Histology
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The course of Microscopic and Ultrastructural Human Morphology aims to:
- illustrate the structural and ultrastructural organization of the cellular and extracellular components of the tissues and their interactions, highlight the morpho-functional correlations in the context of the different organs and lay the groundwork for the recognition of the histopathological aspects, characteristic of human pathologies;
- provide the basis for understanding the mechanisms of histogenesis, tissue regeneration and repair for identifying the main pathogenetic mechanisms at cellular and molecular level;
- to define the microscopic structure of the organs of the human body;
- acquire the skills and the correct methodology to carry out organ diagnosis by light microscope on normal preparations of microscopic anatomy.
- illustrate the structural and ultrastructural organization of the cellular and extracellular components of the tissues and their interactions, highlight the morpho-functional correlations in the context of the different organs and lay the groundwork for the recognition of the histopathological aspects, characteristic of human pathologies;
- provide the basis for understanding the mechanisms of histogenesis, tissue regeneration and repair for identifying the main pathogenetic mechanisms at cellular and molecular level;
- to define the microscopic structure of the organs of the human body;
- acquire the skills and the correct methodology to carry out organ diagnosis by light microscope on normal preparations of microscopic anatomy.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course in Microscopic and Ultrastructural Human Morphology, students must be able to describe the normal structure and function of the various cell types, tissues and organs and, by microscopic examination, to recognize normal histological aspects in order to make diagnosis of organ from normal preparations of microscopic anatomy. Students must also demonstrate that they are familiar with the methodological and experimental pathways underlying the contents of the discipline, as well as their current and prospective value in biomedical applications and in pathophysiology.
In particular, the specific educational objectives of the teaching can be defined as follows:
1. Knowledge and understanding: students must demonstrate to have acquired a broad knowledge concerning differentiated cells (both in the structure and in the ultrastructure), to know how to establish a correlation between structure and function and to illustrate the morphological characteristics of different tissues and their organization within complex organs;
2. Applying knowledge and understanding: students, following a careful observation of normal histological preparations by light microscope, must be able to recognize and describe differentiated cells, tissues and organs in an autonomous way;
3. Making judgments: students, on the basis of information collected through the observation of a histological preparation with a light microscope, must be able to make an organ diagnosis by recognizing the presence of specific cells and tissues;
4. Communication skills: students must communicate their knowledge clearly, exposing the information in a coherent logical sequence, with appropriate technical language and using correct terminology;
5. Learning skills: the student, based on the acquired cultural elements, must be able to broaden his/her knowledge and to be up-to-date by drawing independently on texts, scientific articles and online platforms.
In particular, the specific educational objectives of the teaching can be defined as follows:
1. Knowledge and understanding: students must demonstrate to have acquired a broad knowledge concerning differentiated cells (both in the structure and in the ultrastructure), to know how to establish a correlation between structure and function and to illustrate the morphological characteristics of different tissues and their organization within complex organs;
2. Applying knowledge and understanding: students, following a careful observation of normal histological preparations by light microscope, must be able to recognize and describe differentiated cells, tissues and organs in an autonomous way;
3. Making judgments: students, on the basis of information collected through the observation of a histological preparation with a light microscope, must be able to make an organ diagnosis by recognizing the presence of specific cells and tissues;
4. Communication skills: students must communicate their knowledge clearly, exposing the information in a coherent logical sequence, with appropriate technical language and using correct terminology;
5. Learning skills: the student, based on the acquired cultural elements, must be able to broaden his/her knowledge and to be up-to-date by drawing independently on texts, scientific articles and online platforms.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Course syllabus
- Compound light microscope and its main variants. Resolving power. Transmission electron microscope and its main variants.
- Preparation of light and electronic microscopy sections: fixation, inclusion, cutting and coloring.
- Constructive hierarchies of living matter: units of measurement and observation tools.
Histology
- Concept of fabric: definition. Classification criteria and general characteristics of the main chapters of fabrics.
- Epithelial tissue: definition, embryonic origin, organization, functions and classification.
- Coating epithelia: definition, main functions and classification criteria. Morpho-functional polarity of the epithelial cell. Basal membrane. Intercellular junctions: structure and ultrastructure.
- Simple paving epithelia: morphology, location and functions. Mesothelium and endothelium. · Simple prismatic epithelia: morphology, location and functions. Top and basal differentiations.
- Epithelia paving compounds: morphology, location and functions. Epidermis: composition and morphology.
- Glandular epithelia: definition, function and classification criteria. Morphological, architectural and functional characteristics of the glands. Exocrine and endocrine glands. · Exocrine gland: definition and constructive hierarchies. Adenomere and excretory duct: definition, structure and function.
