Anatomy & Physiology
A&P may be taught either separately or with Pathology.
Outline of Syllabus Contents
i. Cells: an outline of the function and structure of types of cells and their
components
ii. The Skeletal System: the structure & functions of bone, including the
names & positions of principle bones including the vertebrae, ligaments,
types of bone and joints and their range of movement and functions.
iii. The Muscular System: the structure & function including the main muscle
types, tissue and connective tissue, muscle tone, isotonic and isometric
contraction etc., the position and function of the principle superficial
muscles and tendons.
iv. The Cardiovascular System: the structure & function of the heart, major
blood vessels and their positions, types of blood vessels and cells and their
roles, the cardiac cycle and blood pressure.
v. The Lymphatic and Immune Systems: the structure and functions of the
lymphatic system including the spleen, the thymus, lymph tissue & nodes,
the names & positions of nodes, their roles particularly in relation to
immunity, allergic responses and the circulatory system
vi. The Nervous System: the structure and function of the central & peripheral
nervous system including the brain ( with particular reference to the
olfactory & limbic systems), the spinal cord, the autonomic nervous
system, the vagus nerve, motor & sensory nerves, and the role of
neurotransmitters and synapses within the nervous system.
vii. The Digestive System: the structure and function including the location &
roles of not only principle parts of the digestive tract from ingestion to
excretion but also the structure and function of the liver, gallbladder &
pancreas in the digestive process, and the metabolism of carbohydrates,
lipids and proteins within the digestive system.
viii. The Endocrine System: the structure & function including endocrine &
exocrine glands, their hormones and functions with particular reference to
the pituitary, hypothalamus, thalamus, pineal, thyroid, parathyroids, Islets
of Langerhans (pancreas), adrenal glands and the gonads.
ix. The Respiratory System: the functions and purpose of respiration, the
structure of the upper and lower respiratory system, external and internal
respiration
x. The Reproductive System: the structure and functions of the male and
female reproductive system & its interaction with the endocrine system
including menstruation, menopause and, fertility & pregnancy as well as
prenatal and postnatal growth and development.
xi. The Urinary System: the structure & function of the kidneys, bladder,
urethras (male & female) including nephrons, collecting ducts, urine
production, the influences of ADH, and the importance of water and
electrolyte balance.
xii. Integumentary System: the structure and functions of layers of the skin,
including hair and nails, with particular reference to permeability and
absorption.
xiii. The Special Senses: The structure and functions of the eyes, ears, nose
and mouth; sight, hearing, smell, taste & balance with particular reference
to smell and taste including interactions with the limbic and endocrine
systems
Recommended Reading List
Kapit W, Lawrence M. Elson (2003) The Anatomy Colouring Book, Random
House International Paperback 161 pages ISBN: 0375763422
Page, Martyn Human Body Dorling Kindersley Paperback 448 pages ISBN
0751335142
Ross J, Wilson R Ross & Wilson (Ed) (2004) Anatomy & Physiology in Health
& Illness Churchill Livingstone Paperback 504 pages (June 27, 2001) ISBN:
0443064687
Tortora & Grabowski (2003) An Introduction to the Human Body John Wiley
Smith T (Ed.) ISBN: 047125150X
Pathology
Pathology may be taught either separately or as part of A&P.
