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Course, academic year 2025/2026
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Histology and General Embryology - B83006 (Genreal Medicine - English Parallel)
Title: Histology and General Embryology
Guaranteed by: Institute of Histology and Embryology First Faculty of Medicine Charles University (11-00120)
Faculty: First Faculty of Medicine
Actual: from 2023
Semester: winter
Points: 12
E-Credits: 12
Examination process: winter s.:
summer s.:
Hours per week, examination: winter s.:2/3, C [HT]
summer s.:2/3, C+Ex [HT]
Extent per academic year: 150 [hours]
Capacity: unlimited
Min. number of students: unlimited
4EU+: no
Virtual mobility / capacity: no
State of the course: taught
Language: English
Teaching methods: full-time
Explanation: doc. MUDr. Tomáš Kučera, PhD.
Note: enabled for web enrollment
Guarantor: doc. MUDr. Tomáš Kučera, Ph.D.
Attributes: Lékařství
Teoretický předmět
Interchangeability : B82670
Is pre-requisite for: B82168
In complex pre-requisite: B81346, B81346, B83119, B83120, B83122
Annotation
Tissue processing for histological examination and basic histological methods; cellular structure and function including the cell organelles, cell contacts and cell communication, cell division, cell death, stem cell biology; microscopical structure and ultrastructure of basic tissue types and their function, microscopical structure of organs. Application of theoretical knowledge in the histological slide analysis. General embryology: development of gametes, fertilization, development and differentiation of the germ layers. Structure and development of the placenta. Development of the orofacial region. Overview of the fetal development and parturition.
Last update: Kolářová Jana (08.10.2020)
Course completion requirements

Requirements for obtaining the winter semester credit from Histology and General Embryology in the academic year 2025/2026

 

1.      A student has to attend 100% of the practical courses (a teacher can tolerate 2 justified absences). In addition, good study results throughout the semester are required including the practical knowledge of histological slides. In case of more absences or bad results from the tests during the semester, there is a possibility of obtaining the credit after an oral exam by the group teacher. This reexamination will take place based on the agreement with the teacher during the 15th week of the winter semester or during the exam period of the winter semester. In case of not obtaining the credit before the end of winter exam period, the student can get it together with the summer semester credit at the end of the summer semester based on the agreement with the teacher.

2.      An independent requirement for the credit is a successful fulfillment of the credit test, which will take place in the regular term during the 15th week of the winter semester. Retake of this credit test can take place in the first or the fourth week of the exam period of the winter semester. Only two attempts will be allowed for the credit test altogether. For those students who fail the credit test twice there will be a possibility of an oral reexamination by the committee. The terms for oral reexaminations will be opened during the summer semester.

3.      The third requirement for earning the credit is a demonstration of one histological slide during the practical lesson of the winter or the summer semester by each student.

4.      The credit is a prerequisite for admission to the exam from Histology and General Embryology.

 

 

In Prague, September 24, 2025.  

doc. MUDr. Tomáš Kučera, Ph.D.

Head of the Institute of Histology and Embryology

 

 

Last update: Kučera Tomáš, doc. MUDr., Ph.D. (24.09.2025)
Literature - Czech

Povinná:

  • Mescher, Anthony L.. Junqueira's basic histology : text and atlas. New York: McGraw-Hill Education, 2018, 562 s. ISBN 978-1-260-28841-4.
  • Sadler, T. W.. Langman's medical embryology. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer, 2024, 434 s. ISBN 978-1-9751-7996-0.

Doporučená:

  • Ross, Michael H., Pawlina, Wojciech. Histology : a text and atlas : with correlated cell and molecular biology. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer, 2016, 984 s. ISBN 978-1-4698-8931-3.
  • Jirkovská, Marie. Practical lessons in histology : student's book. Praha: Galén, 2014, 128 s. ISBN 978-80-7492-132-2.
  • Lowe, J. S. Anderson, Peter G. Anderson, Susan I.. Stevens & Lowe's human histology. [St. Louis]: Elsevier, 2020, 426 s. ISBN 978-0-323-61279-1.
  • Moore, Keith L., Persaud, T. V. N., Torchia, Mark G.. Before we are born : essentials of embryology and birth defects. Edinburgh: Elsevier, 2020, 334 s. ISBN 978-0-323-60849-7.

