Clinical Anatomy

Code:

MV221

Acronym:

AC

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Clinical Sciences

Instance: 2024/2025 - 2S (of 17-02-2025 to 13-06-2025)

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Anatomy
Course/CS Responsible:	Integrated Masters Degree in Veterinary Medicine

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MIMV	87	Official Study Plan	2	-	5	56	135

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

The major aims of the Clinical Anatomy curriculum are to acquire knowledge and to understand the topographic anatomy of carnivores, equines and bovines. The purpose is to develop the ability to reason from an anatomical basis in to the solution of clinical problems and providing the anatomical features that are the basis of medical, diagnostic and surgical procedures. The acquisition of anatomical knowledge on rabbit and avian morphology is also a goal of the subject.

Learning outcomes and competences

1. Theoretical scientific knowledge:
 1.1. Nomenclature of animal body subdivisions (i.e., the anatomical regions using the Portuguese translations of the terms in Nomina Anatomica Veterinaria).
 1.2. Regional conformation and the anatomical basis that characterize the conformation region of the animal body.
 1.3. Identification of anatomical landmarks.
 1.4. To position anatomical structures and to understand their interrelationships.
 1.5. Radiographic anatomy (some aspects).

 2. Skills:
 2.1. To observe and palpate anatomical landmarks.
 2.2. To outline anatomical regions, areas of semiotic exploration and surgical fields.
 2.3 To project deep structures on the animal surface.
 2.4. To identify anatomical structures in animal cadavers.
 2.5. To expose anatomical structures properly, and to understand the clinical consequences of a damaged structure.
 2.6. To recognize anatomical structures in radiographic exams, and to interpret some of their topographical changes.
 2.7. To solve basic clinical problems.

 3. General attitudes:
 3.1. Methodical and rigorous observation.
 3.2. Verbal communication.
 3.3. Team work.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

Systematic Anatomy I and II

Histology I and II

Physiology

Program

Theoretical syllabus I. Head Conformation and external features. Topographic regions of the skull and face. Anatomical landmarks. Topographic anatomy of the superficial regions of the face. Anatomical basis for anesthetic block of the nerves of the head. Paranasal sinuses. Orbit. Topographical anatomy of the cervico-facial transition (parotid, pharyngeal and laryngeal regions).  II. Thorax Conformation and surface anatomy. Thoracic wall (relationship with thoracotomies in carnivores). Diaphragm. Projection of the pleural cavity on the thoracic wall: cranial limit (pleural cupulae) and caudal limit (costodiaphragmatic line of pleural reflection); costodiaphragmatic and costomediastinal recesses. Thoracic contents: lungs and structures of the cranial mediastinum, middle mediastinum and caudal mediastinum. III.   Abdomen Conformation and surface anatomy. Lateroventral wall of the abdomen (relationship with laparotomies in carnivores, horses and cattle). Inguinal canal (relationship with indirect and direct inguinal hernias). Abdominal visceral topography: carnivores and horses. IV.   Pelvis Conformation and surface anatomy. Pelvic wall.     V.  Forelimb in dog and cat Scapular region, shoulder and arm. Elbow and forearm. VI.  Pelvic limb in dog and cat Gluteal region. Hip. Thigh. Stifle joint and popliteal fossa. Leg. VII.   Avian clinical anatomy Introduction. Phylogeny. Surface anatomy. Skin and feathers Head. Musculoskeletal system. Neck. Thoracoabdominal cavity. Lymphoid system. Nervous system. Male and female urogenital apparatus; egg. Practical syllabus Surface anatomy of the head of dog (anatomical landmarks and topographical regions); topographic anatomy of the face - dog. Surface anatomy of the head of horses and cattle (anatomical landmarks and topographical regions); topographic anatomy of the face - horses and cattle. Anatomy of the paranasal sinuses in the dog, horse and cow; projection areas and trephining points. Topographic anatomy of the cervicofacial transition in carnivores; surgical approaches to the: i) parotid; ii) mandibular and sublingual salivary glands; iii) proximal esophagus; iv) dorsal larynx. Application of data from the thoracic topographic anatomy of the dog to thoracotomies: surgical approaches to the: i) esophagus and cranial mediastinal lymph nodes; ii) tracheal bifurcation and tracheobronchial lymph nodes. Exploratory laparotomy on a dog cadaver; interpretation of abdominal radiographs of dogs and cats. Topographic anatomy of the European rabbit: head, thorax and abdomen. Anatomy of the equine hand and foot: metacarpal (or metatarsal) region, fetlock and finger. Surgical approaches to the hindlimb of dog: i) lateral to the ileum; ii) caudodorsal to the hip joint by tenotomy of gluteal muscles; iii) lateral to the femoral diaphysis; iv) lateral to the stifle joint. Surgical approaches to the forelimb of the dog: i) caudolateral to the shoulder joint; ii) craniolateral to the humeral shaft; iii) caudolateral to the elbow joint. Avian clinical anatomy.

