LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aim is to provide the basics of microscopical anatomy necessary for the understanding of the mechanisms regulating the functions of tissues, organs and systems of the human body. The organization of the course is based on interactive lectures. The goal is to better define the ability to correlate specific functions to specific modes of structural organization.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aim is to provide the basics of neuroanatomy and microscopical anatomy necessary for the understanding of the mechanisms regulating the functions of organs and systems of the human body. The organization of the course is based on interactive lectures with extensive use of visual aids. The goal is to better correlate the structural organization of organs and systems to the corresponding functions. The laboratory activity will integrate the microscopic anatomy lectures by direct analysis of histologic sections of the organs.

TEACHING METHODS

The teaching activity is organized in lectures. During these lectures all the issues the student have to know for the final exam will be explained and discussed with the help of visual aids.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN ANATOMY. Anatomical terminology and planes. Fundamental notions of the human body topography.

LOCOMOTOR SYSTEM. General organization of bones and joints. Fundamental notions on the skeletal system. General organization of muscles. The diaphragm.

TEGUMENTARY SYSTEM. The skin and its appendages
NEUROANATOMY. General organization of the nervous system. Meningeal coverings and the ventricular system. The spinal cord: external and internal organization. The spinal nerves. The brain stem: external and internal organization. Main nuclei of the brain stem. The tectum. The reticular formation. The cranial nerves. The cerebellum: external and internal organization. Nuclei and cerebellar cortex. The diencephalon: thalamus, hypothalamus, basic facts on epithalamus and subthalamus. The telencephalon: external configuration. The cerebral cortex. The basal nuclei. Organization of the telencephalic white matter. Overview of the limbic system. The ippocampus. Cerebral specializations. Afferent systems. Overview of the different receptor types. Exteroceptive and proprioceptive sensory receptors. Ascending sensory pathways. The olfactory receptors and and the olfaction pathway. The gustatory receptors and the taste pathway. The eye and the visual system. The ear and the auditory and vestibular systems. The motor systems. The corticospinal pathway. Basal ganglia. The autonomic system.

CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM. General organization of the cardiovascular system. The heart. The pericardium. Structure of arteries, capillaries and veins. Basic facts on the lymphatic system. Primary and secondary lymphoid organs: bone marrow, thymus, lymph nodes, spleen nad MALT.

ENDOCRINE SYSTEM. Overview of the endocrine system. Morphology and structure of: hypophisis, thiroid and parathiroids glands, the suprarenal glands, the pancreatic islets.

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM. General organization of the respiratory system. The nasal cavities and paranasal sinuses. Morphology and structure of: pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi and lungs. The pleurae.

DIGESTIVE SYSTEM. General organization of the digestive system. Morphology and structure of: oral cavity, pharynx, oesophagus, stomach, small and large intestine, liver and pancreas.

URINARY SYSTEM. General organization of the urinary system. Morphology and structure of kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra.

MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM. Morphology and structure of: testes, epididymis, deferens duct and accessory glands.

FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM. Morphology and structure of: ovaries, uterine tubes, uterus. Follicular and menstrual cicles. The mammary gland.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Gerard J Tortora e Bryan Derrickson
Principi di Anatomia e Fisiologia Umana
Editrice Ambrosiana

Modulo “Anatomia Umana”
M.H. Ross, W. Pawlina. Istologia. Testo e atlante. Con elementi di biologia cellulare e molecolare. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana.
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