STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION 4: HAEMOPOIETIC AND NEUROLOGICAL SYSTEMS - 2023/4
Module code: VMS1006
Module Overview
This module will present the student with the structure and function of the haemopoietic and neurological systems in the various veterinary species. Cases will underpin the presentation of this material to provide context and integration between the disciplines of anatomy, histology, physiology and embryology. Students will use dissection and laboratory sessions to develop their technical competencies. Practicals will be used to underpin the anatomy and physiology and to enhance team learning and the development of independent learning skills.
Module provider
School of Veterinary Medicine
Module Leader
WILKINSON William (Vet Med)
Number of Credits: 15
ECTS Credits: 7.5
Framework: FHEQ Level 4
Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A
Overall student workload
Independent Learning Hours: 113
Lecture Hours: 25
Seminar Hours: 2
Laboratory Hours: 2
Practical/Performance Hours: 4
Captured Content: 4
Module Availability
Semester 2
Prerequisites / Co-requisites
N/A.
Module content
Introduction to the haematopoietic system and its component parts principally the, lymphatic system, bone marrow, spleen and tonsils and thymus and their function.
Cellular structure of the bone marrow, precursor cells, mature circulating blood cells and spleen.
Cellular structure of the lymphatic system including tonsil and thymus.
Interaction between cellular components of the haematopoietic system and coagulation factors in the process of haemostasis and coagulation.
Immune cells – their basic functions.
Comparative blood cell morphology including bird and reptile.
Avian, fish and reptilian haemopoietic systems.
Introduction to the nervous system: basic arrangement (including species differences) (peripheral including spinal and cranial nerves; autonomic; central including spinal cord and brain) and cell types (neuron, glial, Schwann).
- structures protecting the CNS (the meninges vertebrae and skull)
- cerebrospinal fluid production and circulation
- blood supply to the nervous system (and important differences in the species)
Spinal cord – function of the different grey and white matter components of the spinal cord (e.g. dorsal horn, white matter tracts) and the anatomical and functional regions of the spinal cord e.g. C6-T12 is the cervical intumescence
Clinical examination of the neurological system
Cranial nerves and special senses: function and anatomy of the cranial nerves and (for special senses) their associated central projections
Brain – anatomical and functional divisions
Introduction to neurophysiology: synaptic transmission (central and neuromuscular junction) and most important excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters. Membrane potential of excitable cells, action potential, myelination and nerve condition
Excitotoxicity – pathological process by which nerve cells are damaged and killed by excessive stimulation by neurotransmitters (with application to spinal cord trauma and epilepsy)
Autonomic nervous system, neurotransmission and control (including adrenal medulla)
Control of micturition
Formation of the neural tube, development of the brain, spinal cord and PNS, molecular basis of differentiation, development of the ventricular system, development of the skull, development of the vertebrae
Pain sensation and its pathways and control
Wind up and neuropathic pain
Animal behaviour in relation to normal and abnormal nervous system function
Animal welfare issues relating to in neurological disorders and extremes of conformation
Role of nutrition on the structure and function of the nervous system
Practical sessions
Cellular structure of the bone marrow precursor cells, mature circulating blood cells and spleen
Cellular structure of the lymphatic system including tonsil and thymus
Comparative blood cell morphology including bird, fish and reptiles
Blood cross matching in small animals – kits and on slides
The components of the PNS and CNS (to able to identify gross regions of the brain, cranial nerves, transverse section of the spinal cord).
· The anatomy of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system
· To understand the anatomical relationship of the skull and vertebrae to the structures within (e.g. where the cauda equina is, or what skull bones form the caudal cranial fossa).
Using cadavers, fixed samples and models
Assessment pattern
Assessment type | Unit of assessment | Weighting |
---|---|---|
Examination Online | ONLINE CLOSED BOOK MCQ AND SAQ EXAM FIXED START TIME (2 HOURS) | 100 |
Alternative Assessment
NA
Assessment Strategy
The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate understanding of the laboratory components, content knowledge and integration of the various components of practical materials.
Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:
Content knowledge examination – 100%
Formative assessment and feedback
Verbal feedback in practical sessions
Module aims
- In this module, students will acquire an understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the haemopoietic and neurological systems. Building upon their experience of safe handling and restraint of domestic animals in the first module, students will conduct basic clinical examinations that enable them to recognise the range of normal structure and function of the neurological system. They will be able to understand how the haemopoietic and neurological systems may impact on behaviour.
Learning outcomes
Attributes Developed | ||
001 | Describe the normal development, structure and function of the haemopoietic and nervous systems of veterinary species. RCVS Competences 31, 32. | KCPT |
002 | Apply functional and structural knowledge of the haemopoietic and neurological systems to basic clinical examination of veterinary species. RCVS Competences 27, 29, 32, 37 | KCPT |
003 | Assess animal behaviour, considering the effects of pain and/or dysfunction of the haemopoietic and neurological systems. RCVS Competences 32, 34, 35, 37 | KCPT |
004 | Assess animal welfare issues relating to neurological disorders. RCVS Competences 32, 35, 37 | KCPT |
005 | Describe the role of nutrition in the structure and function of the nervous system. RCVS Competence 37 | 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:
Enhance the students technical skills using dissection practicals
Enhance the students technical skills by microscopy practicals
Initiate the students physical examination skills by introducing Clinical Examination practicals
The learning and teaching methods include:
Lectures, flipped classroom, small group discussions
Practicals involving dissection, microscopy, review of radiographic and ultrasound images, clinical examination of various species
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: VMS1006
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.