Human Anatomy and Histology
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
Histology
The module aims to provide the notions to:
1) know and describe the microscopic and submicroscopic features of cells and tissues;
2) observe histological preparations to identify the morphological characteristics of tissues (structure and organization) and correlate them with their functional properties.
Anatomy
The module aims to provide the notions to:
1) know the general organization of the human body, with the description of the main features concerning the spatial reference axis;
2) describe and explain the macro- and microscopical features of the different organs, together with their main morpho-functional correlations, useful for the study of physiology and Pathology.
The module aims to provide the notions to:
1) know and describe the microscopic and submicroscopic features of cells and tissues;
2) observe histological preparations to identify the morphological characteristics of tissues (structure and organization) and correlate them with their functional properties.
Anatomy
The module aims to provide the notions to:
1) know the general organization of the human body, with the description of the main features concerning the spatial reference axis;
2) describe and explain the macro- and microscopical features of the different organs, together with their main morpho-functional correlations, useful for the study of physiology and Pathology.
Expected learning outcomes
Histology
The student will be able to:
· illustrate the morphology, the microscopic and sub-microscopic structure of cells and tissues, particularly of the human body
· perform the observation, by means of bright field optical microscopy, of histological samples prepared according to conventional methods, to describe and identify the morphological features of various tissues
Anatomy
Students will know the main organs' normal macro- and microscopic features to recognize and understand pathological abnormalities.
The student will be able to:
· illustrate the morphology, the microscopic and sub-microscopic structure of cells and tissues, particularly of the human body
· perform the observation, by means of bright field optical microscopy, of histological samples prepared according to conventional methods, to describe and identify the morphological features of various tissues
Anatomy
Students will know the main organs' normal macro- and microscopic features to recognize and understand pathological abnormalities.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Prerequisites for admission
Students should know cell biology.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam will consist in:
· A written test with multiple choice questions (18 on anatomy and 12 on histology in 30 minutes) on the topics included in the course program; each question has 5 answers/one is correct. Passing the quiz (18 correct answers) is required for continuing with the exam.
· A practical test consisting of the observation, description, and recognition of micrographs under the microscope: a microphotograph is shown for the description and identification of tissues (histology test), and a microphotograph for the description and classification of an organ (test of microscopic anatomy).
· The oral exam includes a discussion of the topics included in the course program.
Assessment parameters: knowledge in the field of histology and anatomy, ability to recognize and describe organs and tissues based on their microscopic characteristics, and ability to understand the organization of the human body. The ability of critical reasoning and the efficacious communication of the information with the appropriate terms will be also assessed.
The final mark (/30) will consider the result of the three tests.
· A written test with multiple choice questions (18 on anatomy and 12 on histology in 30 minutes) on the topics included in the course program; each question has 5 answers/one is correct. Passing the quiz (18 correct answers) is required for continuing with the exam.
· A practical test consisting of the observation, description, and recognition of micrographs under the microscope: a microphotograph is shown for the description and identification of tissues (histology test), and a microphotograph for the description and classification of an organ (test of microscopic anatomy).
· The oral exam includes a discussion of the topics included in the course program.
Assessment parameters: knowledge in the field of histology and anatomy, ability to recognize and describe organs and tissues based on their microscopic characteristics, and ability to understand the organization of the human body. The ability of critical reasoning and the efficacious communication of the information with the appropriate terms will be also assessed.
The final mark (/30) will consider the result of the three tests.
Histology
Course syllabus
Lining epithelia: structure, ultrastructure, locations, and functions. Morphological and functional polarity of epithelial cells. Relationships with the connective tissue. Simple and compound epithelia. Regeneration of epithelia.
Glandular epithelia: structure, ultrastructure, secretion processes.
Exocrine glands: classification criteria. Examples of exocrine glands according to various classification criteria.
Endocrine glands: classification criteria, secretion modalities, and chemical nature of the hormone secretion. Cytological and histological characteristics of the main endocrine glands: islets of Langerhans, pituitary gland, adrenal gland, parathyroid glands, thyroid gland.
Sensory epithelia: general characteristics. Examples.
