Ateneo - UPO

This course falls under the category of "Basic Biomedical Sciences." Specifically, the course is characterized by the presentation of a morphological, functional, and relational analysis of the various components of the human central and peripheral nervous system.

TEST BOOKS
• Sistema Nervoso Centrale - E. Gaudio; ed. Piccin.
• Sistema Nervoso Periferico & organi di senso - R. De Caro; ed. Piccin
ATLAS BOOKS
Neuroanatomia nel contesto clinico. D.E.Haines; edi.ermes

This module aims to deepen knowledge within the field of the Nervous System, in order to develop the student's ability to establish anatomical-functional references. This skill is indispensable for managing complex clinical-diagnostic evidence related to the different pathologies affecting the Nervous System.

Female and male students must have a prior command of the foundational concepts from Anatomy-I, alongside essential knowledge of biology and histology.

The course comprises 50 hours in total: 40 hours of in-person lectures in the designated classroom, and 10 hours dedicated to independent study. The independent study will focus on specific course topics using materials provided on the DIR platform, as detailed in the 'Extended Program' section.
Attendance for the 40 lecture hours is mandatory and will be tracked via the University's digital platform using a specific check-in code. Completion of the 10 independent study hours will be assessed through a written test on the assigned topics.
In-person instruction will feature interactive lectures supported by PowerPoint presentations and classroom discussions. Lecture slides will be posted for all male and female students on the relevant DIR pages.
The independent study portion will require an in-depth review of 5 neuroanatomical plates, as specified in the 'Extended Program' section.

Female and male students with disabilities, Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD/DSA), or Special Educational Needs (SEN/BES) can request dedicated services and specific tools by contacting the Student Careers and Services Development and Coordination Staff, and by consulting the dedicated page on the University website: https://uniupo.it/it/servizi/servizi-studenti-disabili-e-dsa
Once contact has been established with the University Staff, students with disabilities, SLD, or SEN can contact the course instructor regarding the customization of exam methods and instructional aspects.

The exam aims to assess each student's ability to focus on the core themes developed throughout the course while demonstrating the capacity to formulate comprehensive, well-grounded responses.
Learning assessment is conducted through an initial written test (multiple-choice quiz) followed by an oral examination.
WRITTEN TEST
The purpose of the quiz is to evaluate students' foundational knowledge regarding basic functional and relational neuroanatomy across the various regions of the nervous system.
The quiz consists of 30 multiple-choice questions (5 options per question, with only one correct answer).
Students will be allotted one minute per question.
The questions are distributed by topic as follows:
3 questions: Spinal cord (morphology, functional areas, and major neural pathways)
16 questions: Functional areas of the brain (brainstem, cerebellum, midbrain, diencephalon, cerebral cortex)
3 questions: Major funicular pathways (regional topography and function)
5 questions: Peripheral and cranial nerves
1 question: Sympathetic visceral system
2 questions: Eye and ear
A passing score on the test requires a minimum of 18 correct answers.
ORAL EXAMINATION
The oral examination consists of 3 to 4 questions covering course topics. It aims to evaluate the student's mastery of the subject matter and their ability to establish relevant connections between functional relationships and actual motor, psychological, and visceral outputs—the underlying foundations of human pathology and clinical practice.
The final grade for Human Anatomy II contributes equally to the overall grade of the integrated course "HUMAN ANATOMY."
Assessment is expressed on a 30-point scale (minimum passing grade: 18/30):
30 – 30 cum Laude (Excellent): Demonstrates in-depth knowledge alongside strong analytical and synthetic skills regarding the central and peripheral nervous systems. The written test reflects thorough understanding with minimal errors (no more than 2–3 incorrect answers out of 40). Answers are exhaustive and rigorous, demonstrating pronounced critical thinking, high autonomy of judgment, and excellent interdisciplinary synthesis.
28 – 29 (Very Good): Demonstrates in-depth knowledge and good analytical and synthetic skills regarding the central and peripheral nervous systems. The written test reflects good understanding with limited errors (no more than 4–5 incorrect answers out of 40). Answers clearly, displaying good critical thinking, autonomy of judgment, and interdisciplinary connections.
25 – 27 (Good): Demonstrates sound knowledge and good analytical and synthetic skills regarding the central and peripheral nervous systems. The written test reflects fair understanding with several uncertainties (no more than 6–8 incorrect answers out of 40). Answers correctly, demonstrating independent judgment and commendable interdisciplinary synthesis.
20 – 24 (Satisfactory): Demonstrates sufficient, though not in-depth, knowledge of the central and peripheral nervous systems. The written test reflects limited knowledge with noticeable uncertainties (no more than 11–13 incorrect answers out of 40). Answers correctly and thoroughly, demonstrating independent judgment and sound interdisciplinary synthesis.
18 – 19 (Pass): Demonstrates minimal and fragmented knowledge of the central and peripheral nervous systems. The written test reflects minimal and fragmented knowledge with substantial uncertainties (no more than 14–15 incorrect answers out of 40). Answers reasonably accurately, though showing some difficulty with independent judgment and interdisciplinary connections.

