Session 6 (Nine Systems of the Body)

This is Session 6 in a series of Sessions for Harmony Alternative Pet Therapists.

For certification contact admin@quanamics.com

Respiratory System

The respiratory system consists of several major components which include the nose, mouth, pharynx, trachea and lungs and diaphragm.  In the lungs are tiny little sacs called alveoli and this is what takes on the carbon dioxide from the blood and expels it, allowing us to exhale carbon dioxide. The alveoli also take on oxygen. At the bottom of the lungs and the rib cage is a muscle called the diaphragm. It relaxes when we exhale and is also partially responsible for inhaling as well. It is a muscle that separates the rib cavities or the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity. The pharynx is a tube that extends from the base of the skull down to the esophagus which is the tube that carries food into the stomach. The pharynx contracts when swallowing and helps to propel food down the esophagus. It also closes off the esophagus to help keep air from going into the digestive tract instead of the trachea (or windpipe) when we breathe, which is the role it plays in respiration.

We’ll discuss more about this system when we look at exercise therapy.

TEST

1)      Name the parts of the Respiratory System.

2)      Where is the diaphragm located?

3)      How is oxygen and carbon dioxide expelled and received in the lungs?

4)      Another word for the trachea is?

5)      The pharynx really works with both respiration and digestion. (T or F)

ANSWERS

1)      Nose, Mouth, Trachea, Pharynx, Lungs and Diaphragm.

2)      Between the thoracic and abdominal cavities.

3)      By the alveoli.

4)      Windpipe.

5)      T

The Digestive System

Consists of: the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine (colon), rectum and anus. Memorize these parts for use in a later course on Nutritional Therapy.

Urinary System

Consists of: Kidneys, bladder, ureters, urethra, penis or vulva (depending on sex).

Endocrine System

 Consists of: Glands and organs associated with those glands. These include the hypothalamus, pituitary, pancreas, adrenal, liver, kidneys, spleen, ovaries and testes. This system regulates growth, metabolism and development. These too will be studied in detail in an upcoming course.

Reproductive System

Consists of: (In males); the testicles, penis and additional glands and ducts. (In females); the ovaries, ovary ducts, uterus, vagina and external genitalia.

Conclusion

You know the nine systems of the body, the parts associated with each system in some detail and the way in which those systems function…with greater detail in some systems than others at this point. This is a huge accomplishment, and it sets you up nicely to begin learning the numerous therapies that support and maintain these systems. It gets exciting now to begin applying the knowledge you have learned thus far, to the alternative pet therapies you will now concentrate on. It is always helpful to review the information you have learned. Can you explain it out loud?  This is an important step in the learning process. For instance, can you explain in general terms the flow of blood through the body beginning at the right ventricle?

Session 5 (Nine Systems of the Body-Circulatory)

This is Session 5 in a series of Sessions for Harmony Alternative Pet Therapists.

For certification contact admin@quanamics.com

Circulatory System

One mistake we don’t want to make as a pet therapist is to think we have no gaps in our knowledge. We would need many years of specialized training to know all there is to know about the heart alone, and that is just one part of the circulatory system. However, there is another important fact that we do not want to overlook and that is this; as a pet therapist we have more general knowledge than the large majority of the world, and if we consult responsibly, humbly and wisely, we can make an enormous and positive difference in the lives of pet owners and their companion animals.

With the remaining systems of the body we will learn the basics of how they work and the central components. Other course we will be studying will look at each system in greater detail.

The circulatory system has two divisions for the purposes of our studies; the cardiovascular system and the lymphatic system.

Have you ever eaten a pepper that was so hot it left you in pain for several minutes or even longer?

Say the next sentence and imagine what each adjective might look like after eating a hot, hot mouthful of peppers.

Hot Peppers Leave Painful And Constant, Vibrations, Leaping, Loping and Lapping!

