Neuroanatomy

- To recognize the morphology, structure and functional aspects of the central nervous system, the sense organs and the cranial nerves in the human species.
- To know and understand the neuroanatomical terminology and apply it correctly.
- To acquire knowledge of neuroanatomy that allows understanding the basic exploration of the normal nervous system.

A) Expository classes (36h)
Thematic block I. Basic aspects
Theme 1. Introduction to the study of the nervous system Nervous system of relationship life and autonomic nervous system. Central nervous system and peripheral nervous system.
Theme 2. The neuron. The synapse. The glia. Concept of degeneration and regeneration in the nervous system.
Theme 3. Concept of motor system and sensory system. Motor and sensory fibers. Types of sensibility. Sensitive receptors.
Theme 4. General organization of the peripheral nervous system Classification of the peripheral nerves. Structure of the spinal nerve. General aspects of the distribution of the spinal nerves. Dermatomes. General organization of the vegetative nervous system.
Theme 5. Recalling the embryological development of the CNS after knowledge of the adult nervous system.
Theme 6. Introduction to the exploration of the sensory system and the motor system. Main neuroanatomical methods for the microscopic study of the CNS.

Thematic block II. External morphology of the central nervous system
Theme 1. Spinal cord morphology. External anatomy. Relationships. Spinal meninges.
Theme 2. Morphology of the brainstem: External anatomy of the medulla oblongata.
Theme 3. Morphology of the brainstem: External anatomy of the pons.
Theme 4. Morphology of the brainstem: External anatomy of the midbrain.
Theme 5. Morphology of the IV ventricle and Silvio's aqueduct.
Theme 6. Morphology of the cerebellum. Relationships.
Theme 7. Morphology of the cerebrum. Concept of the telencephalon and diencephalon. Diencephalic ventricle.
Theme 8. Morphology of the diencephalon. Thalamus. Hypothalamus. Epithalamus. Subthalamus.
Theme 9. Outer surface of the hemispheres. Limbic system. Interhemispheric formations. Basal ganglia.
Theme 10. Telencephalic ventricles.
Theme 11. Meninges and cerebrospinal fluid. Blood-brain barrier.
Theme 12. Arterial vascularization of the brain and spinal cord.
Theme 13. Venous vascularization of the brain and spinal cord.

Thematic block III. Structure of the central nervous system
Theme 1. Structure of the spinal cord Generalities. Cytoarchitecture.
Theme 2. Structure of the spinal cord: Myeloarchitecture. Sensitive and motor pathways in the spinal cord.
Theme 3. Spinal cord: functional considerations. Clinical anatomy of the spinal cord.
Theme 4. Brainstem. General structure of the brainstem.
Theme 5. Medulla oblongata. Cytoarchitecture and myeloarchitecture. Clinical anatomy.
Theme 6. Pons. Cytoarchitecture and myeloarchitecture. Clinical anatomy.
Theme 7. Midbrain. Cytoarchitecture and myeloarchitecture. Clinical anatomy.
Theme 8. Reticular formation of the brainstem.
Theme 9. Cerebellum. Generalities about its structure and function. Cytoarchitecture and myeloarchitecture.
Theme 10. Cerebellum: Connections. Anatomical and functional concept. Clinical anatomy of the cerebellum.
Theme 11. Diencephalon. Generalities about its structure. Anatomical and functional study of the subthalamus and the epithalamus. Epiphysis.
Theme 12. Thalamus: cytoarchitecture and myeloarchitecture. Connections. Anatomical and functional concept. Clinical anatomy.
Theme 13. Hypothalamus. Cytoarchitecture and myeloarchitecture. Connections. Anatomical and functional concept. Clinical anatomy.
Theme 14. Telencephalon. Generalities about its structure. Basal ganglia of the telencephalon: Structure; connections; anatomical and functional concept. Clinical anatomy.
Theme 15. Cerebral cortex: Cytoarchitecture and myeloarchitecture. Functional areas of the cerebral cortex. Neuroanatomical bases of language. Clinical anatomy.
Theme 16. Limbic system. Concept. Structural and functional aspects.
Theme 17. Clinical anatomy of the motor pathways.
Theme 18. Clinical anatomy of the sensory pathways.
Theme 19. Clinical anatomy of optic and reflex optic pathways.
Theme 20. Clinical anatomy of the auditory and vestibular pathways.
Theme 21. Olfactory and gustatory pathways

Thematic block IV. Anatomy of the cranial nerves
Theme 1. Olfactory nerve.
Theme 2. Optic nerve.
Theme 3. Ocular motor nerves.
Theme 4. Trigeminal nerve.
Theme 5. Facial and intermediate nerve.
Theme 6. Vestibulocochlear nerve.
Theme 7. Cranial nerves IX, X and XI. Glossopharyngeal nerve. Pneumogastric nerve. Spinal nerve.
Theme 8. Hypoglossal nerve.

