37199 - Laboratory of Anatomy (Part 1) (C1)

Learning outcomes

Anatomy 1 Laboratory complements and reinforces the theoretical components of the course through practical activities focused on the study of the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, and lymphatic systems. The laboratory is designed to develop students’ abilities in anatomical identification, topographical orientation, and understanding of the three-dimensional organization of the human body, which are essential skills for learning clinical anatomy and for subsequent courses in the medical and surgical sciences. Through these activities, students deepen their knowledge of anatomical structures and their spatial relationships, become familiar with normal anatomical variability, and develop the ability to recognize the main anatomo-clinical correlations, including those related to age, biological sex, and selected pathological conditions.

Course contents

Practical sessions include the use of anatomical models of bones, joints, muscles, and organs; dissection activities on animal anatomical specimens; and the observation of human anatomical specimens obtained through body donation programs and housed at the Center for Experimental, Molecular and Clinical Anatomy and Surgery of the University of Bologna. The laboratory also includes the use of the Anatomage Virtual Anatomy Table for the study of three-dimensional and sectional anatomy, as well as the observation of microscopic anatomy specimens related to the organs and systems covered in the course.

Musculoskeletal System

• Identification of the main bones of the axial and appendicular skeleton.
• Identification of the principal bony anatomical landmarks.
• Recognition of the major joints.
• Identification of the muscle groups of the trunk and limbs.
  

Cardiovascular System

• Direct observation of the external and internal morphology of the heart.
• Dissection of a porcine heart.
• Identification of the cardiac chambers, valves, and major blood vessels.
• Correlations between anatomical organization and function.

Respiratory System

• Observation and dissection of a porcine larynx.
• Identification of the cartilaginous and muscles framework of the larynx.
• Principal anatomical relationships of the upper airways.
• Correlations between anatomical structure and respiratory function.

Microscopic Anatomy

• Observation and identification of microscopic anatomy specimens of:

  • trachea;
  • lung;
  • lymph node;
  • spleen;
  • thymus.

• Correlation between the microscopic organization and the gross anatomy of the organs studied.

Readings/Bibliography

Anatomia Umana (3vol), Edi Ermes

Anatomia del Gray , 40° ed (2 volumi), Edra.,

Netter F., Atlante di Anatomia Umana, Edra

Guida alla lettura dell'Atlante di Anatomia Umana di F. Netter, Edra

Anatomia clinica, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana

Atlante fotografico di Anatomia descrittiva e topografica, Piccin

Atlante di Anatomia, Prometheus , EdiSes

Atlante di Anatomia, Kamina, Piccin

Teaching methods

The laboratory is based on guided practical activities aimed at the identification of anatomical structures and the understanding of their three-dimensional organization and topographical relationships.

Practical sessions include the identification of bones, joints, and muscle groups using anatomical models, as well as the observation and dissection of animal organs. Students will also examine human anatomical specimens in the dissection room and participate in virtual anatomy activities using the Anatomage Virtual Anatomy Table.

Activities carried out in the dissection room allow students to directly observe dissected human anatomical specimens, gaining a deeper understanding of the anatomical relationships among organs and adjacent structures, anatomical variability, and the principal anatomo-clinical correlations.

The laboratory also includes the observation and identification of microscopic anatomy specimens related to the organs and systems covered in the course, with the aim of integrating gross anatomical knowledge with microscopic structural features.

The use of the Anatomage Virtual Anatomy Table enables students to explore the three-dimensional organization of the human body and to correlate gross anatomy with sectional anatomy and basic radiological imaging.

Assessment methods

The Anatomy 1 Laboratory does not include a separate assessment. The knowledge and skills acquired during the practical activities contribute to the student's overall preparation and will be evaluated as part of the Anatomy 1 course examination, according to the procedures described in the corresponding course syllabus. For further details, please refer to: https://www.unibo.it/en/study/course-units-transferable-skills-moocs/course-unit-catalogue/course-unit/2026/550220

Teaching tools

Laboratory activities make use of three-dimensional anatomical models of bones, joints, muscles, and organs for the identification of the principal anatomical structures and their topographical relationships.

The Anatomage Virtual Anatomy Table is used for the study of three-dimensional and sectional human anatomy, allowing interactive exploration of anatomical structures and their spatial relationships.

Laboratory activities also include the observation of microscopic anatomy specimens related to the organs and systems covered in the course, with the aim of integrating gross anatomical knowledge with their microscopic structural organization.

Office hours

See the website of Gabriella Teti