A pepper attack can almost feel like vibrating pain. One can imagine leaping form the chair, loping over to the faucet and lapping up water to try and sooth the pain.

The parts of the circulatory System are the H P L P A C V L L L, and these stand for the Heart, Pulmonary Artery, Lungs, Pulmonary Vein, Artery, Capillaries, Vein, Lymphatic Capillaries, Lymphatics and Lymph Nodes.

The Heart: The main component of the cardiovascular (having to do with the heart) system and the circulatory system is the muscle we call the heart. It has four compartments, two on each side.  See the next picture.

Starting at the X, the blood flows from the RV (right ventricle) to the lungs where it gets freshly oxygenated from the air we inhale.  Next it flows all freshly oxygenated back to the Left Atrium. From the LA it dumps blood into the left ventricle LV and from there it is pumped into the body first by entering the body’s main artery, the aorta. From here it travels through smaller arteries and arterioles (tiny arteries) to all the parts of the body. At this point, it feeds and cleans tissues with the help of capillaries. The capillaries are where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide take place and where the exchange between nutrients and waste takes place. The nutrients and oxygen feed the tissues (muscles and organs etc) and then the waste and carbon dioxide leave through the blood vessels known as veins. Though there are many veins and tiny veins, (called venule), two main veins dump all the spent blood back into the upper atrium. These two veins are called the Superior Vena Cava and the Inferior Vena Cava. The superior Vena Cava dumps blood from the upper parts of the body back into the right atrium while the Inferior Vena Cava dumps blood back into the right atrium from the rest of the body. At this point the valve between the right atrium and right ventricle opens and the blood begins it journey through the body again. The beat you hear from the heart is the valves opening and closing as the heart receives and pumps blood.

Read the above explanation of the flow of blood through the body out loud while tracing its route with your finger or a pencil.

Notice with our acronym we identify the Pulmonary Artery and the Pulmonary Vein. We don’t identify the Aorta artery, but, simply remember it is the largest artery feeding the body with blood. You should also see now that arteries carry blood from the heart and veins carry the blood back to the heart. Arteries are taking blood with oxygen and nutrients to the body parts while veins are taking the spent blood and waste away from the body parts and back to the heart. However, this waste will be eliminated out of the body through other systems at work. As an additional note of course, you may remember that when we breathe out we are breathing out carbon dioxide and when we breathe in, we are taking in oxygen.

We have covered the Heart, Pulmonary Artery, Lungs, Pulmonary Arteries (including the aorta), Capillaries and Veins, Capillaries. We have H P L P A C V L L L. Using our acronym, we still have three “L’s” left. These three “L’s” form an adjunct to the circulatory system called the lymphatic system.

The lymphatic system carries white blood cells to fight infection and it assists the body in getting rid of waste that perhaps doesn’t get picked up by the blood returning in veins. The lymphatic does this by picking up the clear fluids that exist between cells in the body. With the help of lymphatic capillaries, it carries waste from cellular reproduction and other waste products out of the body. When muscles are used they squeeze lymphatic material into the venous (having to do with veins) system. Lymphatic fluids also go through a series of filters called lymph nodes. Hence the lymphatic system is made up of the lymphatics and lymph nodes and lymphatic capillaries.

Blood: Blood contains white blood cells (which fight disease) and red blood cells which carry oxygen along with platelets, which help in clotting blood, to the entire body. These blood cells (white and red) bathe in a yellowish fluid called plasma, and all of these together is what we call blood. Blood, in addition to fighting disease with white blood cells and carrying oxygen to the body with red blood cells, does other things. It helps to regulate body temperature and helps carry waste out of the body. These are some of the things that blood does and what it is composed of. Say out loud what blood consists of and name what jobs blood has in the body.

TEST

1)      Name the parts of the circulatory system H P L P A C V L L L.

2)      In what kind of vessels is blood carried away from the heart?

3)      What is the name of the primary artery that takes blood to the body?

4)      Name the four compartments of the heart.

