ECTS credits ECTS credits: 4.5
ECTS Hours Rules/Memories Hours of tutorials: 1 Expository Class: 26 Interactive Classroom: 16 Total: 43
Use languages Spanish, Galician
Type: Ordinary Degree Subject RD 1393/2007 - 822/2021
Departments: Morphological Science
Areas: Human Anatomy and Embryology
Center Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry
Call: First Semester
Teaching: With teaching
Enrolment: Enrollable | 1st year (Yes)
- To know the embryonic development and organogenesis.
- To know the morphology, structure and function of tissues, apparatus and systems.
- To handle basic laboratory material and techniques.
- Recognize with macroscopic and microscopic methods and imaging techniques the morphology and structure of tissues, organs and systems and interpret images of embryonic and fetal development.
- Understand the structural bases of human reproduction and development and the factors involved in their alterations.
GENERAL ANATOMY
I. Lectures (9h)
Introduction to Anatomy. Definitions, axes, planes and basic structural elements. Organization by systems and apparatus. Anatomical list (1h)
2. General anatomy of the locomotor apparatus: Bones, Joints and Muscles (2h)
3. General splacnology (2h)
4. General anatomy of the Nervous System (4h).
II. Interactive contents
1. Seminars (4h)
Seminar 1. General aspects of the locomotor system. Types of joints.
Seminar 2. Splacnology
Seminar 3. Neuroanatomy I
Seminar 4. Neuroanatomy II
2. Practical lessons (1h)
Practical 1. Splacnology
EMBRYOLOGY
I. LECTURES (17h)
UNIT I. Introduction to human development (1h)
Lesson 1. Introduction to embryology
Embryology meaning. The Embryology along history. Embryology latest developments.
UNIT II. Human reproductive biology (4h)
Lesson 2. Gametogenesis
Oogenesis and egg maturation. Hormonal control of oogenesis. Ovarian cycle and ovulation. Corpus luteum and corpus albicans.
Spermatogenesis. Maturation of male germ cells. Spermiogenesis. Hormonal control of spermatogenesis.
Lesson 3. Fertilization
Transport of gametes and sperm capacitation. Fertilization stages.
UNIT III. Cellular and molecular developmental biology (2h)
Lesson 4. Molecular and cellular mechanisms of development
Cellular potentiality. Cellular determination and differentiation. Cellular induction.
Regulation of gene expresión: genetic control of cell determination, epigenetics and transcription factors. Cell signaling processes: signal and receptor molecules. Mechanisms of cell adhesion and migration.
UNIT IV. Human biology of development (10h)
Lesson 5. First week of development: cleavage and embryogenesis
Characteristics of the zygote. Cleavage and morula. Formation of the blastula. Blastocyst implantation. Abnormal implantation. Properties of the embryo during cleavage.
Lesson 6. Second week of development: the bilaminar embryo
Bilaminar germ disk. Evolution of implantation during the second week. Formation of amniotic cavity. Formation of yolk sac. Changes of cytotrophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast. Emergence of extra-embryonic mesoderm.
Lesson 7. Third week of development: gastrulation
Gastrulation. Trilaminar germ disk. Formation of notochord and neurulation. Derivates of the three germinal layers. Differentiation of the somites. Formation of allantois. Cardiovascular system. Evolution of chorionic villi.
Lesson 9. Evolution from the fourth to the eighth week of development: organogenesis
Organogenesis. Embryonic folding. Evolution of the somites. Evolution of brain vesicles. Development of the extremities. Development of branchial arches and pharyngeal pouches. Face development. Development of systems.
Lesson 10. Evolution from the ninth week to birth: fetal period
Fetal growth. Fetal physiology. Development assessment techniques and methods of prenatal diagnosis
Lesson 11. Placenta and fetal annexes
Placenta and fetal membranes: structure, function and placental blood circulation. Amniotic cavity. Yolk sac. Allantois. Umbilical cord. Delivery.
II: INTERACTIVE CONTENTS
1. Seminars (3h)
Seminar 1. Assisted reproductive techniques.
Seminar 2. Biomedical research with embryos.
Seminar 3. Teratology. Twin pregnancies.
2. Laboratory practices (8h)
Practice 1. Oogenesis
Microscopic study of female germ cells
Practice 2-3. Spermatogenesis
Microscopic study of male germ cells. Seminogram: concentration, vitality and mobility of sperm
Practice 4. Embryonic Development: cleavage, blastulation and gastrulation.
Microscopic study of frog morula, blastula and gastrula. Image interpretation
Practice 5. Diagnosis of embryonic and fetal age (I).
Microscopic study of fetal and embryonic samples. Study of the ossification pattern
Practice 6. Diagnosis of embryonic and fetal age (II).
