Teaching Professor in Anatomical Sciences and Director of Anatomical Donations, Medical School
Cardiovascular, Respiratory, and Urinary Anatomy
What You'll Learn
- Learn the basic structure and function of components of the blood, heart, vasculature, and other parts of the cardiovascular system.
- Describe the structures and functions of the lymphatic system.
- Identify the structures of the urinary system and describe their unique and related functions.
- Analyze the components of the respiratory system and their functions.
4 Modules
16 Hours
4 hrs per module (approx.)
Rating
About Cardiovascular, Respiratory, and Urinary Anatomy
Despite their vast differences, the cardiovascular, respiratory, and urinary systems are interrelated. This course focuses on the structures and functions of each system. You will understand how the heart and vasculature distribute blood to target organs and tissues, how the body moves air for gas exchange, how the kidneys dynamically create urine, and how these systems work to maintain homeostasis through their effects on the blood.
This is the second course in the Anatomy course series, an introduction to the major functions of the human body, from the musculoskeletal and nervous systems to the heart, lungs, and hormonal pathways.
Skills You'll Gain
- Anatomy
- Cardiology
- Cardiovascular Health
- Lymphatic System
- Pulmonology
What You'll Earn
- Certificate of Completion
- Certificates of completion acknowledge knowledge acquired upon completion of a non-credit course or program.
Welcome Message
In this course, you will explore the structure and function of the cardiovascular, respiratory, and urinary systems, with an emphasis on how these systems work together to maintain homeostasis. You will examine key anatomical structures, including the heart, blood vessels, lungs, airways, kidneys, and associated pathways, while developing an understanding of processes such as circulation, gas exchange, and fluid balance. By the end of the course, you will be able to describe system organization, explain core physiological functions, and apply anatomical knowledge to understand how the body transports materials, regulates internal conditions, and eliminates waste.
This abbreviated syllabus description was created with the help of AI tools. The full syllabus is available to those who enroll in the course.
Course Schedule
Module 1: Welcome and Cardiovascular Anatomy I
- Lesson 0: Welcome to Cardiovascular, Respiratory, and Urinary Systems
- Reading: Course Introduction
- Reading: Course Resources & Syllabus
- Reading: Help Us Know More About You
- Reading: Foundational Anatomy Content
- Practice Assignment: Foundational Anatomy Content
- Lesson 1: Introduction to the Cardiovascular System
- Video: Introduction to the Cardiovascular System
- Lesson 2: Overview of the Thoracic Cavity
- Video: Overview of Thoracic Cavity
- Lesson 3: Pericardium
- Video: Pericardium
- Lesson 4: Heart Basics
- Video: Heart Basics
- Lesson 5: Heart Function
- Video: Heart Function
- Lesson 6: External Heart Features
- Video: External Heart Features
- Lesson 7: Internal Heart Features
- Video: Internal Heart Features
- Practice Assignment: Heart Anatomy
- Lesson 8: Coronary Arteries
- Video: Coronary Arteries
- Lesson 9: Cardiac Veins
- Video: Cardiac Veins
- Lesson 10: Introduction to Vasculature
- Video: Vasculature
- Lesson 11: Ascending Aorta, Arch of Aorta, & Thoracic Aorta & Branches
- Video: Aorta & Branches
- Video: Common Carotid Artery & Branches
- Video: Subclavian Artery & Branches
- Video: Common Iliac Artery & Branches
- Lesson 12: Major Venous Systems & Pathways
- Video: Superior Vena Cava & Tributaries
- Video: Inferior Vena Cava & Tributaries
- Graded Assignment: Heart & Vasculature Quiz
- Reading: Preview of Modules 2–4
Module 2: Cardiovascular Anatomy II
- Lesson 1: Blood & Formed Elements
- Video: Blood
- Video: Formed Elements
- Video: Blood Type
- Lesson 2: Erythrocytes
- Video: Erythrocytes Part I
- Video: Erythrocytes Part II
- Lesson 3: Leukocytes
- Video: Introduction to Leukocytes
- Video: Leukocytes
- Lesson 4: Thrombocytes
- Video: Thrombocytes
- Practice Assignment: Blood Anatomy
- Lesson 5: Lymphatic System Overview
- Video: Lymphatic System Overview
- Lesson 6: Lymphatic Organs
- Video: Lymphatic Organs
- Lesson 7: Principal Lymph Nodes & Pathways
- Video: Principal Lymph Nodes & Pathways
- Graded Assignment: Blood & Lymphatics Quiz
Module 3: Respiratory Anatomy
- Lesson 1: Respiratory Structures & Functions
- Video: Respiratory Structures & Functions
- Lesson 2: Nose, Mouth, Nasal & Oral Cavities
- Video: Nose, Mouth, Nasal & Oral Cavities
- Lesson 3: Pharynx
- Video: Pharynx
- Video: Pharyngeal Tonsils, Muscles, & Nervous Plexus
- Lesson 4: Larynx & Laryngoskeleton
- Video: Larynx & Laryngoskeleton
- Lesson 5: Laryngeal Membranes & Cavities
- Video: Laryngeal Membranes & Cavities
- Lesson 6: Laryngeal Muscles & Neurovasculature
- Video: Laryngeal Muscles
- Video: Intrinsic Laryngeal Muscles
- Video: Laryngeal Neurovasculature
- Practice Assignment: Upper Respiratory Tract Anatomy
- Lesson 7: Tracheobronchial Tree & Alveoli
- Video: Tracheobronchial Tree
- Video: Alveoli
- Lesson 8: Pulmonary Circulation
- Video: Pulmonary Circulation
- Lesson 9: Lungs
- Video: Lungs
- Lesson 10: Pleurae & Muscles of Ventilation
- Video: Pleurae
- Video: Muscles of Ventilation
- Graded Assignment: Respiratory System Quiz
Module 4: Urinary Anatomy
- Lesson 1: Urinary Structures & Functions
- Video: Urinary Structures & Functions
- Lesson 2: Kidneys
- Video: Kidneys
- Video: Renal Fascial Spaces
- Lesson 3: Renal Vasculature
- Video: Renal Vasculature
- Practice Assignment: Urinary System, Kidneys, & Vasculature
- Lesson 4: Nephrons & Renal Histology
- Video: Nephrons & Renal Histology
- Lesson 5: Excretory Pathways & Ureters
- Video: Excretory Pathways & Ureters
- Lesson 6: Urinary Bladder & Urethra
- Video: Urinary Bladder & Urethra
- Graded Assignment: Urinary System Quiz
Course Wrap-Up
- Reading: Post-Course Survey
- Reading: Keep Learning with Michigan Online
Grading Policy
Course materials and assignments will remain open and available for self-paced learning. You must earn an overall grade of 80% in order to pass the course and earn the certificate.
This course includes four graded quizzes, with a total of 70 questions across all quizzes. Together, these 70 questions make up 100% of your course grade.
Course content developed by U-M faculty and managed by the university. Faculty titles and affiliations are updated periodically.
Beginner Level
No prior experience required