- Exocrine glands: morphological and functional classification criteria. Morphology of adenomeres and excretory ducts. Method of issuing the secret.
- Endocrine glands: definition, constructive hierarchies and vascular organization. Morphological and functional classification criteria. Method of control of endocrine secretion.
-- Sensory epithelia: definition. Taste cells and acoustic cells.
- Particularly differentiated epithelia: definition. Morphology, structure and morphogenesis of the enamel.
- Connective tissue: definition, embryonic origin, organization and functions.
- Mesenchyme: morphology and structure.
- Intercellular substance: amorphous and fibrous component. Composition, structure and functions.
- Connective tissue cells: morphology, structure and ultrastructure, locations and functions.
- Connective tissues: morphological and functional classification criteria.
- Connective tissues proper: classification, functions and locations.
- Adipose tissue: morphology, functions and locations.
- Supportive connective tissues: morphology and classification. Cartilage tissue and bone tissue.
- Cartilage tissue: classification, structure and functions.
- Bone tissue: general organization and classification. Non-lamellar and lamellar bone tissue: morphology, structure and functions. Morphology, structure and ultrastructure of cells. Composition and organization of the intercellular substance.
- Dentin: morphology and structure.
- Ossification: direct and indirect. Definition and locations. Method of carrying out the processes of indirect ossification (perichondral and endochondral). Modalities of growth of long and short bones. Mode and functional meaning of bone remodeling.
- Blood: definition and composition. Plasma and figurative elements.
- Erythrocytes, leukocytes and platelets: morphology, classification, size, number, origin and functions.
- Lymphoid tissue: structure, morphology, functions and locations.
- Muscle tissue: definition, organization, classification criteria, locations and functions. · Smooth muscle tissue: structure, ultrastructure and localization.
- Skeletal striated muscle tissue: structure, ultrastructure and localization.
- Muscle tissue: contraction mechanism.
- Cardiac striated muscle tissue: structure, ultrastructure and localization. Conduction fabric. Transduction, conduction and transmission of the nerve impulse.
- Neurons: morphological and functional classification criteria. Structure and ultrastructure of the neuron.
- Nerve fiber: definition, structure and ultrastructure. Classification criteria for nerve fibers. Myelin sheath: definition, formation, structure and ultrastructure.
- Glia: definition and function. Morphological and functional characteristics of the different types of gliocytes.
- Synapses: definition, classification criteria and functional meaning. Structure and ultrastructure of the interneuronic synapse and the neuromuscular synapse.
- Receptor cells: definition, classification and morphology of the main types.
- Efferent nerve fibers: definition and classification. Neuromuscular junction: morphology, structure, ultrastructure and function. Motor unit: definition and constitution.
Microscopic morphology
Systematically describe the architecture and structure of the organs making up the body systems, highlighting the morpho-functional relationship in particular for:
- air-blood barrier;
- blood-urinary barrier;
- hepatocyte, biliary capillaries, Disse space, sinusoids;
- epithelium of the mesenteric intestine;
- blood-brain barrier.
Locomotor system
- Morphology and classification criteria of bones.
- Microscopic structure of bones.
- General morphology of skeletal muscle; morphology and structure of tendons.
- Constructive hierarchies of a muscle (macroscopic, microscopic and ultrastructural). White and red fibers.
Circulatory system
- Artery, vein and capillary: definition and structure.
- Heart: architecture and structure. Conduction system of the heart.
- Lymphatic organs and ducts: definition.
- Spleen, thymus and lymph nodes: architecture and structure.
- Lymphoepithelial organs: definition and related structure. Main examples.
- Hemopiesis and hemocateresis: notes on morphological bases.
Digestive system
- Organs of the cephalic intestine. Mouth cavity (tongue, teeth, salivary glands), pharynx and esophagus: architecture and structure.
- Organs of the abdominal intestine. Stomach, small intestine and large intestine: architecture and structure.
- Liver, pancreas and extrahepatic biliary tract: architecture and structure.
Respiratory system
- Airways. Nasal cavities, nasopharynx, larynx, trachea and bronchi: architecture and structure.
- Lung: architecture and structure.
Urinary tract
- Kidney: architecture and structure.
- Urinary tract. Chalices and renal pelvis, ureter, bladder, urethra: architecture and structure.
Endocrine system
- Endocrine glands: general information.
- Pituitary, thyroid and parathyroid glands, pancreatic and adrenal islands: architecture and structure.
Male and female genital system
- Testicle, epididymis, seminal vesicle and prostate: architecture and structure.
