Course program
The formative work includes frontal teaching and seminars, divided into 12 lessons of 2 hours each, emphasizing the aspects of the microarchitecture of organs and the specific technical aspects of the preparation of biological samples for electron microscopy.
1. CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM 1: HEART AND VESSELS. Microscopic and ultrastructural anatomy of the heart and vascular wall. Arteries, veins, and capillaries. Study and imaging techniques. Aging and clinical-pathological implications. Biotechnological projections. R. HEYN
2. CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM 2: LYMPHATIC VESSELS AND ORGANS. Lymph circulation; lymphatic capillaries; collectors, trunks. Microscopic anatomy and ultrastructure of the lymphatic vessel wall. Lymphatic organs (lymph node, thymus, spleen, MALT -lymphoid tissue associated with the mucous membranes-). Study and imaging techniques. Clinico-pathological implications. Biotechnological projections. R. HEYN
3. RESPIRATORY SYSTEM. Microscopic and ultrastructural anatomy of the airways, lungs, pleura, bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli. Alveolar wall, cell types, surfactant. Air-blood exchange membrane. Imaging techniques. Clinico-pathological implications. Biotechnological projections. R. HEYN
4. DIGESTIVE SYSTEM. Microscopic and ultrastructural anatomy of the oral cavity, salivary glands; esophagus and esophago-gastric junction; the gastric wall; gastric glands. Concept of fold, intestinal villus, microvillus and glycocalyx; intestinal crypt concept; colon. Pancreas; concept of pancreatic acinus, cell types. Morpho-functional units of the liver; functional polarization of hepatocytes; hepatic lobule and metabolic zonation. Clinico-pathological implications. Study and imaging techniques. Biotechnological projections. R. HEYN
5. URINARY SYSTEM. Microscopic anatomy and ultrastructure of the nephron as a morpho-functional unit; renal corpuscle; podocytes, glomerular capillaries; ultrafiltration barrier. Juxtaglomerular apparatus. The urinary tract: renal calyces; renal pelvis; ureter; urinary bladder; urethra. Study and imaging techniques. Clinico-pathological implications. Biotechnological projections. R. HEYN
6. NERVOUS SYSTEM. Organization of the central nervous system and notes on microscopic anatomy. Imaging techniques. Biotechnological projections. M. RELUCENTI.
7. ENDOCRINE SYSTEM. Microscopic and ultrastructural anatomy of the main endocrine glands, with particular emphasis on the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, the pineal, the thyroid, the parathyroids, the adrenal gland, the endocrine pancreas (islets of Langerhans) and the diffuse neuroendocrine system. Clinico-pathological implications. Imaging techniques. Biotechnological projections. R. HEYN
8. SENSE ORGANS. Microscopic and ultrastructural anatomy of the sense organs: hearing (ear); sight (eye); smell (olfactory mucosa); taste (lingual papillae and taste buds). Anatomical-pathological notes. Imaging techniques. Biotechnological projections. R. HEYN
9. INTRODUCTION TO THE PREPARATION OF BIOLOGICAL SAMPLES FOR ELECTRON MICROSCOPY. Basic principles of microscopy. Transmission electron microscopes (MET) and scanning electron microscopes (MES). Phases of preparing a biological sample, advantages and differences between MET and MES. Reading the recommended book will be useful (G. Familiari et al., Appendix, pp. 833-854). R. HEYN
10. FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM. Notes on the development of the gonad. Microscopic anatomy and ultrastructure of the ovary. Study techniques. Ovarian cycle; folliculogenesis; corpus luteum; apricot body. Uterine cycle. Fertilization. Zona pellucida. Genital tract and vulva. Notes on menopause. Biotechnological projections. R. HEYN
11. MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM. Notes on the development of the gonad. Microscopic anatomy and ultrastructure of the testis. The testicular functional compartments: tubular (germ cells and Sertoli cells), peritubular (myoid cells) and interstitial (Leydig cells). Intra- and extratesticular spermatic ducts (straight tubules, rete testis, efferent ducts, epididymis, vas deferens) and associated glands (prostate, seminal vesicles, bulbourethral glands). Penis; corpora cavernosa. Notes on male infertility. Study techniques. Biotechnological projections. R. HEYN
12. INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM. Microscopic and ultrastructural anatomy of the skin and skin appendages. The terminal ductulolobular unit (TDLU) as a morpho-functional unit of the mammary gland. Aging and anatomo-pathological notes. Imaging techniques. Biotechnological projections. R. HEYN
Prerequisites
It is particularly recommended to have knowledge of histology, general human anatomy, anatomical terminology, and a basic knowledge of scientific English (for international literature).
Books
The following texts are useful for supporting morphological and ultrastructural concepts:
G. Familiari et al. Microscopic Anatomy. Atlas of optical and electronic anatomy. PICCIN.
W. K. Ovalle & P.C. Nahirney. Netter's Microscopic Anatomy. CIC Edizioni Internazionali [please note that this is not the latest edition with Histology, which does not include electron microscopy images!]
The instructor will also provide a series of recent scientific articles to summarize the state of the art of each topic covered in class. The articles are in English, come from international scientific journals, and can be downloaded or viewed as PDFs from the Sapienza University electronic library. Individual references will be projected during each class.
Frequency
The lessons are held in person, with a minimum attendance requirement of 67% to be admitted to the exam.
Exam mode
Interview with recommended grade in Anatomy (valid for one calendar year). There are usually three questions covering the course syllabus, one of which concerns microscopic imaging techniques and currently existing biotechnological organ/mini-organ models. Appointments for the Anatomy interview can only be made by emailing the representative with a list of names directly to rose.heyn@uniroma1.it the week before the desired interview date. The results will only be recorded on Infostud after passing the Embryology (Prof. Antonio Musarò) and Physiology (Prof. Cristina Limatola) exams. The venue and time will be communicated to representatives in due course.
Lesson mode
Two-hour block sessions in the period November 2025-January 2026. The lessons take place in person in the Carlo Conti Room (Building Name PL028 Room Code P01L001; 1st floor V Medical Clinic, Polyclinic Umberto I).
