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BIOL 414

BIOL 414: Advanced Human Anatomy

Prerequisites: "C" or better in BIOL 311 and instructor permission

Credit Hours: (4)

Instructional Method: Lecture and lab.

A survey of gross (i.e. non-microscopic) human anatomy by region of the body (e.g. thorax, abdomen, lower limb, etc.) rather than by system (e.g. skeletal, cardiovascular, etc.), with clinical and biomechanical applications. Three hours lecture, three hours lab. A major component of this course is that students will work in small groups throughout the semester to completely dissect a human cadaver region by region. BIOL 414 builds on the introductory anatomy covered in BIOL 310 and BIOL 311; an understanding of basic human anatomy and physiology will be assumed.

 

Detailed Description of Course

Note: for most regions of the body, students will learn about the elements of general anatomy: bones and joints of that region, and their movements; attachments and actions of muscles in the area; the nerve supply (innervation) to the region, including sensory and motor innervation; and the arteries and veins providing blood supply to the area. Since this is the typical pattern for most regions of the body, all the elements of general anatomy for every region are not listed individually below. The major structures that are unique to each region are listed. Study of organs includes their anatomy, major functions, blood supply, and sensory and autonomic motor innervation.

Learning about each region of the body also includes clinical applications, case studies, and practice interpreting normal and abnormal anatomy in medical imaging.

  1. Unit 1: Introduction, Back & Thorax
    1. Introduction to regional gross anatomy and review of background information
      1. Anatomical terminology (directional terms, regions of the body)
      2. Body systems and tissue types
      3. Medical and anatomical images
      4. Basic dissection techniques
    2. The Back
      1. General anatomy of the back
      2. Spinal cord and meninges
    3. Thorax (chest)
      1. General anatomy of the thoracic wall
      2. Lungs and pleura
      3. Heart, great vessels, and cardiopulmonary circulation
      4. Esophagus
  2. Unit 2: Abdomen & Pelvis
    1. Abdomen
      1. General anatomy of the abdominal wall
      2. Abdominal organs (digestive system, spleen, kidneys and adrenals)
      3. Abdominal mesenteries
      4. Abdominal blood flow
    2. Pelvis and Perineum (the region on the lower external surface of the pelvis where the external genitalia are located)
      1. General anatomy of the pelvis
      2. Pelvic organs (male and female reproductive system, urinary system, rectum)
      3. Perineum: muscles, nerves, and blood vessels, and elements of the reproductive, urinary, and digestive systems
  3. Unit 3: Limbs
    1. Lower limb (anatomy of each limb region includes bones, joints, movements, muscles, nerves, and blood supply)
      1. Hip joint and gluteal region (buttocks)
      2. Knee joint and thigh
      3. Ankle joint and leg (between knee & ankle)
      4. Foot (the anatomy of the foot is covered in little detail in the interest of time, although interested students may complete a more comprehensive dissection of the region if they wish)
    2. Upper limb
      1. Shoulder joint and pectoral (shoulder) girdle
        1. Chest muscles that move the upper limb
        2. Back and shoulder muscles that move the upper limb
      2. Elbow joint and arm (between shoulder and elbow)
      3. Wrist joint and forearm
      4. Hand (the anatomy of the hand is covered in little detail in the interest of time, although interested students may complete a more comprehensive dissection of the region if they wish)
  4. Unit 4: Head & Neck
    1. Neck and Head
      1. Neck
        1. General anatomy of the neck
        2. Upper respiratory tract
      2. Head (The anatomy of the head is extensive and complex enough to warrant a separate course, and there is not time for even a cursory coverage of the entire head in Advanced Anatomy. Instead, selected aspects of head anatomy are chosen for study, partly in accordance with students’ interests. Some possible topics are listed below. Dissections are chosen to correspond to topics covered in lecture.)
        1. General anatomy of the head: skull and muscles of facial expression, with innervation and blood supply
        2. The brain, with meninges, ventricles, blood supply, and cranial nerves
        3. The eye, with accessory structures
        4. The ear
        5. The mouth, including the muscles of mastication (chewing), the teeth, the tongue, and salivary glands
        6. The nose and throat

 

Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

Advanced Human Anatomy includes lecture (3 hours/week) and lab (3 hours/week) components. Lecture time may involve traditional lecture as well as discussions and in-class assignments and activities. These may include case studies in which students work together to answer questions about a clinical or biomechanical scenario using the anatomical knowledge they have gained, as well as analyses of the anatomy involved in various movements. Students may be asked to give oral presentations on clinical applications of the anatomy they are learning about. Written exams and homework assignments may be used to assess students’ learning about anatomy and its clinical and biomechanical applications.

During lab time, students may work in small groups (3-6 students) to fully dissect a human cadaver under close instructor supervision. In some cases, students will also study other lab materials such as bones and models to aid their understanding of the relevant anatomy. The schedule for cadaver dissections will mirror that of lectures, so that students are uncovering and studying hands-on the anatomy that they are learning about in class. Students may document their dissections in notes and photographs (again, closely supervised by the instructor), and may reflect on their experiences working with the cadavers. Students will demonstrate their knowledge of gross human anatomy in lab practical exams, in which they will be required to identify marked structures on the cadavers. After the semester is over, these dissected cadavers will be used by hundreds of students in other RU classes, primarily BIOL 310 and 311.

 

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to...

  1. For each numbered region of the body listed in Content of Course above,
    1. List the major anatomical structures found in that region
    2. Describe the form (structure) of each structure and explain how its form relates to its basic functions
    3. Describe its innervation and blood supply pattern
    4. Describe its structural and functional relationships with other structures
  2. Give examples of diseases, injuries, or other pathologies that may affect a given anatomical structure, and explain what the results would be
  3. Apply anatomical knowledge to analyze clinical and biomechanical problems
  4. Demonstrate skill in neatly and effectively performing cadaver dissections
  5. Demonstrate the ability to collaborate with classmates to perform and document dissections
  6. Identify anatomical structures on a dissected human cadaver, in photographs of the dissection, and on anatomical models and bones
  7. Reflect and report on what they have learned during their dissection experience

 

Assessment Measures

Formative assessments may include written Homework assignments for each unit, as well as Dissection Notes & Photos. Students will be required to turn in written notes describing and reflecting on each dissection, as well as labeled photographs of their dissections. Summative assessments will be four written exams and four lab practical exams, one for each unit, and a photographic atlas. Written exams may include multiple choice as well as essay and application/case study questions, and will assess students’ mastery of gross anatomy concepts and facts as learned from lecture and the textbook. Lab practical exams, in which students have to identify structures marked on the dissected cadavers, will assess their knowledge of anatomy in situ. At the end of the semester each group will work together to create a photographic “atlas” of their dissected cadaver, consisting of a complete series of labeled photographs. These atlases will then be made available to subsequent classes who are studying these cadavers.

 

Other Course Information

N/A

 

Review and Approval

November 8, 2023

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