Laurea Magistrale in Medicina e Chirurgia - sede di Torino

Histology in Medicine covers the microscopic structure and function of human specialized cells and tissues and mechanisms of tissue organization and regeneration. The organization of cells and tissues are correlated with diagnostic imaging (e.g., light microscopy and basics of electron microscopy, histochemistry and immunohistochemistry) of normal tissues.

Specific goals of the course are: 1) to provide foundation for the understanding of microscopic anatomy of the human body; 2) to correlate morphology to cell and tissue functions; 3) to develop an understanding how tissue integrity and functions are maintained by the organization of cells and tissues and by stem cell based renewal and how stem cells can be used for tissue repair and therapeutic regeneration; 4) to develop an understanding of molecular mechanisms governing histogenesis (signals and programs regulating stemness, proliferation, cell death and differentiation in diverse tissues); 5) to provide foundation for the knowledge of the clinical consequences of cellular disorders and tissue-related diseases; and 6) to provide foundation for the study of infertility and developmental defects; 

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: 1) demonstrate an understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulating proliferation and cell and tissue differentiation and their possible pathological alterations; 2) show an understanding of the organization and relationships of cells and tissues of the human body, tissue compartments of renewal and specialized functions; 3) identify cells and tissues and describe their functions and function-morphology relationships; 4) show an understanding of the basic mechanisms of gametogenesis and of the phases of fertilization, embryo development and foundation of fetal development; 5) develop problem solving skills to discriminate between normal and pathologic structure of cells and tissues.

CELLS AND TISSUES

• Techniques used in cell biology and histology, with focus on slide preparation for light microscopy
• Epithelia
• Secretion and exocrine and endocrine glands

• Connective tissues: extracellular matrix and cells
• Adipose tissue
• Cartilage and bone
• Blood
• Lymphoid tissue
• Muscle tissues
• Cells of the central and peripheral nervous tissue

HISTOGENESIS AND TISSUE RENEWAL

• Adult and embryonic stem cells and applications
• Renewal and morphogenesis of epithelial, hematopoietic, mesenchymal and nervous tissues
• Altered histogenesis and basis of cell transformation
• Morphogenesis and invasion
• Angiogenesis

 EMBRYOLOGY

• Sex determination and gonadogenesis

• Oogenesis and folliculogenesis
• Spermatogenesis
• Fertilization
• Preimplantation and implantation
• First 4 weeks of embryo development
• Overview of embryonic development (week 4-8)
• Extraembryonal structured, twins
• Overview of the fetal phase

The course is offered every 1^st year at the second semester, from March to June

The course consists in 2-3 two-hour long lectures/week

The course involves practice of virtual microscopy, to enable the personalized, at-home, use of computer-based programs that enable viewing and navigating digital slides acquired from a camera-equipped microscope.

There is an oral examination, which includes microscopic observation to evaluate the achievement of the above listed outcomes. 

The exam takes place in person. 

Grade scaling 30 points, minimum 18/30.

As mentioned above, the course involves practice of virtual microscopy, to enable the personalized, at-home, use of computer-based programs that enable viewing and navigating digital slides acquired from a camera-equipped microscope.

HISTOLOGY
Ross Pawlina Istologia (testo e atlante), CEA
Kierszenbaum Histology And Cell Biology, Mosby (verione italiana: ISTOLOGIA, Edra)
Adamo et al. Istologia Di V.Monesi, Piccin
Maraldi, Tacchetti et al. Istologia Medica (testo e atlante), Edi Ermes
Maraldi, Anastasi, Tacchetti. Dalle Cellule Ai Sistemi Citologia - Istologia - Anatomia microscopica, Edi Ermes
Ovalle, Nahirney, NETTER'S Istologia e Anatomia Microscopica (2022), Piccin

ATLAS
Dongmei Cui, William P. Daley ATLANTE DI ISTOLOGIA E ANATOMIA MICROSCOPICA con una prospettiva clinica, PICCIN
Ross, Pawlina HISTOLOGY, LWW
Kerr ISTOLOGIA FUNZIONALE, CEA
Gartner, Hiatt ATLANTE DI ISTOLOGIA E ANATOMIA MICROSCOPICA, MASSON
Wheater et al. ISTOLOGIA E ANATOMIA MICROSCOPICA
Stevens, Lowe ISTOLOGIA UMANA, CEA
Bani, Nistri, ISTOLOGIA ATLANTE, IDELSON-GNOCCHI

EMBRIOLOGy

Barbieri Carinci Embriologia 3a ed. (2016) CEA
Moore Persaud Torchia, Lo sviluppo prenatale dell uomo, Embriolgoia a orientamento clinico 11a ed (2020, traduzione della 11a USA 2020) EDRA
Sadler, Embriologia Medica di Langman 7a ed. (2020, traduzione della 7a USA 2019) EDRA
De Felici et al. Embriologia Umana 2a ed. (2016) Piccin
Larssen Embriologia Umana
Netter’s Atlante di embriologia Umana, 2026, PICCIN
Yogesh Sontakke, Embriologia Umana, 2a ed., 2026, Edi-Ermes

Via the https://elearning.unito.it/medicina/course/view.php?id=21237, slide-sets shown at lectures and review articles may be read and downloaded, which allow an in-depth knowledge of specific topics.