5)      What three components make up blood?

6)      Name three functions of blood.

7)      What does the Superior Vena Cava do?

8)      What does the Inferior Vena Cava do?

9)      What do lymph nodes do?

ANSWERS

1)      Heart, pulmonary artery, lungs, pulmonary vein, arteries, capillaries, veins, lymphatic capillaries, lymphatics and lymph nodes.

2)      Arteries

3)      Aorta

4)      RV, LV, RA, LA

5)      White and red blood cells, platelets and plasma.

6)      Carry waste from the body, carry oxygen, fight infection, regulate temperature.

7)      Drains the upper body of blood back to the right atrium.

8)      Drains the lower body of blood back to the right atrium.

9)      Filter blood.

Session 4

(This is Session 4. If you are pursuing certification and training in alternative health therapies for canines you should scroll down or begin at Session 1)


Muscular System

The parts of the muscle we’ll learn are as follows: Tendons, muscle body, muscle fiber, muscle cords or bundles and fascia. Muscles are an incredible part of the body and communicate with the CNS through the PNS. There are roughly 700 muscles in the body of a dog. (Don’t worry, we’re not memorizing them or even looking at each one…can you imagine coming up with an acronym for 700 muscles?) But, we will learn how the muscles function and what they consist of.

What is the difference between a ligament and a tendon? A ligament joins bone to bone and a tendon joins muscle to bone. Tendons are similar in there make up to a ligament. There are two tendons involved with a muscle. The end of the tendon that connects to the bone part that is most movable is called the tendon of insertion. The end of the tendon that connects to the part of the bone that is less-movable is called the tendon of origin. The end that has more movement is the end we call the tendon of insertion and the other is called the tendon of origin. Here is how it works: When the muscle is used, it contracts (this means it gets shorter and balls up. It is working). The less movable part (tendon of origin is pulling the muscle and tendon of insertion closer to it. When the muscle relaxes, it goes back to its relaxed state. (You may find it helpful to read the former paragraphs while looking at the picture). Notice the picture of the relaxed muscle compared to the contracted muscle.

Now let’s look at the muscle parts and how they work. The muscle body (or muscle belly) is filled with what we will compare to extension cords. The muscle is a bit like a very fat extension cord. It is wrapped in what we call fascia. Inside this fat extension cord are lots of smaller extension cords, each also wrapped in fascia.  The fascia is a protective lining or covering. In the next figure you’ll see the simulated inside belly, or body, of a muscle. Inside each extension cord are muscle fibers (like wires inside the casing of an extension cord).In the gaps we’ll find fascia which is covering the individual bundles of muscle fibers. When the muscle contracts, all the bundles of fibers contract together. In the event of an injury, some of the fibers may not relax after contraction which can cause tightness, stress or soreness. Therapies such as massage, acupressure and other procedures can support injured muscles, surrounding muscles and communication system (nervous system) in restoring and maintaining health. In addition, conventional medicines may help the muscles to relax by using drugs.

Muscle Belly, Bundles and Muscle Fibers

In our course on Exercise Therapy we will look more closely at the muscle and the different ways that they work to provide mobility and strength.

TEST

1)      Name the parts of the muscle.

2)      What may be a reason for muscle tightness or stress?

3)      What do we call the tendon that is connected to the most movable bone?

4)      What do we call the tendon connected to the least movable bone?

5)      What are muscle bundles protected by?

6)      When a muscle is working we say it is ________?

ANSWERS

1)      Tendon, muscle belly (body), muscle fibers, bundles and fascia.

2)      Muscle fiber(s) that fail to relax after contraction.

3)      Tendon of insertion.

4)      Tendon of origin.

5)      Fascia.

6)      Contracting.

Good Job. Get ready to learn more about how muscles work in other courses on alternative pet therapies.

