Midterm Information

• Date and Format:

  • The midterm will be conducted online on October 9.
  • Students do not need to come to campus.
  • The time frame for completion is from 9 AM to 11:59 PM.
  • The exam consists of 60 questions, as opposed to quizzes which usually have 10 questions.
  • Each question will be presented one at a time.

• Timing and Attempts:

  • Students are allowed 65 minutes to complete the exam.
  • This midterm has only one attempt per student.

• Preparation:

  • The midterm will primarily cover exercises 9 and 10 from the skeletal system, with exercise 11 excluded from the practical.
  • Students should utilize the review sheets as study guides, which were previously distributed, and avoid spending time on sections not tested.
  • Reminder to log in well before the deadline to avoid last-minute issues.

• Honorlock Proctoring:

  • Students must obtain an Honorlock token (one token required for the exam).
  • Tokens can be purchased on campus from the bookstore ($23-$24 for seven tokens) or through the Honorlock website for around $5 each.
  • Ensure that your computer is prepared by running an Honorlock check, which requires Google Chrome, a camera, and proper identification.

Quiz and Study Guide Adjustments

• Effective Study Methods:

  • Only study specific exercises as noted (exercise 9 and exercise 10).
  • Some areas, such as muscular and nervous tissues, will not be covered in this midterm, but will reappear in the final.
  • Highlighted focus points: epithelium and connective tissue.

• Clarification on Exam Questions:

  • Pay close attention to question wording to avoid mistakes; for example, differentiate between naming the bone and naming the specific structure of the bone.

Skeletal System Components

• General Structure of Bones:

  • The vertebral column includes cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacrum, and coccyx regions, with specific characteristics for each.
  • The cervical region consists of 7 vertebrae (C1-C7), including atlas (C1) and axis (C2).
  • The thoracic region contains 12 vertebrae (T1-T12).
  • The lumbar region consists of 5 vertebrae (L1-L5), characterized by their larger size to support greater weight.
  • The sacrum and coccyx are fused vertebrae forming part of the pelvis.

• Vertebrae Identification Tips:

  • Distinguishing cervical, thoracic, and lumbar vertebrae can be done based on thickness and overall shape (e.g., thoracic vertebrae may resemble a giraffe, while lumbar vertebrae look like a moose).
  • Key features to identify include the spinous process, body, and transverse processes.

Key Structures and Their Functions

• Cervical Vertebrae:

  • C1 (Atlas): supports the skull; allows for nodding motion (yes).
  • C2 (Axis): allows for rotational motion (no); includes the odontoid process.

• Thoracic and Lumbar Vertebrae:

  • Thoracic vertebrae connect with the ribcage and are more elongated for the thoracic cavity.
  • Lumbar vertebrae are thicker, providing support for the lower back and hip region.

• Bones of the Limbs:

  • The upper limb bones include the humerus, radius, and ulna:
  • Humerus: the long bone in the upper arm.
  • Radius: located on the thumb side, characterized by a circular head.
  • Ulna: forms the elbow joint and has a U-shaped head.
  • The lower limb bones include the femur, tibia, fibula, along with foot and hand bones that connect to carpals, tarsals, metacarpals, and metatarsals.

Study Techniques for Success

• Visual Recognition:
  • Utilize images and study materials available on the course's digital learning platform (D2L) to familiarize with bone structures and their features.
  • Spelling of anatomical terms is important but does not have to be perfect, just close to the correct spelling.
• Practice and Repetition:
  • Regularly type out terms and definitions to reinforce memory retention.
  • Address questions and clarifications with the instructor during office hours or class time.

Additional Notes

• Final Tips:
  • Encouragement to remain positive; a significant portion of the midterm material overlaps with previous quizzes, fostering confidence going into the exam.
  • Allocate study time wisely throughout the week leading up to the exam date.