Course Details

Anatomy and physiology of skin and appendages

FA0507

Course
Anatomy and physiology of skin and appendages
Code
FA0507
Academic Year
2024/2025
Curriculum Year
2024/2025
Degree Programme
European Master of Science in Skin Health and Care
Curriculum
000 - Generico
Course coordinator
Credits
4
Lecture Hours
18
Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)
BIO/16 - Human Anatomy, BIO/09 - Physiology
Course Type
Integrated learning activity
Course Delivery
OBB - Obbligatoria
Year
1
Teaching period
Annuale
Campus
NOVARA
Teaching language
English
Reference Texts
Gray’s Anatomy, The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice.

Junqueira’s Basic Histology: Text and Atlas.

Lever’s Histopathology of the Skin.

Walter Boron and Emile Boulpaep. Medical Physiology. Elsevier. (3trd edition).

Dale Purves, George J. Augustine, David Fitzpatrick, William C. Hall, Anthony-Samuel LaMantia, Richard D. Mooney, Michael L. Platt, and Leonard E. White. Neuroscience. Sinauer (6th edition).

The slides of the lectures and additional material such as scientific publications, laboratory protocols etc. will be available to students
Learning Outcomes
The course aims to provide students with adequate information regarding:

– gross anatomy of skin and microscopic confidence in its structure;

– technical skills to study in vitro skin regeneration;

– search in the literature to develop an idea of skin regeneration identifying strengths and weaknesses;

– multiple roles of the skin in homeostasis including protection, regulation of body temperature, sensory reception, water balance, synthesis of vitamins and hormones, and absorption of materials.
Prerequisites
Fundamentals of mathematics, physics, chemistry, biochemistry, cellular biology, cell physiology, human anatomy and physiology
Teaching Methods
Lectures, videos, seminars by experts in the field, lab practicals, upside down class
Additional Information
Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-physical-or-learning-disabilities

Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

Student athlete have the possibility of agreeing with the lecturer on a different exam date in the same session
Assessment Methods
The exam mark will be composed of two parts: a written test that will cover the material delivered in lectures and seminars (50% of the mark) and a project work in the form of a written essay that will cover the literature knowledge. The topic will be assigned by the lecturers and will be due on the same day of the exam.

Written test: the written exam will take place in the computer room and will consist of 50 (25 for Anatomy and 25 for Physiology) closed questions. Multiple choice questions, true / false questions, completion type questions and matching type questions are the most frequent types of test questions.

Written test evaluation criteria: True/ False Questions: 1 point for correct answer; -1 point for wrong answer; 0 points for not responding. Multiple choice questions: 1 point for correct answer; – 0.5 points for the wrong answer if the question allows you to choose from three options, -0.33 between four, -0.25 out of five, etc.; 0 points not responding. The penalty scores will be homogenously distributed for all tests.

Rules for the written test – The test will be monitored: No Internet, No Second Screen, No outside help. You will be allowed 1 hour to complete all 2 sections (Anatomy and Physiology) of the test.

Written essay evaluation criteria:

Balanced fair and correct
Synthesis and communicative skills
Timely and pertinent
Rules for the written essay – max 2 pages, single line spacing, character 12 + figures (optional) + bibliography and graphical abstract (mandatory)
Detailed Syllabus
ANATOMY.
Gross structure of skin and underlying tissues, of the skin appendages and of the skin lines. Skin structure: layers of epidermis, the papillary dermis, the reticular dermis, hypodermis.
Microscope-Learning 1: the skin and the hypodermis.

Appendages of the skin: nails, hair and hair follicles, sebaceous glands, sweat glands. The skin throughout life. Disorders of the integumentary system.
Microscope-Learning 2: appendages of the skin and examples of disorders.

In vitro models to study skin tissue regeneration.

PHYSIOLOGY

Functions of the Integumentary System.

The role of the skin in the protection from invasion by microorganisms, chemicals and other environmental factors and in preventing the body dehydration.
Endocrine functions of the skin.
The role of the skin in the body thermoregulation
Sensory functions of the skin.
Expected Learning Outcomes
The students will acquire comprehensive theoretical knowledge of the structure and role of skin in the human body physiology. They will develop a substantial set of skills, including the ability to critically analyse and discuss clinical and experimental themes related to skin structure and functions and the knowledge of their possible applications in other scientific fields. They will acquire the use of specific scientific and technical language improving their competence in the scientific communication.

Moduli

Course year 1
Code FA0506
Course Anatomy of skin and appendages
Lecturers Michela BOSETTI
SSD BIO/16
Campus NOVARA
Curriculum Generico
Credits 2
Course year 1
Code FA0505
Course Physiology of skin and appendages
Lecturers DMITRY LIM
SSD BIO/09
Campus NOVARA
Curriculum Generico
Credits 2
Last update:09-09-2026 00:14:31