Introduction to Histology : exploring the tissues of the human body
Ref. 108001
When cells combine to form the five basic tissues that constitute the human body: observation and interpretation of histological slides.
- Duration: 8 weeks
- Effort: 24 hours
- Pace: ~3 hours/week
- Languages: English and french
What you will learn
At the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Know the characteristics of the tissues that constitute the human body
- Identify these tissues on a histological slide
- Understand the relationship between the structure of a tissue and its functions within the body
Description
To discover the fundamental tissues of the human body by exploring histological slides under the microscope, that is the programme of this MOOC !
What are the main families of cells that constitute our body ? How do they organise themselves to form tissues with specific functions ? Through the study of these tissues, this course allows you to better understand what and how the human body is built to function properly.
Through instructional videos and interactive activities such as the manipulation of a virtual microscope, you will study the organisation and properties of epithelia, connective tissues, muscular tissues and nervous tissues. This course will also be punctuated by anatomical notions and examples of pathologies that affect tissues.
This MOOC is aimed at a wide audience: students or future students in the medical, paramedical or scientific field, teachers, researchers, professionals in the health field, decision-makers in the field of education or health or simply those who are curious and wish to understand what the human body is made of.
At the end of this course, participants will be able to recognise the different tissues and cells of our body, to understand their organisation and specific functions and to perceive the potential pathological consequences of their alterations.
Format
This course is divided into 6 units. On the opening date of the MOOC, units 1 and 2 are available. Then, a new unit is opened every two weeks. The first unit is dedicated to an introduction to histology and the next 5 are dedicated to the study of the 5 main tissues of the organism, namely the epithelia, the glandular epithelia, the connective, muscular and nervous tissues. These units combine several types of resources and activities
- didactic videos enriched with diagrams, drawings or anatomical demonstrations (linking the macroscopic and microscopic scales)
- manipulation of a virtual microscope that allows you to explore histological slides. Interactive markers will guide your observations, allow you to interpret the visible histological structures and deepen your knowledge
- exercises based on images (questions corrected automatically or by peers, search for intruders, identification questions, debate between participants, etc.)
- interviews with experts on diseases that affect tissues
- a discussion forum to help each other and continue learning together.
Two learning paths will be offered to best suit your objectives or motivations. The Silver pathwill require about 1.5 hours of personal work per unit, while the Gold path will require about 3 hours of work per week, which will allow you to deepen certain notions.
Prerequisites
This MOOC is accessible to all but will be easier to understand for those who have some knowledge of cell biology (cell, nucleus, membrane...).
Assessment and certification
This MOOC includes different types of evaluation, for example quizzes with feedback, peer evaluations, etc.
A badge of successful completion can be issued at the end of the MOOC to learners who have successfully completed all the certification activities with an average of 70%.
The badge is free of charge and accessible to all.
Course plan
- What is histology ?
How to sample tissue and prepare it for microscope observation ?
Keys to a good observation
Interpreting tissue sections
A microscope at your fingertips
On the programme of this MOOC
- What is epithelium ?
Simple epithelia
Stratified epithelia
Pseudostratified epithelia
Histological structure identification activity
Each structure has a function
When it malfunctions...
The essentials to remember
- What is an epithelial gland ?
Intraepithelial glands
Tubular glands
Acinar glands
Alveolar glands
Histological structure identification activity
Each structure has a function
When it malfunctions...
The essentials to remember
- What are connective tissues ?
Loose and dense connective tissues: a matter of proportion
Dense regular connective tissue
Adipose tissue
Cartilage
Bone tissue
Histological structure identification activity
Each structure has a function
When it malfunctions...
The essentials to remember
- What is muscle tissue ?
The striated skeletal muscle
The striated cardiac muscle
The smooth muscle
Histological structure identification activity
Each structure has a function
When it malfunctions...
The essentials to remember
- What is nervous tissue ?
The central nervous system – The spinal cord
The peripheral nervous system – The nerve
The peripheral nervous system – The Ganglion
Histological structure identification activity
Each structure has a function
When it malfunctions...
The essentials to remember
Course team
Valérie Defaweux
Categories
Valérie is involved in teaching histology and anatomy to undergraduate students at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Liège. She holds a PhD in Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences in the field of immunology, and her research activities are currently carried out within a unit dedicated to the didactics of Morphological Sciences.
Sylvie Multon
Categories
Sylvie teaches practical work in histology to undergraduate students at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Liège. She was a researcher in the field of neurosciences, before becoming passionate about e-learning.
Laurence Pesesse
Categories
Laurence is specialised in the study of osteoarthritis and supervises practical work in histology for undergraduate students at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Liège. Her interest in teaching has led her to invest in additional pedagogical training.
Alodie Weatherspoon
Categories
Alodie teaches histology to undergraduate students at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Liège. She is conducting research on the immune microenvironment of melanoma.
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License
License for the course content
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- Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format
Under the following terms:
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- NonCommercial — You may not use the material for commercial purposes.
- NoDerivatives — If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you may not distribute the modified material.
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All rights reserved
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