Thematic block V. Anatomy of the sense organs
Theme 1. Functional recall of the sense organs already addressed in the previous blocks.
Theme 2. Sense of vision. Anatomy of the eye: Sclera. Vascular tunic: Choroid, ciliary body and iris. Retina. Clinical anatomy.
Theme 3. Refracting media of the eye. Cornea. Crystalline. Aqueous humour and vitreous body. Clinical anatomy.
Theme 4. Annexes of the eye: motor apparatus and support apparatus. Protective apparatus: eyelids and lachrymal system.
Theme 5. Sense of hearing. Outer ear. Middle ear. Clinical anatomy.
Theme 6. Internal ear: bony labyrinth and membranous labyrinth. Clinical anatomy.

B) Interactive classes (22h)
- Study of the spinal cord using models and cadaverous pieces.
- Study of the brainstem using models and cadaverous pieces.
- Study of the cerebellum using models and cadaverous material.
- Study of the cerebrum using models and body pieces.
- Study of the endocranial meninges and dural formations.
- Vascularization of the central nervous system.
- Study of the cranial nerves using models and cadaverous pieces.
- Anatomical study of the eye and the ear using models.

Básica

Felten DL., O’Banion MK, Maida MS. Netter. Atlas de neurociencia. 4ª ed. Madrid: Elsevier; 2023. Acceso electrónico en ClinicalKey.

Haines DE. Principios de Neurociencia. Aplicaciones básicas y clínicas. 5ª ed. Madrid: Elsevier Saunders; 2019. Acceso electrónico en ClinicalKey.

Haines DE. Neuroanatomía clínica. Texto y atlas. 10ª ed. Barcelona: Wolters Kluwer; 2021. Acceso electrónico eLibro.net.
Snell R. Neuroanatomía clínica. 8ª ed. Madrid: Editorial Médica Panamericana; 2019.

Atlas

Schünke M., Schulte E., Schumacher U., Voll M., Wesker K. Prometheus. Texto y Atlas de Anatomía. Tomo 3: Cabeza, cuello y neuroanatomía. 5ª ed. Madrid: Editorial Médica Panamericana; 2022.

Netter FH. Atlas de Anatomía Humana. 8ª ed. Madrid: Elsevier. 2023. Acceso electrónico en ClinicalKey.

Paulsen F., Waschke J. Sobotta. Atlas de Anatomía Humana. Volumen 3: Cabeza, cuello y neuroanatomía. 25 ed. Madrid: Elsevier; 2024. Acceso electrónico en ClinicalKey.

Complementaria

Díaz-Ruiz C, Muñoz A, Rodríguez-Pallares J. Meninxes, líquido cefalorraquídeo e barreira hematoencefálica. Santiago de Compostela: Servicio de Publicaciones e Intercambio científico; 2015. Acceso electrónico: https://www.usc.gal/libros/gl/medicina/201-meninxes-liquido-cefalorraqu….

García Porrero JA, Hurlé JM. Neuroanatomía humana. Madrid: Editorial Médica Panamericana; 2015.

Jorge-Barreiro J, Castaño MT, Quintáns M, López-Martín E. Cuadernos prácticos de neuroanatomía. Tomo 1,2,3,4; 2008.

Muñoz A, Rodríguez-Pallares J, Díaz-Ruiz C. Morfoloxía externa do encéfalo e da medula espiñal. Santiago de Compostela: Servicio de Publicaciones e Intercambio científico; 2015. Access: https://www.usc.gal/libros/gl/medicina/214-morfoloxia-externa-do-encefa….

Rodríguez-Pallares J, Díaz-Ruiz C, Muñoz A. Vascularización do sistema nervioso. Santiago de Compostela: Servicio de Publicaciones e Intercambio científico; 2015. Access: https://www.usc.gal/libros/gl/medicina/216-vascularizacion-do-sistema-n….