Determination of fetal age: Metric and morphological parameters. Observation of fetuses with congenital malformations
Practice 7. Placenta and umbilical cord.
Macroscopic and microscopic study of umbilical cord and placenta.
Practice 8. Clinical cases.
Developmental abnormalities related with clinical cases
ANATOMY
Basic
GARCÍA PORRERO JA, HURLE JM, JORGE BARREIRO FJ, QUINTANS RODRIGUEZ M. Anatomía humana (2ª ed). Ed. Medica Panamericana, Madrid. 2019.
DRAKE RL, MITCHELL AWM, VOGL W. Gray. Anatomía para estudiantes (5ª ed). Ed. Elsevier, Barcelona. 2024 (electronic access)
Atlas
NETTER FH. Atlas de Anatomía Humana (7ª ed). Ed, Elsevier-Masson. Barcelona. 2019 (electronic access)
PAULSEN F, WASCHKE J. Sobotta. Atlas de anatomía humana. (25ª ed). Ed. Elsevier, Barcelona. 2024 (electronic access)
EMBRYOLOGY
Basic
CARLSON BM. Embriología humana y biología del desarrollo. (7ª ed). Ed. Elsevier, Madrid. 2025. (electronic access)
SADLER TW. LANGMAN. Embriología médica. (15ª ed). Ed. Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins Wolters Kluwer Health. Madrid. 2023.
MOORE KL, PERSAUD TVN, TORCHIA MG. Embriología clínica. (11ª ed). Ed. Elsevier, Madrid. 2020. (electronic access)
TORCHIA MG, PERSAUD TVN. Embriología Clínica Básica. Ed. Elsevier, Madrid. 2022.
Complementary
ALBERTS, B. BRAY D, LEWIS J, RAFF M, ROBERTS K, WATSON J. Biología molecular de la célula. (6ª ed) Omega, Barcelona. 2016. (electronic access)
COCHARD LR. NETTER. Atlas de Embriologia Humana. (2ª ed). Ed. Elsevier, Madrid. 2022. (electronic access)
Comp01. Capacity for analysis and synthesis
Comp03. Oral and written communication in one's own language
Comp06. Information management skills (ability to search for and analyze information from diverse sources).
Comp07. Problem solving.
Comp09. Critical and self-critical skills.
Comp10. Teamwork.
Comp16. Ethical commitment.
Comp17. Ability to apply knowledge in practice.
Comp19. Ability to learn.
Comp24. Ability to work autonomously.
The theoretical contents of the program will be explained in lectures using visual support (microcopy images and atlas, diagrams and/or animations or videos) and the appropriate bibliographic orientation. The lectures will take place in the classrooms of the School of Medicine.
In the interactive classes, the topics and contents of the subject will be worked on using mainly cooperative work techniques and the student will acquire the competences, skills and abilities of the subject. In the practical classes, the student will be initiated in the use of basic techniques and will be taught in the laboratories of the Faculty of Medicine.
The virtual classroom will be the main communication means through the news section, messaging system and a public forum for tutorials. In addition, the Microsoft Teams application and email will also be used as a communication channel.
For the assessment of the contents of the theoretical and interactive classes, there will be a final exam that will represent 80% of the final grade. The student's daily work will be evaluated through a continuous evaluation that will represent 20% of the final grade.
- Continuous assessment will be based on the performance of different activities, which will be programmed and announced in the virtual campus. The attitude and participation of the student will also be valued.
- The final evaluation test will consist of an exam with multiple choice and single answer questions and/or short questions.
These are requirements for passing the subject:
- To obtain 50% in the evaluation of lecture section and 50% in the evaluation of interactive teaching
- Attendance to the interactive classes will be mandatory and in the expository classes may be assessed in the continuous evaluation.
*The manipulation or intentional falsification of the attendance control systems will determine the consideration of non-attendance to the activity and must be communicated to the rectorate for the initiation of disciplinary actions that may apply.
For cases of fraudulent performance of exercises or tests will apply the provisions of the Regulations for the evaluation of the academic performance of students and grade review (Resolution of June 15, 2011, DOG of July 21, 2011)
CLASSROOM WORK: 45 horas
Lectures: 26h
Interactive lessons in the laboratory (practical lessons): 9h
Seminars: 7h
Tutorials in small groups or individually: 2h
Exams: 1h
STUDENT'S PERSONAL WORK: 68 horas
Individual study: 53h
Summaries and works: 15h
Use of the class notes and Embryology text books. Making drawings of the structures and their relationships. Visualization of the recommended videos. It is important to carry out active learning of the knowledge that is acquired using organised schemes and making connections between the own knowledge and the new knowledge. The bibliographic resources can be used in their paper version or in digital form. In addition, periodic study of the contents is recommended and the use of tutorials/virtual classroom tutoring forums to resolve any doubts.