Volitelná:

  • Kierszenbaum, Abraham L. Tres, Laura L.. Histology and cell biology : an introduction to pathology. Philadelphia: Elsevier, 2020, 804 s. ISBN 978-0-323-67321-1.
  • Ovalle, William K. Nahirney, Patrick C.. Netter's essential histology. Philadelphia: Elsevier/Saunders, 2013, 517 s. ISBN 978-1-4557-0631-0.
  • Young, Barbara O'Dowd, Geraldine Woodford, Phillip. Wheater's functional histology : a text and colour atlas. Philadelphia: Churchill Livingston/Elsevier, 2014, 452 s. ISBN 978-0-7020-4747-3.
  • Kühnel, Wolfgang. Color atlas of cytology, histology, and microscopic anatomy. Stuttgart ; New York: Thieme, 2003, 534 s. ISBN 1-58890-175-0.
  • Moore, Keith L., Persaud, T. V. N., Torchia, Mark G.. The developing human : clinically oriented embryology. Edinburgh: Elsevier, 2020, 503 s. ISBN 978-0-323-61154-1.
  • Schoenwolf, Gary C. Bleyl, Steven B. Brauer, Philip R. Francis-West, P. H.. Larsen's human embryology. Philadelphia: Elsevier, 2021, 548 s. ISBN 978-0-323-69604-3.

Last update: Baxa Klobušovská Ema (24.01.2024)
Teaching methods - Czech

Lectures, seminars, practical courses; personal consultations on request.

 

Last update: Kučera Tomáš, doc. MUDr., Ph.D. (05.10.2020)
Requirements to the exam - Czech

Requested knowledge for final exam of Histology and General Embryology

 

Cytology and general histology

1.Collection and processing of material for histological evaluation

2.Basic and special staining methods, principles and results

3.Histochemical methods, principles and application

4.Immunohistochemical methods, principles and application

5.Structural organization of the cell, overview of cell components

6.Cell membrane - structure and function

7.Cell surface specializations

8.Membranous cell organelles - structure and function

9.Cell nucleus and non-membranous cell organelles - structure and function

10.Cytoskeleton - structure, function and diagnostic application

11.Structure of intercellular junctions

12.Cell division - mitosis and meiosis

13.Cell cycle and its regulation, cell death – apoptosis

14.Epithelial tissue (classification according to the structure)

15.Epithelial tissue (classification according to the function)

16.Types of secretory cells, classification of glands

17.Smooth muscle tissue

18.Cross-striated skeletal muscle tissue, myofibril

19.Cross-striated cardiac muscle tissue, intercalated disc

20.Connective tissue - general structure and classification

21.Extracellular matrix – structure and function

22.Connective tissue proper – characteristics and classification

23.Cell types of connective tissue proper and their function

24.Cartilage - structure and function, description of the individual types

25.Microscopical structure of the bone tissue, description of the individual types

26.Endochondral and intramembranous ossification

27.Nerve cell - structure, types of neurons, synapse

28.Types of nerve fibers, their sheaths and endings

29.Neuroglia – common features, classification and function

30.Composition of the peripheral blood

31.Preparation and evaluation of the blood smear

32.Erythrocytes, structure and function

33.Leukocytes, classification, structure and function, leukogram

34.Platelets- differentiation, structure and function

35.Hematopoiesis, periods, stem cells, growth factors, structure of the bone marrow

 

 

 