- Ovary, uterine tube, uterus and vagina: architecture and structure.
- Gametogenesis: definition, modality and comparison in the two sexes.
- Male gametogenesis: modalities and times. Spermatozoon: morphology and structure.
- Female gametogenesis: modalities and times.
- Ovarian cycle: definition, phases and morpho-functional modifications.
- Uterine cycle: definition, phases and morpho-functional modifications.
- Ovarian cycle and uterine cycle: correlation between cycles.
Nervous system
- Nervous tissue: histological organization.
- Nerve fibers: classification and structure.
- Spinal cord: architecture and structure of the gray substance.
- Brain trunk: architecture and structure of the gray substance.
- Cerebellar and cerebral cortex: architecture and structure.
- Nerve: architecture and structure.
Integumentary system
- Skin and subcutis: general organization and histological features.
- Skin appendages: morphology and structure.
- Mammary gland: architecture and structure.
- Preparation of light and electronic microscopy sections: fixation, inclusion, cutting and coloring.
- Constructive hierarchies of living matter: units of measurement and observation tools.
Histology
- Concept of fabric: definition. Classification criteria and general characteristics of the main chapters of fabrics.
- Epithelial tissue: definition, embryonic origin, organization, functions and classification.
- Coating epithelia: definition, main functions and classification criteria. Morpho-functional polarity of the epithelial cell. Basal membrane. Intercellular junctions: structure and ultrastructure.
- Simple paving epithelia: morphology, location and functions. Mesothelium and endothelium. · Simple prismatic epithelia: morphology, location and functions. Top and basal differentiations.
- Epithelia paving compounds: morphology, location and functions. Epidermis: composition and morphology.
- Glandular epithelia: definition, function and classification criteria. Morphological, architectural and functional characteristics of the glands. Exocrine and endocrine glands. · Exocrine gland: definition and constructive hierarchies. Adenomere and excretory duct: definition, structure and function.
- Exocrine glands: morphological and functional classification criteria. Morphology of adenomeres and excretory ducts. Method of issuing the secret.
- Endocrine glands: definition, constructive hierarchies and vascular organization. Morphological and functional classification criteria. Method of control of endocrine secretion.
-- Sensory epithelia: definition. Taste cells and acoustic cells.
- Particularly differentiated epithelia: definition. Morphology, structure and morphogenesis of the enamel.
- Connective tissue: definition, embryonic origin, organization and functions.
- Mesenchyme: morphology and structure.
- Intercellular substance: amorphous and fibrous component. Composition, structure and functions.
- Connective tissue cells: morphology, structure and ultrastructure, locations and functions.
- Connective tissues: morphological and functional classification criteria.
- Connective tissues proper: classification, functions and locations.
- Adipose tissue: morphology, functions and locations.
- Supportive connective tissues: morphology and classification. Cartilage tissue and bone tissue.
- Cartilage tissue: classification, structure and functions.
- Bone tissue: general organization and classification. Non-lamellar and lamellar bone tissue: morphology, structure and functions. Morphology, structure and ultrastructure of cells. Composition and organization of the intercellular substance.
- Dentin: morphology and structure.
- Ossification: direct and indirect. Definition and locations. Method of carrying out the processes of indirect ossification (perichondral and endochondral). Modalities of growth of long and short bones. Mode and functional meaning of bone remodeling.
- Blood: definition and composition. Plasma and figurative elements.
- Erythrocytes, leukocytes and platelets: morphology, classification, size, number, origin and functions.
- Lymphoid tissue: structure, morphology, functions and locations.
- Muscle tissue: definition, organization, classification criteria, locations and functions. · Smooth muscle tissue: structure, ultrastructure and localization.
- Skeletal striated muscle tissue: structure, ultrastructure and localization.
- Muscle tissue: contraction mechanism.
- Cardiac striated muscle tissue: structure, ultrastructure and localization. Conduction fabric. Transduction, conduction and transmission of the nerve impulse.
- Neurons: morphological and functional classification criteria. Structure and ultrastructure of the neuron.
- Nerve fiber: definition, structure and ultrastructure. Classification criteria for nerve fibers. Myelin sheath: definition, formation, structure and ultrastructure.
- Glia: definition and function. Morphological and functional characteristics of the different types of gliocytes.
- Synapses: definition, classification criteria and functional meaning. Structure and ultrastructure of the interneuronic synapse and the neuromuscular synapse.
- Receptor cells: definition, classification and morphology of the main types.
- Efferent nerve fibers: definition and classification. Neuromuscular junction: morphology, structure, ultrastructure and function. Motor unit: definition and constitution.
