This week during Anatomy and Physiology, students actively engaged in a dissection of a sheep heart, providing them with a hands-on opportunity to explore the intricate structures of the circulatory system.
Throughout this dissection, students focused on three main learning objectives. First, they aimed to be able to identify and describe the major components of the circulatory system, including the heart, blood vessels (arteries, veins, and capillaries) and blood, and explain their roles in transporting oxygen, nutrients, and waste products throughout the body. Second, students explored how the heart maintains its own rhythm through a series of specialized pacing cells and tissues, gaining insight into the electrical impulses that regulate its function. Finally, students identified the significance of functioning heart valves in maintaining homeostasis by ensuring proper blood flow and preventing backflow, which is essential for efficient circulation.
Through this hands-on experience, students were able to connect theoretical knowledge to real-world anatomy, deepening their understanding of how the circulatory system supports the body's overall function.