Session 3 (Nine Systems of the Body-Skeletal System)

(This is Session 3. If you are pursuing certification and training in alternative health therapies for canines you should scroll down or begin at Session 1)

Skeletal System

Like a frame of a house, the skeletal system provides the rugged support for the body to be built. It provides bones against which the muscles work and it provides protection for the vital organs. The vertebral column protects the spine, the skull protects the brain, and the rib cage protects the heart and lungs. The skeletal system also defines a dog’s size and shape. Bones are made up of minerals, of which the major mineral is calcium.

A bone is comprised of several parts. The outside covering of a bone is called the periosteum and it is a hard covering that allows the bones to connect to ligaments and tendons. Another part of the bone which plays an important role in connection to other bone is the hyaline cartilage.  The hyaline cartilage allows for smooth movement and little friction where bones connect It is nourished by synovial fluids. It is found in other parts of the body too, but here we are concerned only with its role in the skeletal system as it facilitates movement. Hyaline cartilage, with its friend, synovial fluid, is very strong and flexible, allowing it to be held closely to other bone and still accommodate movement. We will not go beyond these parts of the bone here in detail except to mention that the rest of the bone consists of compact bone, arteries for nutrients to be delivered, bone marrow, medullary cavity and other developing mass. For this level of study we will name the parts of the bone as:

Please Honey, Buy Cheese Not Milk

Periosteum, hyaline cartilage, bone marrow, compact bone, nutritional artery, medullary cavity.

Periosteum; Outer covering

Hyaline cartilage: Connective, protective and strong , slippery and bloodless. (exists without blood flow)

Bone Marrow: Develops red and white blood cells for nutrition and support.

Compact Bone: dense part of the bone we credit for bone strength.

Nutritional Artery: connects the bones nutritional existence with the rest of the body.

Medullary Cavity: A cavity that allows bone to be big but not heavy and stores marrow.

For our study we want to know that the bones need nutrition to form properly and for an entire life, that they are always closely working with muscles, joints and ligaments, and that they give shape, support and strength to the entire body.

The skeletal bones are different shapes and sizes and make up four areas of the skeletal system.:

The Skull and Face: skull, nose and jaw. In more detail you may hear of parietal lobes, frontal lobes and other separations of the different parts of the skull and face bones. We will refer simply to the skull, nose and jaw bones.

The Spine: Consists of 7 cervical vertebrae, 13 thoracic vertebrae, 7 lumbar vertebrae, 3 sacral vertebrae and 18-14 caudal vertebrae in the tail. Yes, the tail is an important part of the body with vertebrae. Never, should it be yanked, pulled or abused.

The Rib Cage: 13 pair of ribs that reach from the thoracic vertebrae to the breastbone or sternum.

Remaining Bones:  forelegs, scapula, humerous, radius, unla, carpal bones and phalanges.

Major Bones of the Body

Cranium: The major part of the skull.

Maxilla: Face and nose.

Mandible: Jaw

Teeth: (obvious)

7 Cervical vertebrae: Starting with the atlas (first vertebrae and then the axis (second vertebrae) and then 5 other cervical vertebrae.

13 thoracic vertebrae: Where the ribs join the spine or backbone.

7 lumbar vertebrae: Follow the thoracic vertebrae.

3 sacral Vertebrae: Fused together

Caudal vertebrae of the tail: The 18-24 vertebrae that are found in the tail.

Pelvis: Hipbone

Femur: Bone from hip down to tibia.

Tibia: From the femur to the tarsus.

Tarsus: Small bones like bones in wrist on humans

Metatarsus: Smaller bones from wrist to phalanges.

Phalanges: Claws or “fingers”.

Sternum: Where ribs meet at bottom of frame.

Unla: Bone parallel to radius in foreleg.

Radius: Larger of the two middle leg bones in the foreleg and the one on the front side of the leg.

Humerous: Large bone in foreleg similar to a thigh in a human.

Scapula: The large plate at the front of the chest.

