02882 - Anatomy

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student will know the conformation and structure of various organs and systems with regard to their macroscopic and microscopic features. The student will also know correlations between the regions of the human body. The knowledge gained is the basis for the understanding of human body and clinical application.

Course contents

At the end of the course, students will have acquired knowledge of the anatomical organization of the human body, its gross anatomy, and the main aspects of the microscopic organization of organs and organ systems. They will be able to identify, describe, and locate the principal anatomical structures of the human body, using the international anatomical terminology correctly and understanding the topographical relationships among the different body regions. Students will be able to correlate the morphology of organs with their fundamental functions and will acquire the anatomical foundations necessary to understand physiological mechanisms, pathological processes, and the clinical and diagnostic procedures that characterize the nursing profession.

The course is divided into two modules.

Module 1 – General Principles of Human Anatomy

• International anatomical terminology.
• Anatomical position.
• Planes and axes of the human body.
• Anatomical regions of the human body.
• Principles of human body organization: cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems.

Skeletal System

• General organization of the human skeleton.
• Axial and appendicular skeleton.
• Main bones of the trunk, upper limb, and lower limb.
• Classification of joints.
• Principal joints of the trunk and limbs.

Cardiovascular System

• General organization of the cardiovascular system.
• Heart and pericardium.
• Cardiac chambers and principal anatomical structures of the heart.
• Coronary circulation.
• Systemic and pulmonary circulation.
• Aorta and pulmonary artery.
• General structure of arteries, veins, and capillaries.
• Blood supply to the principal regions of the body.

Lymphatic System

• General organization of the lymphatic system.
• Lymphatic capillaries and vessels.
• Thoracic duct and right lymphatic duct.

Respiratory System

• General organization of the respiratory system.
• Upper and lower airways.
• Larynx.
• Trachea.
• Bronchi.
• Lungs and pleurae.
• Diaphragm and principal respiratory muscles.

Urinary System

• General organization of the urinary system.
• Kidney: morphology and structural organization.
• Urinary tract.
• Urinary bladder.

Male Reproductive System

• General organization of the male reproductive system.
• Testes and epididymides.
• Ductus deferens and spermatic pathways.

Female Reproductive System

• General organization of the female reproductive system.
• Ovaries.
• Uterine tubes.
• Uterus.

For the urinary and reproductive systems, the main topographical relationships among the organs of the pelvic cavity and perineum will be examined, with particular reference to the urinary bladder, prostate gland, and female reproductive organs, highlighting their clinical and nursing relevance.

Module 2: this module focuses on the anatomical organization of the digestive, endocrine, and neuro-sensory systems, providing the morphological foundations necessary for understanding physiological mechanisms, pathological processes, and the principal clinical and nursing procedures.

DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Oral cavity and associated structures. Topography, systematic anatomy, vascularization, and innervation of the various sections of the digestive tract. Behavior of the peritoneum.

ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
Topography, macroscopic, microscopic, and functional anatomy of the thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal glands, pineal gland, pituitary gland, and endocrine pancreas.

CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
Organization of the central nervous system.
Spinal cord: External and internal structure. Roots of spinal nerves. Organization of gray and white matter.
Brainstem: Medulla oblongata, pons, and midbrain. External configuration and anatomical relations. Fourth ventricle, cerebral peduncles, tectal plate, cerebral aqueduct.
Cerebellum: External and internal structure, cortical structure and architecture.
Diencephalon: Thalamus, hypothalamus, epithalamus, and subthalamus. Third ventricle.
Telencephalon: General structure. Sulci, lobes, gyri, cortex, cerebral areas. Lateral ventricles. Subcortical nuclei and organization of white matter. Main commissural systems of the telencephalon. Limbic system.
Meninges of the spinal cord and brain: Dura mater, arachnoid, pia mater, tela choroidea and choroid plexuses, cerebrospinal fluid.
Vascularization of the CNS: Vascular supply to the spinal cord and brain. Internal carotid artery. Vertebrobasilar system. Circle of Willis. Cerebral arteries. Dural venous sinuses.
Autonomic nervous system: Sympathetic system and related plexuses. Cranial and sacral parasympathetic system.

PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
Spinal and cranial nerves.

Systems of specific senses: Visual system, auditory system, and integumentary system.

