Academic Catalog

V T 54A: COMPARATIVE VETERINARY ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY FOR THE VETERINARY TECHNICIAN

Foothill College Course Outline of Record

Foothill College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Summer 2023
Units: 5
Hours: 4 lecture, 3 laboratory per week (84 total per quarter)
Prerequisite: BIOL 10 or equivalent.
Advisory: Not open to students with credit in APAV 54A.
Degree & Credit Status: Degree-Applicable Credit Course
Foothill GE: Non-GE
Transferable: CSU
Grade Type: Letter Grade (Request for Pass/No Pass)
Repeatability: Not Repeatable

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Recognize and identify the normal anatomy of selected organs and organ systems of domestic animals and relate it to the clinical practice of veterinary technology.
  • Know and explain the normal physiology of selected organs and organ systems of domestic animals and relate it to the clinical practice of veterinary technology.

Description

Comparative veterinary anatomy and physiology for veterinary technicians. Clinically relevant veterinary anatomy and physiology, including a discussion of the similarities and differences among the major domestic species. Emphasis is placed on the normal structure and function of the major organ systems as the foundation for understanding pathology and the pathophysiology of disease. Intended for students in the Veterinary Technology Program; enrollment is limited to students accepted in the program.

Course Objectives

The student will be able to:

  1. Analyze and evaluate the relationship between cell structure and function, and the mechanisms in place to maintain homeostasis at the cellular level
  2. Analyze and evaluate the relationship between integumentary system structure and function, and the role of the integumentary system in maintaining homeostasis in a variety of domestic species
  3. Analyze and evaluate the relationship between skeletal system structure and function, and the role of the skeletal system in maintaining homeostasis in a variety of domestic species
  4. Analyze and evaluate the relationship between muscular system structure and function, and the role of the muscular system in maintaining homeostasis in a variety of domestic species
  5. Analyze and evaluate the relationship between cardiovascular system structure and function, and the role of the cardiovascular system in maintaining homeostasis in a variety of domestic species
  6. Analyze and evaluate the relationship between respiratory system structure and function, and the role of the respiratory system in maintaining homeostasis in a variety of domestic species

Course Content

  1. Introductory unit on anatomy and physiology will include:
    1. Orientation to anatomy and physiology
      1. Terminology review
      2. General plan of the animal body
      3. Levels of organization
      4. Homeostasis
  2. Cells and tissues
    1. Cell structure and organelles
    2. Cell physiology
    3. Tissues
      1. Gross and microscopic anatomy
      2. Types of tissues
  3. The integumentary system in a variety of animal species
    1. Integument
      1. Epidermis
      2. Dermis
      3. Hypodermis
    2. Special features
    3. Application of integumentary system in clinical practice
  4. Skeletal system
    1. Bone
      1. Terminology
      2. Characteristics
      3. Structure
      4. Function
      5. Shapes
    2. Axial skeleton
      1. Skull
      2. Spinal column
      3. Ribs and sternum
    3. Appendicular skeleton
      1. Thoracic limb
      2. Pelvic limb
    4. Joints
      1. Terminology
      2. Types
    5. Application of skeletal system in clinical practice
  5. Muscular system
    1. Skeletal muscle
      1. Gross anatomy
      2. Microscopic anatomy
      3. Physiology
    2. Cardiac muscle
      1. Gross anatomy
      2. Microscopic anatomy
      3. Physiology
    3. Smooth muscle
      1. Gross anatomy
      2. Microscopic anatomy
      3. Physiology
  6. Cardiovascular system
    1. Cardiovascular anatomy
    2. Cardiac blood flow
    3. Cardiac cycle
    4. Heart sounds
    5. Cardiovascular modifications in the fetus
    6. Central and peripheral blood flow
    7. Application of cardiovascular system in clinical practice
  7. Respiratory system
    1. Structure
      1. Gross and microscopic anatomy
    2. Function
      1. Alveolar gas exchange
      2. Control of breathing
    3. Application of respiratory system in clinical practice

Lab Content

  1. Laboratory topics
    1. Terminology
    2. Microscopy
    3. Cell and tissue identification using prepared slides
    4. Integument: identification and description of function
    5. Skeletal: identification of bones and joints
    6. Muscular: identification of muscles, describe function
    7. Cardiovascular: dissection of heart, explain function
    8. Respiratory: dissection and description of respiratory system
  2. Laboratory skills
    1. Participate in a necropsy procedure to better understand systems taught this quarter
    2. Maintain a laboratory notebook
    3. Tissue identification using the microscope
    4. Clinical applications of each system

Special Facilities and/or Equipment

1. Lecture and laboratory facility with high-quality overhead projector, instructor's computer with internet access, video microscope, visualizer, and Zoom capabilities.
2. Student computers and ports for student laptops, bench space, anatomy and physiology models, microscopes, microscope slides (cytology and histology).
3. Preserved specimens.
4. Dissection equipment.
5. Fresh anatomy specimens from licensed purveyors, which will be properly disposed of.

Method(s) of Evaluation

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

Two written midterm exams
Written final exam
Laboratory evaluations: quizzes, assignments, practical final exam
Participation

Method(s) of Instruction

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

Lecture
Discussion
Laboratory
Demonstration

Representative Text(s) and Other Materials

Colville, Thomas, and Joanna M. Bassert. Clinical Anatomy and Physiology for Veterinary Technicians. 2016.

Colville, Thomas, and Joanna M. Bassert. Clinical Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory Manual for Veterinary Technicians. 2016.

This is the most current version available of the seminal textbook in the field for veterinary technicians.

Merck Veterinary Manual is available free, online, and supports content: https://www.merckvetmanual.com/

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

  1. Reading assignments of 50-100 pages per week
  2. Written assignments based on unit
  3. Maintaining a laboratory notebook
  4. Participation in necropsy procedure

Discipline(s)

Registered Veterinary Technician