Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Structure and Function of the Human Body I
Teaching staff
- For best performance make an appointment with the teacher via e-mail (bmezquita@uic.es)
Introduction
This course is designed to help nursing students to understand how the human body functions and is organized.
Professional nurses must possess a precise knowledge of the development, location and function of the organs in the human body. This is essential in order to offer quality and safe care to the patient.
The integrated knowledge of anatomy and physiology facilitates the understanding of the mechanisms through which diseases affect patients, as well as the logic of the various forms of treatment. Knowledge of anatomy and physiology is also very useful for understanding diagnostic tests and the metabolism of medication.
The aim of the course is to teach students the structure and function of the human body so they can learn to recognise the signs and symptoms of diseases. In addition, this course places special emphasis on the training of future professionals as the educators of people in healthy habits, a task to which the nursing staff are essential.
Pre-course requirements
None
The Department of Nursing in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences has agreed that it is compulsory for all students taking a Bachelor's degree in Nursing, when participating in online classes, to turn on their camera and remain visible to lecturers at all times.
Objectives
The subject Structure and Function of the Human Body I consists of the following parts:
- Introduction to anatomy and physiology of the human body.
- Structure and function of the integumentary system.
- Structure and function of the locomotor system.
- Structure and function of Integration systems: Nervous system and Endocrine system.
At the end of this course, students should:
- Know the human body as a whole, understanding the interrelationships that exist between the different organs and systems to maintain homeostasis.
- Have a mastery of the terminology used in the fields of anatomy and physiology.
- Understand the structure and function of the musculoskeletal system, nervous system and the endocrine system.
- Have the necessary skills for the identification of the anatomical structures studied.
- Have the necessary skills for clinical application of the acquired knowledge.
- Be familiar with scientific method. Undertake reasoning and discussion of problems.
- Know the primary sources of information.
- Have acquired the necessary approach for their future careers.
- Be curious about the world around them and a desire to learn more.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- 1. G - Ability to provide technical and professional health care appropriate to the health needs of the people they treat, with full technical and scientific autonomy, according to current and available scientific knowledge and to the quality standards and safety requirements set forth in the applicable legal standards and code of ethics.
- 20. B - Multidisciplinary teamwork
- 21. B - Oral and written communication.
- 22. G - Use and management of information and research
- 23. B - Ability to analyze and synthesize.
- 25. E - Knowledge of the field of study
- 28. E - Leadership in nursing care and in nursing teams to improve quality care for people, participation in health policy and professional development.
- 6. E - Base nursing care on scientific evidence and available resources.
Learning outcomes of the subject
At the end of the course students will know the structural characteristics and functions of organs and systems that make up the human body, as well as understand their development throughout the different stages of life, and be able to recognise the relationships between them. In addition, they will learn about the basic functional examinations of these systems in relation to the nursing profession, with an understanding based on anatomical and physiological criteria.
Syllabus
SECTION I: INTRODUCTION TO ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF THE HUMAN BODY
1. Introduction to anatomy.
1.1 Anatomy Field: levels of structural organization.
1.2 Anatomy Terminology: central focus and layout. Regions, cavities and membranes.
1.3 Tissue Structure: epithelial, connective, nervous and muscular. Lining surfaces: cutaneous, mucous and synovial membrane.
2. Introduction to Physiology.
2.1 Physiology Field: Functions of life.
2.2 Physiology Terminology: homeostasis and regulation.
SECTION II: STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF THE INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM
1. Skin: the epidermis and dermis components.
2. Cutaneous Annexes: sweat and sebaceous glands, hair follicles and nails.
3. Skin Function.
4. Skin development and repair. Burns: associated risks and treatment.
SECTION III: STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF THE LOCOMOTOR SYSTEM
