification, types, location, structure and functions, the blood and nervous
supply of bones, joints, cartilages and muscles;

3. Discuss the formation, growth and repair process of bones, joints, cartilages and muscles;

4. Discuss the chemical composition of bone;

5. Describe the effects of diet on bone development in children and bone maintenance in older
adults;

6. Compare and contrast the structure of the four (4) bone classes; providing examples of each
class;

7. Identify bone markings;

8. Locate the major cartilages of the adult skeleton;

9. Discuss the functional properties of the types of cartilages;

10. Describe the location, structure and function of skeletal, smooth and cardiac muscles;

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11. Describe the current concept of muscle contraction based on three (3) factors – neuro-
electrical, chemical and energy sources;

12. Compare isotonic and isometric contractions;

13. Discuss the importance of structure.

Content

A. Skeletal System

1. Skeletal organization

 Appendicular skeleton

 Upper limbs
 Lower limbs

 Axial skeleton

 Skull bones & markings

 Skull cranial bones & facial bones
 Vertebrae
 Ribs & sternum

2. Skeletal system/Bones

 Classification & structure of bone

 Parts of a long bone
 Flat bone
 Chemical composition of bone
 Bone formation, growth & repair
 Factors influencing formation
 Growth of bones
 Ossification
 Bone function

3. Articular system/Joints: classifications, structure & function of each

 Functional classifications

 Synarthrodial: immovable
 Aphiarthrodial: slightly

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  Diarthrodial: freely movable

 Anatomical classifications

 Fibrous
 Cartilaginous
 Synovial

4. Types of joint movements

 Gliding
 Angular
 Special

5. Lifespan structural & functional changes

 Fontanels
 Epiphyseal plates
 Fibrocartilage losses: water, flexibility
 Collagen
 Movement

B. Muscular system

1. Types, origin, insertion, structure, functions of muscles

 Skeletal
 Cardiac
 Smooth

2. Sliding filament theory

3. Physiology of muscle contraction

 Tonus
 Stimulation
 Contraction
 Response to stimuli

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4. Muscle-bone interactions

 Lever system
 Flexors
 Extensors
 Abductors
 Adductors

C. Tendons & ligaments

D. Mechanics of movement by leverage

E. Posture

 Definition
 Maintenance
 Importance to body as a whole.

UNIT 4 : NERVOUS SYSTEM

Hours : 5 Theory
10 Practical

Specific Objectives

At the end of the unit, the student will be able to:

1. Discuss the structural and functional divisions of the nervous system;

2. List the basic functions of the nervous system;

3. Identify the structural and functional classification of neurons;

4. Describe resting membrane potential including its resting membrane electrochemical basis;

5. Discuss the nerve impulse transmission mechanism;

6. Explain the mechanism of the reflex arc;

7. Describe the process of brain development;

8. Name the major regions of the adult brain;

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9. Describe the three major regions of the brain stem, and the general function of each;

10. Describe the gross and microscopic structure of the spinal cord;

11. List the major spinal cord tracts, describing each in terms of its origin, termination, and
function;

12. Discuss the formation, characteristics and functions of the cerebro-spinal fluid;

13. Describe the peripheral nervous system;

14. Explain the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system mechanisms;

15. Describe the twelve (12) pairs of cranial nerves and the body region and structures innervated
by each;

16. Distinguish between autonomic and somatic reflexes;

17. Outline the structure, functions and related physiology of the sense organs.

Content

1. Organization of the nervous system

2. Neurophysiology

 Basic principles of electricity

 The resting membrane potential: the polarized state
 Membrane potentials as signals
 The synapse
 Postsynaptic potentials & synaptic integration
 Neurotransmitters & their receptors

3. Basic concepts of neural integration

 Organization of neurons: neuronal pools

 Types of circuits
 Patterns of neural processing

4. Developmental aspects of neurons

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5. The brain

 Regions & organization of the brain

 Ventricles of the brain
 The cerebral hemispheres
 The diencephalons
 The brain stem
 The cerebellum
 Functional brain systems
 Protection of the brain
 Homeostatic imbalances of the brain

