76148 - Human Anatomy

Learning outcomes

The students will learn about the organization of tissues and organs of the human body. This knowledge will allow them to better understand the subsequent classes of biochemistry, physiology, pathology and pharmacology.

Course contents

By the end of the course, students will have acquired an integrated knowledge of the structural organisation of the human body at both macroscopic and microscopic levels, viewed from systematic, topographical and functional perspectives.

In particular, students will be able to:

• use anatomical terminology and the principal spatial and topographical references correctly;
• describe the general organisation of the tissues, organs and systems of the human body;
• identify the principal anatomical structures and understand their essential relationships;
• integrate macroscopic and microscopic features with their functional significance;
• interpret anatomical illustrations, sections, biomedical images, three-dimensional models and virtual anatomy resources;
• apply the knowledge acquired to selected functional, clinical and pharmaceutical correlations.

The course provides the morphological foundations required for the subsequent study of physiology, biochemistry, pathology, pharmacology and other biomedical and pharmaceutical disciplines, while promoting an autonomous, critical and scientifically rigorous approach to learning.

Prerequisites

Basic knowledge of cell biology and the general organisation of tissues is recommended.

Course contents

Foundations of human anatomy

• Structural organisation of the human body.
• Anatomical terminology, anatomical position, planes, axes, regions and body cavities.
• Principles of gross, microscopic, systematic, topographical, surface and functional anatomy.
• General organisation of tissues and their integration within organ structure.
• Fundamental characteristics of hollow and solid organs.

Musculoskeletal system

• General organisation of the axial and appendicular skeleton.
• Principal morphological and functional characteristics of bones, joints and skeletal muscles.
• Essential relationships between structure, support, posture and movement.
• Principal landmarks of surface anatomy.

Cardiovascular and lymphatic systems

• Gross and microscopic organisation of the heart and blood vessels.
• Pulmonary and systemic circulation.
• General distribution of the major vascular territories and organisation of the microcirculation.
• Lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes and principal lymphoid organs.
• Essential morphofunctional correlations with circulation, tissue drainage and immune functions.

Respiratory system

• Organisation of the respiratory tract and lungs.
• Principal gross and microscopic features of the conducting and respiratory portions.
• Pleurae and essential topographical relationships.
• Structural correlations with ventilation, gas exchange and inhaled drug administration.

Digestive system

• General organisation of the alimentary canal and associated organs.
• Principal gross and microscopic characteristics of the different regions of the system.
• Liver, biliary tract and pancreas.
• Peritoneum and essential topographical relationships.
• Morphofunctional correlations with digestion, absorption, metabolism and drug administration.

Urinary system

• Organisation of the kidneys and urinary tract.
• Gross and microscopic structure of the kidney.
• Principal anatomical relationships and morphofunctional correlations with filtration, homeostasis and the elimination of substances.

Reproductive systems

• Gross and microscopic organisation of the male and female reproductive systems.
• Gonads, reproductive ducts and accessory organs.
• Principal topographical relationships and morphofunctional correlations.

Endocrine system

• Gross and microscopic organisation of the principal endocrine glands and the endocrine components located within different organs.
• Essential relationships between structure, vascular supply and endocrine function.

Nervous system and sensory organs

• General organisation of the central, peripheral and autonomic nervous systems.
• Principal components of the brain and spinal cord.
• Meninges, ventricular system and cerebrospinal fluid circulation.
• General principles of neural pathways and somatic and visceral innervation.
• General anatomical organisation of the principal sensory systems.

Integumentary system

• Gross and microscopic organisation of the skin and its appendages.
• Morphofunctional correlations with protection, sensation and thermoregulation.
• Anatomical principles relevant to topical and transdermal drug administration.

Applied anatomy and anatomical representation

• Identification of the principal surface anatomical landmarks.
• Guided interpretation of illustrations, anatomical sections and biomedical images.
• Use of three-dimensional models, digital reconstructions and virtual anatomy resources.
• Integration of selected functional, clinical, diagnostic and pharmaceutical correlations throughout the course.

The depth with which individual topics are addressed is appropriate to the learning objectives of the Single Cycle Degree Programme in Pharmacy and is defined by the present syllabus, the lectures, the official teaching materials and any additional course guidance communicated during the course.

Readings/Bibliography

Recommended core textbooks

F.H. Martini, R.B. Tallitsch, J.L. Nath, Human Anatomy, 10th edition, Pearson, 2026.