Rodríguez-Pallares J, Díaz-Ruiz C, Muñoz A. Pares craniais. Santiago de Compostela: Servicio de Publicaciones e Intercambio científico; 2020. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.15304/9788417595968.

Core and general competences
CG5. To recognize their own limitations and the need to maintain and update their professional competence, giving special importance to the autonomous learning of new knowledge and techniques and to the motivation for quality.
CG6. To develop professional practice with respect to other health professionals, acquiring teamwork skills.
CG7. To understand and recognize 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.
CG9. To understand and recognize the effects, mechanisms, and manifestations of disease on the structure and function of the human body.
CG23. To communicate effectively and clearly, both orally and in writing, with patients, family members, other professionals, and the media.
CG31. To know, critically evaluate and use clinical and biomedical information sources to obtain, organize, interpret and communicate scientific and health information.
CG37. To acquire the basic formation for the research activity.

Specific competences
CEMI.12. Embryo development and organogenesis
CEMI.14. To know the morphology, structure and function of the central and peripheral nervous system
CEMI.20.- To recognize with macroscopic and microscopic methods and imaging techniques the morphology and structure of tissues, organs and systems.
CEM.22. Basic physical exploration.

Contents of blocks 1, 3 and 4 of programme will be mainly addressed in the expository classes. Audio-visual media and waxwork drawings will be used. Student participation will be encouraged. Contents of blocks 2 and 5 will be addressed mainly in the interactive classes. Students will identify the structures in models and preparations of the brain and spinal cord obtained from cadavers in the anatomical technique room. In the practical classes, autonomous learning will be promoted, and the students will work individually and in teams, guided by the teaching staff. Class notes and the atlas are essential as support material. For the performance of any activity in the anatomical technique room, the use of a white coat and gloves will be mandatory. The student will be required to use the practice material carefully and respectfully. The participation and attitude of the student in the programmed activities will be monitored. Individualized tutorials will be carried out for learning orientation and doubt resolution and a public tutorial forum will be set up in the virtual classroom.

The theoretical knowledge and skills acquired in the expository classes (CG5, CG7, CG9, CG31, CG37, CEMI.12, CEMI.14, CEMI.20 and CEMI.22) will be assessed by means of a final examination. It will be necessary to reach 50% of the score to pass the exam. It is necessary to pass this exam in order to pass the course.
The knowledge, as well as the skills and abilities acquired in the interactive classes (CG5, CG6, CG7, CG31, CG37 and CEMI.14) will be evaluated by means of a test on the material worked on during the practical classes, which will consist of the recognition of neuroanatomical structures. It will be necessary to reach 70% of the score to pass the exam. It is necessary to pass this exam in order to pass the course. Attendance to interactive classes is compulsory and an essential requirement to pass the subject.
The final exam will represent up to 70% of the maximum overall grade. In addition, there will be a continuous assessment in which attendance at lectures and interactive classes, attitude, practical knowledge, the completion and content of the activities scheduled during the course, and other merits provided during the course will be taken into account together. Continuous assessment will represent up to 30% of the overall grade.
In the case of fraudulent exercises or tests, the provisions of the Regulations for the Evaluation of Students' Academic Performance and the Revision of Grades (Resolution of 15 June 2011, DOG of 21 July 2011) will apply.

6 ECTS credits:
Expository classes: 36
Interactive hours: 22
Tutorial hours: 1
Exam review: 1
Total hours of attendance: 60
Individual study: 65
Scheduled activities: 25
Examination: 5
Total non-attendance hours: 90

The student is advised to use the class notes and the images and diagrams suggested by the teacher as teaching material. This information should be complemented with the reading and study of texts suggested in the bibliography. Books and atlases are essential guides for the acquisition of practical skills and abilities of the subject. It is advisable to keep the subject up to date and to use the tutorials to guide the learning and to solve doubts.

To get the most out of the course, it is recommended that students have previous knowledge of anatomy, cell biology and embryology, English to handle the bibliography/teaching resources and skills in the use of information and communication technologies. Students will have access to the virtual classroom of the course on Moodle platform, with the resources and communication channels it offers. In addition, Microsoft Teams application and e-mail can be used for teacher-student communication.