Special histology

1.Structure of the heart, conducting system of the heart

2.General structure and classification of blood vessels

3.Structure of the capillaries, types of arrangement of the capillary bed

4.Structure of the arterial wall

5.Structure of the venous wall

6.Spleen, structure and function

7.Thymus, structure and function

8.Lymph node, structure and function

9.Overview of the immune system

10.Structure and function of the thyroid gland and parathyroid gland

11.Hypophysis, structure and function, hypophyseal portal system

12.Structure and function of the adrenal gland and pancreatic islets

13.Structure of the tongue, overview of the salivary glands of the oral cavity

14.Structure of compound salivary glands

15.Structure of the tooth

16.General structure of the digestive tube, structure of esophagus

17.Mucous layer of the stomach

18.Mucous layer of the small and large intestines

19.Pancreas and gall bladder, biliary ducts

20.Liver

21.Mucous layer of the respiratory tract

22.Structure and function of the larynx and trachea

23.Structure and function of the lung

24.Structure of the kidney, nephron

25.Relationship of nephron and vascular supply of the kidney

26.Excretory urinary passages

27.Skin, general structure, vascular supply and innervation

28.Structure and function of the epidermis

29.Structure of dermis and the subcutaneous tissue

30.Skin appendages

31.Structure and function of the mammary gland

32.Testis, spermatogenesis

33.Epididymis and vas deferens, structure and function

34.Accessory glands of the male reproductive system

35.Structure of the ovary

36.Development of the ovarian follicle, oogenesis

37.Uterus and oviduct

38.Endometrium and menstrual cycle

39.Cervix uteri and vagina, structure and examination

40.General characteristics of CNS and PNS

41.CNS – cyto- and myeloarchitecture of the brain cortex

42.Cerebellum and the spinal cord

43.Peripheral and optic nerve

44.General characteristics of the sensory organs

45.Histological structure of the anterior part of the eye

46.Histological structure of the posterior part of the eye

47.General structure of the inner ear, structure and function of its vestibular part

48.Cochlea and the organ of Corti

 

 

General embryology

 

1.Development (maturation) of sperm

2.Development (maturation) of oocyte

3.Fertilization and early development of the human embryo

4.Development and implantation of the blastocyst

5.Anomalies of implantation, ectopic pregnancy

6.Development of the amniotic and yolk sacs, chorion

7.Embryonic disc and its differentiation

8.Formation of the germ layers

9.Development of the ectoderm and its differentiation

10.Development of the neuroectoderm and its differentiation

11.Neural crest and its differentiation

12.Development of the mesoderm and its differentiation

13.Development of the axial structures (notogenesis)

14.Development of the notochord and its significance for development of other structures

15.Development of the endoderm and its differentiation

16.Origin and further development of the mesenchyme

17.Early development of the cardiovascular system

18.Primitive blood circulation

19.Development of the facial region, nasal and oral cavity

20.Development of the tooth

21.Development and structure of fetal membranes

22.Development and anomalies of the umbilical cord

23.Structure of the placenta

24.Development and anomalies of the placenta

25.Development of chorionic villi, hemoplacental barrier

26.Growth of the conceptus, development of its shape

27.Childbirth (parturition), signs of the full-term baby

28.Multiple pregnancies, twins and their fetal membranes

29.Summary of causes and manifestations of developmental anomalies

30.Basic conditions of teratogenesis, teratogens, critical periods

 

 

LIST OF HISTOLOGICAL SLIDES REQUIRED FOR THE FINAL EXAM

Each slide can be stained with any of the basic staining methods, or special staining methods (Heidenhain’s hematoxylin, PAS, impregnation, alcian blue, luxol blue, elastin staining, Nissl´s method, alkaline phosphatase).

Tissues:

A5       Tendon (dense connective tissue, regular)

A11     Fibrocartilage

A12     Endochondral ossification

A14     Intramembranous ossification

A15     Haversian compact bone

A16     Lamellar spongy bone

A17     Uterus - Smooth muscle

A18     Skeletal muscle

A19     Skeletal muscle, Heidenhain´s  hematoxylin

 

Circulatory system:

F1        Heart

F2        Large elastic artery (aorta), cross section

F3        Large elastic artery (aorta), longitudinal section, orcein

F4        Small muscular arteries and small veins

F5        Small muscular arteries and small veins, basic staining method, elastin staining

F6        Large muscular vein (vena cava inferior)

 

Lymphoid system:

G1       Lymph node

G2       Spleen

G3       Spleen, silver impregnation

G4       Thymus of the child

G5       Thymus of the adult

 

Endocrine system:

E1       Pituitary

E2       Thyroid

E3       Parathyroid

E4       Suprarenal gland

E5       Pancreas

 

Digestive system:

B1       Lip

B2       Tooth

B3       Tongue, anterior part of the body

B4       Tongue, root

B5       Palatine tonsil

B6       Parotid gland

B7       Submandibular gland

B8       Sublingual gland

B9       Pancreas

B10     Oesophagus

B11     Stomach, cardia

B12     Stomach, fundus

B13     Stomach, pylorus

B14     Duodenum

B15     Jejunum

B16     Large intestine

B17     Appendix

B18     Liver

B19     Liver, PAS

B20     Gallbladder

B21     Anus

 

Respiratory system:

D1       Epiglottis

D2       Larynx

D3       Trachea

D4       Lung

 

Urinary system:

C1       Kidney

C2       Kidney, alkaline phosphatase

C3       Ureter

C4       Urinary bladder

C5       Urethra

 