R.L. Drake, A.W. Vogl, A.W.M. Mitchell, Gray’s Anatomy for Students, 5th edition, Elsevier, 2023.

These books constitute the principal references for the systematic, topographical, functional and clinically oriented study of human anatomy. Students may use either textbook as their main reference, according to their preferred approach to learning.

Recommended anatomical atlas

F.H. Netter, Atlas of Human Anatomy: A Systems Approach, 9th edition, Elsevier, 2026.

The atlas is recommended as a complementary resource for the visual identification of structures and the understanding of spatial and topographical relationships.

Advanced textbooks and reference works

A.M.R. Agur, A.F. Dalley II, Moore’s Essential Clinical Anatomy, 7th edition, Wolters Kluwer, 2023.

S. Standring, S.R. Tubbs, eds., Gray’s Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice, 43rd edition, Elsevier, 2025.

These books are recommended as advanced resources for consultation and further study of anatomical relationships, clinically oriented anatomy and selected topics of interest.

The textbooks and atlas support and provide further insight into the course topics; the level of preparation required for the examination is that consistent with the syllabus, the lectures and the teaching materials.

Teaching methods

The course is taught in English through lectures organised according to a systematic, coherent and integrated progression.

The theoretical presentation of the course contents is accompanied by guided analysis of anatomical representations and selected morphofunctional, clinical and pharmaceutical correlations. As appropriate to the topics addressed, teaching may be supported by:

• presentations, anatomical plates and diagrams;
• gross and microscopic images;
• selected anatomical sections and biomedical images;
• educational videos, animations and selected audiovisual demonstrations of cadaveric anatomy;
• three-dimensional models and reconstructions;
• digital tools and virtual anatomy resources;
• formative questions and guided revision activities.

These resources promote understanding of the spatial organisation of the human body, anatomical relationships and the integration of descriptive, microscopic, functional and applied anatomy.

Teaching materials and supplementary resources may be made available to students according to the arrangements communicated during the course.

Assessment methods

Learning is assessed through two written examinations in English, covering the contents of the two course modules and designed according to consistent criteria aligned with the overall learning objectives of the course. 

The examinations may include:

• questions addressing the macroscopic and microscopic organisation of the human body;
• identification and interpretation of structures represented in images, diagrams or anatomical sections;
• integrated questions addressing topographical and morphofunctional relationships;
• questions requiring connections between topics relating to different organs or body systems;
• selected functional, clinical and pharmaceutical applications consistent with the learning objectives of the course.

Assessment is designed to evaluate not only the acquisition of fundamental anatomical knowledge, but also the ability to use scientific terminology correctly, recognise relationships between structures, integrate macroscopic and microscopic information and apply acquired knowledge to anatomical questions of increasing complexity. 

The scores achieved in the two examinations are added together and subsequently converted to the Italian 30-point grading scale according to predetermined criteria communicated through institutional channels.

The final mark therefore derives from an integrated overall assessment of the results achieved in the two modules. Honours may be awarded to students who achieve the maximum score in the examinations relating to both modules and demonstrate full, accurate and coherent mastery of the entire syllabus.

The examinations are structured to ensure balanced assessment of the different areas of the course, consistently with the relative emphasis and level of depth assigned to the topics during teaching.

Indiscriminate knowledge of every detail contained in the recommended textbooks is not required. For the purposes of final assessment, the expected level of preparation is that consistent with the present syllabus, the lectures, the teaching materials and the guidance provided by the lecturer.

Any further organisational details are communicated to students through institutional channels. Organisational adjustments do not alter the learning outcomes, the general format of the examinations or the substantive assessment criteria.

• In order to take the examination, the student must have attended at least 80% of the laboratory exercises and 70% of the lectures. Students are reminded to check the prerequisites listed in the course structure diagram.
• Students with learning disorders and/or temporary or permanent disabilities: please contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students ) as soon as possible so that acceptable adjustments can be proposed. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the examination date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.
• The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools is prohibited during examinations. All assessments are conducted exclusively in a controlled environment, including through institutional platforms and infrastructure, in accordance with Course regulations and University policies.

Teaching tools

Presentations, anatomical plates and diagrams, gross and microscopic images, anatomical sections, biomedical images, educational videos and animations, selected audiovisual demonstrations of cadaveric anatomy, three-dimensional models, revision materials and digital virtual anatomy resources.

Office hours

See the website of Ioannis Papanikolaou