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. |
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ADDITIONAL NOTES | Pre-requisite Qualifications: Entry requirements of the MD Course Pre-requisite Study-units: All MD study-units are compulsory |
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STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture, Ind Study, Practicum, Seminar & Tutorial | ||||||||
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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LECTURER/S | Brendan Caruana Montaldo Ruben Cauchi (Co-ord.) Michelle Darmanin Anthony Fenech Joseph Galea Nikolai Pace Gerd Xuereb |
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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. |