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Anatomical Sciences

Module description

This module will allow you to learn and implement your anatomy knowledge and relate it to physiology and pathologies through the discovery of current or past anatomy breakthroughs according to your interest. Using this knowledge, you will explore the key concepts and principles that underpin human diseases, learn about research methods and explain the basis of diseases and scientific discoveries of your choice. Additionally, we aim to develop new teaching tools using current anatomy resources. The main focus is to develop these learning tools as a student-centred teaching tool that incorporates your research on specific areas of anatomy, physiology, pathology and scientific discoveries. In doing so, you will obtain wide-arching knowledge surrounding the topic of your choice, which you will present continuously to your peers. You will attend extensive lectures/seminars and workshops that provide the anatomical background for understanding the overarching principles and concepts of the organisation of the structures of the human body and their applications in clinical context. In addition, this module aims to enhance your presentation and feedback skills through student-led seminars and the development of new anatomy teaching resources. Developing key transferrable scientific skills is central to this module and you should be prepared to work effectively and collaboratively with peers.

This is an optional module for second year students of the BSc Medical Sciences, BSc Sport & Exercise Medical Sciences and BSc Neuroscience.

Pre-requisite modules.

CSC1005 Integrated Human Physiology OR equivalent OR minimum of 2 years of preclinical BMBS in Medicine.

(Exceptions under module lead discretion)

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module aims to help you to:

• Develop an understanding of key concepts and principles for the structural organisations and functions of the human body with reference to growth, aging and disorders.
• Appreciate the science behind anatomical discoveries and principles.
• Appreciate common anatomical research methods and techniques.
• Develop new technological tools using current anatomical teaching resources.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Describe the key concepts and principles underlying the organisations of the structures of human body.
• 2. Explain how structures of the human body are applied in clinical context.
• 3. Conduct literature research for scientific discoveries related to anatomy.
• 4. Explain the scientific investigations and methodologies behind anatomical research.
• 5. Explore past and current scientific discoveries using anatomy as a basis.
• 6. Develop a basic understanding of technological enhancement of anatomical resources.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 7. Explain the use of anatomical language and descriptive terms.
• 8. Explore more detailed new learnings of the anatomy behind scientific discoveries and apply this knowledge clinically.
• 9. Describe the anatomical basis of clinical conditions, surgical procedures and advances in medical technology using scientific discoveries of your choice.
• 10. Explain anatomical structure-function relationships of the human body in health and disease.
• 11. Evaluate choices between various anatomical research methods and techniques for an anatomical sciences research project.
• 12. Demonstrate an awareness of key human science principles associated with human health, illness and disease.

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 13. Demonstrate effective workload and time management skills.
• 14. Demonstrate competence in effective written and oral professional communication with limited guidance.
• 15. Apply skills of critical thinking, problem-formulation and problem-solving.

Syllabus plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, an example of an overall structure is as follows:

You will conduct a literature research of scientific discoveries that relate to anatomy and the function of the human body. You will obtain wide-arching knowledge surrounding the topic of your choice, which you will present continuously to your peers. You will engage with extensive lectures, seminars, practical laboratory sessions and workshops that provide the anatomical background for understanding the overarching principles and concepts of the organisation of the structures of the human body and their applications in clinical context. 

In seminar groups, you will undertake tutor-supported research and gradually build an anatomical science focused Educational Resource of your choice by using ‘Client Briefings’ and evaluate current or experimental / research technologies with medical and clinical applications.  

Concepts and topics covered in lectures and lab dissections include:

• Fundamentals of human anatomy and its historical perspectives;
• Micro to macro anatomy and how to study it;
• Embryology & congenital malformations;
• Gastrointestinal system;  
• The renal system;
• Central nervous system;
• Microstructure and function of the heart;
• The visual system;
• Clinical anatomy of the cardiac system;
• Appendicular and axial skeleton;
• Neural control of micturition.*

*these areas will be reviewed annually and may undergo some changes. 

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

The Final Group Project Educational Resource cannot be re-submitted by a single student and is therefore replaced with an ‘electronic poster’ based on the same group project and produced on MS PowerPoint (or similar programmes). Full guidance will be provided. This is to be submitted during ref/def period. The Group Contribution and Engagement Award will be assessed with a reflective essay as described above. Full guidance will be provided. 

Please also refer to the TQA section on general Referral/Deferral guidelines: http://as.exeter.ac.uk/academic-policy-standards/tqa-manual/aph/consequenceoffailure/  

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

The main source of information will be the CSC2009 Anatomical Sciences website on the Exeter Learning Environment: https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=10153

Basic reading for Gross Anatomy:

1. Gray’s Anatomy for Students. Drake, R., Vogl, W. and Mitchell, A., 2020.  3rd Edn London: Churchill Livingstone. [Available as an e-book from the University of Exeter Library: https://www.clinicalkey.com/student/content/toc/3-s2.0-C20150000041].
2. Moore's Clinically Oriented Anatomy. Dalley, A.F. and Agur, A.M., 2021. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. [Available as an e-book from the University of Exeter Library: https://read.kortext.com/reader/epub/1129771?page=]

Basic reading for Embryology:

1. Larsen's human embryology. Schoenwolf, G.C., Bleyl, S.B., Brauer, P.R. and Francis-West, P.H., 2014.  Elsevier Health Sciences. [Available as an e-book from the University of Exeter Library: https://www.clinicalkey.com/student/content/toc/3-s2.0-C20180032296]
2. Embryology: an illustrated colour text. Mitchell, B. and Sharma, R., 2012.  Elsevier Health Sciences. [Available as an e-book from the University of Exeter Library:  https://www.clinicalkey.com/student/content/toc/3-s2.0-C20090552476]

Basic reading for Histology:

1. Wheater’s Functional Histology: A Text and Colour Atlas. Barbara Young, G.O.D. and Woodford, P., 2014.  Library of Congress. [Available as an e-book from the University of Exeter Library: https://www.clinicalkey.com/student/content/toc/3-s2.0-C20090600258]

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

1. Visible Body Anatomy Atlas software: An interactive virtual cadaver body that has dissectible parts and runs on your mobile phone or table. http://ovid.visiblebody.com/?osptok=4167da288605e1f993a3f154a122cfeaa8a5ee3c99091abf6c04d8526d56a7c02aa8b89d4cba7b0e17f47642104e0d029fe1b5519a0d9dfcbc2ec9302d067e223fded947fc5d7e6df2bf0623aed5cd84090bdbfb556c4e09645623c6e1424d809ff1c8f08032903d76a90e369dae1134ca36dd6962fc6103b94c9472be8afcdee427afa4783347f93a336b24d5e0dbb514aceee474aceefe055a96dad25e9620b94cc1185f261286bd3c5d93827c2945d9236f2f9dd912ae308a9d64fe6843346dc14812c3a25f4049b876304318d5e4b092ec31e16f83709a545e72e33fbc620779ac2ca0365704
2. 4D Interactive Anatomy: E-resource Web based anatomy learning resource. You already have access and select that you have forgotten your password and you will be emailed your new password. https://www.4danatomy.com/modules
3. Acland's Video Atlas of Human Anatomy: Videos of cadaveric dissections. https://aclandanatomy.com/

Key words search

Anatomy, concepts, principles, structure, function, scientific methods, scientific applications, scientific discoveries, anatomical research, anatomical systems, clinical anatomy.