Mandatory literature

De Lahunta Alexander; Applied veterinary anatomy. ISBN: 0-7216-1431-0
Dyce K. M.; Tratado de anatomia veterinária. ISBN: 85-277-0422-6
McLelland J; A colour atlas of Avian Anatomy, Wolfe Publishing Ltd, 1990. ISBN: 0-7234-1575-7
Sandoval Juárez José; Anatomia aplicada veterinaria. ISBN: 84-345-2874-6
Smith Mark M.; Atlas of approaches for general surgery of the dog and cat. ISBN: 0-7216-3515-6
Popesko Peter; Atlas de anatomía topográfica de los animales domésticos. ISBN: 84-458-0753-6
Piermattei Donald L.; An atlas of surgical approaches to the bones and joints of the dog and cat. ISBN: 0-7216-1012-9
Ashdown Raymond R. 070; Color atlas of veterinary anatomy. ISBN: 0-7234-2662-7

Comments from the literature

Additional bibliographic references are provided, where applicable, in the summary of lectures.

Teaching methods and learning activities

Theoretical lectures – The scientific contents of Clinical Anatomy are presented by the professor and are illustrated by images in slides produced by computer (Power point). Other audiovisual material is also used (ex. movies). Interactions between professor and students are to occur. This allows the lecturer to identify putative difficulties of students in understanding anatomical concept.

Laboratory classes – The acquisition of skills regarding surface anatomy of animals is an important goal of the course (skills 2.1 to 2.3). For this we use refrigerated cadavers, or their parts (e.g. heads), of dogs, cows and horses. In the study of topographic anatomy, previously prepared anatomical models (animal cadavers and their parts) are studied in the laboratory classes (skill 2.4). The topographical knowledge is also applied to train surgical approaches in refrigerated cadavers of dogs (skil 2.5). The surgical procedures are selected with the goal of illustrating animal anatomy, and their foreseeable usefulness for the clinical practice of the future DVM. Imagiological exams are employed to test whether the students are able to identify anatomical structures and to interpret their topographical changes in the clinical setting (e.g. ventral deviation of the trachea due to a megaesophagus; skill 2.6). In addition, there are classes devoted to avian and rabbit anatomy. In laboratory classes, is made dissection of cadavers of these animals that are purchased from slaughterhouses, without being eviscerated. The students also study cadavers that have been previously dissected by our technical staff. Skeletons and individual bones of these species are employed to teach osteology.The acquisition of scientific knowledge and the capacity to use it properly is tested in every laboratory lecture. The students will be tested by questions based on clinical problems (goal 2.7 of the skills - to solve basic clinical problems).

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	60,00
Participação presencial	15,00
Prova oral	25,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	71,00
Frequência das aulas	56,00
Trabalho laboratorial	8,00
Total:	135,00

Eligibility for exams

Frequency of practical classes as defined in the "Regulation of principles to be observed in the evaluation of students at UP" (“do not exceed the limit number of absences corresponding to 25% of the scheduled classes”, i.e. 3 ABSENCES).

Calculation formula of final grade

Assessment consists of a continuous assessment (A) carried out during practical classes, a theoretical written test (B) and an oral-practical test (C). The calculation of the final grade obeys the following formula: Final grade = 0.15 A + 0.6 B + 0.25 C.

The rules for each of these assessment components are as follows:

1. The continuous evaluation contributes with 15% for the calculation of the final grade (that is, 3 out of 20 marks). This results from the sum of the classifications obtained in the “clinical problems” carried out during the practical classes.

2. The theoretical test contributes with 60% for the calculation of the final grade (12 out of 20 values). It can be taken in a final exam or by two tests according to the following rules.

2.1. The theoretical test, when taken in the final exam (normal or appeal period exam), requires obtaining a minimum grade of 9.5 (out of 20) for admission to the oral-practical test.

2.2. The grade of the theoretical test obtained by completing two tests (to be carried out in the mid-term evaluation weeks) corresponds to the average of the marks obtained in both. The minimum grade for each test is 8.5 values (out of 20 values). It is mandatory that the average of the two tests is equal to or greater than 9.5 values (out of 20 values) for admission to the oral-practical test.

3. The oral-practical test contributes with 25% for the calculation of the final grade, that is, 5 out of 20 marks. It consists of carrying out a practical assignment chosen randomly from among the set of assignments carried out in practical classes. For students approved in the theoretical test through the two tests or in the normal period exam, this test must be carried out in the normal period; the same applies at the appeal period exam.

Working-students - Important note:

For students who enjoy the status of working-student and who are unable to attend practical classes, the weighting given to the continuous assessment component is added to that of the oral-practical test. In this way, the assessment of skills will account for 50% of the final classification. Given its importance in the training of veterinarians, it will have to be demonstrated in a comprehensive way, not limited to carrying out a test, but a set of tests that demonstrate that the student  acquired the specific skills foreseen for the UC.

Examinations or Special Assignments

Not applied.

Internship work/project

Not applied.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Theoretical test can be performed in oral format.

Classification improvement

The "Pedagogical Regulation and Evaluation of Student Achievement" of the ICBAS-U.Porto (Article 21) shall apply. It is mandatory to carry out the theoretical examination and the practical exam.

Observations

The objectives of the Clinical Anatomy compete for the acquisition of the following day-one skills  of MIMV:

Professional general attributes and capacities

6- Hear and communicate in a cordial way. Communicate effectively with clients, professional colleagues, authorities, organisms, and the lay public, using language in a form appropriate to the audience and the context.

8- Prepare clear reports and maintain records in all areas of veterinary services in a rigorous and understandable form both for colleagues and the public.

Knowledge and understanding

1- The sciences and technologies on which the veterinary activities are based.

4- The structure and functions of healthy animals (…).

Practical competences

16- Correctly perform the commonest surgical procedures in domestic animals.