Human Anatomy (1 year)

The aim of the Course of Anatomy is to provide a map for self-guided learning and a tool for student success, managing to:
- define the terms relative to the anatomical position, the anatomical planes and the terms used to describe movement, so preparing the students to the correct knowledge and use of anatomical terms,
- define the basic principles of anatomy and identify the major levels of organization of human body with description of organ structure, size, localization inside the body in relation to adjacent structures,
- describe and recognize the major components of each organ system (muscular, skeletal, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, renal, reproductive, integumentary),
- identify and describe the surface limits of the major body cavities (thorax, abdomen and pelvic cavity), including the detailed description of the limits of the mediastinum, pleural spaces, the four quadrants and nine descriptive regions of the abdomen in relation to underlying organs the relationship of the abdominal organs to the peritoneum (parietal and visceral layers) and the intestinal mesenteries,
- define the critical concept of human barrier (skin, respiratory, digestive system, hepatic sinusoids, kidney filtration barrier),
- describe the basic principles of the development of embryo and fetus, and the relationship with congenital malformations,
- recognize common anatomical variants,
- identify and describe the differences between the male and female when considering reproductive and endocrine systems, including the different embryological development and the anatomical changes that occur during pregnancy,
- define the layering structure of anatomical regions, their projection on the skin and the relation to the major surface and bony landmarks in each body region (e.g. occipital protuberance, orbital ridge, nasal bones, mastoid process, cervical to sacrococcygeal vertebrae and associated joints, shoulder girdle and upper limb, sternal region, ribs and costal margin, pelvic girdle and lower limb).

At the end of the Course of Anatomy, the student should be able to:
- identify the key concepts of the structure and function of human anatomy: systems organization, morphology of the corresponding organs (including external and internal features) and their position in the body cavities and spaces,
- demonstrate an understanding of a specific embryological event or sequence of events that leads to the development of a particular body region or system,
- demonstrate a knowledge and an understanding of structure and a basic understanding of the function, of the different organ systems,
- demonstrate an understanding of the body region and of the different organ systems (topographic anatomy),
- demonstrate the appropriate oral communication skills involved in peer teaching of anatomy,
- know the basic clinical skills required to approach clinical anatomy: this course provides students with skills to prepare for clinical or health-related careers.