Human Structure and Function (316-CN-14)
Instructors
Brian T Shea
Brian Shea is a Professor in the Department of Cell & Molecular Biology at Northwestern’s Feinberg School of Medicine. He was trained in biological anthropology and anatomy at Harvard College (A.B. 1975) and Duke University (Ph.D.,1982), and he has been teaching human gross anatomy to dental and medical students at Northwestern since 1983.He has also taught courses in human anatomy and evolutionary biology in SPS for many years, both to students interested in pursuing careers in healthcare as well as others with more general interests in the structure, function and evolution of the human body. His research interests and publications focus on the growth and evolutionary anatomy of the musculoskeletal system of humans and their primate relatives.
Meeting Info
Wieboldt Hall 413: Tues 6:15PM - 9:15PM
Overview of class
Students will gain a good working knowledge of the function of the musculoskeletal system in modern humans in this course, along with a comparative perspective emphasizing the adaptive contexts of the evolutionary transformations leading to our modern anatomy. The course examines the structural, functional, and evolutionary anatomy of humans, with primary focus on the musculoskeletal system of the postcranium. The regional anatomy of the muscles, bones and joints in the human body serves as a basis for more general biomechanical principles of anatomical systems. Discussions of the development evolution and clinical significance of human structure complement the functional emphasis on these anatomical regions. Class lectures are supplemented by selected prosections of human cadavers, in-class lab sessions examining bones and models, and computer animations and exercises.
Registration Requirements
Prerequisite: BIOL SCI 313, equivalent anatomy course, or permission of instructor. Class is limited to 15 students. Check with instructor if you are unsure about your background or course suitability.
Learning Objectives
This introductory course is designed to provide an integrated understanding of the structure and function of the postcranial musculoskeletal system. Muscles and bones for each subregion are learned in the context of movements at key joints, along with primary biomechanical and loading inputs. Common clinical conditions are reviewed in order to aid the student in understanding related structural issues in each area.
Teaching Method
Lectures are regularly supplemented by small group work using skeletons and models, completing special exercises (movements, biomechanics, etc.), working through imaging and clinical case study modules, and undertaking surface anatomy examinations. Weekly exercises and the viewing of digital dissection anatomy resources are required.
Evaluation Method
Midterm and Final Examinations
Exercises
Paper
Class Materials (Required)
Materials may include the following. Confirm course texts and materials by contacting instructor or viewing course Canvas site or University bookstore website.
MANUAL OF STRUCTURAL KINESIOLOGY
By FLOYD
EDITION: 20TH 18
PUBLISHER: MCG
ISBN: 9781259870439
Short readings may accompany text assignments for certain weeks.
Online and digital resources complement the readings.