FOUNDATIONS OF DISEASE FOUR - PATHOLOGY OF THE CARDIOVASCULAR, RESPIRATORY AND MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEMS - 2023/4

Module code: VMS2004

Module Overview

This module introduces the student to the pathology of the cardiovascular, respiratory and musculoskeletal systems, including the infectious disease agents that affect these systems. The changes to the cardiovascular, respiratory and musculoskeletal systems seen with disease or invasion by viruses, bacteria, parasites and fungal agents will be introduced. These diseases will be presented in context of One Health and underpinned with clinical case examples from the various veterinary species.

Module provider

School of Veterinary Medicine

Module Leader

CONTADINI Francesca Marie (Vet Med)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 5

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Overall student workload

Independent Learning Hours: 101.5

Lecture Hours: 32

Practical/Performance Hours: 8.5

Guided Learning: 8

Module Availability

Semester 2

Module content





Pathology of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems – inflammatory, immune-mediated, toxic, inhalation injury, congenital disorders, degenerative




Pathology of the cardiovascular, respiratory and musculoskeletal systems – neoplasia




Haemodynamic changes: haemorrhage, hyperaemia, congestion, infarct and oedema,




Pathology of shock




Congenital deformities of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems




Pathology of Cardiac failure, decompensation and ascites




Infectious pathogen transmission by aerosol and respiratory route




Examples of gram-positive bacterial pathogens of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems - Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, Rhodococus equi, Bacillus anthracis




Examples of Gram-positive bacterial pathogens - Cardiovascular and respiratory systems

Mycobacterium spp.




Examples of Gram-negative bacterial pathogens - Cardiovascular and respiratory systems

Pasteurellaceae




Examples of Mollicutes bacterial pathogens Cardiovascular and respiratory systems

Mycoplasma spp.




Example of mycotic pathogens - Cardiovascular and respiratory systems

Aspergillus spp. and Mucor spp.




Common parasites of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems - Helminths (companion animal), life cycle and environmental control




Common Parasites Cardiovascular and respiratory systems - Helminths (large animals), life cycle and environmental control




Example of viral pathogens causing respiratory disease: Pathogenesis of Orthomyxoviridea (Influenza)




Example of viral pathogens causing respiratory disease: Pathogenesis of Arterivirus (PRRSV)




Example of viral pathogens causing respiratory disease: Pathogenesis of Paramyxoviridae




Example of viral pathogens causing respiratory disease: Pathogenesis of Herpesviridae




Host responses to injuries of the respiratory tract




Abnormalities of lung inflation and circulation (Atelectasia, emphysema, congestion)




Pulmonary oedema, haemorrhage and embolism




Classification of pneumonias




Pathology of the musculoskeletal system - inflammatory, immune-mediated, toxins, envenomations, congenital disorders and disorders of growth, degenerative, nutritional disorders (hypovitaminosis D, hypovitaminosis C)




Pathology of the musculoskeletal systems – neoplasia




Parasites of the musculoskeletal system – inclusion cysts, Toxoplasma spp., Sarcocystis spp., Trichinella spp. and their effect on meat quality and public health




Orthopaedic infections – the septic joint, the bite wound, the iatrogenic infection. Culturing for microbes from wounds




Nutritional pathology – the pathobiochemistry of dietary imbalances - biochemical & nutritional basis of disease; the use of biochemical tests for screening, diagnosis and management




Practicals




Gross pathology and histopathology of the cardiovascular system –using gross specimens, images, digital slides, angiography, echocardiographic images of valvular disorders, PDAs, real time MRIs of wall thickness disorders




Gross pathology and histopathology of the respiratory system –  (upper airway, lung) – gross specimens, images, digital slides, radiographs,




Gross pathology and histopathology of the musculoskeletal system – bones, joints, muscles – using images, digital slides, CTs, MRIs –specimens and images, ultrasound of tendons as a practical with tissue specimens




Perform a post-mortem examination on a production animal




Assessment pattern

Assessment type Unit of assessment Weighting
Practical based assessment PRACTICAL REPORTS 10
Examination Online ONLINE CLOSED BOOK MCQ AND SAQ EXAM FIXED START TIME (2 HOURS) 90

Alternative Assessment

Resits for practical reports will involve the preparation of a reflective writing report on an area related to the failed module.

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate


  • Practical skills in performing a post mortem examination and examining, recognising, describing and interpreting pathological changes.

  • Record writing ability and understanding and use of terminology

  • Encourage teamwork and participation in group learning both in the practical sessions.

  • Content knowledge of general pathology and infectious and non-infectious disease mechanisms



Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

Content knowledge examination – 90%

Practical reports – 10%

Formative assessment and feedback

Formative example exam questions on Surreylearn

Module aims

  • Introduce the terminology of systemic cardiovascular, respiratory and musculoskeletal systems pathology based on aetiopathogenesis, and gross and microscopic appearance of non-infectious, infectious and immune-mediated lesions.
  • Increase the students ability to recognise, describe and interpret the abnormal and write a meaningful report of findings using the appropriate methods to record findings and images

Learning outcomes

Attributes Developed
001 Describe the basic mechanisms of infectious and non-infectious diseases and apply acquired foundation knowledge relevant to the cardiovascular, respiratory and musculoskeletal systems - RCVS 45. RCVS UK 1, UK 3, UK 5. KP
002 Understand what are the causes, development and consequences of infectious and non-infectious disease of the cardiovascular, respiratory and musculoskeletal systems by using the principles of disease: injury, adaptation, inflammation, and repair  - RCVS 45. RCVS UK 1, UK 5. KPT
003 Perform a necropsy and examine gross and microscopic pathological specimens, to identify common pathological findings affecting the cardiovascular, respiratory and musculoskeletal systems and be able to describe lesions and interpret them using appropriate terminology and tools for collecting data  - RCVS 36 and 45. KCPT
004 Appreciate the commonality of the infectious and non-infectious disease process across species including concepts of One Health, One Medicine - RCVS 45. RCVS UK 1, UK 5. KCPT
005 Appreciate the clinical pathological methods and tests used to distinguish disease of the cardiovascular, respiratory and musculoskeletal systems. - RCVS 31, 37 45. RCVS UK 1. KCPT

Attributes Developed

C - Cognitive/analytical

K - Subject knowledge

T - Transferable skills

P - Professional/Practical skills

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:


  • Provide infectious and non-infectious disease pathology in the context of One health, One medicine

  • Allow students to develop skills in performing a post mortem examination, examining specimens, describing and interpreting them.

  • Provide students with the skills to record pathological findings using appropriate terminology



The learning and teaching methods include:

Lectures, flipped classroom, small group sessions, practical classes using microscopy and anatomic pathology specimens, images

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: VMS2004

Programmes this module appears in

Programme Semester Classification Qualifying conditions
Veterinary Medicine and Science BVMSci (Hons) 2 Compulsory A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2023/4 academic year.