Proper Connective tissue: structure, ultrastructure, locations, and functions. Extracellular matrix: amorphous substance, proteoglycans, glycoproteins, fibers (collagen, reticular and elastic). Cell populations: fibroblasts, macrophages, mast cells, plasma cells, adipocytes. Loose forms, dense forms. White and brown adipose tissue.
Cartilage tissue: structure, ultrastructure, locations, and functions. Cartilage hyaline, elastic, and fibrous.
Bone tissue: compact and spongy architecture. Microscopic structure of lamellar and non-lamellar bone tissue. Periosteum and endosteum. Extracellular matrix (organic and inorganic components). Bone tissue cells (osteoprogenitor cells, osteoblasts, osteocytes, osteoclasts). Mention the processes of direct and indirect ossification.
Blood: structure and functions. Hematocrit value. Plasma. Corpuscular elements: erythrocytes and platelets. Granulocytes (neutrophils, basophils, and eosinophils) and agranulocytes (lymphocytes and monocytes). Leukocyte formula. Hematopoiesis: outline. Lymphoid organs (thymus, spleen, lymph nodes, MALT): function and structure (outline).
Muscle tissue: structure, ultrastructure, locations, and functions. Skeletal striated muscle tissue: striated muscle fiber structure, myofibrils, myofilaments. Cardiac striated muscle tissue: structure of the heart muscle cell. Smooth muscle tissue.
Nervous tissue: structure, ultrastructure, functions. Neuron: ultrastructure of the cell body, axon, and dendrites. Classification of neurons. Axon flow. Unmyelinated and myelinated nerve fibers, myelination process. Synapse. Glia of the PNS, of the CNS and microglia.
Glandular epithelia: structure, ultrastructure, secretion processes.
Exocrine glands: classification criteria. Examples of exocrine glands according to various classification criteria.
Endocrine glands: classification criteria, secretion modalities, and chemical nature of the hormone secretion. Cytological and histological characteristics of the main endocrine glands: islets of Langerhans, pituitary gland, adrenal gland, parathyroid glands, thyroid gland.
Sensory epithelia: general characteristics. Examples.
Proper Connective tissue: structure, ultrastructure, locations, and functions. Extracellular matrix: amorphous substance, proteoglycans, glycoproteins, fibers (collagen, reticular and elastic). Cell populations: fibroblasts, macrophages, mast cells, plasma cells, adipocytes. Loose forms, dense forms. White and brown adipose tissue.
Cartilage tissue: structure, ultrastructure, locations, and functions. Cartilage hyaline, elastic, and fibrous.
Bone tissue: compact and spongy architecture. Microscopic structure of lamellar and non-lamellar bone tissue. Periosteum and endosteum. Extracellular matrix (organic and inorganic components). Bone tissue cells (osteoprogenitor cells, osteoblasts, osteocytes, osteoclasts). Mention the processes of direct and indirect ossification.
Blood: structure and functions. Hematocrit value. Plasma. Corpuscular elements: erythrocytes and platelets. Granulocytes (neutrophils, basophils, and eosinophils) and agranulocytes (lymphocytes and monocytes). Leukocyte formula. Hematopoiesis: outline. Lymphoid organs (thymus, spleen, lymph nodes, MALT): function and structure (outline).
Muscle tissue: structure, ultrastructure, locations, and functions. Skeletal striated muscle tissue: striated muscle fiber structure, myofibrils, myofilaments. Cardiac striated muscle tissue: structure of the heart muscle cell. Smooth muscle tissue.
Nervous tissue: structure, ultrastructure, functions. Neuron: ultrastructure of the cell body, axon, and dendrites. Classification of neurons. Axon flow. Unmyelinated and myelinated nerve fibers, myelination process. Synapse. Glia of the PNS, of the CNS and microglia.
Teaching methods
Histology
Lessons and practicals with microscopic slides (all are compulsory)
Lessons and practicals with microscopic slides (all are compulsory)
Teaching Resources
Junqueira - Istologia - Testo Atlante (Junqueira Mescher) Ed. PICCIN
Istologia e Anatomia Microscopica (Wheater)-Masson
Istologia e Anatomia Microscopica (Wheater)-Masson
Human anatomy
Course syllabus
General anatomy: General principles of body organization. Anatomical terminology. Definition and classification of anatomical spaces, apparatuses, and of organs.
