OVERVIEW

The course is aimed at training Medical Doctors. It comprises two disciplines: a) Human Histology and b) Human Embryology

The Human Histology is designed to provide students with fundamental knowledge concerning the tissues of the human body, always in relation to their specific functions and in the context of the normal, healthy condition of the human organism. In addition to the tissue histophysiology, students will be introduced to the essential foundations for understanding the relationship between tissue function and disease.

The Human Embryology aims to equip students with knowledge of human embryonic development across the various stages and all relevant regulatory mechanisms, also in relation to congenital malformations and developmental defects, as well as the interplay between the maintenance of the differentiated state and the processes that disrupt it leading to dedifferentiation, which underpins numerous pathological conditions.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Knowledge of the main morphological and functional characteristics of human tissues with special regard to cells composing them. Skills in observation and recognition of tissues by the common microscopic observation techniques. Knowledge of the fundamental processes of embryonic development and the major molecular mechanisms that regulate them.

PREREQUISITES

The student should know the structure and function of the cell, which are part of the biology course.
In particular, they must possess in-depth knowledge of the structure, function, and importance of the plasma membrane, nucleus, and cytoskeleton. It must also know the structure and function of the main cellular organelles, such as mitochondria, smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and lysosomes. Finally, it must know the main phases of the cellular cycle and cellular metabolism.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

1. Practical test in which the student must orally recognize and describe two histological preparations observed by an optical microscope
2. Oral test which is subject to passing the practical test and which includes questions regarding human histology and embryology.

In case of certification of specific learning disability, disability or other special educational needs, the University legislation and regulations on disability and SLD are applied (https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa/studenti-disabilit%C3%A0-normativa).

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The student must demonstrate to:
• Know the main procedures for the Light Microscope (L.M.) observation of histological samples
• Know the main ultrastructural structures of sub-cellular components relative to different tissues;
• Know the morpho-functional characteristics of the different cellular components as well as of various tissues
• Know the main phases of human development (from gametogenesis to organogenesis) as well as morphogenetic processes.

In the L.M. practical test, we evaluate the student’s capability to correctly recognize the histological sample and describe the morphological features that led to its identification.
In this, we investigate the student’s ability to describe the principal morpho-functional characteristics of cell and tissue components as well as their ability to make connections between the different tissues. This is to assess whether the student has acquired an overall vision, crucial for medical practice. Finally, we will evaluate the ability to describe the different stages of human embryonic development properly.
The comprehensive exposure of the required arguments increases the final quotation.

The grade is given in thirtieths.
The exam is passed when the grade is equal or greater than 18/30. It is expected that the maximum number of the grade will be awarded with honour (30 and honour). Honour is attributed only after the interview when the student demonstrates full subject mastery.