Unit HUMAN ANATOMY

Course

Pharmacy

Study-unit Code

GP003568

Curriculum

In all curricula

Teacher

Desiree Bartolini

Teachers

Desiree Bartolini

Hours

56 ore - Desiree Bartolini

CFU

Course Regulation

Coorte 2026

Offered

2026/27

Learning activities

Base

Area

Discipline biologiche

Sector

BIOS-12/A

Type of study-unit

Obbligatorio (Required)

Type of learning activities

Attività formativa monodisciplinare

Language of instruction

Italian

Contents

Understanding 3 fundamental aspects of the anatomical systems: 1. systems meet specific functional requirements; 2. systems consist of various organs functionally interconnected; 3. The cardiovascular system, the nervous system and the endocrine system functionally interconnect different organs and anatomical systems. On this basis it will require understanding of the key concepts relating to: • normal macroscopic structure of the major organs and systems with particular reference to a topographic setting of the same • Histological structure correlated with the function • Functional considerations and medical applications for understanding of the structures

Reference texts

Required Textbooks:
Gray’s Anatomy – The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice (Fundamentals of Gray’s Anatomy), Richard L. Drake, A. Wayne Vogl, and Adam W.M. Mitchell, EDRA Publishing.
Gray’s Systematic and Regional Anatomy, Richard L. Drake, A. Wayne Vogl, and Adam W.M. Mitchell, EDRA Publishing.
Atlases:
Atlas of Anatomy (3 volumes), Thieme Publishers.
Pocket Atlas of Anatomy, Anne M. Gilroy, EdiSES University Press.
MORE TEXTBOOKS: John S.P. Lumley, Anatomia di superficie. Le basi anatomiche dell’esame clinico. CEA Edizioni M.J.T. FitzGerald, Neuroanatomia, Elsevier J.B. Kerr, Istologia Funzionale, CEA edizioni Istologia del Wheater.

Educational objectives

The course in human anatomy aims to present the anatomo-clinical characterization of the human body at macroscopic, microscopic, and ultrastructural levels, including the time dimension from embryonic development, organogenesis, somatic growth, and aging. At the end of the course, the student should know the essential morphological and biomechanical characteristics, modalities of functioning and general control mechanisms of anatomical systems, organs, tissues and cells of the human body, as well as their main morpho-functional correlates under normal conditions.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES: 1) Knowledge and understanding: at the end of the course, the student knows and understands the structural and functional organization of the human body; knows and understands the main anatomo-clinical applications of structural organization at each structural level of the human body. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding at the end of the course, the student possesses the ability to be able to connect the macroscopic, structural and ultrastructural organization of systems and organs with the corresponding functions. The student is able to recognize the macroscopic structure of systems and organs, knowing how to connect it to notions of surface anatomy, topographical, radiological and clinical anatomy so as to be able to identify and interpret anatomical regions and structures. He/she is also able to apply anatomical knowledge in solving problems related to understanding physiology, pathology, instrumental physical semeiotics and clinical correlates. Autonomy of judgment: upon completion of the course, the student will have the ability to appropriately evaluate macroscopic and microscopic anatomy data and relate them to data from physiology, pathophysiology, and physical and instrumental semeiotics. The student should acquire the ability to correlate anatomical changes and their implication in the main pathophysiological processes leading to the most common disease states; he/she should refer to knowledge of anatomy in performing physical semeiotics maneuvers and interpreting instrumental semeiotics data. Communication skills: at the end of the course, the student will have the ability to be able to describe and explain (both in oral and written form) the normal morphology and structure of the human body also knowing how to effectively use the communicative tools proper to scientific publications and communications. Learning skills: by the end of the course, the student will have acquired the cross-curricular learning skills common to the logic of scientific inquiry in the biomedical field.

Prerequisites

Basic concepts in biology, embryology and histology are required. Basic concepts of learning methodology

Teaching methods

At the beginning of the course, the lecturer explains the main learning methodologies based on modern pedagogical principles for learning. Frontal lectures, clinical anatomy tutorials and practical tests are organized in a dedicated calss-room set up for anatomy students, including plastic models. All the didactical material (slide and other materials) is available on the website Unistudium. The student can download in his/her device the slides of the daily lecture before the beginning of the lecture.

Other information

The course of Human Anatomy is topographically and clinically oriented.

