Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Structure and Function of the Musculoskeletal System I
Other languages of instruction: English
Teaching staff
The professors of the course are at the students' disposal when needed. In order to meet with the professor, students should arrange the appointment by email.
Sr. Oriol Casasayas casasayascos@uic.es
Dr. Jacobo Rodriguez jrodriguezs@uic.es
Sr. Paolo Ragazzi paolo.ragazzi@uic.es
Introduction
The course Structure and Function of the Human Body is a fundamental and basic subject containing different branches of knowledge, which are essential to the understanding of the complexity of the body. Its branches, such as Macroscopic Anatomy, Microscopic Anatomy and Physiology, help us to understand the structure and function of the Musculoskeletal System. This course demonstrates to the students a focus on conveying the idea that the human being is a highly complex and unified structural and functional unit.
This course allows us to study a healthy Musculoskeletal System and see how any alteration can break its balance. A good doctor must know the anatomy, physiology and human histology to know what structures there are in order not to harm them in any therapeutic act; with the acquired knowledge, students will know how to apply the treatment necessary in the most effective way in order to restore the injured Musculoskeletal System to a normal functioning state.
Pre-course requirements
Not required
Objectives
The general objectives of the Anatomy and Physiology are:
General objectives: the student should:
- Acquire basic theoretical, practical, functional, and radiological knowledge and apply this knowledge to the anatomy of the head, neck and extremities of the Musculoskeletal System.
- Familiarize themselves with the medical language, international anatomical payroll and acquire independent study habits of study.
- Apply the anatomical and physiological knowledge to problems that arise.
- Elaborate on judgments or discussions of research topics.
Specific objectives of the upper extremity:
- Know the different bones that form the skeleton of the upper extremity.
- Identify and describe the morpho-functional characteristics of the different joints of the upper extremity.
- Describe and analyze the mechanisms involved in the different movements of the upper extremity.
- Classify, identify and describe the muscles of the different regions of the upper extremity.
- Identify and describe the vessels and nerves of the upper extremity.
- Identify, in the corpse, the different structures within the shoulder girdle, arm, forearm and hand.
- Be able to feel anatomical details of the upper extremity.
- Solve clinical problems of the upper extremity from deductions made with the basic knowledge of Anatomy and Physiology.
- Identify through imaging techniques of the topographical structures of different regions of the upper extremity.
Specific objectives of the head and neck:
- Knowing the different bones that form the skeleton of the face and skull.
- Describe the limits of the intracranial cavity and locate the primary orifices in the cranium.
- Identify and describe the morpho-functional characteristics of the temporomandibular joint.
- Describe and analyze the mechanisms involved in the different movements of the head and neck.
- Describe and classify the muscles of the head.
- Identify and describe the vessels and nerves of the face.
- Be able to feel the different elements that make up the facial skeleton.
- Identify, in corpses, the skeletal and muscular elements of the skull by anatomical preparation.
- Solve clinical problems of the head from deductions made with the basic knowledge of Anatomy and Physiology.
- Identify the topographical regions of the head through imaging techniques.
Objectives of Physiology:
- Understand the field of action and vision of the human body from a Physiology point of view.
- Know the physiology of the different tissues of the human body.
- Know the physiological processes of formation, regeneration and bone destruction.
- Know cartilage physiology, especially in the context of joints.
Objectives of Histology:
- Lear what the microscopy is.
- Learn the essential characteristics that identify cells or bone tissue, cartilage, muscles, and skin.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- 01 - The ability to analysis and synthesis.
- 06 - To have comprehensive problem-solving skills.
- 07 - Demonstrate decision-making skills.
- 09 - Demonstrate critical thinking skills.
- 10 - Develop autonomous learning skills.
- 28.1 - Capacity for oral and written communication in the native language.
Learning outcomes of the subject
The student should:
- Know the structure (anatomy) of the human body.
- Understand and know the function (physiology) of the human body.
- Know the histology of the human body.
- Relate the anatomical and physiological concepts.
- Identify the anatomical structures in tests through imaging (radiography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance, etc.).
- Identify the anatomical structures in cadavers and anatomical models.
- Relate the anatomical and physiological concepts with clinical practice.
- Correctly analyze anatomical and physiological diagnostic clinical cases.
- Be able to explain and process the received anatomical and physiological information.
- Know how to present and explain anatomical and physiological concepts.
- Understand scientific articles on Physiology and Anatomy.
Syllabus
PART I. OVERVIEW OF ANATOMY, HISTOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY
General Macroscopic Anatomy. Concept and evolution of anatomy. Study method. Anatomic position. Axes and plans. Anatomical terminology.
