Academic Catalog

DMS 51A: SECTIONAL ANATOMY

Foothill College Course Outline of Record

Foothill College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Summer 2025
Units: 3
Hours: 3 lecture per week (36 total per quarter)
Prerequisite: BIOL 40A, 40B and 40C or equivalent.
Advisory: Not open to students with credit in R T 75.
Degree & Credit Status: Degree-Applicable Credit Course
Foothill GE: Non-GE
Transferable: CSU
Grade Type: Letter Grade Only
Repeatability: Not Repeatable
Cross-Listed: R T 75

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Define and use reference points, planes, and terminology related to medical imaging.
  • Identify the anatomy of the body cavity and head in multiple anatomical planes.

Description

Healthcare professionals are introduced to human anatomy of the head and body cavities through transverse, sagittal, and coronal imaging planes, with a specific focus on sonographic, computed tomographic, and magnetic resonance imaging techniques. The course utilizes anatomic reference points, intersecting planes, and medical terminology to explore organ relationships and pathological changes. DMS 51A covers the same content as R T 75. DMS 51A is intended for students in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program, and R T 75 is intended for students in the Radiologic Technology Program; enrollment is limited to students accepted in these programs.

Course Objectives

The student will be able to:

  1. Define and use reference points, planes, and terminology related to medical imaging.
  2. Identify and describe the anatomy of the head and brain, thoracic cavity, abdomino-pelvic cavity, and extremities across all imaging planes.
  3. Identify normal anatomy versus pathological findings in the head and brain, thoracic cavity, abdomino-pelvic cavity, and extremities across all imaging planes.
  4. Evaluate the distinctions in image presentation across various imaging modalities.

Course Content

  1. Orientation to scanning planes
    1. Review of medical terminology
    2. Anatomical body planes
    3. Orientation of anatomy in the cross-sectional planes
  2. Sectional anatomy of organs and systems
    1. Cranium
    2. Facial bones
    3. Brain
    4. Neck
    5. Thorax
    6. Heart
    7. Abdomen
    8. Gastro-intestinal system
    9. Genito-urinary system
    10. Muscles
    11. Pelvis
    12. Skeletal system
  3. Pathology of organs and systems
    1. Pathologic alterations to anatomical structures
      1. Cranium
      2. Facial bones
      3. Brain
      4. Neck
      5. Thorax
      6. Heart
      7. Abdomen
      8. Gastro-intestinal system
      9. Genito-urinary system
      10. Muscles
      11. Pelvis
      12. Skeletal system
  4. Comparative analysis for anatomical imaging and patient centered care applications of various imaging modalities
    1. CT
    2. MRI
    3. Ultrasound
    4. Interventional radiology

Lab Content

Not applicable.

Special Facilities and/or Equipment

1. Internet access, computer, monitor, viewboxes, anatomage table, visible body application.
2. When taught as a hybrid course, students and faculty need ongoing access to computer/internet to access materials in learning management system.

Method(s) of Evaluation

Methods of Evaluation may include but are not limited to the following:

Quizzes
Examinations
Comprehensive final examination

Method(s) of Instruction

Methods of Instruction may include but are not limited to the following:

Lecture presentations
Classroom discussions
Formative assessments

Representative Text(s) and Other Materials

Kelley, Lorrie L., and Connie M. Petersen. Sectional Anatomy for Imaging Professionals. 2019.

Kelley, Lorrie L., and Connie M. Petersen. Sectional Anatomy Study Guide. 2019.

Although these texts are older than the suggested "5 years or newer" standard, they remain seminal in this area of study. New editions will be published in 2025.

Types and/or Examples of Required Reading, Writing, and Outside of Class Assignments

  1. Weekly reading assignments from text.
  2. Completion of workbook chapters.
  3. Homework from review questions at the end of each chapter of the textbook.

Discipline(s)

Diagnostic Medical Technology or Radiological Technology