First Responder EMS Curriculum for Training Centers in Eurasia

this system gives the First Responder the knowledge of important anatomic landmarksand their relation to important internal structures.The skull (cranium) houses and protects the brain. The face is made of several bones,the maxilla and mandible being the most prominent. The spinal column (backbone) iscomposed of 7 cervical vertebrae, 12 thoracic vertebrae, 5 lumbar vertebrae, 5 sacralvertebrae, and the coccyx (fused). These 30 bones allow for the protection of the spinalcord and help us maintain our upright posture. The thorax (chest) is composed of 12 setsof ribs connected to the 12 thoracic vertebrae in the back and the sternum (breastbone)in front. The last two sets of ribs are called floating ribs because they do not attach tothe sternum. At the lower end of the sternum is the xyphoid process, an importantanatomic landmark used during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).The pelvis is the cradle upon which the entire upper body rests, and is connected to thelower spinal column posteriorly as well as to the lower extremities. The lowerextremities consist of paired bones that function to provide support for an uprightposture and allow us to walk. The femur (thigh) is connected to the pelvis at the hipjoint. Downward, the bones include the patella (kneecap), tibia and fibula (shin), andmultiple bones of the feet and toes. The knee joint is composed of the femur, patella,tibia, and fibula. The ankle joint is composed of the lower tibia and fibula and the talus(most proximal bone in the foot).The upper extremities consist of the shoulder (clavicle/collarbone and scapula), thehumerus (upper arm), the radius and ulna (forearm), the wrist, hands, and fingers. Theshoulder joint is the connection of the humerus to the scapula and clavicle. The elbowjoint is the connection of the humerus to the radius and ulna. The wrist joint is theconnection of the radius and ulna to the multiple bones of the wrist.The muscular system gives the body shape, movement, and protects internal organs.There are three types of muscle:1. Voluntary (skeletal) muscles are responsible for movement. They are contracted andrelaxed by the will of the patient, under direct control of the brain and nervoussystem. These skeletal muscles attach to the bones of the skeletal system to provideform and function.2. Involuntary (smooth) muscle is not under the direct control of the patient’s will.They are controlled by the autonomic nervous system. These muscles are found inblood vessels, bronchi (airways), and the tubular structures of the gastrointestinaland genitourinary tracts.3. Cardiac muscle is a specialized muscle that is only present in the heart. Its musclefibers act uniquely as nerve conduction fibers and function to pump blood.b. Respiratory SystemThe respiratory system performs the vital functions of delivering oxygen to the tissuesof the body and removing carbon dioxide from the body. Oxygen is a vital nutrient to allliving human cells, while carbon dioxide is a by-product of cellular metabolism.Impairment of either of these functions will result in cellular injury and, ultimately,death.The anatomy of the respiratory system begins with the nose and mouth. These areconnected to the pharynx, composed of the oropharynx and nasopharynx. Remember32First Responder EMS Curriculum/AIHA, July 2002