Human Anatomy and Physiology

The main aim of the course is to provide students with the most important concepts of morphology and functioning of the human body, as well as the maintenance of homeostasis. This knowledge represents the basis for understanding the subsequent courses in the biologic area.
The unit of anatomy consists of lectures describing the structures of the human body, starting from the composition of tissues, organs, apparatus and systems.
The unit of physiology consists of lectures in which will be addressed the principal molecular mechanisms of cell physiology, the features of organs and systems functioning. Furthermore, the principal control systems as well as their mutual interaction, in response to changes of the endogenous and exogenous environment, will be described.

At the end of the teaching student must prove its ability and competence in the description of body parts morphology. Particular attention will be pay in the evaluation of the acquired skill in the microscopical anatomy. Moreover, a correct use of anatomical terminology will be evaluated. Integration of anatomy knowledge with physical and chemical skills will be also assessed. The expected outcomes will provide the fundamental basis for learning of subsequent physiological issues.

At the end of the teaching, students must prove to have acquired the competences on cell and organ physiology, being able to argue critically on the contribution of different organs and apparatuses to the body homeostasis. Therefore, students, will address the physiological issues by means of an integrated approach. The students must prove to use a proper scientific terminology when describing physiologic processes. The expected outcomes will provide the fundamental basis for learning of subsequent specific courses, in the years following the first.