Musculoskeletal system: Head, neck, chest, and abdominal walls and spaces. Classification of joints and bones. Vertebral column.
Blood circulatory system: general organization and function. External and internal morphology of the heart. Morphological and functional analysis of atrioventricular and semilunar valves. Localization and function of the cardiac conduction system, pericardium. Blood vessels: morphology and function of arteries, veins, capillaries. Function of anastomoses and collateral circles. Definition of pulmonary and district circulation. Description of the superficial venous circulation.
Lymphatic system: lymphatic vessels and lymph. Lymphoid organs: thyme, spleen, lymph nodes, and tonsils.
Respiratory, digestive, urinary system, male and female reproductive systems: description of the general morphology of the organs, their localization/ relationships; structure and morpho-functional features of organs and apparatuses. Ultrastructure of pulmonary alveoli, nephron (renal corpuscle and air-blood barrier), liver (hepatocytes, bile capillaries), lining epithelium of the small intestine (enterocytes and microvilli).
Nervous system: General principles of neuroanatomy and classification of sensory.
Central nervous system: systematic description of organs, inner cavities, and liquor system.
Principles of neuroanatomy; principles of main sensory and motor pathways, control systems (cerebellum and basal ganglia). Reticular formation, limbic system, hypothalamus, and control of the visceral functions. Somatotopism.
Peripheric nervous system: description of spinal and encephalic nerves; somatic and visceral innervation. Autonomic nervous system.
Tegumentary system: general organization.
Musculoskeletal system: Head, neck, chest, and abdominal walls and spaces. Classification of joints and bones. Vertebral column.
Blood circulatory system: general organization and function. External and internal morphology of the heart. Morphological and functional analysis of atrioventricular and semilunar valves. Localization and function of the cardiac conduction system, pericardium. Blood vessels: morphology and function of arteries, veins, capillaries. Function of anastomoses and collateral circles. Definition of pulmonary and district circulation. Description of the superficial venous circulation.
Lymphatic system: lymphatic vessels and lymph. Lymphoid organs: thyme, spleen, lymph nodes, and tonsils.
Respiratory, digestive, urinary system, male and female reproductive systems: description of the general morphology of the organs, their localization/ relationships; structure and morpho-functional features of organs and apparatuses. Ultrastructure of pulmonary alveoli, nephron (renal corpuscle and air-blood barrier), liver (hepatocytes, bile capillaries), lining epithelium of the small intestine (enterocytes and microvilli).
Nervous system: General principles of neuroanatomy and classification of sensory.
Central nervous system: systematic description of organs, inner cavities, and liquor system.
Principles of neuroanatomy; principles of main sensory and motor pathways, control systems (cerebellum and basal ganglia). Reticular formation, limbic system, hypothalamus, and control of the visceral functions. Somatotopism.
Peripheric nervous system: description of spinal and encephalic nerves; somatic and visceral innervation. Autonomic nervous system.
Tegumentary system: general organization.
Teaching methods
Lessons and practicals with microscopic slides and with 3D models and virtual models (all are compulsory)
Teaching Resources
Martini FH, et.al. Anatomia Umana. (Edizione VII). Napoli: Edises, 2019.
McKinley M, O'Loughlin VD. Anatomia umana II edizione italiana sulla V in lingua inglese. Padova: Piccin, 2019.
Patton K.T. et al. Anatomia umana. Approccio integrato tra struttura e funzione. Edra, 2020.
Saladin KS. Anatomia Umana.). Padova: Piccin, 2018.
McKinley M, O'Loughlin VD. Anatomia umana II edizione italiana sulla V in lingua inglese. Padova: Piccin, 2019.
Patton K.T. et al. Anatomia umana. Approccio integrato tra struttura e funzione. Edra, 2020.
Saladin KS. Anatomia Umana.). Padova: Piccin, 2018.
Modules or teaching units
Histology
BIO/17 - HISTOLOGY - University credits: 3
Informal teaching: 8 hours
Lessons: 20 hours
Lessons: 20 hours
Professors:
Cassani Barbara, Sartori Patrizia Mirella
Human anatomy
BIO/16 - HUMAN ANATOMY - University credits: 4
Informal teaching: 16 hours
Lessons: 24 hours
Lessons: 24 hours
Professor:
Donetti Elena Bianca
Professor(s)