Course

Veterinary Anatomy & Physiology I

Faculty
Science & Technology
Department
Animal Health Technology
Course code
AHTT 1101
Credits
3.00
Semester length
15 weeks
Max class size
30
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Lab
Typically offered
To be determined

Overview

Course description
This course is designed to provide a foundation for veterinary medical language and basic anatomy & physiology. Positional, directional and planes of body and body cavity terminology are also discussed. From the cellular to the tissue level to the gross anatomical level, the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems of both small (canine, feline), avian and large (bovine, equine, ovine, caprine, porcine) animals are covered.

Enrollment is limited to students in the Animal Health Technology Program.
Course content

The major topics in the course include the following:

 

  1. Veterinary medical terminology:

-  component parts and pronunciation of medical words

-  meaning of basic combining forms, prefixes and suffixes

-  use of component parts to build medical words

   2.  The structure and function of cells:

-  structure and function of cell membranes and various cytoplasmic and nuclear components

-  an explanation of the major cellular processes and their significance to the cell

-  using a binocular microscope, differentiate between cellular organelles and inclusion bodies

-  understand the methodology of preparing histological sections, including techniques for fixation and sample submission

 

   3. Comparative anatomy and physiology beyond the cellular level:

-  the structure and function of the four tissue types

-  the major body systems, their major organs, and the general function of each organ

-  directional terms as they relate to various species

-  dental anatomy and physiology

 

 

   4. The integumentary system:

-  vocabulary, root words, suffixes, prefixes, abbreviations and pronunciation of terms

-  the identification and description of the components of the epidermis and the dermis

-  composition of hair follicles, muscles, specialized glands and cells

-  functions of the skin and terminology for skin reactions and pathological disease

 

   5. The skeletal system:

-  vocabulary, root words, suffixes, prefixes, abbreviations and pronunciation of terms

-  the structure, physiology, and function of bone

-  the changes in skeletal structure during growth and development (ossification)

-  detailed comparative anatomy of the skeletal and accessory structures

-  axial and appendicular  skeleton and joints of various species

 

   6. The muscular system:

-  vocabulary, root words, suffixes, prefixes, abbreviations and pronunciation of terms

-  the gross anatomy of muscles and microscopic anatomy of muscle tissue

-  differentiation between skeletal, cardiac and smooth muscles and their anatomical locations

-  the identification of the principal feline muscles and muscle groups and their attachments

-  the physiology of muscle contraction

 

   7. The digestive system:

-  vocabulary, root words, suffixes, prefixes, abbreviations and pronunciation of terms

-  identify and describe major structures and functions of the alimentary canal of various species

-  distinguish between monogastric and ruminant digestive systems

-  describe the process of digestion, absorption and metabolism

 

   8. The nervous system:

-  vocabulary, root words, suffixes, prefixes, abbreviations and pronunciation of terms

-  understand the structure and function of the central, peripheral and autonomic nervous systems

-  describe the anatomy of a neuron and the mechanism of a nerve impulse

-  locate and name major nerves of the peripheral nervous system

Learning activities

This course involves two hours per week of classroom instruction and two hours per week of laboratory activity

Means of assessment

Quiz # 1                                                                              15%

Quiz # 2                                                                              15

Quiz # 3                                                                              15              

Laboratory Assignments & Projects                                          15

Professionalism (Preparation, Participation & Attendance)           10

Final Examination                                                                  30

                                                                                          100%

 

Grades:      A+ 95-100,      A 90-94,      A- 85-89,      B+ 80-84,      B 75-79,      B- 70-74,

                     C+ 65-69,         C 60-64,      C- 55-59,      P 50-54,        F 0-49.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  1. Define veterinary medical terminology using word analysis.
  2. Describe anatomical structures, including dental, using appropriate terminology, and specify the locations of various organs and systems.
  3. Use a compound microscope, and describe and identify cell and tissue types in the body.
  4. Define and understand the principles of histology.
  5. Identify and recognize common terms used for various species and their anatomical parts.
  6. Describe the components and functions of the integumentary system.
  7. Understand comparative anatomy & physiology of the integument and related structures.
  8. Identify the components of the feline skeleton, and describe the structure and growth of long bones.
  9. Describe the types and range of movements of skeletal articulations (joints), and fracture terminology.
  10. Describe the location, structure, and functions of the major muscles in the feline.
  11. Describe the gross and microanatomy of muscle tissue, and the physiology of muscle contraction.
  12. Describe the components and functions of the nervous system.
  13. Describe the anatomy of a neuron and the mechanism of a nerve impulse.
  14. Describe the components and functions of the digestive system, distinguishing between the monogastric and ruminant alimentary canals.
  15. Describe the processes of digestion, absorption and metabolism.
Textbook materials

Textbooks and Materials to be Purchased by Students

  1. Colville, T.P. & Bassert, J.M., 2008, Clinical Anatomy & Physiology for Veterinary Technicians. Mosby 2nd  ed. (required)
  2. Colville, T.P. & Bassert, J.M., 2009, Clinical Anatomy & Physiology LABORATORY MANUAL for Veterinary Technicians. Mosby. 1st ed. (required)
  3. Romich, J.A., 2009,  An Illustrated Guide to Veterinary Medical Terminology. Thomson Delmar Learning, 3rd ed. (required)

Requisites

Prerequisites

No prerequisite courses.

Corequisites

No corequisite courses.

Equivalencies

No equivalent courses.

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

Course Transfers

These are for current course guidelines only. For a full list of archived courses please see https://www.bctransferguide.ca

Institution Transfer details for AHTT 1101
There are no applicable transfer credits for this course.

Course Offerings

Winter 2025