Ligaments

Ligaments are the connective tissues that join bone to bone. (Tendons differ in that they connect bones to muscle and we’ll discuss them in the next chapter). The areas where bones join each other are called of course, joints. These are crucial areas to be concerned with when it comes to diet, nutritional therapy, exercise, massage therapy and acupressure. Joints are sometimes the weakness in the body, due to various reasons, that can cause pre-mature aging, immobility, pain and even death…as a result of the need to euthanize.

We will not learn the plethora (many) joints and ligaments of the body in this program; however, you already know they are found wherever bones meet. Ligaments are extremely strong, and they must be, in order to keep bones in place but still allow for movement. Because of the limited blood supply to ligaments, they take longer to heal when sprained or injured than does a muscles which get a large amount of blood supplied to them. Because ligaments are not extremely “elastic” they can be over worked and loose strength requiring surgery to repair.

Ligaments attach to the periosteum of the bone and the periosteum in the covering of the bone however, where bone meets bone is where we will find no periosteum, rather we find the hyaline cartilage where bone meets bone.  The cartilage is the part of the bone that engages in moveable contact with another bone and the cartilage is the slippery part that allows for very little friction and quality movement. This is the part of the bone that is not covered in periosteum.  It may be somewhat like wearing a mask on your face. There is an opening for your nose and mouth allowing you to breathe and eat, and the rest of the face is covered and protected. The mask is then the periosteum and the open part is the hyaline cartilage. So in review of ligaments and bone connection; we have ligaments on each side of the bone adjoining it together with another bone by connecting to the periosteum of each bone and, at the meeting ends of the two bones, we have the hyaline cartilage that allows for little or no friction and enhances quality movement.  The cartilage is sometimes referred to as articular hyaline cartilage, articular means that it is located where the bones move and rub together. This is known also as a part of the joint. So then here is what parts are included in a joint; the bones, the ligaments, the articular hyaline cartilage and one last thing; synovial linings and fluid. The synovial lining is simply, a layer of ligaments that produce a fluid called synovial fluid that lubricates and enhances the work of the joint.

Seems like a lot to know doesn’t it? Well, there is even more, however, this is really sufficient for the purposes of pet therapy because we are most concerned with things like, why it’s important to nourish moveable joint with  proper diet, why it’s important to exercise, when and how to exercise, and for other reasons. Here is an example of why this knowledge plays an important role in pet therapy.

We know that bone is made largely of calcium and calcium is always forming and hardening to give the bone its compact bone which is the strength of the bone. As a puppy, many large breed dogs are over exercised. When a Great Dane is a puppy its bone takes longer to calcify and harden. If we over exercise the bone and joints we may put too much exertion on soft bone and cause uneven growth which can lead to a painful and jagged  bone. This jagged bone can cut through the hyaline cartilage and synovial linings to create much discomfort. Allowing the bones plenty of time to grow and calcify can play a huge part in the quality and length of life for a large breed dog that typically has a short life span. Exercise for any dog should be well thought out and not ignored. A good reason for this is because of what we know about how moveable joints and bones grow and operate.

A last word on bones and joints; most bones and joints are moveable however, there are some joints in the body where there is not movement and these are bones and joints we should still know about. These consist of the skull, the sacral vertebrae (fused together), and the bones forming the pelvis.

TEST

1)      Make a crude drawing of a dog and write the names of the bones at the parts of the body where you would find each bone. Do this, three or four times, and say the names out loud as you identify the area and write the name of the bone.

2)      Say and write the parts of a bone and briefly describe each.

3)      What are the four general areas on the dog that make up the skeletal system?

4)      What are the major parts of a moveable joint?

5)      What do we call the bone covering?

6)      Why does it take a ligament longer to heal than a muscle if it is sprained?

7)      What is the name of the cartilage that allows bone to move against bone?

8)      Name one unmovable joint in the body.

9)      What is the strength of the bone called?

10)  What is the name of the lubricating fluid in a joint?

