Universitat Internacional de Catalunya

Body Structure and Function: Integration Nervous and Endocrine Systems

Body Structure and Function: Integration Nervous and Endocrine Systems
12
9519
1
Second semester
FB
Main language of instruction: Spanish

Teaching staff


Dra. ARBÓS VIA, Maria Antònia - maarbos@uic.es

To request it by e-mail, when the student considers it opportune, or at the end of the classes to the corresponding teachers:

Introduction

In the event that the health authorities announce a new period of confinement due to the evolution of the health crisis caused by COVID-19, the teaching staff will promptly communicate how this may effect the teaching methodologies and activities as well as the assessment.


The nervous system coordinates the functions of the organism and its behaviour through electrochemical cellular connections. This system uses, in its synaptic connections, a set of molecules known as neurotransmitters and neuromodulators. In addition, the body has a communication system through other molecules produced in certain glands that are sent traveling through the circulatory system to the target cells in which they act. This is known as the hormonal or endocrine system. The hormonal system acts parallel to the nervous system and in close association with it (for example, neurotransmitters and neuromodulators overlap in their actions with some hormones), in order to achieve compliance with the body's programs and maintain its homeostasis. The nervous system plays a central role. The endocrine system is more difficult to define, both because of its mobile and diffuse characteristics and its ubiquity, and because of the characteristics of its molecules, which often have an ephemeral life and are difficult to identify and locate. This course will introduce us to the morphological and functional structure of these two systems at the macroscopic, microscopic and molecular levels, as well as to their main physiopathological implications.

Pre-course requirements

Not specifically required. A good knowledge of English is an advantage in order to be able to use different study materials properly.

Objectives

The general aim is to offer the student of Medicine a broad introductory vision of the bases that will allow them to understand the embryological origin, the structure (macroscopic and microscopic), the organization and functions of the nervous and endocrine systems.

The specific objectives focus on:

  1. To identify and describe the structure of the brain and to know its functions.
  2. To identify and describe the structure of the brainstem, diencephalon, cerebellum and to know their functions.
  3. Describe the structure of the cerebellum and its connections, as well as the cerebellar control of motor functions.
  4. Identify and describe the structure of the spinal cord and somatic sensations and motor functions.
  5. Describe the actual and apparent origin of the cranial pairs. Know the trajectory and distribution of its branches.
  6. Know the ventricular system and the cerebrospinal fluid.
  7. Identify the meningeal layers and the spaces they delimit.
  8. Describe the blood vessels of the nervous system.
  9. Identify with imaging techniques the elements belonging to the nervous system.
  10. Know the composition and function of the autonomic nervous system and the neuroendocrine system.
  11. Know the electrical and chemical signals of neurons.
  12. To know the physiology of the neuron and the synapse.
  13. To know the functions of the neuronal microenvironment.
  14. Solve clinical problems from deductions made from the basic knowledge acquired of the structure and function of the nervous system.
  15. To know the different hormones, as well as their functions and mechanisms of production, regulation and action in the different target organs.
  16. Identify by microscopic techniques different elements of the endocrine system.
  17. Solve clinical problems through the basic knowledge acquired of the structure and function of the endocrine system.

Our intention is that by the end of the course, students are able to properly understand and use the appropriate terminology related to these topics in a critical and reflective manner, and also to demonstrate some specific knowledge.

Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme

  • 05 - Recognize own limitations and the need to maintain and upgrade professional skills, with particular emphasis on autonomous learning of new knowledge and skills and motivation for quality.
  • 07 - Understand and recognise normal structure and function of the human body at the molecular, cellular, tissue, and organ and systemetic levels, at different stages of life and in both sexes.
  • 09 - Understand and recognize the effects, mechanisms and manifestations of disease on the structure and function of the human body.
  • 10 - To understand and recognise the agents and risk factors which determine health status, and learn how they determine the symptoms and natural development of acute or chronic diseases in individuals and populations.
  • 11 - Understand and recognize the effects of growth, development and aging on the individual and their social environment.
  • 12 - Understanding the foundations for action, the indications and efficacy of therapeutic interventions, based on available scientific evidence.
  • 32 - Know how to use information and communication technology in clinical, therapeutic, preventive health care and research.
  • 35 - Understand the importance and limitations of scientific thinking in the study, prevention and treatment of disease.
  • CB-2 - To know how to apply and incorporate knowledge, an understanding of it and its scientific basis and the ability to solve problems in new and loosely defined environments, including multidisciplinary contexts that include both researchers and highly specialised professionals.

