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 Modules: (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 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 final grade for the course unit is determined based on the weighted arithmetic mean of the grades obtained in the theory and practical exercises: Theory: assessed out of 20 and representing 80% of the final grade Practical exercises: assessed out of 20 and representing 20% ​​of the final grade If one of the grades is less than or equal to 7/20, the average is not calculated and this grade alone becomes the final grade for the course unit (the concept of an absorbing grade). Signing off on or missing either assessment will result in a 0/20 for the relevant assessment. In the event the course unit is not validated, grades for assessments passed at the threshold of 10/20 are carried over from one session to the next, but are not carried over to the following academic year.


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.

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