Microscopic morphology
Systematically describe the architecture and structure of the organs making up the body systems, highlighting the morpho-functional relationship in particular for:
- air-blood barrier;
- blood-urinary barrier;
- hepatocyte, biliary capillaries, Disse space, sinusoids;
- epithelium of the mesenteric intestine;
- blood-brain barrier.
Locomotor system
- Morphology and classification criteria of bones.
- Microscopic structure of bones.
- General morphology of skeletal muscle; morphology and structure of tendons.
- Constructive hierarchies of a muscle (macroscopic, microscopic and ultrastructural). White and red fibers.
Circulatory system
- Artery, vein and capillary: definition and structure.
- Heart: architecture and structure. Conduction system of the heart.
- Lymphatic organs and ducts: definition.
- Spleen, thymus and lymph nodes: architecture and structure.
- Lymphoepithelial organs: definition and related structure. Main examples.
- Hemopiesis and hemocateresis: notes on morphological bases.
Digestive system
- Organs of the cephalic intestine. Mouth cavity (tongue, teeth, salivary glands), pharynx and esophagus: architecture and structure.
- Organs of the abdominal intestine. Stomach, small intestine and large intestine: architecture and structure.
- Liver, pancreas and extrahepatic biliary tract: architecture and structure.
Respiratory system
- Airways. Nasal cavities, nasopharynx, larynx, trachea and bronchi: architecture and structure.
- Lung: architecture and structure.
Urinary tract
- Kidney: architecture and structure.
- Urinary tract. Chalices and renal pelvis, ureter, bladder, urethra: architecture and structure.
Endocrine system
- Endocrine glands: general information.
- Pituitary, thyroid and parathyroid glands, pancreatic and adrenal islands: architecture and structure.
Male and female genital system
- Testicle, epididymis, seminal vesicle and prostate: architecture and structure.
- Ovary, uterine tube, uterus and vagina: architecture and structure.
- Gametogenesis: definition, modality and comparison in the two sexes.
- Male gametogenesis: modalities and times. Spermatozoon: morphology and structure.
- Female gametogenesis: modalities and times.
- Ovarian cycle: definition, phases and morpho-functional modifications.
- Uterine cycle: definition, phases and morpho-functional modifications.
- Ovarian cycle and uterine cycle: correlation between cycles.
Nervous system
- Nervous tissue: histological organization.
- Nerve fibers: classification and structure.
- Spinal cord: architecture and structure of the gray substance.
- Brain trunk: architecture and structure of the gray substance.
- Cerebellar and cerebral cortex: architecture and structure.
- Nerve: architecture and structure.
Integumentary system
- Skin and subcutis: general organization and histological features.
- Skin appendages: morphology and structure.
- Mammary gland: architecture and structure.
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge of secondary school regarding the biochemistry of biological macromolecules and cellular biology.
Teaching methods
- Lectures supported by PowerPoint presentations
- Practical exercises under an optical microscope for the observation of histological preparations of different organs. In order to carry out the correct reading and recognition of tissues and organs, the student receives a theoretical training during the frontal lessons and is supported to understand the preparations, during the practical exercise, by a dedicated teacher.
- Team Based Learning activity: it is a flipped classroom strategy that aims to encourage the learning of both disciplinary content and application skills, cooperative learning and peer education action through debate and discussion, the development of critical skills and students' thinking exercise to support the resolution of complex problems and to stimulate the development of transversal skills such as teamwork and communication.
Students will be divided into groups and will collaborate to identify the correct answers to questions or application problems related to the diagnosis of a histological preparation.
- Practical exercises under an optical microscope for the observation of histological preparations of different organs. In order to carry out the correct reading and recognition of tissues and organs, the student receives a theoretical training during the frontal lessons and is supported to understand the preparations, during the practical exercise, by a dedicated teacher.
- Team Based Learning activity: it is a flipped classroom strategy that aims to encourage the learning of both disciplinary content and application skills, cooperative learning and peer education action through debate and discussion, the development of critical skills and students' thinking exercise to support the resolution of complex problems and to stimulate the development of transversal skills such as teamwork and communication.
Students will be divided into groups and will collaborate to identify the correct answers to questions or application problems related to the diagnosis of a histological preparation.
