Comparative Anatomy

The Comparative Anatomy course provides the analysis of the structural evolution of selected organ systems in representative Vertebrates. The structures are interpreted in terms of their embryological development, anatomical organization and phylogeny. Major topics:
- Comparative embryology: Vertebrate egg, early stages of the development, derivatives of the germ layers, fetal membranes and placentation.
- Integument: development and general structure of skin. Integument of Fishes and Tetrapods. Skin derivatives.
- Teeth: structure, development and evolution.
- Head skeleton: chondrocranium, dermatocranium and visceral skeleton. Cranial kinesis.
- Body skeleton: structure and development of vertebrae, ribs and trunk skeleton. Girdles. The appendicular skeleton of Fishes and Tetrapods.
- Respiratory system: gills, lungs, swim bladder and accessory respiratory organs.
- Digestive system: the structure and adaptations of the digestive tract. Liver and pancreas.
- Circulatory system: evolution of heart, arterial and venous systems. Lymphatic system.
- Excretory and reproductive systems: structure and evolution of kidney and ureter. Gonads, urogenital ducts and accessory organs.
- Nervous system: components and organization of the central nervous system and autonomic nervous system. Development, structure and evolution of brain, spinal cord, cranial and spinal nerves.
This course includes the laboratory of macroscopic and microscopic Anatomy of Vertebrates focused on the observation of skeleton models (skull, vertebrae and limbs) and histological sections of integument, respiratory, digestive, excretory and reproductive systems.