The Human Anatomy and Physiology online course provides an overview of all human systems: 1) circulatory system, 2) digestive system, 3) lymphatic system, 4) respiratory system, 5) urogenital system, 6) endocrine system, 7) nervous system and 8) sensory system. In addition to the knowledge presented within one system, the links with other systems will also be explained. For example, how hormones produced by the adrenal gland affect the functioning of different organs, how the lymphatic and circulatory systems are linked, how blood pressure affects the functioning of the kidneys, and so on.
A profound knowledge of human anatomy and physiology is essential for those who want to provide the best possible service to their clients and/or patients. A comprehensive and systematic knowledge of human anatomy and physiology enables an understanding of the complex processes of the human body. With this knowledge, the best solutions can be provided. At the same time, this knowledge does not have to be acquired only to provide a service. This knowledge is also beneficial for oneself, as many diseases are better understood if one knows human anatomy and physiology. Over the years, many of our clients have attended courses not so much to provide a service but to become more aware of their health. It is more accurate to say that the current course is also aimed at those who wish to become more knowledgeable about the health field.
The Human Anatomy and Physiology online course is open to everyone who wants to start learning Human Anatomy and Physiology from the beginning, or who wants to refresh their previous acquired knowledge.
Volume, duration and structure of the online course
100 academic hours, of which independent learning (including e-learning) 100 academic hours.
The structure of the online course on Human Anatomy and Physiology in Estonian version can be found here. The structure of the online course on Human Anatomy and Physiology in English version can be found here.
The Human Anatomy and Physiology online course includes nine main modules. The achievement of learning outcomes is assessed at the end of each module.
Module I: the circulatory system
The first module analyses the human circulatory system, focusing on the heart. The systemic and pulmonary circulatory systems, which influence the organism's functioning in synergy, are discussed in parallel. As blood is pumped from the heart into the circulatory system, the role and composition of blood will be reviewed, and the online course will also focus on hematopoiesis. In addition, the online course will provide an overview of the body's fluids and fluid compartments, as they are closely related to the circulatory system. Understanding this topic will provide the basis for understanding the lymphatic system, which is the next topic after the circulatory system.
Module II: the lymphatic system
The second module will review the lymphatic system, an essential part of the human immune system and fluid circulation. Its main functions are removing excess tissue fluid, supporting the immune system, and transporting fats from the digestive tract to the bloodstream. The lymphatic system comprises lymph fluid, lymph nodes, lymph vessels, and lymphoid organs. The online course will review these parts individually and highlight their primary functions.
Module III: the respiratory system
The third module reviews the respiratory system, focusing on the airways, the pleura, the mediastinum, and the muscles of respiration. The respiratory system is discussed in the first part of the online course because the lungs are involved in a pulmonary circulation system: the alveoli in the lungs are responsible for the oxygenation of the blood and the removal of carbon dioxide through the airways.
Module IV: the digestive system
The digestive system consists of the alimentary canal and the digestive glands, which work together to break down the food eaten and ensure the absorption of nutrients from the small intestine into the bloodstream. Consequently, the fourth module reviews the organs that make up the alimentary canal and what are involved in producing digestive enzymes.
Module V: the endocrine system
The fifth module will review the endocrine organs, which produce hormones. Endocrine organs are analyzed by central, peripheral, mixed, and other organs. The fifth module also highlights which organs are affected by these hormones.
Module VI: urogenital system - urinary organs
In the sixth module, we will examine the urogenital system, focusing on the urinary organs. The urinary organs consist of the urine-producing organs (kidneys) and the urinary tract (renal pelvis, ureter, bladder, and urethra). These organs are responsible for the production, storage, and excretion of urine from the body. Their main functions are maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance, removing waste products, and regulating blood pressure. The normal functioning of the urinary organs is essential for the well-being and normal functioning of the whole body. The sixth module thoroughly examines these organs, explaining their structure and functions.
Module VII: urogenital system - reproductive organs
The seventh module focuses on the second part of the urogenital system - the reproductive organs. The genital organs are divided into two parts in males and females: the external and the internal genital organs. In men, the reproductive organs are the testicles, the epididymis, the vas deferens, the accessory glands, the penis, and the scrotum. In females, the reproductive organs are the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, vagina, labia majora, labia minora, and clitoris. The module provides an overview of the different parts of the male and female reproductive organs and their functions. The primary function of the reproductive organs is reproduction and hormonal balance.
Module VIII: the nervous system
Previous modules analyzed different systems of the human body. The nervous system, however, regulates the functioning of all the systems discussed earlier. To make it easier to understand the nervous system's nature and functions, the nervous system section has been placed at the end of the online course. The eighth module focuses on the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and the peripheral nervous system, which has different parts.
Module IX: the sensory system
The sensory system is classified under the nervous system, but in the online course, we created a separate module to help better understand how this system works. The sensory system focuses on the senses of smell, sight, taste, hearing, balance, touch, temperature, and muscle.
Topics of the online course
The Human Anatomy and Physiology online course includes the following topics:
- delineation of different fields;
- the structure of the heart;
- a systemic circulation and a pulmonary circulation;
- body fluids and fluid compartments;
- functions of blood, blood composition, hematopoiesis;
- organs of the lymphatic system;
- the amount and composition of lymph;
- airways;
- pleura and mediastinum;
- alimentary canal;
- digestive glands;
- central and peripheral organs of the endocrine system, mixed organs and other organs;
- urinary organs;
- other urinary organs;
- male reproductive organs;
- female reproductive organs;
- oocyte fertilisation, pregnancy, childbirth, etc;
- distribution of the nervous system: central nervous system and peripheral nervous system;
- sensory system: sense of smell, sense of sight, sense of taste, sense of hearing and balance, sense of touch and temperature, sense of muscle;
- etc.
Completing the Human Anatomy and Physiology online course will result in a certificate or notice. The certificate is issued based on the achievement of all learning outcomes. A notice will be issued when the online course participant does not achieve all the learning outcomes but completes at least 70% of the online course. To achieve the learning outcomes, you must do a certain amount of independent learning, including assignments with written feedback and multiple-choice tests. Your written assignments will be reviewed, and feedback will be provided within 24-72 (usually 36) hours. Then, you can proceed to the next module.
The certificate or notice within Estonia is free of charge; sending abroad is by agreement. We can also issue the certificate or notice electronically upon request.
In addition to the Human Anatomy and Physiology online course, what other online courses could you complete?
The Human Anatomy and Physiology online course covers a large part of the human body, but the skeletal muscles are a relatively minor part of this online course. If you want to acquire an in-depth knowledge of the skeletal muscle system, it is recommended that you also complete the Functional Anatomy online course.
If you are interested in the field of massage, it is a good idea to acquire knowledge of Human Anatomy and physiology before studying massage types. Then, it is advisable to follow a course in one of the following types of massage, for example a Classical Massage online course.
As many human body systems are affected by sauna use, consider taking an online course on sauna – Sauna and its effects on the body.