ANSWERS

1)      Check your work with the chart.

2)      Check your work. (Please Honey, Buy Cheese, Not Milk).

3)      Skull and Facial Bones, Spine, Rib Cage, Remaining Bones.

4)      Bones, hyaline cartilage, ligaments and synovial fluid or lining.

5)      Periosteum.

6)      Little blood flow.

7)      Hyaline Cartilage

8)      Pelvis, sacral joints or skull.

9)      Compact bone.

10)  Synovial fluid.

You should now know the parts of the nervous system and their various functions, you should also know the skeletal make-up of a dog and be able to discuss the parts of bones and name the major bones, skeletal areas and the parts of a joint. The best way to study these is to pretend you are explaining them to a class or write it out while you say it out loud.  Pretend you are the student and the teacher at the same time and ask the student a question and answer it.  GOOD JOB!



Session 2 (Nine Systems of the Body-Nervous System)

Nervous System

Within the nervous system we have three major components: The Central Nervous System (CNS), the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS), and the Autonomic  Nervous System (ANS). Here is what these three systems are composed of and what each one does:

CNS: composed of the brain and spinal column which record, communicate, organize, deliver and make sense out of everything from images, noises, information, smells etc. The CNS then communicates closely with the PNS. The two parts of the CNS are then what? The brain and the spinal column.

PNS: The peripheral nervous system is comprised of nerves and nerve tissues that carry information to and from the brain and spinal column. This happens through the efferent motor nerves which carry information from the brain and spinal column, and the afferent nerves, which carry information from the body parts to the brain and spinal column. These nerves have many points of origin along the spinal column from which they flow to body parts and from which they receive impulses from body parts. You can imagine the complexity of this bodily system. It’s certainly amazing. Fortunately, much of this system works on it own without the need for us to make it all happen by “thinking it”. This is the job of the ANS. We may also include muscles as part of the PNS because it is these with which the efferent and afferent nerves are communicating.

The parts of the PNS are then the efferent nerves, afferent nerves and the muscles. Remember efferent nerves carry information to body parts, and afferent nerves carry information from body part. Efferent=from brain to body. Afferent=from body to brain.

ANS: The autonomic (notice it is not spelled like automatic, but it is automatic) system maintains a stable environment for all of the internal workings of the body. It manages breathing, heartbeat, circulation, digestion, elimination, immune behavior and movements. You can see the need for all of the systems of the body to be healthy and functioning in harmony can’t you?

The ANS has two components you should know. There is a sympathetic nervous system and there is the parasympathetic nervous system. These two systems monitor the body at different times and in different ways. The sympathetic system causes the body to jump into action and respond to fear or danger or emergency. The parasympathetic system takes care of the body during rest, digestion, relaxation and such.

TEST

1)      What are the nine systems of the body?

2)      What are the three major systems of the nervous system?

3)      What are the components of the CNS?

4)      What are the two components of the ANS?

5)      What are the components of the PNS?

6)      What do the afferent nerves do?

7)      Which system within the ANS monitors a response to danger?

8)      The sympathetic and the parasympathetic nervous systems are part of what major division of the greater nervous system?

9)      Which of the three major systems within the nervous system happens “automatically”?

10)  What are the nine systems of the body…again?

ANSWERS

If you read the answers -often called cheating-that’s ok. But, please say them out loud to facilitate the learning process. Also, it would be helpful to take the test until you can do it without looking at the answers and/or create a couple of questions of your own, or simply reword a question. You’ll be surprised how much this elevates the efficiency and speed of your learning.

1)      N S M C R D U E R

2)      CNS, ANS and the PNS

3)      Brain and Spine

4)      Sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems

5)      Efferent, afferent nerves and muscles

6)      Carry information from the body parts to the brain and spinal column

7)      Sympathetic nervous system

8)      ANS

9)      Autonomic nervous system

10)  N S M C R D U E R