Elements of Human Anatomy, Pharmacology and Immunology
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
This course aims to provide students with:
- the concept of Pharmacology, understood as the mutual interaction between a substance introduced into the body and the body itself. This interaction may have different meanings: (i) be aimed at amending a pathological condition (therapy); (ii) damage the organism (toxicant); (iii) be used to study the organism (medication as a study tool);
- basic knowledge of general organization and structure of the human body, examining some apparatuses/systems and organs from the macroscopic level to the ultrastructural one;
- basic knowledge on the molecular and cellular mechanisms of the immune system.
- the concept of Pharmacology, understood as the mutual interaction between a substance introduced into the body and the body itself. This interaction may have different meanings: (i) be aimed at amending a pathological condition (therapy); (ii) damage the organism (toxicant); (iii) be used to study the organism (medication as a study tool);
- basic knowledge of general organization and structure of the human body, examining some apparatuses/systems and organs from the macroscopic level to the ultrastructural one;
- basic knowledge on the molecular and cellular mechanisms of the immune system.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, the student must have acquired:
- the ability to understand in detail and to critically analyze what is shown in the leaflet that accompanies the drugs;
- the ability to describe the general organization of the human body, with particular reference to anatomical organization, key functional aspects and their main interactions of apparatuses and systems involved in defense, communication and distribution functions;
- basic knowledge on the molecular and cellular mechanisms of the immune system
- the ability to understand in detail and to critically analyze what is shown in the leaflet that accompanies the drugs;
- the ability to describe the general organization of the human body, with particular reference to anatomical organization, key functional aspects and their main interactions of apparatuses and systems involved in defense, communication and distribution functions;
- basic knowledge on the molecular and cellular mechanisms of the immune system
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
A - L
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Basics of Pharmacology
This module aims to convey the basic elements of Pharmacology focusing in particular on: (i) pharmacokinetics and the path of a drug in the body (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination); (ii) pharmacodynamics and the main mechanisms of action of drugs in relation to the body, their biochemical and physiological effects including the concepts of potency, efficacy, dose response and therapeutic index.
The rational choice of drug use in specific diseases will be discussed as an example.
Basics of Human Anatomy
Organization of the human body. Classification and anatomical organization of organs. Apparatuses or systems: definition and overview of their composition, organization and function. Anatomic terminology. Membranes and cavities of the human body. Anatomical planes and sections.
The cardiovascular system: general organization and functions; pulmonary and systemic circulation. Morphology and structure of the heart; superficial and internal anatomy of the heart; heart valves; intrinsic conduction system. Blood vessels classification and structure. Coronary circulation; systemic arterial and venous circulation; vascularization of the head, neck and encephalon (or brain).
The lymphatic system: functions and components. Lymph and lymphatic vessels. Morpho-functional characteristics of lymphatic, hematopoietic and hemocatheretic organs.
The nervous system: anatomical and functional organization. Central nervous system: encephalon; spinal cord. Peripheral nervous system: anatomical and functional organization; sensory and motor components; SNS, ANS, ENS. Cranial nerves and spinal nerves. ANS or vegetative nervous system: functional components and anatomical subdivision.
The endocrine system: overview; comparison between the endocrine system and the nervous system. Morpho-functional characteristics of endocrine glands.
Basics of Immunology
Introduction to the immune system: immune cells, lymphoid tissue, cytokines.
Innate and acquired immunity. Innate immunity and inflammation, the complement system. Elements of innate immunity. Phagocytes, complement system, barriers.
Cell mediated immune response. The development of T and B lymphocytes. Th1 and Th2 lymphocytes. Antigen recognition by T and B lymphocytes. T and B cell receptors. The development of lymphocyte repertoire. Major histocompatibility complex, functional role and diversity.
The structure of antibodies. Diversity in the humoral immune response.
Mechanism of action of antibodies.
This module aims to convey the basic elements of Pharmacology focusing in particular on: (i) pharmacokinetics and the path of a drug in the body (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination); (ii) pharmacodynamics and the main mechanisms of action of drugs in relation to the body, their biochemical and physiological effects including the concepts of potency, efficacy, dose response and therapeutic index.
The rational choice of drug use in specific diseases will be discussed as an example.
