91839 Visceral Anatomy
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Requisite(s): (91400 Human Anatomy and Physiology AND (91812 Structural Anatomy and Neuroanatomy OR 91838 Structural Anatomy and Neuroanatomy))
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Anti-requisite(s): 91813 Visceral Anatomy
Description
The study of human anatomy has always held a profound fascination, especially for those pursuing careers in the health sciences. It unveils the intricate relationships among the body's organs and their remarkable structures. This subject offers a unique opportunity for students to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to critically analyse these correlations, providing a foundation for various scientific professions.
The primary aim of this subject is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the anatomy of the thoracic, abdominal, pelvic cavities and their contents. It covers a wide range of topics, including the lungs, mediastinum, heart, abdominal viscera, digestive organs, and the genitourinary system. Students also explore the structural intricacies of the anterior thoracic and abdominal walls, the pelvis, as well as the blood and nerve supply to visceral organs and relevant endocrine structures like the adrenal glands and pancreas. Emphasis is placed on elucidating how these structures relate to their functions, particularly in the realms of breathing, digestion, excretion, and reproduction.
Furthermore, this subject encourages students to draw connections between their anatomical knowledge and ongoing research in fields such as physiology, histology, and related disciplines. Both theoretical insights and practical skills are imparted, providing a strong foundation for further studies in medicine, dentistry, or research areas demanding a profound understanding of anatomy. In essence, Visceral Anatomy offers a captivating journey into the complexity of organ structures and their functions within the human body. By grasping these fundamental principles, students are not only prepared for future scientific pursuits but also gain a deeper understanding of the connections between visceral organs and their remarkable capabilities.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Develop adequate respect for human dignity and worth and understand the professional and ethical use of human remains |
|---|---|
| 2. | Relate the location and function of thoracic structures and recognise their role in cardiopulmonary functions |
| 3. | Categorise different components of the gastrointestinal system, and relate their specific structural attributes to their role in achieving their function |
| 4. | Compare the structural differences between the male and female genitourinary systems |
| 5. | Apply core anatomical knowledge and correlate structures to functions of bodily organs |
| 6. | Work collaboratively in a team and reflect on their individual contributions to deliver a group project |
| 7. | Clearly communicate the relationship between anatomical structure and function in different scenarios in a concise written format |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of following course intended learning outcomes:
- Identify, describe, and appraise how diseases affect the normal physiological functions of the body and can be managed by appropriate treatment. (1.1)
- Critically appraise available scientific evidence and apply scientific research methods to find solutions to medical issues. (2.1)
- Apply ethical and evidence-based approaches to problem solving and decision-making in the process of addressing medical issues affecting society. (3.1)
- Integrate scientific skills and new scientific concepts to creatively enhance the application of medical practice in a professional context, and reflection on your professional practice. (4.1)
- Effectively communicate using the most appropriate means medical knowledge to members of the public or to peers. (5.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
Visceral Anatomy is a fifth stage subject in the Bachelor of Advanced Science program where you will deepen your understanding of human anatomy. This subject contributes to the following Faculty of Science graduate attributes.
1 - Disciplinary knowledge
- Through the lectures, practicals and workshops, you will learn the anatomy of the thorax, abdomen and the pelvis, in the context of human function. This knowledge will serve as a foundation for your future post-graduate studies in the health profession. This will be assessed in the online quizzes and lab-based anatomy spot tests. Upon completion of the course, you will be able to apply the acquired knowledge to identify anatomical structures within the thorax, abdomen and pelvis and understand their function.
2 - Research, Inquiry and Critical Thinking
- During the lectures, you will have the opportunity to apply and analyse the knowledge that you will acquire through learning activities and scenarios and worked examples.
- A major assessment in this subject is the Poster & Video Presentation where you will research the existing literature on a given topic on human anatomy and then work in small groups to prepare a poster (digital format), followed by the video recording of a short presentation of 3 minutes (individual activity) that is suitable for a scientific audience. This task gives you the opportunity to further your understanding of human anatomy beyond the lecture and practical material, and to investigate in-depth a particular aspect of the relationship between human body structure and function whilst improving your communication skills.
3 - Professional, Ethical and Social Responsibility
- In the practical sessions you will be working with human cadavers and gain an authentic experience of human splanchnology. You will learn how to handle human specimens in a safe and respectful manner. In the workshops and practical sessions, you will develop teamwork and collaborative skills. Furthermore, the group project will help you develop verbal communication, teamwork, and collaborative skills. In doing so, this subject contributes to your preparedness for subsequent post-graduate training. These skills will be assessed in the lab-based anatomy spot tests and the group project.
- Throughout the course, you will develop the professional working ethics to handle human remains and adhere to the work health and safety policies in the surgical and anatomical facilities.
4 - Reflection, Innovation and Creativity
- You will be given the opportunity to work with medically oriented scenarios that will be presented to you in the lectures, workshops, and group project. This approach is meant to boost your self-motivation towards the understanding of Visceral Anatomy for your personal and future professional development.
5 - Communication
- Amidst the weekly lectures and workshops, you will partake in small group discussions which will help you to develop your communication skills between peers and the ability to present your findings in professional and technical manner using the appropriate terminology.
- A major assessment in this subject is the Poster & Video Presentation where you will conduct research of the existing literature on a given human anatomy topic to prepare (in small groups) a poster (digital format) and video record (individually) an oral presentation of 3 minutes suitable for a scientific audience. This task will help you develop your written and oral communication skills, including being able to synthesise the literature to present a cohesive and concisely written document.