Learning outcomes of the subject

Knowledge related

  • The student will identify the structure (macroscopic and microscopic) of the central, peripheral and autonomic nervous system.
  • The student will identify the basic functions of the central, peripheral and autonomic nervous system.
  • The student will know the physiology of the neuron, the synapses and the neuronal microenvironment.
  • The student will learn about the endocrine system, its structure and different functions.
  • The student will know the different hormones, and their mechanisms of production, regulation, and action in the target tissues.
  • The student will have become familiar with the international nomenclature, learning to work with real and simulated clinical histories.
  • The student will identify the physiological modifications of the two study systems throughout their lives, and will begin with clinical exploration and the use of different basic neuroimaging techniques.

 Related to skills and abilities

  • The student knows how to extract the relevant information in a precise and concise manner.
  • The student is able to think in an analytical and critical way.
  • The student learns to work as part of a team.
  • The student improves oral and written skills.

Syllabus

STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

  • Macroscopic structure of the nervous system
  • Microscopic structure of the nervous system
  • Radiological anatomy of the nervous system
  • Nervous system function

STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

  • Macroscopic structure of the endocrine system
  • Microscopic structure of the endocrine system
  • Hormones
  • Function of the endocrine system
PRACTICAL PROGRAM
  • Osteotheque
  • Dissection (the performance of dissection practices is subject to the availability of cadaveric samples from the body donation service) 
  • Virtual Laboratory (Metaneuron: Interactive neuron simulation program)
  • Histology


  1. Cerebral hemispheres structure. Embryological development. Structure and functional location of the cerebral cortex. Cerebral cortex, intellectual functions of the brain, learning and memory. Aphasia, agnosia and apraxia.
  2. Systematization of the white matter: association and projection fibers.
  3. Diencephalon: generalities and systematization. Thalamus: connections and function. Hypothalamus: connections and function. Hypothalamus-hypophysis axis and hypophyseal portal system. Basal ganglia: movement disorders.
  4. Reticular formation and limbic system. Hippocampal formation. Amygdala nucleus. Connections. Anterograde amnesia.
  5. Brainstem. Internal structure of the midbrain, pons and medulla. Morphology, nucleus and fibres.
  6. Cerebellum. Cerebellar cortex lobes and functional areas. Cortical mechanisms. Afferent and efferent fibres. Ataxia.
  7. Spinal cord anatomy. External spinal cord structure. Internal spinal cord anatomy: ascending and descending tracts. Spinal nerves. Protective structures. Spastic paralysis.
  8. Autonomic nervous system. Generalities. Organization: sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. Visceral anomalies. Pharmacology.
  9. Central nervous system irrigation. Arterial and venous vascularization of the brain and spinal cord. Circle of Willis. Stroke.
  10. Cranial nerves and their nuclei: generalities and systematization. Special sensory cranial nerves: Olfactory Nerve (I), Optic Nerve (II). Vestibulocochlear nerve (VIII). Somatic motor cranial nerves: Oculomotor Nerve (III), Nerve Trochlear (IV), Abducens nerve (VI), Hypoglossal Nerve (XII). Mixed cranial nerves: sensory (general and/or special) and motor (brachial and/or visceral): Trigeminal Nerve (V), facial nerve (VII), Glossopharyngeal Nerve (IX) and Vagus Nerve (X).

  1. Histological characteristics of the nervous system. Cell types: Neurons and supporting cells; Neuronal morphology; Neuronal classification. Neuronal connections: the synapse.
  2. Supporting cells of the central nervous system: astrocytes. Oligodendrocytes, microglia and ependymal cells.
  3. Supporting cells of the peripheral nervous system: Schwann cells and satellite cells.
  4. Cerebral cortex, microscopic structure in layers. Cells of the layers.
  5. Cerebral cortex, cortical areas. Afferent and efferent fibres.
  6. Basal ganglia and associated nuclei.
  7. Thalamus. Hypothalamus. Cerebellum.
  8. Cerebellar cortex, layers organization.
  9. Spinal cord. Dorsal root ganglia. Afferent and efferent neurons. Neurons in the spinal horn. Brainstem.
  10. Cranial nerves.
  11. Histology of the central nervous system covers. Meninges and meningeal spaces.
  12. Blood brain barrier.
  13. Choroid plexus and cerebrospinal fluid. Circulation and drainage.

  1. Cranial bone anatomy.
  2. Anatomy of the brain, diencephalon, brainstem and cerebellum.
  3. Anatomy of the spinal cord, ventricular system and meninges.
  4. Vascularization and cranial nerves.

