Anatomy of Companion Animals

The course of Anatomy of Companion Animals I aims at introducing the Students to the study of morphology and structure tissues and organs of domestic animals, mainly referred to dogs, cats, rabbits, and horses. The Students will acquire basic and advanced knowledge in histology, general anatomy, macroscopic and microscopic anatomy of the Musculoskeletal, Respiratory, Digestive, Cardio-circulatory and Uro-genital Systems. They will also acquire general notions on the Neuro-endocrine system of mammals and embryo-fetal development of birds and mammals. Overall this course will contribute to the development of the appropriate terminology to efficiently communicate with medical and technical staff, of the intellectual skills needed to autonomously study new topics related to histology and anatomy, and to engage with the study of physiology, pathology, reproduction, ethology and welfare, and breeding

1. Knowledge and understanding: At the end of this course, Students will have sufficient knowledge and competence to:
· list and describe the main tissue types (epithelial, connective, muscular, nervous) and the features of the tissue-specific cell types;
· use the appropriate anatomical terminology to describe organs, their position and relationship between the different anatomical structures;
· list the body cavities and visceral spaces and illustrate the main structural features;
· describe the typical tissue organization of luminal and parenchymal organs;
· describe the morphology, architecture and structure of the main anatomical structures of the Musculo-skeletal, Cardio-circulatory (comprising Lymphatic) and Neuro-endocrine Systems, mainly referred to dogs, cats, rabbits, and horses;
· describe the shape, position, relationship and structure of the organs of the Digestive, Respiratory and Uro-genital Systems, mainly referred to dogs, cats, rabbits, and horses;
· illustrate the main stages of gametogenesis and embryo development (fertilization, segmentation, gastrulation) in birds and mammals, comprising the formation of embryonic annexes in mammals;
· classify placentas according to the development of annexes, as well as histological and topographical criteria, mainly referred to dogs, cats, rabbits, and horses.
2. Applying knowledge and understanding: At the end of this course, Students will be able to apply the acquired knowledge to identify cells/tissues/organ parts in histological samples and relate morphological features of the different anatomical structures with their function(s).
3. Making judgments: the Students must demonstrate the ability to critically present the information acquired, by organizing a brief presentation on a given topic.
4. Communication: the Students are expected to use the appropriate anatomical and histological language, to describe tissues and organs, comprising their position and the relationship with the surrounding anatomical structures.
5. Lifelong learning skills: the Students must gain the ability to use acquired knowledge to interpret histological samples different from the ones seen during the classes and to deepen the study of topics of interest for the development of their future academic and professional career, for instance using multiple textbooks, searching scientific databases, and critically organising new information.