SUBJECT

Title

Human Histology and Development I – II

Type of instruction

lecture

Level

master

Part of degree program
Credits

2x2

Recommended in

Semesters 1-4

Typically offered in

Autumn/Spring semester

Course description

I. semester:

1. Gametogenesis: conversion of primordial germ cells into gametes. Mitosis, meiosis, polar bodies. Chromosomal abnormalities: 1. numerical abnormalities: mosaicism, translocations, trisomy (13, 18, 21/Down-syndrome), Klinefelter- and Turner-syndrome; 2. structural abnormalities: deletions, mutations.

2. Oogenesis: maturation of oocytes before birth – primary oocytes, primordial follicles. Maturation of oocytes at puberty – primary, secondary and Graafian follicle. Ovulation and corpus luteum. The ovarian cycle (GnRH, FSH, LH). Histology of ovary.

3. Spermatogenesis: primordial germ cells and supporting cells in sex cord of newborn boy. Puberty: development of seminiferous tubules, spermatogonia, spermatocytes and spermatids. Role of LH and FSH. Spermiogenesis. Histology of testis and epididymis.

4. Fertilization: capacitation, acrosome reaction, penetration of the corona radiata and zona pellucida, fusion of the oocyte and sperm membranes. Infertility, contraceptive methods. Histology of uterus.

5. From the two cell stage to the blastocyst formation. Steps of implantation, cyto- and syncytiotrophoblast. The bilaminar germ disc (epiblast, hypoblast), formation of amniotic cavity and yolk sac. Beginning of uteroplacental circulation: primary villi of placenta. Extrauterine implantations.

6. Formation of trilaminar germ disc: gastrulation, mesodermal derivatives. Establishment of the craniocaudal, dorsoventral (nodal, BMP4, FGF, etc.) and left-right (lefty1,2) body axes. Somitogenesis and its models. Development of trophoblast: secunder and tertier villi of placenta.

7. Neural induction and its molecular regulation (BMP4, noggin, chordin, follistatin). Neurulation and derivatives of neural ectoderm: formation of neural tube, neural crest and its contribution to heterogeneous array of structures. Placods.

8. Development of somites (sclerotom, myotom, dermatom) and its molecular regulation (Wnt, SHH, Myf5, Pax3, MyoD, Pax1). Intermediate mesoderm (gononephrotom) and lateral mesoderm, blood.

9. Derivatives of endodermal germ layer (mesodeum: foregut, midgut, hindgut, yolk sac and vitelline duct, allantois), formation of stomodeum and buccopharyngeal membrane, proctodeum and cloacal membrane). Appearance of endodermal organ primordia (the epithelial layer of tympanic cavity and auditory tube, respiratory tract, urinary bladder and urethra, parenchyma of the thyroid, parathyroids, liver and pancreas, stroma of the tonsils and thymus). Patterning of the anteroposterior axis: homeobox genes and SHH.

10. External appearance during the second and third month. Histology of the chorion, decidua and the mature placenta. Functions of the placenta, isoimmunization (Rh-incompatibility) and its treatment. The placental barrier. Fetal membranes of twins.

11. Congenital malformations, environmental factors: viruses (rubella, syphilis, HIV), ionizing radiations and hyperthermia, chemical agents (amphetamines, cocaine, LSD, alcohol, A vitamin), hormones (androgenic agents, endocrine disrupters). Prenatal diagnosis: ultrasonography, amniocentesis.

12. Development of skeletal system: germ layer origin of neurocranium, chondro- and dermatocranium. Cranial abnormalities: anencephalia, meningocele, meningoencephalocele. The newborn skull: fontanelles and sutures, craniosynostosis. Histology: primer ( membranous) ossification.

13. Limb development: from limb buds to fingers. Establishing of the proximo-distal, dorso-ventral and antero-posterior axes. Polydactylia, syndactylia. Histology: secunder (peri—and endochondral) ossification. Formation of the vertebral column and its defects (spina bifida).

14. Face formation: the maxillary and the mandibular prominences (Meckel’s cartilage), the hyoid arch (Reichert’s cartilage) and the fourth–sixth pharyngeal arches and their derivatives. Development of pharyngeal pouches and its molecular regulation (Hox genes, SHH, RA). Facial prominences, grooves and segments, formation of the secondary palate. Developmental defects.

II. semester:

1. Development of airways, formation of the larynx, morphogenesis of the lung. Induction of type I and II alveolar epithelial cells, producing of surfactant layer. Histology of the larynx and trachea.

2. Histology of the intrapulmonary airways: bronchi, bronchioli and alveoli. The immune system in the airways (from lymph nodes to alveolar macrophages). Some clinical correlates (allergy, bronchitis, asthma, tuberculosis).

3. Skin: development from the cuboid monolayer to the keratinized epidermis, formation and morphogenesis of hair follicles. Structure of the cutis and subcutis, glands in the skin. Histology of the skin.

4. Digestive system: derivatives of the dorsal mesentery (mesogastrium, mesoduodenum, mesocolon), formation of greater and lesser omentum. Histology of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum.

5. Development (morphogenesis, molecular ground) and histology of the liver and the pancreas. Rotation of the midgut (primary intestinal loop), hernia. Separation of the rectum from the urinary tract: development of the urorectal septum. Histology of hindgut.

6. Development of the heart: formation of the heart tube (endo-, myo- epicardium), heart loop and its partitioning. Development of the sinus venosus and interatrial septum (oval foramen and its valve). Septum formation in the atrioventricular canal, atrioventricular valves. Histology of the heart muscle.

7. Septum formation in the ventricles and the truncus arteriosus and conus cordis. Heart defects and transposition of the great vessel. Circulation before and after birth. Histology of arteries and veins.

8. Urinary system: formation of the pro-, meso- and metanephros and their ducts (Wolffian duct and ureter). The renal pelvis and calices, collecting tubules. Morphogenesis of the nephron and epithelial-mesenchymal interactions (Wt1,GDNF, HGF, BMP7, FGF2, Pax2, Wnt4).

9. Histology of the kidney: cortex, medulla, pelvis. Functional remarks.

10. Genital system: differentiation of the primitive sex cord (indifferent gonad) in males and females, molecular ground (sexdetermination: SRY, SF1, AMH, Dax1, hormones). Formation of the epididymis, the uterus and the vagina. Histology: vaginal smear.

11. Development of spinal cord: neuroepithelial, mantle and marginal, formation of the gay and white matter, basal, alar, roof and floor plates. Molecular regulation of spinal cord development (Pax genes, SHH, BMP4/7). Spinal nerves and myelination. Histology of the spinal cord.

12. Molecular regulation of brain development, the neuromer theory. Segmentation of hindbrain: formation of rhombomeres - Hox genes. Role of the forebrain/midbrain and the midbrain/hindbrain boundary and organizing centers (ANR, nothocord, prechordal plate). Histology of the hindbrain, midbrain, cerebellum and neocortex.

13. Morphogenesis of the eye: optic vesicle, optic cup and choroid fissure. Origin of the retina, choroid and sclera. Lens formation, transformation of the optic stalk into optic nerve. Development of the iris, ciliary body, cornea and eyelid. Histology of the eye, layers in the retina.

14. Molecular basis of the eye development, homologies with Drosophila.

Readings