VETS 180 - Clinical Physiology

Credit Hours: 2
Lecture Hours: 2
Laboratory (or Other) Hours: 0

Prerequisite(s): VETS 120 and BIOL 218
Corequisite(s): VETS 131 and/or VETS 132; Recommend successful completion or concurrent enrollment in CHEM 120 or CHEM 180 and BIOL 230
Restriction(s): None

This lecture course expands upon the basic principles of physiology presented in Animal Anatomy and Physiology (BIOL 218) and acts as a bridge to subsequent courses. Selected clinical problems and diseases are presented to stimulate the student technician’s understanding and application of physiological concepts.

Student Learning Outcomes of the Course: Upon successful completion of the course the student should be able to:

Identify different divisions of the cell and understand the functions of the organelles and how they affect the function of the cells, tissues and organs.
Understand the electrochemical conduction system of the body and how it is affected by the various electrolytes; Describe how the bodies conduction system affects the transmission of nerve impulses, muscle contractions, and the rhythmic contraction of the heart.
Identify the components of the cardiac electrical conduction system and understand how each component affects the cardiac cycle; Describe how the hearts electrical system produces the electro- cardiogram (ECG) and how the physiological processes are monitored (i.e. pulse, heart sounds, blood pressure, ECG).
Understand the gross and microscopic processes and function of respiration and the activities of other related physiological processes; Identify the methods by which respiration allows gas exchange to occur and the effects on the bodies function (e.g. acid-base balance).
Understand the functions of the physiological processes of components of the digestive tract and secretions of the accessory organs/gland; Describe the digestive processes which lead to the digestion of food and absorption of nutrients in carnivores, omnivores, non-ruminant herbivores, and ruminant species; Describe the physical and chemical processes of digestion and the processes by which the bodies cells/tissues utilize the absorbed nutrients.
Understand the functions of the liver and the processes which how these processes aid systemic homeostasis; Describe how liver dysfunction can effect other body systems and functions in the body.
Understand the processes involved in urine formation and excretion; Describe how the functions of the urinary system (i.e. the kidneys) affect the other body systems.
Understand the effects of the hormones produced by the endocrine structures of the body and how they affect other body systems and help maintain the bodies homeostasis.
Understand the processes of breeding and fertilization, pregnancy including the development of the fetus, partuition, and lactation; Describe the differences in reproduction, pregnancy including placention, and lactation in the common domestic species.
Understand how disease processes effect the body systems and systemic homeostasis.