Teaching and learning strategies
In Visceral Anatomy, you will participate in the following activities: lectures (online) providing an introduction to key concepts; workshops (online) and practical sessions (1.5 hpw) to extend the theory, to give you the opportunity to apply your knowledge to scenarios, and to get hands-on experience viewing and handling prosected cadavers in the Surgical and Anatomical Sciences Facility.
Online lectures will incorporate a range of teaching and learning strategies including but not limited to interactive lectures. These lectures will provide you with an introductory level of knowledge upon which you will scaffold your deep understanding of the contents that are discussed during the in-class collaborative activities.
Prior to the lectures, you are encouraged to read the specified chapters from the recommended textbook and the online teaching material related to the learning outcomes for that week as outlined in CANVAS. These learning resources will provide you with the foundation needed to confidently and actively participate in the discussions and to be able to identify learning gaps that can benefit from guidance from your lecturers or peers.
Workshop sessions will run online and will be run once a week. Through these workshops you will develop your research, written and oral reporting skills as well as the ability to utilise eResources found in CANVAS. During these workshops, you will work collaboratively to discuss and analyse the assigned tasks and have the opportunity to receive immediate feedback (via our Discussion forum on CANVAS).
In addition to the workshop tasks, there will be weekly short progression assessments. These short formative assessments will comprise 3-5 questions that will test your understanding and provide immediate feedback on your performance.
Every week, there will be wet-lab practical sessions where you will identify anatomical structures through viewing and handling prosected cadavers. This hands-on experience will help you to consolidate the theoretical knowledge from the lectures and the workshops.
You will be encouraged to complete additional activities that will assist you to connect your knowledge to practical and professional aspects of your field, to prepare you for subsequent post-graduate training and research.
Throughout the duration of the subject, you are encouraged to research the subject matter and prepare discussion points to bring to class to discuss with your peers and lecturer. You are encouraged to communicate with your peers; this networking will be a great skill to foster during the preparations and the design for the group project component.
An aim of this subject is to help you develop academic and professional language and communication skills to succeed at university and in the workplace. During the course of this subject, you will complete a milestone assessment task that will, in addition to assessing your subject-specific learning objectives, assess your English language proficiency.
Content (topics)
Student will learn about the axial regions of the human body mainly related to the viscera that are occupying the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities. All the regions that are covered by this subject will follow the same structure.
First we will be discussing the musculoskeletal structures that host the organs, then we will discuss the viscera from their functional systems connections and then explore the neurovascular supply to these organs.
The topics will be distributed in the following fashion:
- The Thorax – Musculoskeletal structures, Respiratory system, Cardiac Anatomy and associated structures.
- The Abdomen - Musculoskeletal structures of the abdominal wall, the Gastrointestinal System and the related organs, the Renal System and retroperitoneal organs.
- The Pelvis - Musculoskeletal structures of the inner pelvis, both male and female reproductive systems.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Quizzes
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Faculty of Science graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary knowledge 3. Professional, ethical, and social responsibility |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1 and 2 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1 and 3.1 |
| Type: | Quiz/test |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | 45 minutes |
| Criteria: | Accuracy of responses and appropriate application of disciplinary knowledge. The quiz total will be the sum of the two quiz marks (15% each). |
Assessment task 2: Poster & Video Presentation
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Faculty of Science graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary knowledge 2. Research, inquiry and critical thinking 3. Professional, Ethical and Social Responsibility 5. Communication |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 2.1, 3.1 and 5.1 |
| Type: | Presentation |
| Groupwork: | Group, group and individually assessed |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Criteria: | For the poster, communication and visual design of the poster will be also be considered part of the marking criteria. The accuracy of your discipline knowledge and application of this knowledge to the professional setting will be assessed. For the individual activity (involving the preparation of a short video [3 minutes] to present the poster), conciseness, ability to use a sophisticated language and clarity will be assessed.
For the full breakdown of the marking criteria and the assessment method, please read the related assessment instructions on CANVAS. |
Assessment task 3: Lab-based Anatomy Spot Tests
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary Knowledge 2. Research, inquiry and critical thinking 4. Reflection, Innovation, Creativity |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 2.1 and 4.1 |
| Type: | Laboratory/practical |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Length: | 30-45 minutes, depending on the total number of students per group. |
| Criteria: | Accuracy of responses and appropriate application of disciplinary knowledge. The total score in the Lab-based Anatomy Spot tests will be the sum of two individual spot tests (20% each). |
Minimum requirements
You are strongly encouraged to attend all practical classes and workshops during the session.
Please note there is no opportunity for make-up class if a practical or workshop is missed.
It is a requirement of this subject that you complete Assessment task 2 (Poster and Video Presentation). Should you receive an unsatisfactory English language level, you may be required to complete further language support after the completion of this subject.
Required texts
Fundamentals of Anatomy & Physiology, Global Edition eBook (11e) By Frederic H. Martini, Judi L. Nath, Edwin F. Bartholomew, Pearson, 2018c
You can purchase a print or digital version of this textbook via the following link.
http://www.pearson.com.au/9781292229966
Recommended texts
Acland. RD, (2011) Acland's DVD Atlas of Human Anatomy?Monkhouse S. (2007) Clinical Anatomy. 2nd Edition. Churchill Livingstone – Elsevier.
References
Drake RL, Vogl AW, Mitchell AWM. (2015) Gray’s Anatomy for Students, 3rd Edition. Churchill Livingston - Elsevier.
Moore KL, Dalley AF, Agur AMR. (2014) Clinically Oriented Anatomy, 7th Edition, Wolters Klower - Lippincott.Williams & Wilkins.