Suggested pathologies from which a selection should be made
Skeletal System - arthritis (rheumatoid, osteo, psoriatic), gout, osteoporosis,
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE,) RSI’s (tendonitis, bursitis,
Tennis/Golfer’s elbow, carpal tunnel etc.), Ankylosing Spondylitis & Cervical
spondylosis, back pain (to include disc pathology, whiplash, sciatica and
postural defects (lordosis/kyphosis/scoliosis)), joint prostheses
2. Muscular System - To discuss the causes and symptoms of: muscle cramp
and spasm, micro traumas and adhesions, sprains and strains, muscular
atrophy, fibrositis, fibromyalgia, repetitive strain syndrome, muscular dystrophy
3. Special Senses including the Integumentary System - eczema, psoriasis,
dermatitis, herpes zoster and simplex, vitiligo, acne, impetigo, papillomas
(warts), fungal infections: ringworm, athlete’s foot , formation of scar tissue
pediculosis (lice), rubella, varicella, hives, burns and photosensitivity, skin
cancers , skin ulcers, anosmia, mouth ulcers and other taste alterers; visual
problems such as glaucoma, cataracts and conjunctivitis; auditory problems
such as deafness, tinnitus, vertigo, otitis media
4. The Digestive System - Crohn’s disease - ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis,
gastritis, ulcers - oesophageal/ peptic/ duodenal, candida,
constipation/diarrhoea, colitis & IBS, indigestion, hiccoughs, flatulence,
heartburn, anorexia/bulimia and obesity, hepatitis A, B, C, D & E , chronic liver
disease – cirrhosis, gallstones, jaundice, cancers, gingivitis, oesophageal
reflux, hiatus hernia
5. The Endocrine System - thyroid dysfunctions (thyrotoxicosis, myxoedema,
Grave’s disease, Hashimoto’s disease) diabetes; mellitus/insipidus, Addison’s
disease, Cushing’s syndrome, myasthenia gravis, gigantism, acromegaly,
calcium deficiency (parathyroid)
6. Urinary System - cystitis, pyelonephritis, urethritis, kidney stones,
glomerulonephritis, incontinence dysuria
7. Cardiovascular System to include blood - Heart disease: hypertension,
hypotension, myocardial infarction, tachycardia, arrhythmia, PE’s, angina,
atheroma, arteriosclerosis, thrombosis, phlebitis, anaemia, Sickle Cell
syndromes, varicose veins, broken capillaries (thread veins), haemorrhoids
Hodgkin’s Disease, Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, leukaemia, glandular fever -
immune system, Reynauds Syndrome, intermittent claudication
8. Respiratory System Bronchitis, Common colds, coughs and influenza
Emphysema, Asthma, Pneumonia, Pulmonary fibrosis, Cystic fibrosis,
Sinusitis, Tuberculosis, Cancers, MRSA & SARS
9. The Nervous System Strokes including TIA’s, Parkinson’s Disease, Motor
Neurone Disease (MND), Epilepsy Cerebal Palsy, Alzheimer’s, Headaches &
Migraines, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/ Encephalopathy ME/Chronic Fatigue
Syndrome, Bell’s Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Meningitis, Neuralgia, Spinal
Cord Injury, Poliomyelitis, Depression: SAD and clinical depression, Effects of
stress
10. Reproductive System Menopause including various forms of HRT therapy,
Pre-Menstrual Tension, dysmenorrhoea and amenorrhoea , fertility problems
and IVF, mastitis, endometriosis, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID),
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, sexually transmitted diseases, prostate problems,
various types of cancers in both sexes, vaginitis, pregnancy disorders, post
natal depression, pre-eclampsia and ectopic pregnancy
11. Lymphatic System & Immune System AIDS/HIV, bacterial infections,
viruses, allergens, seasonal rhinitis (hay fever) and rhinitis, lymphadema,
lymphadenitis, oedema, enlarged lymph nodes, tonsillitis
Recommended reading
Ball J (1990) Understanding Disease: Health Practitioner's Handbook The C W
Daniel Company Ltd
Fox S, Pritchard D (2001) Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology for the Massage
Therapist, Corpus Publishing Limited
Henry JA (Ed.) (2004) BMA New Guide to Medicines and Drugs Dorling Kindersley
(2003)
British National Formulary BMJ Books Martin E (Editor) (2003)
Martin E (2003) Concise Colour Medical Dictionary Oxford University Press
Mosby's Medical Nursing and Allied Health Dictionary (Oct 2001) Hardcover
432145 pages Publisher: Mosby ISBN: 0323014305
Smith, T Editor (Sep 2000) BMA Complete Family Health Guide Hardback 1104
pages) Dorling Kindersley ISBN 0751327220
Handbook of Signs & Symptoms Second Ed. Paperback 664 pages ISBN
0874348935
