B9274 - ANATOMIA TOPOGRAFICA VETERINARIA

Learning outcomes

He/she knows the regions of the body, the stratigraphy, the topography and relationships of the organs and viscera, and the course of major vessels and nerves. Can apply the acquired knowledge for a better learning of subjects related to clinical and veterinary inspection practice.

Course contents

By the end of the integrated course, students will know and understand the topographical anatomy of domestic animals, with particular reference to the boundaries, relationships and stratigraphy of the different body regions, the anatomical relationships between organs, and the course and distribution of the main blood vessels and nerves. Students will also acquire practical skills in diagnostic imaging, being able to perform correct positioning for the radiographic study of different anatomical regions on models in the Clinical Skills Lab. They will also be able to recognise and describe the normal appearance of the structures of the different systems of domestic animals using radiographic and ultrasonographic techniques, applying the anatomical knowledge acquired to support the study of clinical, surgical and veterinary inspection-related disciplines.

The Integrated Course contributes to the achievement of the following ESEVT Day One Competences: 1.5, 1.17, 1.18, 1.29, 1.30.

SPECIFIC PREREQUISITES FOR THE COURSE UNIT

For a better understanding of the contents covered in the course unit, students are recommended to have already acquired knowledge of Anatomy of species of veterinary interest I and II.

 

SPECIFIC COURSE CONTENT

The programme is structured as follows:

 

Theoretical lectures:

• Superficial regions of the thorax (dorsal, costal, sternal and diaphragmatic): boundaries, relationships, stratigraphy, vessels and nerves. (2 hours)

• Deep regions of the thorax (pleuropulmonary and mediastinal): boundaries, relationships, vessels and nerves. (3 hours)

• Superficial regions of the abdomen (lumbar, sublumbar (lumbosacral), lateral abdominal, ventral abdominal and inguinal): boundaries, relationships and stratigraphy, vessels and nerves. (3 hours)

• Topography of the liver, spleen, stomach, pancreas and intestine in carnivores; their vascularisation and innervation. (2 hours)

• Topography of the liver, spleen, stomach, pancreas and intestine in equids; their vascularisation and innervation. (3 hours)

• Topography of the liver, spleen, forestomachs, abomasum, pancreas and intestines of ruminants; their vascularisation and innervation. (2 hours)

• Topography of the extraperitoneal organs (kidneys, adrenal glands, ureters, abdominal aorta, caudal vena cava). (15 minutes) • Topography of the uterus and ovaries; their vascularisation and innervation. (30 minutes)

• Superficial regions of the pelvis (sacro-ischio-pubic and perineal) and coccygeal region: boundaries, relationships, stratigraphy, vascularisation and innervation. (1 hour)

• Topography of the rectum, bladder, vagina, urethra and the glands associated with the male genitalia (seminal vesicles, prostate and bulbourethral glands). (1 hour)

• The mammary region in Equids, Ruminants and Carnivores: boundaries, relationships, vessels and nerves. (15 minutes)

• The penile and scrotal regions in Equids, Ruminants and Carnivores: boundaries, relationships, stratigraphy, vessels and nerves. (1 hour)

• Dorsal neck, lateral neck and jugular fossa regions: relationships, stratigraphy, vessels and nerves. (1 hour)

• Superficial regions of the head: relationships, vessels and nerves (2 hours)

• Regions of the thoracic limb, main blood vessels and nerves (1 hour)

• Regions of the pelvic limb, main blood vessels and nerves (1 hour)

 

Practical activities:

• Dissection of the superficial and deep regions of the thorax in dogs and cats (4 hours)

• Dissection of the superficial and deep regions of the abdomen and pelvis in dogs and cats (4 hours)

• Dissection of the neck and head regions in dogs and cats (4 hours)

• Dissection of the thoracic and pelvic limb regions in dogs and cats (4 hours)

Readings/Bibliography

The teaching material for the course unit is available on the Virtuale platform (https://virtuale.unibo.it/).

Required bibliography:

• Grandis A., Cozzi B., Bombardi C., Graic J.M., Acocella F. Anatomia veterinaria regionale e applicata. Antonio Delfino Editore, Roma (2022).

Further reading:

• Ashdown R.R., Done S., Atlante Di Anatomia Veterinaria, Piccin, Padova, Vol. I: Il Cavallo (1984), Vol. II: I Ruminanti (1988).
• Barone R. Anatomia Comparata Dei Mammiferi Domestici, Edagricole, Bologna: Voll. I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII.
• Done S.H., Goody P.C., Evans S.A., Stickland N.C., Atlante Di Anatomia Veterinaria, Piccin, Padova, Vol. III: Il Cane E Il Gatto (2000).

• Popesko P., Atlante Di Anatomia Topografica Degli Animali Domestici, Voll. I, II, III, Grasso Editore, Bologna (1980).