1. The Human Skeleton.
1.1 The axial skeleton: skull, spine and ribcage.
1.2 The appendicular skeleton: girdle, upper extremities, pelvis and lower extremities.
2. Articulations.
2.1 Structural and functional classification of joints.
2.2 Fibrous and cartilaginous joints.
2.3 Synovial joint structure and elements that determine their mobility.
2.4 Movement and functional classification of synovial joints.
3. The Muscular System.
3.1. Muscular groups from the functional point of view.
3.2. Nomenclature of muscles according to location, structure and function.
3.3. Limb muscles, trunk, head and neck.
4. Bone Function
4.1 Functions of bones.
4.2 Bone Composition. Functions of osteoblasts, osteocytes, and osteoclasts.
4.3 Bone development and growth. Concept of bone remodelling.
4.4 Calcitonin, parathormone and vitamin D effects on the metabolism of the Ca2+.
4.5 Oestrogen and hormone effects on bone growth.
4.6 Bone density (BMD): concept and measurement
4.7 Importance of nutrition, physical activity and hormonal levels for bone health.
4.9 Concepts and risks of osteoporosis.
4.10 Bone fractures. Repair mechanisms.
5. Muscular function
5.1 Types of muscle fibres. Functions of the skeletal musculature.
5.2 Organization of the muscle fibre and contraction mechanisms.
5.3 Concept of motor units. Classification of muscle fibres.
5.4 Muscle mechanics. Muscle tension and determinants
5.5 Dynamic muscle contraction (“isotonic”) and static (“isometric”).
5.6 Muscular progression and regression. Muscular changes following immobilisation.
SECTION IV: STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF INTEGRATION SYSTEMS: NERVOUS SYSTEM AND ENDOCRINE SYSTEM.
IV A. NERVOUS SYSTEM
1. Fundamentals of the nervous system.
1.1 Structural and functional organization of the nervous tissue.
1.2 Histology of nervous tissue: neurons and glial cells.
1.3 Resting potential, graded potential and action potential.
1.4 Neural synapses, neurotransmitters and potential integration.
1.5 Neuronal integration: circuits.
2. Central nervous system (CNS).
2.1 The brain: Embryological development and organisation. Structure and function of its components.
2.2 Higher mental functions: tracing EEG, consciousness, sleep-wake, language and memory cycle.
2.3 Functional anatomy of the spinal cord.
2.4 Protection of the CNS: meninges, cerebrospinal fluid, blood-brain barrier.
3. Peripheral nervous system (PNs).
3.1 Nerves: structure and regeneration.
3.2 Spinal nerves: plexuses and dermatomes.
3.3 Sensory receptors and sensory integration: the sensation of perception.
3.4 Neuromuscular junction and motor integration: the intention to the effects.
3.5 Reflex arc and spinal reflexes.
4. Autonomic Nervous System (ANS).
4.1 Function, divisions and comparison with the somatic nervous system.
4.2 Basic anatomy of the parasympathetic and sympathetic ANS.
4.3 Physiology of the ANS: neurotransmitters, receptors and interactions between divisions.
4.4 ANS Control.
5. Special Sensory Organs.
5.1 Vision: structure of the eye, retinal transduction, visual integration.
5.2 Ear and balance: components of the ear. Vestibular and auditory function.
5.3 Taste and smell: localization of receptors, signal transduction, perception.
IV B. ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
1. Endocrine system.
1.1 Hormone mechanisms and effects.
1.2 Hormone secretion control.
1.3 Structure and function of the pituitary gland, thyroid, parathyroid gland, adrenal gland, pancreas, gonads and pineal gland.
1.4 Other hormone-producing organs.
Teaching and learning activities
In person
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In person
- Students will be given lectures on all the thematic blocks studied.
- In addition, students will undertake classes of a practical and applied nature in relation to the anatomy and physiology studied in this course.
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
-
- Continuous evaluation: Each week, questions and activities will be issued via the intranet and the students must complete them. Participation in the class activities will also be evaluated. This counts towards 20% of the final grade for the course.
- Mid-term exam: short-answer questions and test questions. This accounts for 30% of the final mark for the course.
- Final exam: short-answer questions and test questions. This accounts for 50% of the final mark for the course.
(*) A mark equal or higher than 5 is required in the final exam, and this also applies to the final grade. Students who have taken two additional examinations will be required to achieve a 5 or more in the next sitting in order to pass the course. No Honour grades will be awarded in the second sitting examination.
Procedure for plagiarism or academic fraud
Any assignment or activity (including exams) in which plagiarism, falsification or academic fraud is detected, will result in a failure of the activity and an academic sanction that will entail from the loss of enrolment rights in this subject, to the opening of a file process.
Bibliography and resources
- Patton, Thibodeau. Anatomía y fisiología. Editorial Elsevier.
- Mezquita. Fisiología Médica: Del razonamiento fisiológico al razonamiento clínico. Editorial. Panamericana.
- Silverthorn. Fisiología Humana: Un enfoque integrado. Editorial Panamericana.
Evaluation period
- E1 10/01/2025 08:00h
- E2 01/07/2025 08:00h