Universitat Internacional de Catalunya

General Anatomical Pathology

General Anatomical Pathology
1
8410
2
Second semester
OB
Main language of instruction: Spanish

Other languages of instruction: Catalan, English

If the student is enrolled for the English track then classes for that subject will be taught in the same language.

Teaching staff


Students can book an appointment by telephone or mail (contact phone: 5346 at the General Hospital of Catalonia, Pathology). Monday to Wednesday  from 10 am to 13 pm. 

  • María Teresa Fernández Figueras (mfernandezf@uic.es)
  • Natalia Florencia Papaleo(nfpapaleo@tauli.cat )

Introduction

 

Anatomic pathology is the science that studies causes and consequences of the disease, by analyzing the structural, functional, genetic and molecular changes in cells, tissues and organs, in correlation with the clinical presentation. Anatomic pathology provides the basis to understand the pathogenesis, clinical presentation, evolution and treatment of diseases and it is the discipline responsible of most of the diagnosis in tumor pathology and also in many non-neoplastic diseases.

The terms “Histopathology” or “Pathology” are often used as a synonym of anatomic pathology and the specialists in this area are denominated “Pathologists” or “Anatomopathologists”. Pathologists are much more than morphologists. Pathologist need to have a deep knowledge of the disease to be able to correlate morphomolecular findings with clinical information and radiology.

The subject of Anatomic Pathology includes General Pathology and Systemic Pathology. While General Pathology is focused in the study of basic cellular and tissue reactions in front of the disease (including neoplasia),  Systemic Pathology analyzes the alterations specific of different cells, tissues and organs in front of the disease .

In this subject we will focus our attention to oral pathology and we will learn simultaneously the theoretical concepts and the practical aspects that contribute to the diagnosis.


Pre-course requirements

 Knowledge of histology so as to be able to identify pathological changes in tissues.


Objectives

  1. Understand the structural and molecular pathways of the disease 
  2. Recognize the histopathological changes (structural, histochemical, immunohistochemical and molecular) underlying different diseases
  3. Correlate clinical data and morphomolecular alterations in the setting of real cases, underlying the importance of clinicopathological correlation  

Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme

 


  • 08 - Knowing how to share information with other healthcare professionals and how to work as part of a team.
  • 14 - Being aware of the general processes of the illness, including infection, inflammation, alterations in the immune system, degeneration, neoplasm, metabolic alterations and genetic disorders.
  • 18 - Being aware of, critically evaluating and knowing how to use sources of clinical and biomedical infomation in order to obtain, organise, interpret and communicate scientific and healthcare-related information.
  • 38 - Being aware of clinical and laboratory-based procedures and diagnostic tests, knowing their reliability and diagnostic viability and being competent in interpreting the results
  • 39 - Recognising oral normality and pathology, as well as the evaluation of semiological data
  • 58 - Knowing the general pathological characteristics of the illnesses and disorders that affect organic systems

Learning outcomes of the subject

  • 1.12 - Solve clinical problems from deductions made with the basic knowledge of anatomy and physiology of the human body
  • 1.30 - Understand the basic bio-medical sciences on which dentistry is based to ensure proper oral-dental care.
  • 1.31 - - Understand and recognize the structure and normal function of the stomatognatic apparatus at a molecular and cellular level
  • 1.32 - Will know the general processes of falling ill, including genetic alterations
  • 1.35 - Will manage better than at the beginning of the subject, contemporary information technologies
  • 3.13 - Know the different diagnostic techniques in pathologic anatomy, biopsies, cytology, FNA, immunohistochemically studies
  • 3.14 - Order and interpret the results of anatomy pathological reports.
  • 5.13 - Develop the critical argument skills and autonomous learning

Syllabus

1: INTRODUCTION TO THE PATHOLOGY:  What is Anatomic Pathology? What does a pathologist? (surgical pathology, cytopathology, autopsy, specimens for moleuclar tests and digital pathology)  How are pathology reports and how to interpret them? Quality control. Tumor committees. Continuous education. Research.

2: GENERAL CONCEPTS OF CELLULAR PATHOLOGY: Parts of a cell. Types of cells. Agents and mechanisms of injury and cell necrosis . Apoptosis . Adaptation to stress, cell growth and differentiation . Intracellular accumulation (deposition diseases)

3: ACUTE INFLAMMATION: Concept and causes. Basic vascular and cellular reactions. Chemical mediators. Oral cavity and salivary glands:  histopathological changes secondary to acute inflammation.  

4: ACUTE AND CRONICAL INFLAMMATION (Part 2): Histopathological changes secondary to chronic  inflammation. Granulomatous inflammation. Repair, regeneration and healing.