Juan Antonio Suarez Quintanilla
- Department
- Morphological Science
- Area
- Human Anatomy and Embryology
- Phone
- 881812224
- juanantonisuarez.suarez [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Professor
Jose Luis Labandeira Garcia
- Department
- Morphological Science
- Area
- Human Anatomy and Embryology
- Phone
- 881815468
- joseluis.labandeira [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Professor
Ana Maria Muñoz Patiño
Coordinador/a- Department
- Morphological Science
- Area
- Human Anatomy and Embryology
- Phone
- 881812221
- anamaria.munoz [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Lecturer
Jannette Rodriguez Pallares
- Department
- Morphological Science
- Area
- Human Anatomy and Embryology
- Phone
- 881815466
- jannette.rodriguez [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Lecturer
Ana Isabel Rodriguez Perez
- Department
- Morphological Science
- Area
- Human Anatomy and Embryology
- Phone
- 881812464
- anai.rodriguez [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Lecturer
Maria Begoña Villar Cheda
- Department
- Morphological Science
- Area
- Human Anatomy and Embryology
- Phone
- 881812299
- bego.villar [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Lecturer
Juan Andres Parga Martin
- Department
- Morphological Science
- Area
- Human Anatomy and Embryology
- juan.parga [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Lecturer
Rita Valenzuela Limiñana
- Department
- Morphological Science
- Area
- Human Anatomy and Embryology
- rita.valenzuela [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Lecturer
Maria Alicia Costa Besada
- Department
- Morphological Science
- Area
- Human Anatomy and Embryology
- mariaalicia.costa [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: LOU (Organic Law for Universities) PhD Assistant Professor
| Monday | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 08:30-09:30 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Spanish | Medicine-Classroom 5 |
| 09:30-10:30 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Medicine-Classroom 4 |
| 15:30-16:30 | Grupo /CLE_04 | Spanish | Medicine-Classroom 5 |
| 16:30-17:30 | Grupo /CLE_03 | Spanish | Medicine-Classroom 4 |
| Tuesday | |||
| 08:30-09:30 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Medicine-Classroom 4 |
| 09:30-10:30 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Spanish | Medicine-Classroom 5 |
| 15:30-16:30 | Grupo /CLE_03 | Spanish | Medicine-Classroom 4 |
| 16:30-17:30 | Grupo /CLE_04 | Spanish | Medicine-Classroom 5 |
| Wednesday | |||
| 08:30-09:30 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Spanish | Medicine-Classroom 5 |
| 09:30-10:30 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Medicine-Classroom 4 |
| 15:30-16:30 | Grupo /CLE_04 | Spanish | Medicine-Classroom 5 |
| 16:30-17:30 | Grupo /CLE_03 | Spanish | Medicine-Classroom 4 |
| Thursday | |||
| 08:30-09:30 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Medicine-Classroom 4 |
| 09:30-10:30 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Spanish | Medicine-Classroom 5 |
| 15:30-16:30 | Grupo /CLE_03 | Spanish | Medicine-Classroom 4 |
| 16:30-17:30 | Grupo /CLE_04 | Spanish | Medicine-Classroom 5 |
| Friday | |||
| 08:30-09:30 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Spanish | Medicine-Classroom 5 |
| 09:30-10:30 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Medicine-Classroom 4 |
| 15:30-16:30 | Grupo /CLE_04 | Spanish | Medicine-Classroom 5 |
| 16:30-17:30 | Grupo /CLE_03 | Spanish | Medicine-Classroom 4 |
| 01.23.2026 09:00-11:30 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Medicina-Aula 10 |
| 01.23.2026 09:00-11:30 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Medicine-Classroom 2 |
| 01.23.2026 09:00-11:30 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Medicine-Classroom 3 |
| 01.23.2026 09:00-11:30 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Medicine-Classroom 4 |
| 01.23.2026 09:00-11:30 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Medicine-Classroom 5 |
| 01.23.2026 09:00-11:30 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Medicine-Classroom 6 |
| 01.23.2026 09:00-11:30 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Medicine-Classroom 7 |
| 01.23.2026 09:00-11:30 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Medicine-Classroom 8 |
| 06.26.2026 12:30-15:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Medicine-Classroom 3 |
| 06.26.2026 12:30-15:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Medicine-Classroom 4 |
| 06.26.2026 12:30-15:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Medicine-Classroom 5 |
| 06.26.2026 12:30-15:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Medicine-Classroom 7 |
| 06.26.2026 12:30-15:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Medicine-Classroom 8 |