Competencies and objectives

 

Course context for academic year 2025-26

  • Anatomy comprises the study of structures that can be viewed macroscopically (without the aid of magnification techniques) and microscopically (with the aid of magnification techniques). Microscopic anatomy is also called histology. Anatomy forms the basis of the practice of medicine and by extension, that of many other disciplines in the health sciences, studying the macroscopic morphology of the human body by systems and apparatus, cavities and regions. A thorough anatomical understanding is essential to identify and interpret situations of pathology and disease of the human body or any of its organ systems. Observation and visualisation are the primary techniques to be used by the student in learning anatomy as they are the basis for good direct physical examination or with the aid of more modern imaging techniques. Dissection techniques will provide students with a comprehensive knowledge of human anatomy through the visualisation and study of anatomical structures in situ in human cadavers.
  • Given the professional health profile of the doctor, he/she must be able to carry out tasks that benefit the health and well-being of people, including the prevention and treatment of diseases of the different organ systems and the exchange of information with other health professionals. In order to acquire the corresponding competences, it is necessary to previously establish the fundamental knowledge of the human body, which is provided by one of the basic subjects such as Human Anatomy. We consider the aspects that human anatomy takes into account from the point of view of age, sex, race, constitutional type, as well as ethnic, professional and social factors to be of importance as a basic discipline of the course, applying them in daily practice and thus being able to provide comprehensive care to the patient.
  • Therefore, and due to its basic nature, Human Anatomy is related to other basic and compulsory subjects in the syllabus, whose temporal sequence must be coordinated and coherent among them to guarantee the acquisition of the professional competences of the graduate in Medicine profiles. Human Anatomy is closely related to the subjects of Medical Physiology, Cellular Biology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, among others, which make up the basic training of the degree. It is also fundamental for understanding and providing a basis for other compulsory subjects taught in later semesters, such as Pathological Anatomy, which require prior anatomical knowledge of the general organisation of the human body in order to delve deeper into their respective fields. Conversely, an understanding of human anatomy requires basic concepts from these subjects to be developed in depth in due course.
  • The study of Human Anatomy will be carried out in 4 subjects of 6 ECTS credits each, distributed over 2 academic years.

 

 

Course competencies (verified by ANECA in official undergraduate and Master’s degrees) for academic year 2025-26

UA Basic Transversal Competences

  • CT1 : To read and understand texts in English.
  • CT2 : Show computer and information system skills and abilities.
  • CT3 : Show oral and written communication skills.

 

General Competences

  • CG1 : Identify the essential elements of the medical profession, including ethical principles, legal responsibilities, and patient-centered professional practice.
  • CG11 : Understand and identify the effects of growth, development and aging on the individual and their social environment.
  • CG23 : Communicate effectively and clearly, both orally and in writing, with patients, family members, the media, and other professionals.
  • CG32 : Know how to use information and communication technologies in clinical, therapeutic, preventive and research activities.
  • CG36 : Be able to formulate hypotheses, collect and critically assess information for problem solving, following the scientific method.
  • CG37 : Acquire basic training for research activity.
  • CG6 : Develop professional practice with respect to other health professionals, acquiring teamwork skills.
  • CG7 : Understand and discern the normal structure and function of the human body, at the molecular, cellular, tissue, organic and systems level, in the different stages of life and in both sexes.

 

Specific competences:>>Module I: Morphology, structure and function of the human body

  • CE1.08 : Understand embryonic development and organogenesis.
  • CE1.09 : Understand the morphology, structure, and function of the skin, blood, circulatory, digestive, locomotor, reproductive, excretory, and respiratory apparatuses andsystems; endocrine system, immune system and central and peripheral nervous system.
  • CE1.10 : Understand the growth, maturation and aging of the different apparatuses and systems.
  • CE1.12 : Handling of lab material and basic laboratory techniques.
  • CE1.14 : Recognize with macroscopic and microscopic methods and with imaging techniques the morphology and structure of tissue, organs and systems.
  • CE1.16 : Know how to perform a basic physical examination.

 

 

 

Learning outcomes (Training objectives)

Understand and describe the morphological and organisational foundations of the healthy human body throughout life, relating them to function, clinical application and research. Develop skills in the recognition of anatomical structures of organ systems and their topographical arrangement in body regions. Acquire and apply anatomical and anatomo-clinical terminology for correct communication. Know and apply the basic principles of work, safety protocol and ethics in the practice of dissection of human cadavers using surgical instruments. Recognise and interpret the body structures of healthy living human beings, with their individual variations and at different ages, by means of anatomical surface study and diagnostic imaging techniques. Describe and explain the processes of embryonic development, placentation and organogenesis of the human body from fertilisation to the foetus at term to birth. Understand alterations in human development with clinical and research oriented study.

 

 

Specific objectives stated by the academic staff for academic year 2025-26

THEORETICAL OBJECTIVES

  • Indicate the anatomical reference position planes and terms of body movements.
  • Define the methods of anatomical study, imaging techniques and their clinical interest for professional practice.
  • Describe the parts and regions of the body with the anatomical locations and relationships of the organs of the organ systems.
  • Define the general morphological characteristics of early and late human embryonic development.
  • Describe the general morphological characteristics of human foetal development.
  • Describe the development of the different organ systems of the human body in embryonic and/or foetal stages.
  • Describe the macroscopic structure of the human placenta and its relationship to the foetus.
  • Introduce the development and macroscopic anatomy of the locomotor system.

PRACTICAL OBJECTIVES

  • View images and videos on imaging procedures and compare morphological techniques for the study of the development and constitution of the human body.
  • Use anatomical models, images, videos and electronic resources to identify and describe the different stages of human embryonic and foetal development.
  • Use anatomical models, images, videos and electronic resources to study the macroscopic anatomy of the placenta and its relationship with the foetus during development.
  • Use anatomical models, images, videos and electronic resources to study the macroscopic anatomy of the locomotor system.
  • Know how to use information and communication techniques for the morphological study of the human body during development with practical clinical interest and make oral presentations of group work.

 

 

General

Code: 27205
Lecturer responsible:
Ausó Monreal, Eva
Credits ECTS: 6,00
Theoretical credits: 1,20
Practical credits: 1,20
Distance-base hours: 3,60

Departments involved

  • Dept: Optics, Pharmacology and Anatomy
    Area: HUMAN ANATOMY AND EMBRIOLOGY
    Theoretical credits: 1,2
    Practical credits: 1,2
    This Dept. is responsible for the course.
    This Dept. is responsible for the final mark record.

Study programmes where this course is taught