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MEDIVEERSETHE PRACTICAL HUB
PHYSIOLOGY / THE INSTRUMENT ATLAS

See the instrument.
Understand the principle.

From a counting chamber to a spirometer. Learn what each instrument does, identify its parts and practise explaining the science behind it.

MBBS + BDS32 instruments128 viva promptsFirst-year foundation + revision
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32 instruments to explore

Compound microscope — reference view
Blood & laboratory

Compound microscope

Magnifies cells and tissues for practical identification and manual counting.

Identify · Locate · Practise 4 viva questions · Zoomable reference
Improved Neubauer haemocytometer — reference view
Blood & laboratory

Improved Neubauer haemocytometer

Manually estimates cell concentration in a known volume under a microscope.

Identify · Locate · Practise 4 viva questions · Zoomable reference
Sahli haemoglobinometer — reference view
Blood & laboratory

Sahli haemoglobinometer

Estimates haemoglobin by visual matching of acid haematin colour in a teaching laboratory.

Identify · Locate · Practise 4 viva questions · Zoomable reference
RBC diluting pipette — reference view
Blood & laboratory

RBC diluting pipette

Prepares a measured cell suspension for traditional manual haemocytometry.

Identify · Locate · Practise 4 viva questions · Zoomable reference
WBC diluting pipette — reference view
Blood & laboratory

WBC diluting pipette

Prepares a measured cell suspension for traditional manual haemocytometry.

Identify · Locate · Practise 4 viva questions · Zoomable reference
ESR sedimentation apparatus — reference view
Blood & laboratory

ESR sedimentation apparatus

Measures the distance red cells settle in a specified time in anticoagulated blood.

Identify · Locate · Practise 4 viva questions · Zoomable reference
Wintrobe tube — reference view
Blood & laboratory

Wintrobe tube

Used in traditional macrohaematocrit and Wintrobe ESR methods.

Identify · Locate · Practise 4 viva questions · Zoomable reference
Microhaematocrit centrifuge — reference view
Blood & laboratory

Microhaematocrit centrifuge

Separates blood in capillary tubes for packed cell volume measurement.

Identify · Locate · Practise 4 viva questions · Zoomable reference
Blood lancet — reference view
Blood & laboratory

Blood lancet

Obtains a small capillary blood sample in supervised clinical or laboratory work.

Identify · Locate · Practise 4 viva questions · Zoomable reference
Sphygmomanometer — reference view
Cardiovascular

Sphygmomanometer

Measures arterial blood pressure indirectly with a suitable validated method.

Identify · Locate · Practise 4 viva questions · Zoomable reference
Stethoscope — reference view
Cardiovascular

Stethoscope

Transmits body sounds for cardiovascular, respiratory and other clinical examination.

Identify · Locate · Practise 4 viva questions · Zoomable reference
Electrocardiograph — reference view
Cardiovascular

Electrocardiograph

Records differences in electrical potential generated by cardiac activity at the body surface.

Identify · Locate · Practise 4 viva questions · Zoomable reference
Pulse oximeter — reference view
Cardiovascular

Pulse oximeter

Noninvasively estimates peripheral arterial oxygen saturation and pulse rate.

Identify · Locate · Practise 4 viva questions · Zoomable reference
Spirometer — reference view
Respiratory

Spirometer

Measures exhaled or inhaled volume and flow to assess ventilatory function.

Identify · Locate · Practise 4 viva questions · Zoomable reference
Peak expiratory flow meter — reference view
Respiratory

Peak expiratory flow meter

Measures peak expiratory flow during a forceful expiratory effort.

Identify · Locate · Practise 4 viva questions · Zoomable reference
Tuning fork — reference view
Nerve & muscle

Tuning fork

Provides a vibration for bedside hearing or vibration-sense examination, using the frequency appropriate to the test.

Identify · Locate · Practise 4 viva questions · Zoomable reference
Reflex hammer — reference view
Nerve & muscle

Reflex hammer

Elicits deep tendon reflexes as part of a neurological examination.

Identify · Locate · Practise 4 viva questions · Zoomable reference
Aesthesiometer — reference view
Nerve & muscle

Aesthesiometer

Assesses two-point discrimination during a sensory examination.

Identify · Locate · Practise 4 viva questions · Zoomable reference
Semmes–Weinstein monofilament — reference view
Nerve & muscle

Semmes–Weinstein monofilament

Tests pressure perception; a specified 10 g monofilament is commonly used in protective-sensation assessment.

Identify · Locate · Practise 4 viva questions · Zoomable reference
Visual-field perimeter — reference view
Special senses

Visual-field perimeter

Maps the extent and sensitivity of the visual field.

Identify · Locate · Practise 4 viva questions · Zoomable reference
Snellen visual-acuity chart — reference view
Special senses

Snellen visual-acuity chart

Assesses distance visual acuity under standardised viewing conditions.

Identify · Locate · Practise 4 viva questions · Zoomable reference
Ishihara colour-vision plates — reference view
Special senses

Ishihara colour-vision plates

Screens principally for red–green colour-vision deficiency.

Identify · Locate · Practise 4 viva questions · Zoomable reference
Direct ophthalmoscope — reference view
Special senses

Direct ophthalmoscope

Examines the ocular fundus, including the optic disc and retinal vessels.

Identify · Locate · Practise 4 viva questions · Zoomable reference
Audiometer — reference view
Special senses

Audiometer

Measures hearing thresholds for defined test signals.

Identify · Locate · Practise 4 viva questions · Zoomable reference
Mosso ergograph — reference view
Recording & experiments

Mosso ergograph

Demonstrates repeated muscular work and the development of fatigue in a teaching experiment.

Identify · Locate · Practise 4 viva questions · Zoomable reference
Handgrip dynamometer — reference view
Nerve & muscle

Handgrip dynamometer

Measures grip force for practical assessment and standardised functional testing.

Identify · Locate · Practise 4 viva questions · Zoomable reference
Historical kymograph drive mechanism — recording drum not fitted
Recording & experiments

Kymograph

Produces a time-based mechanical record in classical physiology demonstrations.

Identify · Locate · Practise 4 viva questions · Zoomable reference
Induction coil — reference view
Recording & experiments

Induction coil

Provides induction-generated stimuli in classical experimental physiology apparatus.

Identify · Locate · Practise 4 viva questions · Zoomable reference
Isolated organ bath — reference view
Recording & experiments

Isolated organ bath

Supports isolated-tissue demonstrations under controlled laboratory conditions.

Identify · Locate · Practise 4 viva questions · Zoomable reference
TENS surface stimulation — schematic illustration
Nerve & muscle

TENS electrical stimulator

Illustrates a clinical application of peripheral-nerve stimulation; TENS is used for temporary pain relief in appropriate settings.

Identify · Locate · Practise 4 viva questions · Zoomable reference
Stopwatch — reference view
Recording & experiments

Stopwatch

Measures time intervals in physiology practicals.

Identify · Locate · Practise 4 viva questions · Zoomable reference
Clinical thermometer — reference view
Recording & experiments

Clinical thermometer

Measures body temperature using a device and site appropriate to the examination.

Identify · Locate · Practise 4 viva questions · Zoomable reference

A core teaching collection for both courses. Instrument models and practical lists vary by college. Historical apparatus is included for recognition and principles; follow your department’s supervised practical programme.