Teaching Resources
- Morfologia microscopica e ultrastrutturale - Istologia e anatomia microscopica di M.A. Goffredi e M. Vertemati. Ed Società Editrice Esculapio
- Istologia. Testo e atlante di M.H. Ross e W. Pawlina. Ed. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana
- Dalle Cellule ai Sistemi. M. Maraldi, G. Anastasi e C. Tacchetti. Ed. Ermes
- Netter's. Istologia e anatomia microscopica. Con correlazioni cliniche e istopatologiche di di W.K. Ovalle e P. C. Nahirney
- Istologia di V. Monesi. Ed. Piccin
- Istologia. Testo e atlante di A.L. Mescher e L.C. Junqueira. Ed. Piccin
- Istologia di P. Rosati, R. Colombo e N. Maraldi. Ed. Edi-Ermes
- Istologia e Anatomia Microscopica. Atlante M.R. Scirea, M.A. Goffredi e M. Vertemati. Ed Società Editrice Esculapio
- Atlante di istologia e anatomia microscopica di M.H. Ross, W. Pawlina e T. Barnash. Ed. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana
- Wheater. Istologia e anatomia microscopica di B. Young, J.W. Heath e P. Woodford. Ed. Edra
- Eserciziario di Anatomia Microscopica di N. Gagliano e F. Arnaboldi. Ed. Piccin.
- Eserciziario di Istologia di N. Gagliano, F. Arnaboldi e C.Moscheni. Ed. Piccin.
- Istologia. Dalle basi molecolari alle correlazioni cliniche di A.L. Kierszenbaum e L.L. Tres. Ed. Edra
- Istologia. Testo e atlante di M.H. Ross e W. Pawlina. Ed. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana
- Dalle Cellule ai Sistemi. M. Maraldi, G. Anastasi e C. Tacchetti. Ed. Ermes
- Netter's. Istologia e anatomia microscopica. Con correlazioni cliniche e istopatologiche di di W.K. Ovalle e P. C. Nahirney
- Istologia di V. Monesi. Ed. Piccin
- Istologia. Testo e atlante di A.L. Mescher e L.C. Junqueira. Ed. Piccin
- Istologia di P. Rosati, R. Colombo e N. Maraldi. Ed. Edi-Ermes
- Istologia e Anatomia Microscopica. Atlante M.R. Scirea, M.A. Goffredi e M. Vertemati. Ed Società Editrice Esculapio
- Atlante di istologia e anatomia microscopica di M.H. Ross, W. Pawlina e T. Barnash. Ed. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana
- Wheater. Istologia e anatomia microscopica di B. Young, J.W. Heath e P. Woodford. Ed. Edra
- Eserciziario di Anatomia Microscopica di N. Gagliano e F. Arnaboldi. Ed. Piccin.
- Eserciziario di Istologia di N. Gagliano, F. Arnaboldi e C.Moscheni. Ed. Piccin.
- Istologia. Dalle basi molecolari alle correlazioni cliniche di A.L. Kierszenbaum e L.L. Tres. Ed. Edra
Assessment methods and Criteria
The learning assessment consists of a preliminary written test and an oral exam during which the observation, description and diagnosis of a microscopic preparation are also required.
Preliminary written test: it consists in answering a set of multiple-choice quizzes related to the whole exam program, distributed among the various topics in proportion to their relevance.
For this test, 35 quizzes are provided, each comprising five answers that can be true or false independently of each other.
Passing the quiz test allows, in the same session and only in that one, access to the oral exam. If the oral exam is not passed, the student must take the quiz test again, even in the case of sessions with more than one exam.
The test is considered passed when the condition is met:
t = 5 * N - e ≥ 48 where:
- N = number of quizzes in which all five questions were answered correctly
- e = number of incorrect questions.
N=15 16 17 18 19 20
e≤ 27 32 37 42 47 52
The test lasts 90 minutes.
Oral exam: it consists of an oral interview
Preliminary written test: it consists in answering a set of multiple-choice quizzes related to the whole exam program, distributed among the various topics in proportion to their relevance.
For this test, 35 quizzes are provided, each comprising five answers that can be true or false independently of each other.
Passing the quiz test allows, in the same session and only in that one, access to the oral exam. If the oral exam is not passed, the student must take the quiz test again, even in the case of sessions with more than one exam.
The test is considered passed when the condition is met:
t = 5 * N - e ≥ 48 where:
- N = number of quizzes in which all five questions were answered correctly
- e = number of incorrect questions.
N=15 16 17 18 19 20
e≤ 27 32 37 42 47 52
The test lasts 90 minutes.
Oral exam: it consists of an oral interview
BIO/17 - HISTOLOGY - University credits: 7
Informal teaching: 8 hours
Lessons: 78 hours
Lessons: 78 hours
Professors:
Giovarelli Matteo, Moscheni Claudia
Shifts:
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