OBJECTIVES OF THE COURSE IN MEDICAL HISTOLOGY

Overall Course Objectives:

Block I Topic Objectives:

1. Know the morphological and functional features of cells and cellular organelles and their interrelationships. Understand the mechanisms involved in controlling cellular growth, regeneration, differentiation, signaling, and death. Comprehend the role of knowledge of basic cell biology in designing therapies for a variety of diseases.
2. Know and be able to identify the types of epithelium, where they are found, and how the structure of each permits it to carry out its specific functions.
3. Know and be able to identify the three types of muscle. Know how they are structurally and functionally similar or different. Know the ultrastructure of striated muscle cells especially in regard to the T-tubule system, and the arrangement of actin and myosin filaments.
4. Know the three basic components of connective tissue: cells, fibers, and ground substance. Know how they differ in various connective tissues to perform their specific functions including specialized connective tissues. Be able to identify the types of connective tissue including the specialized connective tissues (bone and cartilage).
5. Know the organization of the nervous system. Know the ultrastructure of a neuron and how its structure relates to function. Compare the CNS (central nervous system) with the PNS (peripheral nervous system) in regard to types of neurons, types of supporting cells, and myelination. Know what myelin is, how it is formed, and what its function is. Be able to recognize specific neurons in the CNS (motor horn cells, Purkinje cells, pyramidal cells) and in the PNS (dorsal root ganglia, and autonomic ganglia).
6. Know the structural organization of the walls of blood vessels. Be able to distinguish and identify large arteries, medium arteries, arterioles, venules, medium veins, large veins and various types of capillaries.
7. Be able to identify the cellular elements of peripheral blood and platelets. Know the function of each cell type.

 

Block II Topic Objectives

8. Know the basic structure of endocrine glands. Be able to identify each endocrine gland. Know the hormone(s) secreted, regulation of hormone secretion, target tissues/organs and actions of each hormone.
9. Know the structural components of the wall of the digestive tract. Know how each region of the digestive tract differs in order to perform its specific function. Be able to identify the specific regions of the digestive tract.
10. Be able to identify the accessary digestive glands (salivary glands, exocrine pancreas, liver, and gall bladder). Know their contributions to the digestive process. Know the three different methods of describing liver lobules. Know the multiple functions of the liver. Know the ultrastructure of the liver sinusoids and hepatocytes and how this permits the liver to perform its many functions.
11. Be able to identify the different regions of the urinary system. Know the structural arrangement of the kidney. Know the morphologic organization of the uriniferous tubule and be able to identify the different regions of the nephron. Understand the functional significance of these structures. Be able to identify the components of the filtration barrier and know the function of each component.
12. Be able to identify the different regions of the male reproductive tract and know the specific functions of each. In the testis, be able to identify the different stages of spermatogenesis, and understand the significance and organization of the blood-testis barrier. Know the endocrine function of the testis. Be able to identify the male accessory glands (prostate and seminal vesicles) and know their functions.
13. Be able to identify the different regions of the female reproductive tract. Know the function of each region and the effects of ovarian steroids on the different regions. In the ovary, be able to identify the different stages of oogenesis. Understand the endocrine function of the ovary. Be able to identify the different stages of the uterine cycle as evidenced by changes in the endometrium.
14. Understand and be able to identify the different stages of mammary gland development. Know the hormonal actions on the breast for development, lactation, and expression of milk.
15. Know the organization of the heart. Be able to identify the three layers of the heart (endocardium, myocardium, pericardium), nodal tissue, Purkinje fibers, pulmonary valves and atrio-ventricular valves.

 

Block III Topic Objectives

16. Know how blood cells are formed (hematopoiesis). Be able to identify the various stages of development in both red and white blood cell lines.
17. Know the organization of the immune system (lymphoid system). Be able to identify the organs and tissues of the lymphoid system. Know the functional significance of the structural organization of each of the lymphoid organs or tissues.
18. Be able to distinguish thick from thin skin. Identify the different cellular layers in the epidermis. Understand the functions of specialized cells in the epidermis (melanocytes, Merkel cells, Langerhans cells). Know the arrangement of connective tissue elements in the dermis. Be able to identify the structures associated with the skin (sweat glands, hair follicles, nails).
19. Be able to identify the structures associated with the oral cavity: tongue, lip, salivary glands (parotid, submandibular, sublingual), teeth and soft palate.
20. Know the organization of the respiratory system. Be able to identify the different parts of the system. Know the organization of the diffusion barrier for exchange of gases in the alveoli. Know the various cell types within the respiratory system and understand their functional characteristics.
21. Know the structural organization of the inner ear. Understand how the structure relates to the functions of hearing and equilibrium.
22. Know the structural organization of the eye. Know the three layers (fibrous coat, uvea, retina) and their components. Know the organization of the neural retina. Understand the flow of aqueous humor.