General Pathology

The main objective of this course will be to study the pathological mechanisms beyond the systemic diseases paying special attention on etiology (cause of the disease) and pathogenesis (origin and development of a disease) of processes related to environmental-related diseases.

At the end of the course students should:
· Describe the main molecular and cellular mechanisms at the base of human pathologies (cell damage, adaptation and death; acute and chronic inflammation).
· Describe the main molecular and cellular mechanisms at the base of the physiological functions of the immune system, both in health conditions and disease.
· Explain the main molecular and cellular alterations which induce the insurgence and manifestation of the following diseases: inflammatory (atherosclerosis, infections), genetic and autoimmune diseases, tumours, anaemia.
· Explain aetiology, symptoms and pathogenetic mechanisms of the main diseases connected to the environment (tumours, embryonal defects, respiratory tract and cutaneous diseases, diseases caused by chemical or physical agents).