Human Microscopic Anatomy (ANAT 213)
Understanding the Structural-Functional Relationships of the Human Body

Course Director Janette M. Krum, Ph.D. The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences 2300 I Street NW, Ross Hall 426 Washington, DC 20037 Tel: 202-994-2163 Fax: 202-994-8885 Email: anajmk@gwumc.edu

Faculty

J. Krum, Ph.D. - Course Director
A. Chiaramello, Ph.D.
L. DePalma, M.D.
R. Hawley, Ph.D.
K. Johnson, Ph.D.
N. Mani, Ph.D.
J. Negrete, M.D.
A. Popratiloff, M.D., Ph.D.
M. A. Stepp, Ph.D.

Objectives for Students

1. To provide a basic background in the normal histological structure of cells, tissues and organs of the human body. Because there is an inseparable relationship between structure and function, emphasis is placed on structural-functional correlates at both the light and electron microscopic levels.
2. To teach histological terms and concepts for the purpose of identification and precise communication.
3. To develop systematic reasoning skills based on the synthesis of structure/function information about cells, tissues and organs into concepts, rather than using pattern recognition and rote memorization of facts.
4. To provide a foundation for the clinical Pathology course; knowledge of normal function allows a clearer comprehension of the structural correlates of each cell and tissue type, which can later be related to pathological changes.

Teaching Format

The course consists of 52 hours of lecture time (including review sessions) and 42 hours of laboratory instruction. The first third of the course covers the histology of the basic tissues, while the last 2/3 is concerned with organ systems. The course is taught so that the content is concurrent with the subjects that are covered in Gross Anatomy. The physiological functions of the tissues and organs are taught in the context of their histological structure; clinically relevant information is provided at every opportunity. The laboratories are computer-based and utilize virtual microscopy (Webslide Viewer, Bacus Labs), using digitized tissue samples from our own slide collection.

Course Content is Conveyed By:

• Teacher-student exchanges through classroom presentations and discussions
• Teacher-student interactions in the laboratory sessions, using virtual microscopy and electron micrographs
• Review:
  1. Computer-assisted instruction based on visual analysis of EM and LM images, designed in a modular format
  2. Review sessions based on a direct faculty-student interactive format
• Examinations: Three multiple choice (written) exams are paired with three digital image-based practical exams. Exams are designed to not only test knowledge, but also to provoke reasoning

Course Syllabus