Readings/Bibliography

Anatomia Umana - Elementi- Arcuri et al., Ed. Edi-ermes

ANATOMIA UMANA. Martini, Tallitsch, Nath. Ed. Edises

Anatomia Umana - Fondamenti- Barbatelli et al. Edi-ermes

ANATOMIA UMANA -principi- Artico et al., Ed. Edi-ermes

ANATOMIA DELL'UOMO Ambrosi et al., Ed. Edi-ermes

ANATOMIA UMANA - ATLANTE TASCABILE – APPARATO LOCOMOTORE (VOL. 1), Platzer W., Casa Editrice ambrosiana

Atlas for spot consultation:

F.H. NETTER Atlante di Anatomia Umana, Ciba-Geigy Edizioni

Prometheus. Atlante di Anatomia Umana. EdiSES

J. SOBOTTA Atlante di Anatomia Descrittiva I, II, III S.E.S.

Teaching methods

The course is delivered through lectures supported by multimedia presentations including explanatory diagrams, anatomical images derived from anatomical atlases, and other relevant visual materials, which are used to facilitate the understanding of anatomical relationships and the acquisition of anatomical terminology.

To promote the three-dimensional visualization of anatomical structures and their spatial organization, free digital applications for 3D virtual anatomy may be used during the course.

Specific topics may also be explored through audiovisual resources and educational videos from the JoVE (Journal of Visualized Experiments) platform, with the aim of complementing traditional lectures and enhancing students’ understanding of the anatomical organization of the organs and organ systems covered in the course.

Assessment methods

Knowledge and skills are assessed through an oral examination covering the contents of the two modules of the Human Anatomy course. The examinations for the individual modules may be taken during different examination sessions.

For each module, the oral examination consists of two questions related to the topics covered during the course.

The assessment is designed to evaluate:

• the ability to identify, describe, and locate the main anatomical structures;
• knowledge of the topographical relationships among organs and organ systems;
• the ability to correlate the morphological characteristics of organs with their main functions;
• the appropriate use of anatomical terminology.

A grade out of 30 is awarded for each module. The grade obtained in an individual module remains valid for 12 months.

The final grade for the Human Anatomy course is calculated as the arithmetic mean of the grades obtained in the two modules.

Human Anatomy is part of the integrated course Morphological Sciences, together with the Histology course. The final grade for the integrated course is calculated as the average of the grades obtained in the two courses.

Assessment Criteria

• 18–21/30: sufficient knowledge of the fundamental topics; ability to describe the main anatomical structures using basic but correct anatomical terminology.

• 22–25/30: adequate knowledge of the course contents; ability to describe and locate the main anatomical structures using appropriate anatomical terminology.

• 26–28/30: good knowledge of the topics covered; ability to correlate the anatomical structures studied with their functional organization and their main topographical relationships.

• 29–30/30: comprehensive and thorough knowledge of the course contents; rigorous use of anatomical terminology; ability to integrate knowledge relating to different organs and organ systems and to highlight their structure–function relationships.

• 30 cum laude: in addition to meeting the requirements for a grade of 30/30, the student demonstrates outstanding mastery of the subject matter, precision in the use of anatomical terminology, strong ability to integrate acquired knowledge, and excellent communication skills.

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools during examinations is prohibited. Any unauthorized use of AI constitutes a violation of academic integrity.

To take the examination, students must register through the University’s online examination system (Alma Esami) within the established deadlines. Students who are unable to register by the specified deadline must promptly notify the Academic Administration Office (and, in any case, before the official closing of the registration lists). The lecturer reserves the right to admit such students to the examination. The official recording of grades takes place on the date indicated in AlmaEsami.

Grades may be officially recorded in the student's absence.

Students with specific learning disorders (SLD) and temporary or permanent disabilities are encouraged to contact the dedicated University service (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it/per-studenti) as early as possible in order to arrange appropriate accommodations. Requests must be submitted to the lecturer at least 15 days before the examination date. The suitability of the requested accommodations will be evaluated in relation to the learning objectives of the course.

Teaching tools

Le lezioni sono supportate da presentazioni multimediali corredate da immagini anatomiche, schemi illustrativi e modelli anatomici tridimensionali, utilizzati per facilitare la comprensione dell'organizzazione anatomica del corpo umano e dei rapporti tra organi e sistemi.

Teaching materials are available on the University's e-learning platform, Virtuale.

Office hours

See the website of Gabriella Teti

See the website of Elisa Boschetti