Overview of the skeletal system. Bones: formation, classification and morphology. Vascularization and innervation. Bone development.
Overview of the joint system. Concept. Morphological and functional classification. Study of different types of joints.
Overview of the muscular system. Definition and classification. Muscle attachments. Vascularization and innervation.
Overview of the nervous system:divisions of the nervous system. Parts of the CNS and PNS. Types and functions of the receptors. Afferent (input), efferent(output), types and parts of the nerves.
General Physiology:Features and levels of organization of living matter. Functional organization of the human body and control of the internal environment. Homeostasis.
General Histology:what is it and what does it study? How the microscope works.
General Embryology:what is it and what does it study.
PART II. FUNCTIONAL AND CLINICAL ANATOMY OF THE UPPER EXTREMITY
Introduction to the shoulder girdle.Articulation complex of the joints of the back:concept, sternoclavicular joint. Acromioclavicular joint. Glenohumeral joint. Description and biomechanics.
Muscles connecting the upper extremity to the vertebral column:trapezius muscle, latissimus dorsi muscle, levator scapulae muscle, rhomboid minor muscle and rhomboid major muscle.
Muscles connecting the upper extremity to the chest:pectoralis major muscle, pectoralis minor muscle, subclavian muscle, serratus anterior muscle.
Scapular muscles:supraspinatus muscle, infraspinatus muscle, teres minor muscle, teres major muscle, subscapularis and deltoid muscles.
Regional anatomy of the shoulder girdle. Rotator cuff. Axilla. Triangle of auscultation.
Introduction to arm:Concept. Compartments. Elbow joint: the humerus-radial joint, humeral-ulnar joint, ulnar-radio joint. Description and biomechanics.
Muscles of the anterior compartment of the arm:brachial and coracorbraquial biceps. Muscles of the posterior compartment of the arm: anconeus and branchial triceps. Regional anatomy of the arm:quadrilateral and triangular Velpeau spaces.
Introduction to the forearm:Concept. Interosseous membrane and compartments. Wrist and hand joints:radiocarpal joint, intercarpal joints, carpometacarpal joints, metacarpophalangeal joints, interphalangeal joints. Description and biomechanics.
Muscles of the anterior compartment of the forearm:pronator teres, flexor carpi radialis, palmaris longus, flexor carpi ulnaris, flexor digitorum superficialis muscle of the hand, Flexor digitorum profundus muscle of the fingers, flexor pollicis longus muscle, pronator quadratus muscle.
Lateral compartment of the forearm muscle:brachioradialis, extensor carpi radialis longus muscle and extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle. Posterior compartment of the forearm muscles:extensor digitorum muscle, extensor digiti minimi muscle, extensor carpi ulnaris, supinator, abductor pollicis longus muscle, extensor pollicis brevis muscle, extensor pollicis longus muscle and extensor indicis muscle.
Regional anatomy of the forearm:flexor carpi retinaculum, retinaculum extensor carpi, osteofibrosos canals. Pollex and snuffbox canals. Guyon tunnel. Carpal tunnel.
Introduction to the hand:Concept. Compartments. Thenar compartment muscles:abductor pollicis brevis, flexor pollicis brevis, pollicis opponens pollicis and abductor pollicis. Intermediate compartment muscles:lumbricales, interosseous palmar and dorsal interosseous.Hypothenar compartment muscles: brevis palmar, abductor digiti minimi, flexor digiti minimi brevis, opponens digiti minimi.
Innervation of the upper extremity:Introduction. Brachial plexus:Contents. Anterior and posterior collateral branches.
Terminal branches of the brachial plexus (part 1): musculocutaneus nerve, median nerve and ulnar nerve.
Terminal branches of the brachial plexus (part 2): medial cutaneous nerve of the arm, medial cutaneous nerve of the arm, radial nerve and axillary nerve. Cutaneous innervation and dermatomes.
Arterial and venous vascularization of the upper extremity. Axillary artery, brachial artery, radial artery, ulnar artery. Palmar arches. Superficial and deep venous vessels. Lymphatics.
PART III. CLINICAL AND FUNCTIONAL ANATOMY OF THE HEAD AND NECK
Joint study of the skull. Standards for the study of the head. Osteology of the skull and face. Skull joints:sutures. Temporomandibular joint. Description and biomechanics.
Muscles of the face and skull:epicranial muscle. Muscle contractions.
Mastication muscles:temporal, masseter, lateral pterygoid and medial pterygoid.
Neck muscles. Muscles in the nape of the neck:anterior rectus, lateral rectus, major and minor posterior rectus, superior and inferior obliquus capitis muscles of the head.