Lecture Program: In-Person Presentations (40 Course Hours)
- The Central Nervous System: General overview.
- The Spinal Cord: Organization of gray matter (laminae and nuclei, functional territories). Spinal reflexes. Organization of white matter (the major motor and general sensory funicular nerve pathways).
- Anatomical and Functional Description: Analysis of the territories and nuclei of the various parts of the brain: Medulla oblongata (bulbar region), Pons, Midbrain, Cerebellum, Diencephalon, and Telencephalon. Primary functional connections of these nuclei.
- Special Sensory Nerve Pathways.
- Neurosecretion: Anatomical and functional aspects of the Pineal gland (epiphysis) and Pituitary gland (hypophysis).
- The Limbic System and the centers for emotional-instinctual regulation.
- Cortical Areas: Topography and functional significance.
- Cranial and Spinal Meninges: Functional aspects. Brain ventricles and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) circulation.
- Review of the Anatomical and Functional Aspects of central nervous system vascularization.
- The Peripheral Nervous System: General overview, anatomical organization, and structural features of nerves and ganglia.
- Cranial Nerves: Functional relationships and anatomical aspects of their pathways.
- Spinal Nerves: Plexus formation and anatomical aspects of somatic nerve pathways.
- The Autonomic Nervous System: Orthosympathetic and parasympathetic systems (anatomical organization and functional significance). The enteric nervous system (metasympathetic system).

INTEGRATION of the GENDER DIMENSION
Analysis of the functionality of different brain areas in relation to gender differences across social and behavioral aspects.


Independent Study Program (10 Hours)
Delivered via the DIR platform.

5 Neuroanatomical Plates. Each plate contains a post-mortem (autopsy) view alongside magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans taken at different levels of the brain structure.

Each female and male students are required to identify the various structures and record them on a dedicated worksheet. The correct completion of this sheet (with a maximum error tolerance of 3 mistakes) will serve as proof of study for hourly certification. Students are strictly required to memorize the structures as seen in the autopsy views on the plates, as this visual identification will form an integral part of the topic discussion during the examination.

Ci si attende che ciascun studente/studentessa abbia acquisito la conoscenza dettagliata
della topografia e degli aspetti funzionali delle strutture del Sistema
Nervoso Centrale e l’anatomia dei decorsi dei profili nervosi del Sistema
Nervoso Periferico, al fine di identificare i foci di alterazione patologica ed
il loro significato clinico. Ci si attende altresì che lo studente abbia
maturato la capacità di comprendere e correlare gli aspetti funzionali
delle diverse strutture del Sistema Nervoso Centrale e Periferico a
supporto delle espressioni cliniche nelle manifestazioni patologiche che
possano coinvolgere in varia misura il Sistema Nervoso