00358 - Histology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student have the preparation that allows to understand the morpho-functional bases of the human body's apparatus, with particular reference to the stomatognathic apparatus.

In particular, the student is able to recognize the microscopic structure of the eukaryotic cell, to identify the organizational and functional characteristics of the several tissues (eg mucous membranes of the oral cavity and salivary glands), to explore the development and physiological evolution of dental tissues, to have the basis for the interpretation of the physiopathological processes concerning the stomatognathic apparatus and to coordinate the knowledge of basic disciplines to recognize the cellular and tissue bases of pathological processes

Course contents

GENERAL HISTOLOGY

Morphology and size of cells 

The epithelium tissue

General characteristics of epithelial cells. Classification and distribution of epithelium. Cytological features. Regeneration. Functions.

The exocrine glandular epithelial tissue

Classification of exocrine glands. Unicellular and multicellular glands. Classification based on location, form of the adenomas, number of excretory ducts, secretion and type of issue of the secret.

The endocrine glandular epithelial tissue 

Structural organization. Hypophysis, parathyroid, adrenal, epiphysis, langherans islands, interstitial gland of the testicle, thyroid, ovary. Cytological features of glands.

Blood

Blood plasma. Chemical and functional characteristics.  Erythrocytes. Leukocytes. Platelets. Morphology and structure. Cytological features. Cells number and size. Functions. Myeloid and lymphoid tissues: bone marrow, thyme, spleen, lymph nodes. Morphology and functions. 

Connettive tissue proper

Quantity, quality and composition in order to classify the connettive tissue. Collagen, reticular and elastic fibers: organization and structure. Essential substance: chemical components and functions. Connettive tissue cells: macrophages, mast cells, adipocytes, lymphocytes, granulocytes. Classification of connetive tissue. 

Adipose tissue

White fat cells (unilocular cells) and brown fat cells (Multilocular cells). Morphological organization. 

Cartilage tissue

Classification. Quantity, quality and distribution of the fibers. Essential substance: chemical components and functions. Cartilage fibers. 

Bone tissue 

General organization. Woven and lamellar bone. Compact and spongy bone. Structure and ultrastructure of bone tissue. Bone tissue cells: osteoblasts, osteoclasts, osteocytes. Bone matrix. Periosteum and Endosteum. 

Muscle tissue

Skeletal or striated, smooth or non-striated and cardiac muscle. Cellular organization and morphological aspects. Myofibrils, myofilaments, sarcomeres, sarcoplasmic reticulum; muscle contraction.

Nervous tissue 

Generalities of the nervous tissue. General characteristics and variety of nerve cells. Neuron structure. Neurilemma. Nervous fibers. Synapses and its function. Structure and ultrastructure. Nerve conduction. Nevroglia: ependymocytes, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes and microglia. 

ODONTO-STOMATOLGY HISTOLOGY 

Oral mucosa- Salivary glands - Saliva - Odontogenesis - Pulp-dentin organ - Dentinogenesis – Enamel- Amelogenesis – Dental plaque – Dental cementum – Cementogenesis – Mineralization processes - Periodontium: periodontal ligament, gingiva, alveolar bone, gingival crevicular fluid - Tooth eruption- Tooth loss.

Readings/Bibliography

Functional citology and histology - Edi Ermes MI 2005

Oral embriology and histology - Miör Fejerskov Edi Ermes MI

Oral cavity biology - Ferguson Casa Editrice Ambrosiana

1. Human Histology: With STUDENT CONSULT Online Access, 3e - Stevens & Lowe's Human Histology, 4th Edition
2. Human Histology: In Its Relations To Descriptive Anatomy, Physiology And Pathology - E. R. Peaslee
3. Textbook of Human Histology: With Colour Atlas & Practical Guide - Inderbir Singh
4. Krause's Essential Human Histology for Medical Students - Krause J. William
5. Compendium Of Human Histology - Charles Morel
6. The ABCs of Human Histology: A pocket guide illustrated - Javier Muñoz Moreno
7. Histology: A Text and Atlas: With Correlated Cell and Molecular Biology - Michael H., Ph.D. Ross and M.D. Pawlina Wojciech

The students will be strongly encouraged to take an independent approach to learning. They will be advaiced to adopt any international textbook in English available on-line. They will also be guided toward a critical use of internet-assisted documentation and histological archives of italian universities.

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons. The acquisition of the knowledge may be monitored with oral and written tests

Assessment methods

The students will be evalutated by oral exams on the basis of at least three questions on the subject of the course. The subject of two questions will be randomly chosen by the professors. One question will be chosen by the student.

At the end of the examination, the professor will score the performance of the student using a number ranging from 18 to 30 according to the interpretation indicated below.

Interpretation of the score:

• <18 – failure, not scored. The student fails to satisfactory address all of the questions.
• 18 Poor. The student inadequately addresses most of the questions with serious inherent weaknesses.
• 21– Fair. The student broadly addresses most of the questions, but there are significant weaknesses.
• 24– Good. The student addresses the questions well, but a number of shortcomings are present.
• 27– Very good. The student addresses the criterion very well, but a small number of shortcomings are present.

• 30– Excellent. The student successfully addresses all relevant aspects of the questions. Any shortcomings are minor.
• 30 cum laude. The student successfully addresses all relevant aspects of the questions with no shortcomings.

Teaching tools

Selected meritorious slides presentations on specific subjects prepared by students of previous academic years are posted on line

Office hours

See the website of Anna Rita Franco Migliaccio

See the website of Matilde Yung Follo