Most courses related to the field of medicine experience the wonderful world of Anatomy. A subject that some would define it as their worst nightmare, but to us ,as nursing students it is a privileged. An honour to gain most of the information we need relevant to our course. From the beginning as we entered the semester a challenging subject has faced us where on the first two meetings of the class we were obliged to read 3 chapters: The Human Organism, The Chemical Basis of Life and The Cell Structure and its Functions.
On the first chapter, we have learned what Anatomy and Physiology is. “Human Anatomy and Physiology is the study of the structure and function of the human body”. We have learned the structural and functional organization of the human body from chemical forms a cell and from a cell forms a tissue, an organ, organ system until it becomes an organism. Our very smart professor also explained to us the importance of homeostasis and the mechanisms that happen inside our body to maintain it. He also thought us about the different cavities inside our body. It was also that time when we were discussing on the first chapter that we got familiar with the terms used in this subject such as the anterior, posterior, proximal and distal terms which were very new to us at that point.
On the second and third chapter, we have learned about Chemicals and Cells. He discussed about the four macromolecules: carbohydrates, proteins , lipids and the nucleic acid. On the third chapter, he thought us the different structures and functions of the cell and the different types and movements across the cell membrane such as Diffusion, Osmosis, Active Transport, Exocytosis and Endocytosis. It was on that chapter he discussed to us about the cell division and it has gotten a lot interesting when we were able to see the different phases of cell division under the microscope “ Prophase, Metaphase , Anaphase and Telophase” during our laboratory time.
On the fourth chapter, we discussed about Tissues. He thought us about the four basic types of tissues: Epithelial, Connective , Nerves and Muscle Tissues and its classifications. He pointed to us where each type and classification can be found. On that chapter, during our laboratory time we were able to see what each tissue looks like under the microscope. It was really fascinating, there were different colors of it, different location of the nucleus and shapes of each.
On the fifth Chapter, we have learned about Integumentary chapter. He discussed about the different layers of skin, Diseases of skin and sensory receptors. We also had an activity about the two-point discrimination, adaptation of tactile receptors and thermorception.
On the sixth Chapter, we have learned about the skeletal system. We were able to learn the different parts of the skeletal system and its locations. It was on this chapter that we had our very first long quiz at the same time moving exam where we were given 30 seconds to identify the part of a bone then move on when the buzzer buzzes. On the muscular system, he had discussed us the structure of the muscle. It was more on about the tendon attached to the skeletal muscle, a muscle fasiculi surrounded by an epimysium and muscle fibers surrounded by perimysium. He thought us about the ion channels and action potentials then after it the nomenclature of muscles and location.
On the eighth Chapter, he thought us about the Nervous System, we have learned the different types of Neurons, Division of the Nervous System, The Peripheral Nervous System, Autonomic Nervous System and the component of each system. On Senses, we have learned about the different sensory receptors: Mechanoreceptors , Chemoreceptors , Photoreceptors, and Thermoreceptors. The Special Senses and its functions. In this chapter, we had an activity where we were to test our eyes with the use of ishihara chart and snellen chart. We also dissected a cow’s eye and locate each part of it. Anatomy was really an amazing subject where you could learn a lot of surprising and more detailed things than what we have learned in highschool and elementary.
