Ateneo - UPO

The course aims to provide each female and male student with knowledge regarding the morphology, topography, and function of the various organs of the human body.

ANATOMIA UMANA
McKinley
on-line edition

ANATOMIA DELL’UOMO. I fondamenti
AA.VV.; Edi-ermes

The purpose of the course is to enable each female and male student to develop a cultural perspective useful for understanding the individual, integrated, and relational functional aspects of the various organs of the human body, which form the basis of human biology and, in the event of their alteration, for understanding the significance of pathological manifestations.
Within the degree program, this course fits into the framework of providing the foundational knowledge necessary for a full understanding of the functional biology of the human body, both in terms of functional integrity and interaction with the external environment

All male and female students are recommended to have a basic knowledge of:
- General Biology;
- Fundamentals of Histology, Embryology, and Functional Anatomy.

Teaching is delivered through oral presentations of the topics, supported by PowerPoint projections, and classroom discussion.
The slideshows used during lectures will be made available to all students on the relevant DIR pages.

Female and male students with disabilities, Specific Learning Disabilities (SLDs), or Special Educational Needs (SEN) can request dedicated services and specific tools by contacting the Student Careers and Services Development and Coordination Staff and by visiting 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, SLDs, or SEN may contact the course instructor regarding the customization of exam procedures for pedagogical aspects.

The examination consists of an initial multiple-choice test followed by a thematic written assessment.
The multiple-choice test will be administered to all registered students to assess their foundational knowledge across the various course modules.
Multiple-Choice Test
The test comprises 40 multiple-choice questions (5 options per question, only 1 correct answer), distributed across 4 areas:
8 questions: Musculoskeletal System (Bones & Muscles)
8 questions: Cardiovascular System (3 on the heart, 3 on the arteries, 2 on the veins or lymphatic system)
20 questions: Visceral Organ Systems
4 questions: Nervous System
Incorrect or unanswered questions receive 0 points; correct answers receive 1 point.
To pass the written test, students must answer at least 24 questions correctly. Scores are converted to a 30-point scale using a multiplier factor of 0.75.
A score of 18/30 or higher grants access to the second written assessment.
Thematic Essay Assessment
The second assessment evaluates the depth and mastery of the acquired knowledge, requiring comprehensiveness and clarity of exposition. It is structured as a thematic essay focusing on 4 topics:
Topic 1: A Bone of the Skeletal System
Topic 2: A Visceral Organ
Topic 3: A Visceral Organ
Topic 4: The Nervous System
Each topic will be evaluated on a scale from -1.25 to +1.25 points (in increments of 0.25), based on the thoroughness of the response. Leaving a topic completely blank results in a penalty of -3 points.
The cumulative score from these topics will be added to the multiple-choice test score to determine the final mark.
Grading Criteria (30-Point Scale, Pass Mark: 18)
30 – 30 cum Laude (Excellent): Demonstrates an in-depth understanding of anatomical structures across morphological, functional, and relational dimensions.
Multiple-choice test: Demonstrates thorough knowledge with minimal errors (no more than 2–3 errors out of 40). Thematic essay: Topics are developed comprehensively and rigorously, presented with fluent and appropriate academic discourse.
28 – 29 (Very Good): Demonstrates an in-depth understanding of anatomical structures across morphological, functional, and relational dimensions. Multiple-choice test: Demonstrates good knowledge with limited errors (no more than 4–5 errors out of 40). Thematic essay: Topics are outlined clearly and organized with logical structure.
25 – 27 (Good): Demonstrates a good understanding of core topics regarding anatomical structures across morphological, functional, and relational dimensions. Multiple-choice test: Demonstrates fair knowledge with moderate uncertainties (no more than 6–8 errors out of 40). Thematic essay: Topics are adequately covered, with minor descriptive shortcomings.
20 – 24 (Satisfactory): Demonstrates sufficient, though non-in-depth, knowledge of anatomical structures across morphological, functional, and relational dimensions. Multiple-choice test: Demonstrates limited knowledge with frequent uncertainties (no more than 11–13 errors out of 40). Thematic essay: Topics are sufficiently addressed, with noticeable descriptive gaps.
18 – 19 (Sufficient): Demonstrates minimal and fragmented knowledge of anatomical structures across morphological, functional, and relational dimensions. Multiple-choice test: Demonstrates minimal and fragmented knowledge with substantial uncertainties (no more than 14–15 errors out of 40). Thematic essay: Topics are addressed acceptably, but exhibit widespread descriptive deficiencies.

MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM
General overview, appendicular and axial skeleton: structure and function of the joints; structure of bony elements; functional and clinical anatomy of the temporomandibular joint. Descriptive and functional anatomy of muscular complexes.
- CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
Pulmonary and systemic circulation. The heart: structure, position, and relationships; heart valves. Veins and arteries, topographic anatomy of arterial and venous pathways, and vascularization territories. Organization of the lymphatic system, lymph, and lymph nodes.
- RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
Descriptive and functional anatomy of the upper and lower airways (Nasalg cavities, Larynx, Trachea and Bronchi, Pulmonary Parenchyma, Pleurae).
- DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Descriptive and functional anatomy of the: Oral cavity and salivary glands, Pharynx, Esophagus, Stomach, Intestines, and accessory glands of the digestive system (Liver, Pancreas, Spleen).
- URINARY SYSTEM
Descriptive and functional anatomy of: Kidneys, Renal Pelvis, Ureters, Bladder, male and female Urethra.
- REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
Male – Descriptive and functional anatomy of Testes, Prostate, and Penis. Female – Descriptive and functional anatomy of Ovaries, Uterus, Vagina.
- ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
Descriptive and functional anatomy of the Pituitary gland, Thyroid, Parathyroid glands, Endocrine Pancreas, Adrenal glands, and Gonads.
- NERVOUS SYSTEM
Central Nervous System – Descriptive and functional anatomy of the Spinal Cord, Brainstem, Cerebellum, Diencephalon, Telencephalon (Cerebrum): cortical functional areas, gray matter areas of the Telencephalon, and white matter areas. Main sensory and motor pathways. Peripheral Nervous System – Cranial nerves and spinal nerves. Functional correlations of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.
- EYE and EAR
Descriptive and functional anatomy of the component parts constituting these structures.

- GENDER DIMENSION INTEGRATION Gender differences in locomotor anatomy and their consequences. Overview of socio-behavioral gender differences and relationships within the functionality of brain areas.

Each female and male student is expected to acquire a complete knowledge of the topographic relationships of the organs and structures that make up the human body, alongside an in-depth knowledge of the macroscopic and microscopic morphology of the various organs, accompanied by an understanding of their functional aspects both as individual structures and as components of macrostructural dimensions.
Each male and female student is expected to have developed the ability to apply their knowledge to identify design/project challenges, retrieve information, and identify and deepen thematic aspects related to morphological sciences within the fields of human anatomy.
Each female and male student must demonstrate independence of judgment in analyzing the functional and dysfunctional interactions of the various structures of human anatomy, useful for tackling a critical evaluation of experimental data or issues brought to their attention.
Each female and male student must have achieved appropriate communication skills in order to present descriptive aspects and issues related to human anatomy structures in a clear and concise manner, using appropriate scientific language (both in oral and written form), suitable also for presentations addressed to a non-expert audience.
Students are expected to demonstrate the ability to use the teaching materials for a critical and reasoned study, ultimately evolving toward the acquisition of the capacity to independently deepen and update their knowledge on topics relating to human anatomy structures through the reading of textbooks and scientific articles.