  1. Introduction to the nervous system. Nervous system functions and body homeostasis.
  2. Functions of neurons and glia cells. Functions of the dendrites, axon and axonic terminations. The synapse. Functions of neuronal circuits. Regenerative functions of the nervous system.
  3. Physiology of the neuron: information flux dendrites-soma-axon-synapse. Resting potential of neurons. Excitation and inhibition potentials of neuronal dendrites and soma.
  4. Passive and active amplification of the electrical signals. Generation and propagation of axon action potentials.
  5. Synapse functions: Types of synapses and neurotransmitters. Excitatory, inhibitory and modular synapses. Synaptic plasticity. Neuromuscular synapses.
  6. Function of the components of the nervous system: brain and basal ganglia. Brain stem and cranial pairs. Cerebellum. Spinal cord.
  7. Functions of the neuronal microenvironment: Formation and circulation of the cerebrospinal fluid. Cerebral extracellular fluid. Hematoencephalic barrier. Glial cells function.
  8. Physiology of neuronal circuits: neuronal differentiation and circuit formation. Afferent neurons, interneurons and efferent neurons. Neurons involved in the transmission of sensory information. Neurons involved in the transmission of motor information. Neurons involved in spinal reflexes. Neurons involved in vegetative circuits.
  9. Sensory circuits: Receiver potential, receptive fields and receiver adaptation. Types of sensory receivers. Somatic sensory transduction. Vegetative sensory transduction. Noxious transduction. Special transduction systems.
  10. Motor circuits: spinal reflex circuits, cortex and brainstem motor circuits, basal ganglia motor circuits, cerebellum motor circuits. Control of muscle tone, posture, balance and walking.
  11. Cerebral cortex: association areas. Cortical maps. Model of language processing. Hemispheric lateralization and dominance.
  12. Limbic System: behavior and control of emotions. Memory and learning.
  13. Brainstem: modulator systems of the central nervous system and neurotransmitters. Consciousness, sleep cycle. Functions of the cranial nerves.
  14. Autonomic nervous system: sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions. Enteric system. Autonomic functions. Visceral reflexes. Visceral pain. Hypothalamus-hypophysis axis.


  1. Pituitary gland, thyroid gland, and parathyroid gland.
  2. Pancreas and adrenal glands.

  1. General functions of the endocrine system. Main endocrine glands. Hormone concept.
  2. Main types of hormones: polypeptide, steroids, amino acid derivatives. Derived from fatty acids.
  3. Introduction to endocrine function, mechanisms of action of hormones: Concept of signal transmission. Various molecules involved in signal transmission. Similarities and differences between the nervous system and the endocrine system.
  4. Hormone receptors: concept, location and function. Mechanisms of action of each hormonal type.
  5. Gonads (teste and ovary): embriology and histology of male and female gonads. Common functions of both gonads in male and female: the production of reproductive hormones and gametes. Testicular hormones and their functions-ovarian hormones and their functions. Pathologies of both gonads.
  6. Hypothalamus-hypophyseal system: nervous and vascular axis hypothalamus-hypophyseal. Nerve nuclei of the hypothalamus. Hypothalamic control of the release of pituitary hormones. Structure and embryological origin of the pituitary gland. Main characteristics of the hormones of the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland and their main hypothalamic regulating factors (stimulators and inhibitors).
  7. Anterior pituitary lobe hormones: growth hormone and prolactin. Releasing and inhibiting hypothalamic factors. Growth hormone; physiological effects, regulation of secretion, mechanisms of action, target tissues and organs and the main dysfunctions. prolactin; physiological effects, regulation of secretion, mechanisms of action, target tissues and organs and the main dysfunctions.
  8. Thyroid hormones and pancreatic hormones: Thyroid hormones; embryological structure and origin of the thyroid gland, triiodothyronine and thyroxine, physiological effects, regulation of secretion, mechanisms of action, target tissues and organs and major dysfunctions.
  9. Pancreatic hormones; embryological structure and origin of the endocrine pancreas, structure of the islets of Langerhans, pancreatic hormones (insulin, glucagon, somatostatin, amylin and pancreatic polypeptide), physiological effects, regulation of secretion, mechanisms of action, target tissues and organs and major dysfunctions.
  10. Hormones involved in calcium and phosphate metabolism: Structure and embryological origin of the parathyroid glands, hormones involved in calcium and phosphate metabolism; parathormone, calcitriol, calcitonin, hormone FGF-23 and protein klotho, physiological effects, regulation of secretion, mechanisms of action, target tissues and organs and major dysfunctions.
  11. Hormones of the adrenal gland: glucocorticoids, mineral corticoids, adrenaline; physiological effects, regulation of secretion, mechanisms of action, target tissues and organs and major dysfunctions.

