Cellular and Molecular Biology

NEUROANATOMY AND IMAGING

NEUROANATOMY AND IMAGING

Academic year 2016/2017

Sommario del corso

• Course objectives
• Results of learning outcomes
• Course delivery
• Learning assessment methods
• Support activities
• Program
• Suggested textbooks and readings
• Teaching tools

Course objectives

Aim of this teaching is to give to the students:
a) comprehension of the topographical relationship and macro- and microscopic organization between the different human body systems
b) anatomical bases for the comprehension of the functional mechanisms of the different systems.

General aim for the student is to acquire the full capacity to describe, with appropriate terms, the structural organization of the human body and the relationship between structure and function.

Results of learning outcomes

At the end of the teaching, the student is expected to be capable of:
a) to use properly the anatomic nomenclature of the human body and of experimental animals
b) understand the basics of the anatomical and functional and pathological processes of drug action.
c) Ability to use software image manipulation programs and image analysis.

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
Understanding the characteristics of the digital image, the principles of morphometry and statistical interpretation

APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
Use of programs of image processing and image analysis

JUDGEMENT
Ability to choose between various alternatives for solving problems of image analysis

COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Presentation of the results in statistical tables

Course delivery

The teaching is articulated in 40 hours of formal in‐class lecture time for the Neuroanatomy module and in 56 hours of formal in‐class lecture time and work solving practical exercises for the Imaging module.

Practical exercises of Macro-Anatomy are provided, where possible.

Learning assessment methods

Neuroanatomy module:

The teaching grade is determined solely on the basis of a written examination (1 hour) conducted with multiple choice questions and with at least one open question, and an optional oral examination. The examination will focus on all teaching arguments. Hopefully, there will be an optional oral examination to improve the written mark.
The written examination will be evaluated in thirtieths.

Imaging module:

The teaching grade is determined on the basis of the results of a series of home works and a final PowerPoint presentation of a plug-in of the Image J program that was not discussed during the laboratory. The examination will be evaluated in thirtieths.

The final mark (in thirtieths) will be the average of marks obtained in the two modules.

Support activities

For the Imaging module weekly homework sets will be assigned, and their solution will be posted and (if time allows) discussed in class.

Program

Neuroanatomy module:

Introduction to the course. General and Anatomical Nomenclature.

The integument Apparatus: development, skin, skin appendages, vascularization and innervation, the sensorial receptors. Nervous system: identification, nomenclature, development, spinal cord. Brainstem, cerebellum; diencephalon; telencephalon (cortex and basal ganglia). General sensorial pathway. The special senses. Motor tract. Cranial Nerves. Spinal nerves. Autonomic nervous system.

Imaging module:

Image theory. The digital image: limits, future developments, manipulation. Shooting techniques. Limits and possibilities of correction. The programs for image manipulation. The open access programs GIMP and Image J Standardization of imaging. Examples of the use of Image J: morphometric analysis, fractional area, densitometry, three-dimensional reconstructions.

Martini et al. Anatomia Umana, IV edizione - Edises;
Seeley et al. Anatomia, II edizione - Idelson Gnocchi

Seeley's - Anatomy & Physiology - Mc Graw Hill Editors

Saladin - Human Anatomy - Mc Graw Hill Editors

Gilroy - Anatomy - An essential textbook - Thieme Editor

Class schedule

• Teaching materials
• Exams and finals
• Go to Moodle
• Visit the forums