Neck muscles. Muscles of the lateral region:Platysma. Long muscles of the head and neck. Anterior, middle and posterior scalene muscles. Sternocleidomastoid muscle.
Neck muscles. Muscles of the anterior region. Superhyoid muscles: digastricus, stylohyoid, mylohyoid, geniohyoid. Infrahyoid muscles: sternohyoid, omohyoid, sternothyroid and thyrohyoid.
Innervation:Cervical Plexus:concept, constitution and practice.
Arterial, venous and lymphatic vascularization of the head and neck.
PART IV. FUNCTION BONE AND CARTILAGE.
Bone physiology:structure and functions. Physiology of ossification and its relationship with calcium. Remodeling and fracture repair.
Cartilage physiology:structure and functions. Avascular tissue nutrition. Evolution of cartilage and degenerative joint processes.
PART IV. HISTOLOGY.
Histology:bone, cartilage, striated and smooth muscle.
Teaching and learning activities
In person
Different teaching methodologies will be implemented:
Lecture (CM).
Case method (MC).
Laboratory Practice (PL): obligatory. To be eligible for the practical exam, students must attend 80% of practice sessions. Students must wear a white coat and gloves, and neither folders nor bags will be allowed in the classroom during practice sessions.
- Bone library
- Anatomy for the image
- Dissection laboratory
- Microscopy laboratory
Tutorial.
Virtual Laboratory.
| TRAINING ACTIVITY | METHODOLOGY | COMPETENCES | ECTS CREDITS |
| autonomous learning activities practical classes theory classes independent study tutorials | problem-based learning cooperative learning learning contract presentation method / lecture case method problem-solving exercises | 01 06 07 09 10 28.1 | 6 ECTS |
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
The examination, 2nd resit and 4th resit consist of: midterm test 20%, practical exam 25%, final exam 35%, and continuous assessment 20%.
Midterm.
- Date: listed on the calendar.
- Type of test: 30 multiple choice test questions (which include images, diagrams, dissections and diagnostic test images).
- This test includes all material that has been done until the day before (in lectures, laboratory practice, and case methods), as well as the contents included in the recommended bibliography.
Practical Test.
- Date: The last day of practice in the dissection laboratory.
- Type of test: 10-15 questions related to the practical content.
- There is no deduction to questions answered incorrectly.
- Students who do not pass this exam will fail the course.
Final Exam.
- Date: to be determined by the course coordinator.
- Type of exam: 40-60 multiple choice test questions.
- This test includes all material that has been done until the day before (in master classes, laboratory practice, and case methods), as well as the contents included in the recommended bibliography.
- It is essential to pass this exam in order to pass the course.
Continuous Assessment: questions, classwork, and completed tasks during classes (tasks which are completed either orally or written).There is no review of this section due to the nature of this assessment.
Observations:
- To pass the course, students must pass the final exam and the practice exam with a score greater than or equal to 5.
- To pass the course, the median of all marks must also be greater than or equal to 5.
- Students who pass the practical and final exam but do not exceed a mark of 5, are eligible to re-take the multiple choice test in order to obtain a better result and pass the course with a mark equal to or greater than 5.
1st, 3rd, and 5th resits consist of: practical test 25%, final exam 55% and continuous assessment 20%.
- The final exam and practical exam follow the same characteristics of the aforementioned examinations.
- The continuous assessment mark is obtained through the first examination before resits.
Bibliography and resources
Lorente, Miguel, Pérez y Escalona. Manual de miología. Ed. Masson-Elsevier.
Schünke. Prometheus. Texto y Atlas de Anatomía. Tomo1 General and Locomotor Anatomy. Ed. Panamericana.
Tortora - Derrickson. Principios de Anatomía y fisiología (11ª edición). Editorial Panamericana. 2006.
Moore K.L.: Anatomía con orientación clínica. Editorial Panamericana. 1996.
Alan Stevens y James Lowe. HISTOLOGÍA HUMANA (3ª edición). Ed. Elsevier. 2006.
A.L. Kierszenbaum. Histología y Biología celular (2ª edición). Ed. Elsevier. 2008.
Welsch. Sobotta Histología (2ª ed). Ed. Panamericana. 2009.
Complementary Bibliography
Rouvière H. Anatomía Humana. Editorial Masson.1988.
F.Netter. Atlas de anatomía humana. Ed.MassonSobotta. Atlas de anatomía humana. Ed.Panamericana
Evaluation period
- E1 30/01/2025 A15 08:00h
- E1 30/01/2025 A16 08:00h
- E2 18/06/2025 A15 08:00h
- E2 18/06/2025 A16 08:00h