Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE MDS1034

 
TITLE Respiratory System

 
UM LEVEL 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 5

 
ECTS CREDITS 6

 
DEPARTMENT Faculty of Medicine and Surgery

 
DESCRIPTION This study-unit covers the relationships between structure and function of the human lung. It involves an understanding of the anatomy of the thorax, lungs and pleura; the physiological mechanisms underpinning gas exchange and ventilation-perfusion relationships; and a basic understanding of the pathology and pharmacological therapeutics of common lung diseases.

The study-unit is delivered through lectures, practical sessions, seminars and tutorials, with the latter involving active student participation and independent learning.

Study-Unit Aims:

This study-unit provides a foundation for the clinical evaluation and management of patients with respiratory disorders. It provides students in the biomedical sciences with an integrated approach to the study of the respiratory system including the gross and microscopic anatomy, how the respiratory system functions in health, disease and environment extremes, and an introduction to laboratory tests of pulmonary function, imaging of the respiratory system, common lung diseases and the relevant therapeutics.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Describe the structure and function of the respiratory system.
- Explain the major physiological and anatomical principles governing the mechanics of breathing
- Explain how the respiratory system responds under abnormal situations
- Outline the mechanics of the process of respiration, using anatomical and physiological principles
- Outline the important mechanisms underpinning gas exchange between atmosphere, lungs and blood.
- Outline how gas is transport in blood and interaction with the body's buffering system.
- Outline the patterns of nervous and chemical control of the respiratory pathways and how these relate to common disorders of the respiratory system and the appropriate therapeutic agents.
- Discuss the common pathologies of the respiratory tract in terms of disordered anatomy and physiology and the basic drugs used to treat these conditions.

2. Skills:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Identify different chest sounds.
- Indicate important anatomical sites and recognise physiological reasons for entry points in emergency puncture-treatments/investigations of the chest.
- Interpret simple clinical cases involving the respiratory system (including tumours, serious infections, fractures, pneumothorax, pleural effusions, haemothorax and flail chest) in terms of disordered anatomy and physiology and the basic drugs used to treat these conditions.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

Main Texts:

Main Text for Physiology
Textbook of Medical Physiology. Ed. Guyton & Hall; Saunders. 14th Edition, 2021
Human Physiology – an Integrated Approach. Dee Unglaud Silverthorn; Pearson. 8th Edition, 2018

Main Texts for Anatomy & Histology
Clinical Anatomy by Regions. Richard. S. Snell; Lippincott. 9th Edition, 2011
Clinical Anatomy by Systems. Richard. S. Snell; Lippincott. 1st Edition, 2006
Imaging Atlas of Human Anatomy, Weir, Jamie and Abrahams, Peter, 6th Edition, 2020.
Junqueira's Basic Histology: Text and Atlas; Young Lowe, Stevens, Heath and Deakin 16th Edition, 2021. CHURCHILL LIVINGSTONE

Main Text for Pathology
Robbin’s Basic Pathology, 10th Edition. 2017. Elsevier.

Main Text for Pharmacology
Humphrey P. Rang, Maureen M. Dale, James M. Ritter BM, Rod Flower. Pharmacology: with STUDENT CONSULT Online Access (Paperback), 7th Edition. 2011. Elsevier.

 
ADDITIONAL NOTES Pre-requisite Qualifications: Entry requirements of the MD Course
Pre-requisite Study-units: All MD study-units are compulsory

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture, Ind Study, Practicum, Seminar & Tutorial

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Multiple Choice Questions Examination (2 Hours) SEM1 Yes 100%

 
LECTURER/S Brendan Caruana Montaldo
Ruben Cauchi (Co-ord.)
Michelle Darmanin
Anthony Fenech
Joseph Galea
Nikolai Pace
Gerd Xuereb

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit