Human Anatomy: Course Schedule and Topic Overview (Fall 2025)

Course Overview

This study guide summarizes the Human Anatomy course schedule for Fall 2025, outlining weekly topics, readings, lab assignments, and exam dates. The course covers foundational concepts in human anatomy, including tissues, organ systems, and practical lab exercises.

Week-by-Week Topic Breakdown

Week 1: Introduction to Human Anatomy

• Chapter 1: The Human Body: An Orientation

  • Definition: Introduction to anatomical terminology, body planes, and organization.

  • Key Concepts: Homeostasis, anatomical position, directional terms.

  • Example: The anatomical position is standing upright, facing forward, arms at sides, palms forward.

• Chapter 4: Tissue: The Living Fabric

  • Definition: Study of the four basic tissue types: epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous tissue.

  • Key Concepts: Structure and function of tissues, tissue repair.

  • Example: Epithelial tissue lines body surfaces and cavities.

• Chapter 5: The Integumentary System

  • Definition: Covers skin, hair, nails, and glands.

  • Key Concepts: Protection, temperature regulation, sensation.

  • Example: The skin acts as a barrier to pathogens.

• Lab Exercises: Safety quiz, syllabus review, Canvas navigation, and introductory anatomy labs.

Week 2: Skeletal System

• Chapter 6: Bones and Skeletal Tissues

  • Definition: Study of bone structure, function, and development.

  • Key Concepts: Bone classification, growth, and repair.

  • Example: Long bones include the femur and humerus.

• Chapter 7: The Skeleton

  • Definition: Overview of axial and appendicular skeletons.

  • Key Concepts: Skull, vertebral column, thoracic cage, limbs.

  • Example: The axial skeleton includes the skull and vertebral column.

• Lab Exercises: Overview of the skeleton, axial and appendicular skeleton identification.

Week 3: Joints and Muscular Tissue

• Chapter 8: Joints

  • Definition: Classification and function of joints.

  • Key Concepts: Synovial, fibrous, and cartilaginous joints.

  • Example: The knee is a synovial joint.

• Chapter 9: Muscle and Muscle Tissue

  • Definition: Structure and function of muscle tissue.

  • Key Concepts: Skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle types.

  • Example: Skeletal muscle is voluntary and striated.

• Lab Exercises: Gross anatomy of the muscular system.

Week 4: Muscular System

• Chapter 10: The Muscular System

  • Definition: Detailed study of muscle groups and their actions.

  • Key Concepts: Muscle origins, insertions, and movements.

  • Example: The biceps brachii flexes the forearm.

• Lab Exercises: Anatomy of the muscular system, practical dissection.

Week 5-6: Nervous System

• Chapter 11: Fundamentals of Nervous Tissue

  • Definition: Structure and function of neurons and neuroglia.

  • Key Concepts: Electrical signaling, synapses.

  • Example: Neurons transmit impulses via action potentials.

• Chapter 12: The Central Nervous System

  • Definition: Anatomy of the brain and spinal cord.

  • Key Concepts: Brain regions, spinal cord tracts.

  • Example: The cerebrum is responsible for higher cognitive functions.

• Chapter 13: The Peripheral Nervous System

  • Definition: Cranial and spinal nerves, sensory and motor pathways.

  • Key Concepts: Reflex arcs, nerve plexuses.

  • Example: The sciatic nerve is the largest in the body.

• Chapter 14: The Autonomic Nervous System

  • Definition: Involuntary control of body functions.

  • Key Concepts: Sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions.

  • Example: The sympathetic division increases heart rate.

• Lab Exercises: Spinal cord, cranial nerves, sensory organs, and special senses.

Week 7: Cardiovascular System

• Chapter 18: The Cardiovascular System: The Heart

  • Definition: Structure and function of the heart.

  • Key Concepts: Cardiac cycle, heart valves, blood flow.

  • Example: The left ventricle pumps blood to the systemic circuit.

• Chapter 19: Blood Vessels

  • Definition: Types and functions of blood vessels.

  • Key Concepts: Arteries, veins, capillaries.

  • Example: Capillaries are the site of nutrient exchange.

• Lab Exercises: Anatomy of the heart and blood vessels.

Week 8: Lymphatic, Respiratory, and Digestive Systems

• Chapter 20: The Lymphatic System

  • Definition: Lymphatic organs and immune response.

  • Key Concepts: Lymph nodes, spleen, immunity.

  • Example: The spleen filters blood and removes old red blood cells.

• Chapter 22: The Respiratory System

  • Definition: Anatomy and physiology of breathing.

  • Key Concepts: Gas exchange, lung volumes.

  • Example: Oxygen diffuses from alveoli into capillaries.

• Lab Exercises: Lymphatic system, respiratory system, digestive system.

Week 9: Urinary and Reproductive Systems

• Chapter 25: The Urinary System

  • Definition: Structure and function of kidneys and urinary tract.

  • Key Concepts: Filtration, reabsorption, urine formation.

  • Example: The nephron is the functional unit of the kidney.

• Chapter 27: The Reproductive System

  • Definition: Male and female reproductive anatomy.

  • Key Concepts: Gametogenesis, hormonal regulation.

  • Example: Ovaries produce eggs; testes produce sperm.

• Lab Exercises: Urinary and reproductive system anatomy.

Week 10: Human Development

• Chapter 28: Pregnancy and Human Development

  • Definition: Stages of human development from conception to birth.

  • Key Concepts: Embryonic and fetal development, birth process.

  • Example: The embryonic period lasts from fertilization to 8 weeks.

• Lab Exercises: Surface anatomy and organ system review.

Week 11: Final Exam and Review

• Comprehensive Review: All organ systems and practical dissection.

• Final Exam: Covers chapters and labs from the entire course.

Sample Table: Major Organ Systems and Their Functions

Organ System	Main Function	Key Organs
Integumentary	Protection, temperature regulation	Skin, hair, nails
Skeletal	Support, movement, protection	Bones, joints
Muscular	Movement, posture, heat production	Muscles
Nervous	Control, communication	Brain, spinal cord, nerves
Cardiovascular	Transport of nutrients and gases	Heart, blood vessels
Lymphatic	Immunity, fluid balance	Lymph nodes, spleen
Respiratory	Gas exchange	Lungs, trachea
Digestive	Breakdown and absorption of food	Stomach, intestines
Urinary	Waste removal, water balance	Kidneys, bladder
Reproductive	Production of offspring	Ovaries, testes

Key Academic Terms and Concepts

• Homeostasis: The maintenance of a stable internal environment.

• Anatomical Position: Standard reference position for the body.

• Neuron: A cell specialized for transmitting nerve impulses.

• Osteon: Structural unit of compact bone.

• Alveolus: Air sac in the lung where gas exchange occurs.

Sample Equation: Cardiac Output

Cardiac output is the amount of blood the heart pumps per minute.

$\text{Cardiac Output} = \text{Heart Rate} \times \text{Stroke Volume}$

Exam and Lab Schedule

• Exams: Scheduled at regular intervals, covering specific chapters and lab exercises.

• Lab Assignments: Due weekly, focusing on practical anatomy skills and system identification.

Additional info: This guide is based on a course syllabus and is intended to provide a structured overview for exam preparation and weekly study.