Basics of Human Anatomy
Organization of the human body. Classification and anatomical organization of organs. Apparatuses or systems: definition and overview of their composition, organization and function. Anatomic terminology. Membranes and cavities of the human body. Anatomical planes and sections.
The cardiovascular system: general organization and functions; pulmonary and systemic circulation. Morphology and structure of the heart; superficial and internal anatomy of the heart; heart valves; intrinsic conduction system. Blood vessels classification and structure. Coronary circulation; systemic arterial and venous circulation; vascularization of the head, neck and encephalon (or brain).
The lymphatic system: functions and components. Lymph and lymphatic vessels. Morpho-functional characteristics of lymphatic, hematopoietic and hemocatheretic organs.
The nervous system: anatomical and functional organization. Central nervous system: encephalon; spinal cord. Peripheral nervous system: anatomical and functional organization; sensory and motor components; SNS, ANS, ENS. Cranial nerves and spinal nerves. ANS or vegetative nervous system: functional components and anatomical subdivision.
The endocrine system: overview; comparison between the endocrine system and the nervous system. Morpho-functional characteristics of endocrine glands.
Basics of Immunology
Introduction to the immune system: immune cells, lymphoid tissue, cytokines.
Innate and acquired immunity. Innate immunity and inflammation, the complement system. Elements of innate immunity. Phagocytes, complement system, barriers.
Cell mediated immune response. The development of T and B lymphocytes. Th1 and Th2 lymphocytes. Antigen recognition by T and B lymphocytes. T and B cell receptors. The development of lymphocyte repertoire. Major histocompatibility complex, functional role and diversity.
The structure of antibodies. Diversity in the humoral immune response.
Mechanism of action of antibodies.
Prerequisites for admission
The student must have the basic knowledge of cytology, histology, general and animal physiology, biochemistry.
Teaching methods
Interactive lessons with PowerPoint presentations.
Teaching Resources
Saladin, Anatomia Umana, Ed. Piccin, 2011
McKinley, O'Loughlin, Anatomia umana, Ed. Piccin, 2014
Martini, Timmons, Tallitsch, Anatomia Umana, EdiSES 2016
Martini, Tallitsch, Nath Anatomia Umana, EdiSES 2019
Rang & Dale, Farmacologia
Clementi & Fumagalli, Farmacologia Generale e Molecolare
Panerai, Farmacologia generale, Raffaello Cortina editore
AK Abbas e AH Lichtman, Le basi dell'immunologia. EDRA editori, 2017.
McKinley, O'Loughlin, Anatomia umana, Ed. Piccin, 2014
Martini, Timmons, Tallitsch, Anatomia Umana, EdiSES 2016
Martini, Tallitsch, Nath Anatomia Umana, EdiSES 2019
Rang & Dale, Farmacologia
Clementi & Fumagalli, Farmacologia Generale e Molecolare
Panerai, Farmacologia generale, Raffaello Cortina editore
AK Abbas e AH Lichtman, Le basi dell'immunologia. EDRA editori, 2017.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The student preparation check consists of three independent written tests so structured:
Pharmacology: multiple choice questions (1 h);
Human Anatomy: three open questions (90 min); the human anatomy test may also be conducted orally, in cases agreed with the students.
Immunology: two open questions (90 min).
The final vote will take into account in equal measure the evaluation of the three educational modules.
Pharmacology: multiple choice questions (1 h);
Human Anatomy: three open questions (90 min); the human anatomy test may also be conducted orally, in cases agreed with the students.
Immunology: two open questions (90 min).
The final vote will take into account in equal measure the evaluation of the three educational modules.
BIO/14 - PHARMACOLOGY - University credits: 3
BIO/16 - HUMAN ANATOMY - University credits: 3
MED/04 - EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGY - University credits: 3
BIO/16 - HUMAN ANATOMY - University credits: 3
MED/04 - EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 72 hours
M - Z
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
BIO/14 - PHARMACOLOGY - University credits: 3
BIO/16 - HUMAN ANATOMY - University credits: 3
MED/04 - EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGY - University credits: 3
BIO/16 - HUMAN ANATOMY - University credits: 3
MED/04 - EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 72 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
upon appointment by e-mail
Dept. of BioSciences, B tower, 6th floor
Reception:
Every Monday, hours to be agreed by email
Teams Platform
Reception:
Monday, 14.30-16.30; Thursday, 14.30-15.30
via Vanvitelli 32