Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

The purpose of this course is to introduce the veterinary technology student to the comparative aspects of anatomy and physiology between dogs, cats, horses, ruminants, pigs, laboratory animals, and birds.

This is designed for first year veterinary technology students and is a graduation requirement for the Associates Degree in Applied Sciences in Veterinary Technology.  Credits in this course are not transferable to a four-year school towards a baccalaureate degree.

The text required for this course is Anatomy and Physiology for Veterinary Technicians by Thomas Colville. 

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This course is designed to be a lecture-lab course.  It is a four-credit-hour course that meets for eight-lecture-lab hours per week.  Although the course is a lecture-lab course, four hours per week are devoted to lecture and four hours per week to lab.

The course provides instruction in microscopic anatomy, anatomy and physiology of cells and tissues, the integumentary system, bones, and muscles, with emphasis on the comparative aspects between species of each organ system.

Grades will be based on the student’s understanding of the course content as demonstrated by periodic examinations, one comprehensive final exam, and by attendance.  To receive a passing grade, the student must have attended a minimum of 80 per cent of each of the lecture and lab classes. 

 Upon successful completion of the course, the short term outcome will be that the student will have satisfactorily accomplished the goals and objectives of this course content guide and confirmed as provided in the assessment above.  The long-term outcome desired is for the student to gain sufficient knowledge of comparative veterinary anatomy and physiology to successfully pass the National Veterinary Technician Board Examination and effectively utilize the knowledge gained in their Cooperative Education Experience and as a practicing veterinary technician upon graduation.  The course content guides are developed by college-wide subject area faculty and approved by the administration.
1.0  Microscopic anatomy
Instructional goal:
The goal is to provide an informational basis, which will enable the student to gain knowledge of the basics of tissue structure on a comparative basis between different organ systems and different animals. 
Objectives: 
1.1.0  The Microscope 
1.2.0  The Cell  
1.3.0  Histology Basics: Introduction to Tissues, Organs, and Systems.
2.0   The integumentary system
Instructional goal:
The goal is to provide an informational basis to introduce the student to the basic structures of the integumentary system on a comparative basis between animals. 
Objectives: 
2.1.0  The Skin 
2.2.0  Hair
2.3.0  Glands
2.4.0  Discuss the structure and function of the arrectores pilorum muscle. 
2.5.0  The Hoof 
2.6.0  Nail and Claw 
2.7.0  Define chestnut and ergot. 
2.8.0  Horns and Antlers
3.0  Osteology
Instructional goal:
The goal is to provide an information basis for the student to develop a detailed understanding of the skeletal features of the cat, and the comparatives aspects of skeletal anatomy between the other animal and avian species.  Microscopic anatomy of bone, as well as bone growth and fracture healing, is also studied. 
Objectives: 
3.1.0  Microscopic Anatomy
3.2.0  Differentiate between the different types of bones based on shape, location, and structure. 
3.3.0  Describe the types and purposes of the following bone structures. 
3.4.0  Skeletal Structure: 
4.0  Arthrology
Instructional goal:
The goal is to provide an informational basis for the student to develop a detailed understanding of arthrology, including the different types of joint structure, and comparative arthrology between animal species. 
Objectives: 
4.1.0  Joints 
4.2.0  Ligaments and Cartilage
4.3.0  Describe and identify all of the diarthrodial joints in the live cat, dog, horse, and ox. 
5.0  Neurophysiology
Instructional goal:
The goal is to provide an informational basis for the student to develop an understanding of and neurophysiology of the peripheral nervous system.
Objectives: 
5.1.0  The Peripheral Nervous System
5.2.0  The Nerve Impulse
6.0  MYOLOGY
Instructional goal:
The goal is to provide an informational basis for the student to develop a detailed understanding of muscle structure, function, and anatomy on a microscopic, gross, and a comparative basis. 
Objectives: 
6.1.0  Microscopic Anatomy
6.2.0  Physiology 
6.3.0  Anatomy
6.4.0  Topographical Anatomy   
6.5.0  Muscle Pathology