MED1062

Musculoskeletal system

Associate Professor B W Oakes (Anatomy)

Objectives On completion of the subject, students should understand structure and function relationships of the tissues of the upper and lower limbs including the vertebral column, their associated joints, skin and the components of connective tissues; have a detailed knowledge of the topographic and surface anatomy of the limbs and the vertebral column and a basic understanding of common clinical disorders of this system; have a strong basic understanding of the structure and function of skeletal muscle and its basic control mechanisms; have a working knowledge of the development of the limbs and the vertebral column and understand the causes and clinical effects of developmental disorders of this system; be able to perform a competent physical examination of this system and be able to recognise abnormalities of this system; understand the basic physics and be able to apply the imaging modalities of x-rays, CT scans, MRI and ultrasound to the diagnosis of abnormalities of this system; be able to work effectively as a member of a group and be able to share knowledge, or lack of, with others and be able to examine critically ideas which emerge from group consideration of problems; and recognise the importance of scientific method in assessing and formulating solutions to problems particularly to this system.

Synopsis This introduces the first of the body systems and will present an account of the embryology and anatomy of the musculoskeletal system integrated with the physiology of skeletal muscle and peripheral nerves and the pharmacology of the neuromuscular junctions. The histology of nerve, muscle and connective tissue will also be covered at this stage. The topographic anatomy of the limbs will be taught by dissection and the functional anatomy of the back and vertebral column will be taught on prosections and by demonstrations. Students will also be introduced to traditional radiology as well as to contemporary methods of medical imaging including computerised tomographic (CT) scanning and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Observation skills and the physical examination of joints will be emphasised in classes on surface anatomy, and communication skills will be emphasised in group discussions. Teaching aids including anatomical specimens, x-rays, CT Scans, MRI images, computerised interactive learning and videotapes of detailed gross anatomy and joint examination are available in both the Biomedical Library and the Department of Anatomy.

Assessment Examinations - Viva voce (mid-semester): 10% · Viva voce (November): 45% · Multiple-choice question exam: 45%

Prescribed texts

Topographic or gross anatomy dissection manual
Sauerland E K Grant's 'Dissector' 11th edn, Williams and Wilkins, 1994

Physiology of musculoskeletal system

Guyton A C Textbook of medical physiology 8th edn, Saunders, 1991
or
Berne R M and Levy M N Physiology 3rd edn, Mosby, 1993
or
Gamble J G The musculoskeletal system. Physiological basics Raven Press, 1988

Histology

Burkitt H G and others Wheater's 'Functional histology': A text and colour atlas 3rd edn, Churchill Livingstone, 1993
Ross M H and Romrell L J Histology: A text and atlas 3rd edn, Williams and Wilkins, 1995
or
Junqueria C and others Basic histology 7th edn, Appleton and Lange, 1992
or
Stevens A and Lowe J Histology Gower, 1992

Embryology

Moore K L The developing human 5th edn, Saunders, 1993
or
Sadler T W Langman's 'Medical embryology' 6th edn, Williams and Wilkins, 1990

Topographic anatomy

Moore K L Clinically orientated anatomy 3rd edn, Williams and Wilkins, 1992
Moore K L and Agur A M R Essential clinical anatomy Williams and Wilkins, 1996
Snell R S Clinical anatomy for medical students 4th edn, Little Brown, 1992
Basmajian J V Grant's 'Method of anatomy' 11th edn, Williams and Wilkins, 1989
Hall-Craggs E C B Anatomy as a basis for clinical medicine 2nd edn, Urban and Schwarzenberg, 1990
Rogers A W Textbook of anatomy Churchill Livingstone, 1992
or
McMinn R M H Last's 'Anatomy': Regional and applied 8th edn, Churchill Livingstone, 1990
Clemente C D Anatomy: A regional atlas of the human body 3rd edn, Urban and Schwarzenberg, 1987
Agur A M R Grant's 'Atlas of anatomy' 9th edn Ann MR Agur, Williams and Wilkins, 1991
or
Rohan J W and Yokochi C Colour atlas of anatomy Igaku-Shoin, 1983

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