6. The spinal cord

 Gross anatomy and protection of the spinal cord

 Cross sectional anatomy of the spinal cord
 Developmental aspects of the CNS
 Embryonic development of the brain and spinal cord
 Diagnostic procedures for assessing central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction

7. The peripheral nervous system (PNS)

 Sensory receptors
 Nerves & associated ganglia
 Motor endings

8. Cranial nerves

9. Spinal nerves

 General features of spinal nerves

 Innervation of specific body regions

10. Reflex activity

 Components of a reflex arc

 Spinal reflexes

11. Developmental aspects of the PNS

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12. The Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

 Comparison of the somatic & autonomic nervous system

 Divisions of the ANS

13. Anatomy of the ANS

 Parasympathetic (cranio-sacral) division

 Sympathetic (Thoraco-lumbar)division
 Visceral reflexes

14. Physiology of the ANS

 Neurotransmitters & receptors

 The effects of drugs
 Interactions of the autonomic divisions
 Control of autonomic functioning

15. Homeostatic imbalances of the ANS

16. Developmental aspects of the ANS

17. Sensory integration – reception to perception

 General organization of the somato-sensory system

18. Motor integration – intension to effect

 Levels of motor control

 Homeostatic imbalances of motor integration

19. Higher mental functions

 Brain wave patterns & the electro encephalogram (EEG)

 Consciousness
 Sleep & sleep-wake cycles
 Memory

20. Developmental aspects of the special senses

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21. The chemical senses -- tongue & nose: taste & smell

 Structure of the tongue & nose

 Taste buds & the sense of taste

 The olfactory epithelium & the sense of smell

 Homeostatic imbalances of the chemical senses

 Diagnostic instruments of the nose

22. The eye: vision

 Accessory structures of the eye

 Structure of the eyeball

 Physiology of vision

 Diagnostic instruments of the eye

23. The ear: hearing & balance

 Structure of the ear

 Sound & the mechanisms of hearing

 Homeostatic imbalances of hearing

 Mechanisms of equilibrium & orientation

 Diagnostic instruments of the ear.

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UNIT 5 : ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
Hours : 5 Theory
5 Practical

Specific Objectives

At the end of the unit, the student will be able to:

1. Identify the endocrine organs/glands and their location;

2. Describe the structure and function of each of the endocrine glands;

3. Distinguish between endocrine and exocrine glands;

4. List the functions of hormones;

5. Classify hormones into their major chemical categories;

6. Discuss the effects of the major hormones on the body;

7. Explain the hypothalamus and prostaglandin regulations of the functions of the endocrine
system;

8. Describe the relationship of the nervous and endocrine systems in the control and integration
of body functioning;

9. Describe the body’s response to stress;

10. Define homeostasis and its significance;

11. Discuss the factors affecting homeostasis;

12. Describe feedback mechanism and its involvement in maintaining body homeostasis;

13. Describe the effects of aging on the endocrine system functioning.

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Content

1. Endocrine system

 Developmental aspects

2. Glands: structure & functions

 Definition
 Types & functions of each

 Endocrine
 Exocrine

3. Major endocrine organs: location, structure, function, hormones

 Pituitary
 Thyroid
 Parathyroid
 Adrenal
 Ovaries
 Testes
 Pineal
 Thymus
 Pancreas (islets of Langerhans)

4. Exocrine glands: location, structure, function, hormones

 Salivary
 Bile-producing glands of the liver
 Pancreas (pancreatic fluid)
 Gastric

5. Hormones

 Types
 Chemistry
 Mechanisms of hormone action
 Hormone target cell specificity
 Half-life, onset & duration of hormone activity
 Control of hormone release

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6. Regulatory mechanisms

 Hypothalamus
 Prostaglandin

7. Stress syndrome

 Definition
 Concepts
 Stressors
 Mechanism of stress

8. Homeostasis

 Definition
 Purpose
 Significance
 Mechanism
 Factors affecting homeostasis
 Feedback mechanism & maintenance of homeostasis