Teaching methods

The course unit consists of theoretical lectures (24 hrs) and practical activities (16 hrs).

a. Lectures
Lectures will make use of presentations containing original graphic and/or photographic images, or images taken from atlases of veterinary topographical anatomy.

b. Practical sessions
Practical sessions are held in the anatomy room.

The objectives of the practical activitiesns are as follows:
- to familiarise students with the manual techniques involved in dissecting an animal carcass following stratigraphy, thereby acquiring professional skills;
- to develop students’ ability to recognise various anatomical structures and identify their relationships with neighbouring structures, thereby acquiring analytical and synthesis skills.
To develop students’ ability to perform dissections on a cadaver or part thereof in coordination with a colleague, thus acquiring communication and teamwork skills.

During the sessions, the lecturer will guide students through the sequential performance of a dissection, while also encouraging them to practise identifying the structures covered in the lectures.

 

In view of the types of activities and teaching methods adopted, attendance of this learning activity requires completion of modules 1 and 2 in e-learning mode, and completion of module 3 of specific training on safety and health in study places. Information on dates and attendance procedures for module 3 can be consulted in the relevant section of the Degree Programme website.

To take part in practical and laboratory activities, it is compulsory to wear a lab coat and suitable footwear. Appropriate PPE for carrying out the specific activities, such as disposable latex gloves, will be provided.

 

 

Assessment methods

Regular attendance at lectures and practical classes is required; absence of no more than 40% of the scheduled hours for each student will be justified (therefore a minimum attendance threshold of 60% is required to obtain lecture attendance). Attendance will be certified through the rps.unibo.it application.

The assessment of learning for the Integrated Course consists of two parts:

The first part is an oral examination designed to assess students’ knowledge of veterinary topographical anatomy. This will make use of diagrams and photographs from the atlases of veterinary topographical anatomy usually used during the course.

Students will be asked, in turn, to discuss two separate topics. For each topic, their knowledge and ability to identify the named structures in the presented images will be assessed. The overall assessment will also evaluate students’ command of the appropriate anatomical terminology.
When marking the oral examination, the lecturer will refer to the following grading scale:
- Preparation covering a limited number of topics and an ability to analyse with assistance from the lecturer only; expression in generally correct language → 18–22;
- Preparation covering a limited number of topics and the ability to analyse independently on purely practical matters, with expression in correct language, will receive a grade of 23–26.
- Knowledge of a wide range of topics covered in the course; ability to make independent critical analyses; and command of specific terminology: 27–29.

- A substantially comprehensive understanding of the topics covered in the course, the ability to make independent choices regarding critical analysis and the establishment of connections, full mastery of the specific terminology, and the ability to argue a case and engage in self-reflection → 30-30L.
The mark for the oral examination is announced at the end of the interview. The examination is considered passed with a minimum mark of 18/30.

 

The second part consists of a written examination designed to assess students’ understanding of normal veterinary radiographic and tomographic anatomy. The examination comprises two parts:
1) multiple-choice questions on topics covering the entire syllabus
2) the reading and interpretation of radiographic and ultrasound images, using normal images in which students must identify the required anatomical structures at lectures and practical classes is compulsory, as required by regulations.

 

Regarding the assessment of learning, the use of AI is prohibited. Any use constitutes a violation of academic integrity.

During the test, the use of supporting material or devices such as calculators, tablets, smartwatches and computers is not permitted, except for anything that may be allowed by the teacher.

The assessment of the written test is published within 5 working days on the SOL, Studenti Online, platform by the teacher responsible for recording the marks.

A negative assessment does not result in the award of a mark, but only in an assessment outcome (withdrawn or failed) recorded in the electronic report completed on AlmaEsami; it therefore does not affect the student’s academic record.

The assessments of the individual tests and the final examination mark will be published on the SOL platform (Studenti Online - AlmaEsami) of the teacher responsible for recording the marks within 5 working days from the examination date.

The student may refuse the mark once, by informing the teacher responsible for recording the marks by e-mail within 5 working days.

The teacher responsible for recording the marks for this Course is Prof. Annamaria Grandis.

Students can register for examination sessions through AlmaEsami (http://almaesami.unibo.it/). Examination sessions are proposed within the windows indicated in the teaching calendar. Additional examination sessions are reserved for students who are behind schedule.

Students with SLD or temporary or permanent disabilities: it is recommended that they contact the responsible University office in good time (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it/per-studenti). The office will propose any adaptations to the students concerned, which must in any case be submitted, 15 days in advance, for approval by the teacher, who will assess their appropriateness also in relation to the learning objectives of the course unit.

Teaching tools

Slides will be used for lectures.

 

The practical sessions take place in the anatomy room, which is equipped with a video projector, a computer, and all the necessary dissection equipment.

Office hours

See the website of Annamaria Grandis