Graded
The purpose of the unit is to develop students' understanding of the nervous and musculoskeletal systems exploring these systems in both health and illness. Particular emphasis is placed on underpinning knowledge relating to careers in health science professions such as physiotherapy, midwifery, radiography and nursing.
Understand the structure and function of the musculoskeletal system in health and illness.
Structure and function of the skeletal system -Axial and appendicular 22 bones in the head, 33 bones in the spine: 7 cervix, 12 thorax, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral, 4 coccyx. The pelvic girdle is fused to the sacrum at the sacroiliac joint. The thorax consists of 12 pairs of ribs, sternum, scapula and clavicle. Legs: femur, patella, tibia, fibula, tarsals, metatarsals, phalanges. Arms: humerus, ulna, radius, carpals, metacarpals, phalanges
Function: support, protection, assisting in movement, storage of minerals, production of blood cells, storage of chemical energy.
Main types of joints: Fixed joint, ball and socket, hinge joint, pivot joint, gliding joint.
Structure and action of voluntary muscle the action of antagonistic pairs. Muscles can only pull; they cannot push. This is why they usually work a joint in pairs. One muscle of the pair contracts to move the body part, the other muscle in the pair then contracts to return the body part back to the original position.
Sliding filament hypothesis, actin, myosin H zone, I band and A band.
Disease affecting the musculoskeletal system might include: Congenital dislocation of the hip (developmental hip dysplasia), Duchenne muscular dystrophy, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fracture neck of femur.
Explain the structure and function of the skeletal system.
Explain the gross structure of muscles and the action of antagonistic pairs.
Explain sliding filament theory.
1Analyse the components of different types of joints and their role in movement.
Explain signs and symptoms of one disease process or condition that affects the musculoskeletal system.
Understand the structure and function of the nervous system in health and illness.
Gross structure of the nervous system. Central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) Two hemispheres with fissures, white and grey matter, medulla and pons, cerebellum, cortex (motor and sensory areas), thalamus and hypothalamus, limbic system, spinal cord in cross section, reflex arc, afferent and efferent neurons, spinal tracts. Peripheral nervous system (Cranial nerves, spinal nerves, peripheral nerves). Somatic and autonomic nervous system (sympathetic and parasympathetic).
Nerve cells, sensory, motor and associate neurons, gated channels, transmission of nerve impulses along axons, transmission of nerve impulses across synapses, action and resting potential, depolarisation, repolarisation, hyperpolarization, refractory period.
Disease affecting the nervous system might include: Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, motor neurone disease, diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Focus should be on the pathophysiology of the disease.
Explain the structure and function of the nervous system.
Analyse the structure of neurones in relation to their function.
Explain how nerve impulses are generated and transmitted in relation to 2.2.
Explain signs and symptoms of one disease process or condition that affects the nervous system.
Understand the role of imaging technology in relation to the musculoskeletal and nervous systems.
Overview of X rays, MRI, Functional MRI, PET, US, CT, Dexa scan, arthrogram. Relative advantages and disadvantages:
Advantages might include: that it is a relatively painless procedure, speed of diagnostic test, diagnostic accuracy/detail, 3D 2D, quality of image, non-invasiveness, ability to see soft tissue, safety, cost, quick, easy, accessible.
Disadvantages exposure to radiation, discomfort, noise and claustrophobia, risk of allergies to dyes, use of radioactive tracers, risks to women pregnancy, breastfeeding, risk to men's fertility, invasiveness, cost, quality of image, patient preparation, complex positioning of patient.
Evaluate the contribution of one imaging technique in the assessment of one disease or condition.