90316 - General Pathology Lab-based Course (A)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student: is acquantained with the general elements of histopathology and can recognise the morphological changes in cells and tissues caused by morbid processes and fundamental defence reactions against pathogens; can describe and interpret the pathological picture of the preparation by tracing it back to the specific aetiopathogenetic mechanism; - understands the limits and diagnostic potential of histopathology

Course contents

Pre-cancerous lesions;

Benign tumours;

Epithelial and mesenchymal malignancies;

Metastases;

Necrosis;

Infarction;

Acute inflammation;

Abscesses;

Foreign body granuloma;

Tuberculosis;

Granulation tissue

Amyloidosis;

Arteriosclerosis;

Thrombosis;

Readings/Bibliography

Slides and lecture notes from previous years

Teaching methods

The course consists of lectures and virtual microscopy.

The individual exercise topics are presented in the lecture room by the lecturer and linked to the corresponding topics covered in the General Pathology and Pathophysiology course.

The slides will be ‘on-line’ at the virtual microscopy platform ‘unibo.smartzoom.com’.

Assessment methods

The examination is viva voce and is designed to assess the knowledge acquired by the student on the teaching topics in order to achieve the teaching objectives. The examination assesses the student's ability to frame the topic of general pathology or general physiopathology on which he/she is questioned and to expound it by making the necessary logical-deductive connections, also in relation to specific morphological alterations. The coherence of the conceptual sequence and the appropriateness of the scientific language are further elements of assessment. The examination of the General Pathology and Pathophysiology Course includes the observation and oral description of a microscopic preparation up to the recognition of the specific histopathological picture.


Grading of the final grade


Insufficient: Serious and repeated conceptual errors.


18-19: knowledge of basic concepts without serious deficiencies. Exposition of concepts and language on the whole acceptable.


20-24: adequate knowledge of basic concepts without gaps. Ability to analyse and connect in partial autonomy. Exposition of concepts and language fair.


25-29: good or very good preparation or even very good preparation but with inaccuracies in exposition that undermine the achievement of full marks. Ability to analyse and assemble independently. Exposition of concepts in the correct sequence and fluency of language.

30-30L: full, consolidated preparation with no inaccuracies on topics covered in the course. Ability to frame the topic promptly. Capacity to analyse and link independently. Concepts in the correct order and full fluency in the specific language.

The examination will cover the topics discussed in the lectures and will be sat with the professor who taught the course. Each student will take two tests in Pathology and General Pathophysiology, which will count for 50% of the final grade. The General Pathology Laboratory test will also be taken during one of the two tests. The final mark will be derived from the mathematical average of the two marks obtained in the individual tests approximated by excess (--.05). Honours will be awarded to the student who has been proposed for honours by at least one of the two Professors, and only if a full mark (30/30) has been achieved in the both parts.

Teaching tools

The teaching material used by the lecturer will be available on the ‘Virtual’ teaching support platform.


The preparations are visible ‘on-line’ thanks to the virtual microscopy service ‘unibo.smartzoom.com’. The system allows you to ‘explore’ the preparations online from your PC

Office hours

See the website of Massimiliano Bonafè