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Unit of study_

ANAT3904: Cranial and Cervical Anatomy (Advanced)

2025 unit information

This unit of study aims to provide students with a detailed understanding of the anatomy of the head and neck regions, with a particular emphasis on the functional anatomy of the cranial nerves. This unit of study covers skull, muscles of facial expression, muscles of jaw and neck, ear, eye, nose, oral cavity and larynx and pharynx as well as peripheral distribution of cranial nerves in the head and neck. The functional components of the cranial nerves and their relationship to the special senses and special motor functions such as facial gesture and speech are also studied. The practical sessions aim to provide students with the ability to recognise the structures studied in human prosections and in medical images especially X Rays and to know their main anatomical relationships. The course also aims to provide both theoretical and practical skills which can provide a basis for further studies in fields such as physiotherapy, chiropractic or forensic science or in post graduate medicine or dentistry or in areas of research requiring a knowledge of head and neck anatomy. Advanced students also undertake further study of anatomical features in a clinical setting not covered in the mainstream course.

Unit details and rules

Managing faculty or University school:

Medicine and Health

Study level Undergraduate
Academic unit Department of Medical Sciences
Credit points 6
Prerequisites:
? 
A WAM of 70 and an average mark of 70 or above from 12 credit points from {[ANAT2008 or ANAT2X10 or PHSI2X05 or PHSI2X06 or PHSI2X07 or PHSI2X08 or MEDS2001 or MEDS2002 or MEDS2003 or MEDS2004 or MEDS2005 or PSYC2X10 or PSYC2X11 or PSYC2012 or PSYC2013 or PSYC2014 or PSYC2X15 or BIOL2X21 or BIOL2X22 or BIOL2X24 or BIOL2X30 or BIOL2X31]}
Corequisites:
? 
None
Prohibitions:
? 
None
Assumed knowledge:
? 
ANAT2008 and ANAT2011

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Identify structures within, and associated with, the head and neck regions on cadaveric specimens, models, images and medical CT imaging
  • LO2. Describe and identify the structure and function of the bones, joints, arterial supply, venous and lymphatic drainage of the head and neck
  • LO3. Describe the structure, function, course and distribution of the cranial nerves and neural mechanisms that innervate and supply the head and neck
  • LO4. Identify and describe the structure and function of the musculoskeletal anatomy of the face, orbit, ear, nasal cavity, oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, and cervical neck regions
  • LO5. Analyse and explain topographical and spatial relationships between structures in the head and neck

Unit availability

This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.

The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.

Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 2 2024
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 2 2025
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Outline unavailable
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 2 2020
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 2 2021
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 2 2021
Normal day Remote
Semester 2 2022
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 2 2022
Normal day Remote
Semester 2 2023
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

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Modes of attendance (MoA)

This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.

Important enrolment information

Departmental permission requirements

If you see the ‘Departmental Permission’ tag below a session, it means you need faculty or school approval to enrol. This may be because it’s an advanced unit, clinical placement, offshore unit, internship or there are limited places available.

You will be prompted to apply for departmental permission when you select this unit in Sydney Student.

Read our information on departmental permission.