HUMAN ANATOMY

CODE	66898
ACADEMIC YEAR	2025/2026
CREDITS	5 cfu anno 2 BIOTECNOLOGIE 8756 (L-2) - GENOVA
SCIENTIFIC DISCIPLINARY SECTOR	BIO/16
LANGUAGE	Italian
TEACHING LOCATION	GENOVA
SEMESTER	1° Semester
MODULES	Questo insegnamento è un modulo di: HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY AND LABORATORY

AIMS AND CONTENT

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 Anatomy module aims to provide fundamental concepts of human body organization, along with the basics of neuroanatomy and microscopic anatomy of various organs. This knowledge is essential for understanding the mechanisms that regulate the functions of different body systems. The course is structured around interactive lectures that utilize visual aids. The primary goal is to clearly define the correlation between the structural organization of organs and systems and their respective functions.

TEACHING METHODS

The teaching activity planned for the course will consist of face-to-face lectures, during which, with the use of visual aids, all the topics for which knowledge is required at the time of the final assessment will be explained and discussed with students.

In accordance with Law 170/10, "New rules regarding specific learning disorders in schools," support services are available for students with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), disabilities, or other special educational needs. These services are provided through the Disability and SLD Support Services Sector. The contact person is Professor Nicola Girtler (nicolagirtler@unige.it). Students with these needs are encouraged to contact the instructor and the School/Department's disability liaison at the beginning of the course. This will allow them to discuss and agree upon any necessary teaching adjustments that, while respecting the course objectives, accommodate their individual learning styles.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

General Anatomy Concepts

Anatomical Terminology: Understand anatomical terms and directional terms (e.g., superior, inferior, medial, lateral).
Topographical Anatomy: Grasp fundamental concepts related to the spatial relationships of body parts.
Organ Organization: Know the general organization of both hollow and solid organs.

Musculoskeletal System

Bones: General overview of bones.
Joints: General overview of articulations.
Skeletal Divisions: Fundamental concepts of the axial and appendicular skeletons.
Muscles: General overview of muscles.
Diaphragm: Understand the anatomy of the diaphragm muscle.

Integumentary System

Skin: Structure and function of the skin.
Skin Appendages: Hair, nails, glands, etc.

Neuroanatomy

Nervous System Organization: Overall structure of the nervous system.
Meninges: The protective membranes of the brain and spinal cord.
Ventricles: The fluid-filled spaces within the brain.
Brain Barriers: Understand the blood-brain barrier and other brain barriers.
Spinal Cord: External and internal configuration, and spinal nerves.
Brainstem: External and internal configuration, principal nuclei, quadrigeminal plate, and reticular formation.
Cranial Nerves: Basic elements of cranial nerves.
Cerebellum: External and internal configuration, cerebellar nuclei, and cerebellar cortex.
Diencephalon: Organization of the thalamus and hypothalamus; basic understanding of the subthalamus and epithalamus.
Telencephalon (Cerebrum): External configuration, structure of the telencephalic cortex, telencephalic nuclei, organization of white matter.
Limbic System: General overview of the limbic system, including the hippocampus.
Functional Anatomy of the Telencephalon: Understand how different areas of the cerebrum relate to function.
Afferent Compartment:
- Receptors: General overview and classification of receptors.
- Somatic Sensation: Receptors and pathways for general somatic sensation.
- Special Sensation:
  - Olfaction: Olfactory receptors and the olfactory pathway.
  - Taste: Taste buds and the taste pathway.
  - Vision: The eye and optic pathways.
  - Hearing & Balance: The ear and auditory and vestibular pathways.
Efferent Compartment:
- Motor Control Pathways: Pyramidal and extrapyramidal systems.
- Basal Ganglia: Basic elements of the basal ganglia.
- Visceral Nervous System: Understand the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.

Cardiovascular System

General Organization: Overall structure of the cardiovascular system.
Heart: Anatomy of the heart.
Pericardium: The sac surrounding the heart.
Vessel Structure: The structure of blood vessels.
Lymphatic System: Overview of the lymphatic system.
Lymphatic Organs:
- Primary: Red bone marrow, thymus.
- Secondary: Lymph nodes, spleen, and MALT (Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue).

Endocrine System

General Organization: Overall structure of the endocrine system.
Organ Morphology & Structure: Pituitary gland, thyroid gland, parathyroid glands, adrenal glands, endocrine pancreas.

Respiratory System

General Organization: Overall structure of the respiratory system.
Respiratory Passages: The airways.
External Nose & Nasal Cavities: Anatomy of the external nose and nasal cavities.
Paranasal Sinuses: Basic overview.
Organ Morphology & Structure: Nasopharynx, larynx, trachea and large bronchi, lungs.
Pleurae: The membranes surrounding the lungs.

Digestive System

General Organization: Overall structure of the digestive system.
Organ Morphology & Structure: Oral cavity, oropharynx, laryngopharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, ileum), large intestine (cecum, colon, rectum).
Accessory Organs: Morphology and structure of the liver and pancreas.

Urinary System

General Organization: Overall structure of the urinary system.
Kidneys: Morphology and structure of the kidneys.
Urinary Excretory Passages: Morphology and structure of the urinary excretory pathways (ureters, bladder, urethra).

Male Reproductive System

Organ Morphology & Structure: Testis, spermatic ducts, prostate gland.

Female Reproductive System

Organ Morphology & Structure: Ovaries, genital tracts.
Cycles: Ovarian cycle, uterine cycle.
Mammary Gland (La Mammella): Anatomy of the breast.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

ANDREA NICOLA MAZZARELLO

Ricevimento: The teacher is always available to meet with students, contingent to his professional commitments and by prior appointment via email at andreanicola.mazzarello@edu.unige.it.

SILVIA BRUNO

Ricevimento: The professor receives the students after previous appointment (write an email to silvia.bruno@unige.it)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

First semester of the second academic year.

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

An oral exam is scheduled.

During the exam, the university's regulations regarding assessment methods for students with certified Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) or other special educational needs will be observed. (For example: the use of concept maps to be reviewed and approved by instructors at least one week before the exam date; additional time in the case of written exams).

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The oral exam will assess your knowledge of all topics covered in class.

You'll need to demonstrate adequate knowledge of the anatomical organs discussed during the course, both from a morphological (macroscopic description) and structural (microscopic structure) standpoint. Additionally, the exam will evaluate your communication skills, the quality of your presentation, and your correct use of specialized vocabulary.

The oral exam is considered passed with a grade of 18/30 or higher. Basic knowledge of the subject is required for the exam to be considered satisfactory.