5: NON INFECTIOUS INFLAMMATORY DISEASES: Aphthous stomatitis. Lichen planus . Pemphigus vulgaris . Pemphigoid. Epidermolysis. Erythema multiforme .

6:  NEOPLASIA (I): Definition, classification and nomenclature. Biological mechanisms of cancer.

7: INFECTIOUS PATHOLOGY.  VIRAL DISEASES: General aspects of infectious pathology Herpes virus infections, cytomegalovirus , human papilloma virus , Kaposi sarcoma  

8. BACTERIAL, FUNGAL AND PARASITIC INFECTIONS: Types of inflammation: exudative, necrotizing, granulomatous and interstitial. Diagnostic methodologies. Bacterial infections: Staphylococcus, Pneumococcus, Meningococcus, Syphilis, Tuberculosis, Actinomycosis, Mycosis (Candida, Aspergillus, mucormicosis or Zigomicosisi), Leishmaniasis  

9: NEOPLASIA (II):  Characteristics of benign and malignant tumors . Histological characteristics of tumors. Staging of cancer. 

10: EPITHELIAL NON-ODONTOGENIC LESIONS: Tumors of the epithelium of surface and salivary glands. 

11: ODONTOGENIC AND EMBRIONAL CYSTS AND ODONTOGENIC TUMORS (Part 1): Dental histology (Enamel. Dentin. Cement. Dental pulp. Periodontal ligament. Alveolar bone). Odontogenic and embrional cysts and odontogenic tumors.

12: ODONTOGENIC AND EMBRIONAL CYSTS AND ODONTOGENIC TUMORS (Part 2): Dental histology (Enamel. Dentin. Cement. Dental pulp. Periodontal ligament. Alveolar bone). Odontogenic and embrional cysts and odontogenic tumors. 

13: NON-EPITELIAL NEOPLASTIC ORAL PATHOLOGY AND PATHOLOGY OF TOOTH AND JAW (Part 1): Benign and malignant pigmented lesions. Soft tissue tumors. Hematologic disorders. Tooth and jaw pathology   

14: NON-EPITELIAL NEOPLASTIC ORAL PATHOLOGY AND PATHOLOGY OF TOOTH AND JAW (Part 2): Benign and malignant pigmented lesions. Soft tissue tumors. Hematologic disorders. Tooth and jaw pathology  

15: SEMINAR OF IMAGES

Teaching and learning activities

In person



There will be 14 theoretical classes with discussion of cases and clinical-pathological correlation and at the end of some classes a short test will be done. In the last class an image seminar will be held.   

An optional visit to the Department of Pathology will be organized over the first weeks to facilitate the understanding of the first class.   

 

Evaluation systems and criteria

In person



The exam will be a multiple-choice test:

  • The questions will have 5 possible answers and only one will be valid .
  • Wrong answers discount 0.25 points (considering a question as 1 point).
  • The result of the exam will become a grade between 0 and 10
  • To pass the subject it will be necessary to obtain a minimum of 5 points in the exam.
  • The final grade will be obtained from the grade (test type exam with theoretical and practical questions and images) and the continuous evaluation during the classes.
  • It will not be allowed to consult books or notes

Evaluation of grades:

               a) Failed: 0- 4,9 (SS)

              b) Pass: 5-6,9 (AP)

              c) Remarkable: 7-8,9 (NT)

              d) Outstanding: 9-10 (SB). 

             e) Special distinction: Implies having obtained an outstanding qualitification. 

 

Bibliography and resources

 

  • Kumar V, Abbas, AK, Aster JC. Robbins Basic Pathology . 10th ed . New York, NY. : Elsevier. 2018 
  • Shafer's Textbook of Oral Pathology - 8th Edition. Elsevier 2016
  • Neville, B. W., Damm, D. D., Allen, C. M., & Chi, A. C. Oral and maxillofacial pathology (Fourth edition.). St. Louis, Missouri: Elsevier. 2016
  • Arush Thakur Practical Handbook of Oral Pathology CBS Publishers & Distributors, 2021
  • SR Prabh  Handbook of Oral Pathology and Oral Medicine Wiley-Blackwell; 1st edition (October 21, 2021)

     

 

Evaluation period

E: exam date | R: revision date | 1: first session | 2: second session:
  • E1 16/05/2025 A14 10:00h
  • E1 16/05/2025 I2 10:00h
  • E1 16/05/2025 I1 10:00h
  • E1 16/05/2025 I3 10:00h
  • E1 16/05/2025 A16 10:00h

Teaching and learning material