Learning verification modality

Before starting the course, Students are completely informed about the evaluation method and the rules of the exam. The evaluation is based on a written test with multiple-choice questions and figures to identify, for a total of over 700 indications of human anatomy. This written exam with multiple-choice questions is graded based on a proportion between the total number of questions and the percentage of correct and incorrect answers. For each correct question of gives a score of +1. The test is the same for all, the questions are short and equally short are the answers. One correct and 4 incorrect answers for each question.
For information about support services for students with disabilities and/or specific learning disorders (SLD), please visit the page: http://www.unipg.it/disabilita-e-dsa.

Extended program

For traditional lectures, the Human Anatomy course is organized according to a regional and topographical approach, with particular emphasis on the clinical relevance of normal anatomy. The course begins with the study of the thoracic region, analyzing in a topographical manner all of its skeletal, muscular, visceral, vascular, and nervous structures. The same methodological approach is subsequently applied to the study of the abdominal, pelvic, perineal, limb, neck, and head regions. The course concludes with the functional topographical study of the central nervous system.
The course is divided into the Teaching Units (TUs) listed below. All lecture slides are made available on the University's online learning platform before the beginning of the course, allowing students access to all teaching materials from the first to the last lecture. This approach is intended to facilitate learning and improve student participation regardless of classroom seating arrangements. The online material also includes detailed information regarding the final examination.
As part of Interactive Educational Activities (IEA), students will have access to dissection videos and histological specimens for observation in the Morphology Laboratory (supplementary teaching sessions). During these activities, students will be continuously supervised and assisted by a Faculty Tutor.
SPECIFIC LEARNING OBJECTIVES OF THE TEACHING UNITS (TUs)
Teaching Unit: Skeletal System
Learning Objectives:
To understand that the skeleton determines body shape, enables movement, houses the progenitor cells of the blood cellular components, serves as the principal calcium reservoir, and contributes to the formation of body regions and cavities containing organs and systems. Skeletal structures are studied topographically within each anatomical region examined.
Course Content:
Position and general characteristics of the major skeletal structures, particularly those of the trunk, vertebral column, and pelvic girdle. This Teaching Unit is integrated throughout the course and presented within the topographical anatomy of the different body regions.
Teaching Unit: Thorax
Learning Objectives:
To understand the functional anatomy of the thoracic cage and the organs it contains, with particular emphasis on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.
Course Content:
Functional anatomy of the thoracic cage and intercostal spaces; pleurae; lungs, including gross, microscopic, and functional anatomy of the bronchial tree and pulmonary parenchyma; respiratory mechanics and autonomic nervous system influences; heart and great vessels, including cardiac surfaces and position, pericardium, gross and functional anatomy of the cardiac chambers, cardiac valves and fibrous skeleton, conduction system, coronary arteries, aorta and supra-aortic vessels, pulmonary artery, superior and inferior vena cava, pulmonary veins, azygos system, and blood composition; mediastinum, including boundaries, subdivisions, and topographical relationships of thoracic viscera. Endocrine functions of thoracic organs and regional autonomic nervous system functions are also addressed. All structures are studied from a topographical perspective.
Teaching Unit: Diaphragm and Anterolateral Abdominal Wall
Learning Objectives:
To understand the functions of the diaphragm, the anterolateral and posterior abdominal walls, and the inguinal canal.
Course Content:
Gross anatomy of the diaphragm, diaphragmatic hiatuses, and central tendon; gross anatomy and location of the external oblique, internal oblique, transversus abdominis, and rectus abdominis muscles and their fascial coverings; structure and fasciae of the posterior abdominal wall; gross anatomy of the inguinal canal and its contents.
Teaching Unit: Digestive System
Learning Objectives:
To understand how the digestive system is responsible for food intake, digestion, nutrient absorption, and elimination of solid waste products.
Course Content:
Gross and microscopic anatomy of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine; major anatomical relationships among these organs; peritoneum; vascular supply of the gastrointestinal tract; functions and regulation of the gastroenteric endocrine system; functional effects of gastrointestinal innervation; liver, gallbladder, and pancreas, including gross, microscopic, and functional aspects; structure and subdivisions of the retroperitoneum; regional autonomic nervous system functions.
Teaching Unit: Spleen and Lymph Node Stations
Learning Objectives:
To understand the principal gross, topographical, and microscopic features of the spleen and lymph nodes.
Course Content:
Topographical position and microscopic structure of the spleen, with emphasis on morphofunctional aspects; distribution of lymph node chains; review of the thoracic duct introduced in the abdominal teaching unit.
Teaching Unit: Urinary System
Learning Objectives:
To understand how the kidneys remove water-soluble metabolic waste products from the blood, regulate acid-base balance, maintain water and electrolyte homeostasis, contribute to blood pressure regulation, stimulate erythrocyte production, and participate in calcium homeostasis.
Course Content:
Kidneys: position, fasciae, perirenal fat, and gross and microscopic anatomy; vascularization of the urinary system; nephron structure and function, including ultrafiltration and tubular reabsorption; ureters, including course and microscopic anatomy; urinary bladder, including position and gross, microscopic, and functional anatomy; structural and neural basis of micturition; male and female urethra. All structures are studied in relation to surrounding viscera and vascular, nervous, and lymphatic structures. Autonomic regulation of urinary tract functions is also addressed.
Teaching Unit: Pelvis and Perineum
Learning Objectives:
To understand the anatomical boundaries of the pelvis and perineum and the organs and structures they contain, as well as the organization of the pelvic fascial system.
Course Content:
Functional anatomy of the pelvic floor and urogenital diaphragm; membranous and ligamentous fasciae and tendinous arches; male reproductive system (testis, ductus deferens, seminal vesicles, prostate, urethra, and bulbourethral glands); female reproductive system (ovaries, uterus, uterine tubes, and vagina); rectum and anal canal; vascular supply and lymphatic drainage of pelvic and perineal organs; regional autonomic nervous system functions.
Teaching Unit: Endocrine System
Learning Objectives:
To understand how the endocrine system regulates metabolism, digestion, water and electrolyte balance, energy homeostasis, and reproduction.
Course Content:
Gross and microscopic anatomy, hormones, physiological functions, and regulatory mechanisms of the pituitary gland, thyroid gland, parathyroid glands, adrenal glands, pancreatic islets, gastroenteric endocrine system, testes, and ovaries. Endocrine functions of the heart and lungs and interactions with the autonomic nervous system are also discussed.
Teaching Unit: Integumentary System (Skin and Appendages)
Learning Objectives:
To understand the structure and functions of the skin and its appendages (glands, hair, and nails), the mechanisms by which the skin responds to external injury and undergoes repair, and the anatomical and functional changes associated with skin aging.
Teaching Unit: Central and Peripheral Nervous Systems
Learning Objectives:
To understand how the sensory system enables perception of the external environment; how motor activity depends on the functional integration of the pyramidal, extrapyramidal, and cerebellar systems; how cognitive functions arise from sensory perception and memory; and how the nervous system regulates visceral activities independently of conscious control.
Course Content:
Central nervous system: anatomy, functions, and neural circuits of the cerebral lobes, cerebellum, basal ganglia, thalamus, brainstem, reticular formation, limbic system, and spinal cord; ventricular system and cerebrospinal fluid circulation; vascular supply of the nervous system, spinal cord vessels, and venous drainage; meninges; introduction to neurocognitive aspects and neural circuits underlying behavior and judgment. Peripheral nervous system: spinal roots, sensory ganglia, and an overview of the cranial nerves.
Teaching Unit: Auditory System
Learning Objectives: To provide students with anatomical and functional knowledge of the auditory system, with particular emphasis on the organization of the external, middle, and inner ear, the mechanisms of sound transmission and perception, balance maintenance, and the major neural pathways involved in auditory and vestibular information processing.
Course Content: Anatomy of the external, middle, and inner ear; tympanic membrane and auditory ossicles; cochlea and Organ of Corti; vestibular apparatus, including the utricle, saccule, and semicircular canals; mechanisms of auditory signal transduction; overview of the central auditory pathways and the vestibulocochlear nerve (cranial nerve VIII).
Teaching Unit: Visual System (Eye)
Learning Objectives: To provide students with anatomical and functional knowledge of the visual system, with particular emphasis on the organization of the eyeball and its associated structures, the mechanisms of light reception and phototransduction, image formation, ocular movements, and the major neural pathways involved in visual information processing.
Course Content: Anatomy of the eyeball and its associated structures. Fibrous, vascular, and neural tunics of the eye. Cornea, lens, aqueous humor, and vitreous body. Retina and photoreceptors. Mechanisms of phototransduction and image formation. Extraocular muscles and ocular movements. Optic nerve (cranial nerve II) and an overview of the central visual pathways. Pupillary reflexes and accommodation.

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