Learning outcomes

- To know and understand the morphological structure of the human body, from the microscopic to the macroscopic scale, and the mechanisms that lead to its formation;
 
- Know and understand the normal functioning of the human body, from the molecular to the macroscopic scale;
 
- be able to explain medical knowledge and information clearly and comprehensibly, adapting to the audience.

Goals

This course begins the teaching of histology and is therefore part of the morphological aspect of learning. It focuses on the structure-function relationship for all the subjects covered.
 
 
 
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
 
- Describe the structural and functional characteristics common to eukaryotic cells on a microscopic scale.
 
- Correlate the specialisations of normal cells with their functions.
 
- Explain how cellular and subcellular structural abnormalities lead to pathological processes.
 
- Acquire a dynamic vision of the cell positioned in a particular context with precise roles, a vision designed to understand the microscopic images produced in healthy tissues in the first instance, but also to understand the images that result from dysfunction and which will be analysed in the subsequent microscopic morphology courses (Histology II, Pathological anatomy).
 
- Describe the structures and functions of the five main tissues that make up the human body.
 
- Be able to analyse a morphological document (optical or electronic micrograph, histological preparation) and identify the main tissue or cell characteristics: shape, size, specialisation, tinctorial affinity, mode of association, etc.

Content

The cell and its main compartments, seen as a dynamic entity.
 
Epithelia, connective tissue, muscle tissue, nervous tissue and blood are studied in terms of their structures, organisation and the main functions associated with them.

Table of contents

Cell membrane, nucleus and cytomembrane system. Mitochondria, peroxisomes and cytoskeleton.

 
Lining epithelia, including apical and basal specialisations, as well as cell junctions. Glandular epithelia. Connective tissues proper. Cartilaginous tissues. Bone tissue. Striated skeletal and cardiac muscle tissue. Smooth muscle tissue. Nervous tissue. Figurative blood elements.

Exercices

The practical sessions illustrate the entire subject using histological sections observed under the microscope and available at www.histology.be.

Teaching methods

The Teaching Unit (TU) comprises two Learning Activities (LA): (1) a theoretical part, (2) a practical part (TPs).
 
The theoretical part is a lecture illustrated by a PowerPoint slide show. The presentation slides are uploaded to the WebCampus platform prior to the course. The course content is explained using annotated diagrams and simultaneously illustrated with histological or schematic images, which are also available on WebCampus.
 
The practical sessions begin with an oral introduction with PowerPoint support. Students then work independently in front of their microscope. These learning activities can be supplemented by homework, using the virtual microscopy platforms www.histology.be and www.cytomine.be.
 
Permission must be obtained from the lecturer to capture images and/or sound during the lecture.
 

Assessment method

Assessment method:
 
If student numbers and health conditions allow, the theory exam is written and consists of answering open-ended questions.
 
The exact method of assessment is subject to change when the examination timetable is drawn up, depending on the practical constraints with which the faculty administration may be confronted, or in the event of illness/force majeure/employment with a work placement, preventing the student from sitting the examination on the date initially scheduled.
 
Calculation of the mark :
 
The result of the theory exam gives the numerical value (X/20) which is used as the basis for calculating the final mark. This calculation depends on the result obtained in a practical examination. A successful practical result (10 or more/20) that is at least 3 points higher than the mark obtained in theory (i.e. X+3/20) increases the latter by 1 point (final mark = X+1/20). A successful practical result (10 or more/20) at least 6 points higher than the mark obtained in theory (i.e. X+6/20) increases the latter by 2 points (final mark = X+2/20). However, a failing TP result of 9/20 will penalise the final mark by 1 point (X-1/20), 8/20 will penalise it by 2 points (X-2/20), 7/20 will penalise it by 3 points (X-3/20), 6/20 will penalise it by 4 points (X-4/20) and so on.
 
Special cases and exemptions/deferrals:
 
In the event that a student is unable to sit the examination for a justified reason (force majeure, medical certificate), the student must contact the Registrar and the Registrar's Office, who will reschedule the examination for a later date, within the time limits set out in the R.E.E. and subject to the agreement of the Dean or Vice-Dean.
 
A student who has not validated the credits of the Teaching Unit but who has obtained a mark equivalent to or higher than 10/20 in one or other Learning Activity is automatically granted a partial deferral (REPA) for the Learning Activity concerned within the same academic year. However, the student may waive the benefit of the REPA in order to try to improve his/her result by attending the Learning Activity. By taking this responsibility, if the outcome is less favourable, the student cannot claim the right to his/her initial mark.
 

Sources, references and any support material

Molecular Biology of the Cell, Bruce Alberts et al.
 
Histology and Cell Biology, Kierszenbaum, De Boeck
 
Human Histology. Stevens & Lowe, De Boeck
 
 

Language of instruction

French
Training Study programme Block Credits Mandatory
Bachelor in Medicine Standard 0 6
Bachelor in Medicine Standard 1 6