9. Effects of the aging process on the endocrine system.

UNIT 6 : RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

Hours : 5 Theory
15 Practical

Specific Objectives

At the end of the unit, the student will be able to:

1. Define terms used in the respiratory system;

2. Outline the developmental aspects of the respiratory system;

3. Name the organs of the respiratory system;

4. Locate the upper respiratory organs on a diagram,

5. Describe the structure and functions of the upper respiratory organs;

6. Describe the macroscopic and microscopic anatomy of the lung;

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7. Locate the lower respiratory organs on a diagram;

8. Describe the structure and functions of the lower respiratory organs;

9. Describe the general functions of the respiratory system;

10. Explain the physiology of ventilation, arterialisation, alveolar exchange, and gas transport;

11. Name the instruments used to measure lung volumes;

12. Relate one law concerning gas to the internal respiratory process;

13. Outline the role of the respiratory system in the maintenance of acid-base balance;

14. Describe the physiological factors which regulate respiration;

15. Discuss the physiology of speech.

Content

1. Definition of respiratory system terminologies

2. Developmental aspects of the respiratory system

3. Organs of the respiratory system

A. Upper respiratory organs: structure & function

 Mucous membranes
 Nose
 Nasal cavity
 Para-nasal sinuses
 Pharynx
 Larynx

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B. Lower respiratory organs: structure & function

 Trachea
 Bronchial tree
 Lungs
 Divisions

4. Functions of the respiratory system

 Ventiltion of the lungs

 Extraction of oxygen from the air & transfer to bloodstream
 Excretion of carbon dioxide & water vapour
 Maintenance of acid base of the blood

5. Physiology of respiration

 Pulmonary ventilation
 External respiration
 Transport of respiratory gases
 Internal respiration
 Types of breathing
 Cellular respiration

6. Selected principles of gases

 Dalton’s law
 Boyle’s law
 Gaseous exchange in lungs

7. Diagnostic instrument (s) used in measuring lung volume

8. Regulation of respiration

9. Role of respiratory system in maintaining acid-base balance

 pH of blood
 Oxygen
 Carbon dioxide
 Haemoglobin

10. Physiology of speech.

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Teaching/Learning Methodologies

 Lecture/Discussion
 Demonstration
 Charts & Models
 PowerPoint presentation
 Laboratory sessions
 Diagramming
 Case studies
 Student-led presentations

Area used for Learning

 Classroom
 Library
 Anatomy laboratory
 Clinical Learning Centre (Nursing Skills Laboratory)

Learning Experiences

 Laboratory exercises
 Use of diagnostic instruments of the nervous system including the sensory organs

Required Skills

1. Identification of gross & microscopic anatomical parts

2. Assessment of body symmetry

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Student Assessment

Course work 40% (Mid-semester exam and group presentation)

Group assignment 10%

In-course test: multiple-choice items 30%

Final written examination: objective-type items and Essay =60%

Required Reading

McConnell, T. H. & Hull, K. L. (2011). Human form and function: Essentials of anatomy&
physiology. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Recommended Reading

Cohen, B. J. & Taylor, J. (2005). Memmler’s structure and function of the human. Philadelphia:
Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.

Shier, D., Lewis, R. & Butler, J. (2002). Hole’s human anatomy & physiology. New York:
McGraw Hill.

Tortora, Gerard J. & Derrickson, Bryan H. (2011). Principles of anatomy and physiology.
Somerset, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons.

Web Resources

Paul A. J. Kolarsick, P., Kolarsick, M., Goodwin, C. (2011). Anatomy & physiology of the skin.
Journal of the Dermatology Nurses Association, 3(4), 1-11. Doi:
10.1097/JDN.0b013e3182274a98.

Helpful notes on anatomy and physiology of all body systems retrievable at

http://www.teachpe.com/anatomy/index.php

Animated and interactive presentation of the digestive system retrievable at

http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0072495855/student_view0/chapter26/animation
organs_of_digestion.html

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