OVERVIEW

The course aims at providing students with the basic knowledge of the morphological and functional characteristics of human tissues with special regard to cells composing them. The course will also deal with the fundamental processes of embryonic development. Tutorials devoted to observation of histological preparations by optical microscope will deepen the aspects discussed in the lessons.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Knowledge of the main morphological and functional characteristics of human tissues with special regard to cells composing them. Knowledge of the fundamental processes of embryonic development and the major molecular mechanisms that regulate them.

Teaching methods

The course includes classroom teaching lessons on topics of citology, histology and embryology.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The main steps in eukaryotic cell evolution

The plasma membrane:

Structure and functions

Membrane transports

Endocytosis and esocytosis

The cytoplasm:

Hyaloplasm

Ribosomes

Rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum (RER)

Smooth-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum (REL)

Golgi apparatus

Lysosomes

Peroxisomes

Mitochondria

The cytoskeleton

Cell movement

Cell motility and intracellular transport

Cell junctional comlexes

The nucleous

The nucleolus

Cell cycle and mitosis

HISTOLOGY

Epithelial tissue:

Main characteristics of epithelia

Lining epithelia: organization and classification

Structural surface differentiations of epithelial cells (microvilli, stereocilia, cilia)

Secretory epithelia:

•          exocrine glands

•          endocrine glands

Sensorial epithelia.

Specialized epithelia.

Connective tissue:

Extracellular matrix:

•          fibers

•          ground substance

Cell components of connective tissue

Connective tissue proper

Support connective tissue: cartilage and bone tissue

Ossification

Trophic connective tissue: blood and lymph

Lymphatic tissue

Cells of the innate and adaptive immune system

Muscle tissue:

• striated skeletal muscle tissue
• striated cardiac muscle tissue
• smooth muscle tissue

Myofibril structure and muscle contraction

Nerve tissue:

• neurons
• glial cells
• nerve fibers
• synapses and impulse transmission

EMBRIOLOGY

Gametogenesis:

- Spermatogenesis and mechanisms of hormonal control

- Oogenesis and mechanisms of hormonal control; ovarian cycle; uterine cycle.

Fertilization

Segmentation

Implantation of the blastocyst

Germ disc bilaminar (second week of development)

Germ disc trilaminar (third week of development)

Neurulation, the development of the somites and the embryonic body cavity, the embryo folding steps

The derivatives of the three germ layers.

Primitive placenta

Terminal placenta: leafy chorion and decidua

Amnion and umbilical cord.

Maternal-fetal compatibility/incompatibility.

Elements of organogenesis.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

HISTOLOGY

Young, Heath- Atlante: Istologia e Anatomia microscopica. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana

Ross M.H., Pawlina W.- Istologia- Testo e Atlante. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana.

Monesi - Istologia (7 edizione) - Piccin Editore

Maraldi, Tacchetti - Istologia medica - Edi-Ermes

EMBRIOLOGY

Rosati e coll.- Embriologia. Edi-Ermes

De Felici e coll.- Embriologia umana. Piccin Editore

Exam Board

ANTONIO PUCCETTI (President)

EMANUELA MARCENARO (President)

ROBERTA CASTRICONI (President)

MARIELLA DELLA CHIESA (President)

SIMONA SIVORI (President)

MARZIA DOLCINO

Teaching methods

The course includes classroom teaching lessons on topics of citology, histology and embryology.

Exam description

Written test (open questions) and oral examination

Assessment methods

The examination consists of a written test with open questions and in an oral examination. The examamination has a duration of at least 45 minutes.