Male reproductive system:

C6       Testis

C7       Epididymis

C8       Seminal vesicle

C9       Spermatic cord

C10     Prostate

 

Female reproductive system:

C11     Ovary

C12     Ovary, corpus luteum

C13     Uterine tube

C14     Uterus, body

C15     Uterus, cervix

C16     Vagina

  

Skin:

H1       Thick skin

H2       Thin hairy skin

H3       Skin of the axilla

H4       Mammary gland

H5       Mammary gland during lactation

H6       Nipple

 

Nervous system:

L1       Brain

L2       Brain, Nissl´s  method

L3       Cerebellum

L4       Cerebellum, impregnation

L5       Spinal cord

L6       Choroid plexus

L7       Peripheral nerve, longitudinal section

L8       Peripheral nerve, cross section

L9       Sympathetic ganglion

L10     Spinal ganglion

 

Sensory organs:

S1        Eye, anterior segment

S2        Eye, posterior segment

S3        Lacrimal gland

S4        Eyelid

S5        Olfactory epithelium, nasal mucosa

S6        Inner ear

S7        Optic nerve

 

Embryology:

X1       Decidua

X2       Chorion

X3       Placenta

X4       Umbilical cord

X5       Development of the tooth

 

Last update: Kučera Tomáš, doc. MUDr., Ph.D. (26.09.2025)
Syllabus -
LECTURES - winter semester
1. Cell - morphological and functional unit of the organism. Cell membrane - structure and function. Membrane organelles.

2. Non-membrane organelles. Cytoskeleton. Specialization of the cell surface. Cell junctions. Molecular principle of the molecular motors. Clinical aspect: Mutations of keratins and skin disease.

3. Nucleus - structure and function. Cell cycle, mitosis, meiosis. Cell death - apoptosis. Exocytosis, endocytosis. Cell inclusions (deposits). Clinical aspect: Tumorigenesis.

4. Tissues - classification, general structure and function. Embryonic origin of tissues - germ layers.

5. Connective tissue - general characterization. Extracellular matrix - its synthesis and composition. Cartilage - structure and function Clinical aspect: Wound healing.

6. Types of bone tissue, structure and function. Bone histogenesis. Dentin and cementum. Clinical aspect: Bone fracture repair.

7. Muscle tissue. General characterization of smooth and striated muscle (skeletal and cardiac). Intercalated disc structure. Functional morphology of a myofibril. Clinical aspect: Muscle hypertrophy and atrophy

8. Nerve tissue. Neuron - structure. Synapse - structure and function. Neuroglia - classification, structure, function. Nerve fibers and their sheets. Initiation, spreading and transmission of a nerve impulse. Clinical aspect: Demyelinating diseases

9. Blood - composition and function of peripheral blood. Blood plasma. Classification and general characteristic of the blood elements. Hematopoiesis - hematopoietic periods, stem and progenitor cells. Regulatory mechanisms of hematopoiesis. Clinical aspect: Anemia.

10. Cardiovascular system I. Heart - endocardium, myocardium, epicardium. Electrical conduction system of the heart - histological structure. Blood vessels - general structure. Types of capillaries, their function. Clinical aspect: Myocardial infarction.

11. Defense of the organism, basic principles. Lymphatic organs - structure and function. Clinical aspect: Inflammation.

12. GIT 1 - liver and biliary tract - cytology and functional morphology of hepatocyte. Oral cavity. Structure of the tooth. Clinical aspect:Cholelithiasis.

13. GIT 2 - gut tube-general structure. Mucosa of the stomach. Clinical aspects: Peptic ulcer.

14. GIT 3 - mucosa of the small intestine, functional morphology of enterocyte. Clinical aspect: Malabsorptive disorder.

15. Respiratory system. Mucosa of the respiratory airways. Mucociliary complex. Respiratory epithelium and its functional morphology (blood-air barrier). Clinical aspect: Asthma bronchiale.

PRACTICAL LESSONS - winter semester

1. Introduction to cytology and histology. Basic terms. Methods of study of cells and tissues. Histological specimen. Processing of material. Communication with the histopathological lab. Basics of microscopy

2. Principles of staining, histological dyes. Basic and special staining methods. Identification of staining methods on slides.

3. Basics of histochemistry, immunohistochmistry and electron microscopy. Microscopical analysis of slides demonstrating histological techniques.