  1. P1_Osteoteca_The brain bone protection. Bony structures of the skull and face. Special study of the cranial base. Cranial fossae (anterior, medial and posterior); limits and contents. Description and location, in skull models, of the holes and vascular and nervous structures across them.
  2. P2_Dissection Laboratory_Membranous Protection of the Encephalon. Overview of the membranous protections of the brain and spinal cord. Meninges: dura mater, arachnoid and pia mater; identification and general characteristics. Ventricular system. Cerebrospinal fluid: formation and function. Location of the structures in corpse samples.
  3. P3_Osteoteca_Spinal cord and Brain Stem. Morphology of the spinal cord. Macroscopic anatomy of the medullary segments. Spinal nerves. Disposition and functions of the gray and white substances in the SC. Study in anatomical models and sheets. Brainstem morphology; anterior, posterior and lateral vision. Cranial nerves apparent origin. Study in models and anatomical sheets.
  4. P4_Dissection Laboratory_Brain Stem; anterior, posterior and lateral vision. Apparent origin and path of the cranial nerves. Location of structures in cadaveric samples.
  5. P5_Virtual laboratory_Action Potentials.
  6. P6_Dissection Laboratory_Brain and cerebellum. Brain; location and macroscopic characteristics. Cerebral cortex; location of cerebral lobes. Main sensory and motor areas; coronal, sagittal and axial sections. Location of internal structures and relationships between them. Cerebellum; situation and macroscopic view. Cortex cerebellar lobes. Cerebellar peduncles and internal nuclei.
  7. P7_Virtual laboratory_Demyelination and remyelination.
  8. P8_Dissection laboratory_Vascularization of the encephalon and the spinalcord. Cerebral vascularization; carotid and vertebro-basilar systems. Polygon of Willis. Vascularization of the spinal cord. Veins of the brain and spinal cord.
  9. P1_Histology_Nervous Tissue. Cerebral cortex.
  10. P2_Histology_Basal ganglia. Cerebellum. Spinal cord.
  11. P3_Histology_Meninges.
  12. P4_Histology_Endocrine System.

  1. Clinical case methods. Different clinical cases (nervous system) will be worked in class, related to the contents given in the theoretical classes (Cortex I; 2. Cortex II; Brain stem I; Brain stem II; Limbic system; Medulla la; Cerebellum and cerebrospinal fluid; Peripheral nervous system; Exploration; Vascularization).
  2. Physiological case methods. Different cases of clinical physiology (nervous system and endocrine system) will be worked on in class, related to the contents given in the theoretical classes.

Teaching and learning activities

In blended



METHODOLOGY: Self learning Led by the teacher Directed practice
COMPETENCIES:
  • 05
  • 07
  • 09
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12
  • 32
  • 35
  • CB-2
  • Lecture (Master class, CM): Explanation of a theoretical topic by the instructor, during 50 minutes. Online.
  • Osteoteca guided self-learning with the methodology SCAT (Student Centered Teaching Anatomy). In-class.
  • Clinical cases (CC): Approach of a real or imaginary situation. Students work on the problem in small groups and later in class the answers are discussed. The instructor actively participates and, if necessary, explains new concepts to the students. In-class.
  • Practical (P): Neural simulation and histology laboratory. Exercises on the concepts worked on in the theoretical classes. In person.
  • Problem-based learning (PBL) and case methods (CM): Approach to a real or an imaginary situation. Students work on the problem in small groups and later in class the answers are discussed. The instructor actively participates and, if necessary, explains new knowledge to the students. In-class.
  • Virtual Education (EV): Online material that the students can consult from any computer, at any time, and that will contribute to self-learning concepts related to the subject. Online.

Evaluation systems and criteria

In blended



The final grade is obtained from the sum of the following evaluation activities:

  • 10% Partial Test
  • 50% Final Test (1)
  • 10% Dissection and Osteotheque Test (2) + 10% Histology Test (2) + 5% Virtual Laboratory Test (2)
  • 15% Test Case Methods (3)
  • (+ 10%) Excellence (4)
  • (1) It is mandatory to pass this test (to obtain a minimum of 5) in order to pass the subject.
  • (2) Once passed this test, the qualification can be applied to future calls. It must be remembered that attendance to the practical program is obligatory.
  • (3) Students who have taken the course before must take the test of methods of the case again.
  • (4) At the discretion of the teacher. Applicable only in the first call in course.

If a student does not obtain a minimum of 5 in the final exam or after summing the qualification of the different activities, the student can attend the second call final exam. Qualification of continuous assessment activities is kept, and the final exam qualification averaged with final exam qualification with 50% weight.

Bibliography and resources

Evaluation period

E: exam date | R: revision date | 1: first session | 2: second session:
  • E1 18/06/2021 11:00h
  • E2 08/07/2021 09:00h

Teaching and learning material


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