4. Epithelial tissue 1 - general characteristic, classification, basic types and their morphological properties. Microscopy of epithelial tissue.

5. Epithelial tissue 2 - functional classification and characteristic, glands - general structure, classification, types of secretion and their cytological features. Microscopy of glands.

6. Connective tissue. Visualization of connective tissue fibers. Types of connective tissue cells. Types of connective tissue, structure and function. Microscopy of connective tissue.

7. Lamellar and woven bone. Microscopy of hyaline and elastic cartilage and fibrocartilage, lamellar and woven bone.

8. Muscle tissue. Intramembranous and endochondral ossification. Microscopy of ossification and muscle tissue.

9. Neurohistological methods. Types of neurons in CNS and PNS. Structure of the peripheral nerve. Motor end plate, muscle spindle.

10. Blood. Formed blood elements. Preparation, staining and evaluation of a blood smear. Leukogram - its significance for diagnosis.

11. Bone marrow examination. Morphology of cell lineages of blood elements.

12. Cardiovascular system. Elastic and muscular arteries. Veins. Microscopy of heart, aorta, neurovascular bundle, inferior vena cava.

13. Spleen, thymus, lymph node, palatine tonsil, lingual tonsil.

14. GIT1 - Salivary glands and pancreas. Organs of the oral cavity - lip, tongue, tooth.

LECTURES - summer semester

1. Urinary system. Kidney, functional morphology of nephron. Clinical aspect: Diseases of glomeruli.

2. Endocrine glands - functional morphology of endocrine cells. Clinical aspect: Diabetes mellitus.

3. Male reproductive system - cytology of spermiogenesis, hemotesticular barrier, functional morphology of male reproductive passages. Clinical aspect: Benign hyperplasia of the prostate.

4. Female reproductive system - morphological features of ovarian and menstrual cycle. Clinical aspect: Cervicovaginal smear.

5. Integumentary system - functional morphology of the skin and skin appendages. Clinical aspect: Breast tumors.

6. The nervous system - CNS (brain, cerebellum, spinal cord). Hematoencephalic barrier. Clinical aspect: Degenerative brain diseases.

7. The nervous system - PNS (nerves, ganglia, peripheral nerve endings). Clinical aspect: Nerve regeneration.

8. Sensory organs I. Structure of the eye-retina. Clinical aspect: Retinopathy.

9. Sensory organs II. Structure of the inner ear (organ of Corti, macula statica, crista ampullaris), olfactory mucosa, taste buds. Clinical aspect: Hearing disorders.

10. Fertilization, cleavage and development of the blastocyst. Clinical aspect: Infertility and its treatment.

11. Implantation. Development of the yolk sac, amnion, chorion. Extraembryonic coelom.

12. Blastogenesis. Notogenesis. Differentiation of mesoderm and mesenchyme. Neurulation.

13. Development of the placenta, the umbilical cord and fetal membranes, their structure, function and anomalies. Hemoplacental barrier. Multiple pregnancies.

14. Causes and manifestations of the abnormal development. Chromosomal aberrations, teratogens, critical periods. Developmental anomalies.

15. Significance of embryology for gynecology and obstetrics. Prenatal diagnostics.

Practical lesson - summer semester

1. GIT2 - Liver, gall bladder. Oesophagus, stomach.

2. GIT3 - Gut, anus, appendix.

3. Respiratory system - epiglottis, larynx, trachea, lung.

4. Urinary system, kidney, urether, urinary bladder, urethra.

5. Endocrine glands.

6. Testis, epididymis, funiculus spermaticus, glandula vesiculosa, prostate.

7. Ovary, corpus luteum, oviduct, uterus, vagina.

8. Thick skin, thin skin, axilla, nail, mammary gland.

9. CNS - Brain, cerebellum, spinal cord.

10. PNS - Peripheral nerve, autonomic ganglion, spinal ganglion, muscle spindle.

11. Eye, inner ear, olfactory mucosa, taste buds.

12. Growth of the conceptus, determination of the age of the conceptus. Fetal period summary. Parturition (labor). Characteristics of full-term baby. Early development of the cardiovascular system. Primitive blood circulation.

13. Development of face, oral and nasal cavity. Development of the tooth. Microscopy of developing of the tooth.

14. Microscopy of embryologic slides - placenta, umbilical cord, chorion, decidua.

Last update: Kolářová Jana (16.02.2021)
 
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