EMHE0221c Histology and Embryology I - practice

Faculty of Medicine
spring 2026
Extent and Intensity
0/3/0. 2 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
MUDr. Ivana Baltasová (seminar tutor)
prof. MVDr. Aleš Hampl, CSc. (seminar tutor)
Mgr. Hana Kotasová, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
MUDr. Eva Mecová (seminar tutor)
doc. RNDr. Petr Vaňhara, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Ing. Nicole Ludikovská (assistant)
Guaranteed by
prof. MVDr. Aleš Hampl, CSc.
Department of Histology and Embryology – Theoretical Departments – Faculty of Medicine
Supplier department: Department of Histology and Embryology – Theoretical Departments – Faculty of Medicine
Timetable
Thu 7:30–10:00 F01B1/122
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Abstract

The exercise builds on the theoretical knowledge gained in the Histology and Embryology I lecture and focuses on its practical application. Students learn about procedures for processing biological material for light and electron microscopy and acquire the basic principles of working with histological preparations and image documentation.

In the histology part, emphasis is placed on independent work with a microscope, orientation in histological sections, and recognition of basic tissue types and selected organ structures. The embryology part focuses on the practical recognition of the developmental stages of the human embryo and the identification of their characteristic morphological features in teaching materials.

The exercises develop the ability to apply theoretical knowledge in the practical evaluation of microscopic structures and create the basic skills necessary for further study of clinical and laboratory disciplines.


Learning outcomes

At the end of this course, students will be able to:

•    explain the procedure for processing tissues for light and electron microscopy,

•    navigate histological preparations and work with a microscope and image documentation

•    identify basic tissue types in histological sections and recognize their characteristic features

•    recognize the microscopic structure of selected organs of the human body and identify their basic tissue and cell components,

•    practically evaluate the relationships between tissues within organs based on the observation of preparations,

•    recognize the development of gametes and the basic stages of early embryonic development using teaching materials.


Key topics
1. Introduction to practical exercises, study aids. Overview of histological examination methods. Basic stages of cell and tissue preparation for light and electron microscopy (using video recordings). Basics of histochemistry and immunohistochemistry. 

2. Cytology: Ultrastructure of the nucleus in interphase. Ultrastructure of cellular organelles I (mitochondria, Golgi apparatus, endoplasmic reticulum, and lysosomes). Aids: EM atlas. 

3. Ultrastructure of cellular organelles II (peroxisomes, centrioles). Cellular inclusions. Modifications of cell surfaces and intercellular junctions. Aids: EM atlas. 

4. Embryology I. Interactive review of the basics of early human development. Placental development and classification. Development of the human placenta. Structure and function of the human placenta. Development of the umbilical cord. Placental and umbilical cord anomalies. Aids: set of embryological diagrams I. 

5. Embryology II. Uterus and pregnancy. Hasse's rule. Physiological positioning of the fetus in the uterus (position, posture, presentation, and engagement of the fetus). Birth. Characteristics of a mature fetus. Multiple pregnancies – arrangement of fetal membranes. Prenatal diagnosis and medicine. Basics of teratology. Critical periods of development. Overview of teratogens. Aids: set of embryological diagrams II. 

6. General histology. Principles of proper microscopy, common mistakes. Demonstration of staining results using basic methods [hematoxylin-eosin (HE), hematoxylin-eosin-saffron (HES), azocarmine-aniline blue-orange G (azan)]. Connective tissue I – overview of connective tissues. Preparations: umbilical cord, esophagus, posterior segment of the eye, spleen, aorta. 

7. Connective tissue II – hyaline and elastic cartilage. Bone tissue and its histogenesis (ossification). Primary and secondary ossification. Remodeling of bone tissue, fracture healing. Preparations: trachea, auricle, elastic cartilage, lamellar bone, chondrogenic ossification. EM atlas. 

8. Epithelial tissue – surface (covering) epithelia. Preparations: kidney, gallbladder, trachea, esophagus, ureter, eyelid. 

9. Glandular epithelium. Preparations: small intestine, parotid gland, submandibular gland. EM atlas. 

10. Nervous tissue. Preparations: cerebral cortex, cerebellum, spinal cord, ganglion, peripheral nerve, motor endplate. EM atlas. 

11. Muscle tissue. Preparations: tongue apex, large intestine, myocardium (HE and Heidenhain). EM atlas. Tissue review. 

12. Composition of peripheral blood. Preparation and staining of blood smears. Cytomorphology of red and white blood cells. Differential white blood cell count and evaluation of deviations from the norm. Platelets. Aids: human peripheral blood smear, EM atlas. Hematopoiesis – presentation.

Study resources and literature
    recommended literature
  • VAŇHARA, Petr; Miroslava SEDLÁČKOVÁ; Irena LAUSCHOVÁ; Svatopluk ČECH and Aleš HAMPL. Guide to General Histology and Microscopic Anatomy. 1. dotisk 1. vyd. Brno: Masarykova univerzita, 2018. ISBN 978-80-210-8453-7. info
  • VAŇHARA, Petr; Miroslava SEDLÁČKOVÁ; Irena LAUSCHOVÁ; Jana DUMKOVÁ; Veronika SEDLÁKOVÁ; Svatopluk ČECH and Aleš HAMPL. Histologický atlas LF MU. 1. vyd. Brno: Masarykova univerzita, 2018. Elportál. ISBN 978-80-210-9068-2. PURL, html, url info
  • ČECH, Svatopluk; Drahomír HORKÝ; Irena LAUSCHOVÁ; Miroslava SEDLÁČKOVÁ and Jitka ŠŤASTNÁ. Histologická praktika a metody vyšetřování tkání a orgánů (Histological practicals and methods of investigation of tissues and organs). 1.dotisk 1. vydání. Brno: Vydavatelství MU Brno-Kraví hora, 2002, 162 pp. ISBN 80-210-1774-0. info
Approaches, practices, and methods used in teaching
Teaching takes place in the microscopy hall in the form of guided study of histological preparations and electron microscope images. Students can use electronic study texts on the institute’s website http://www.med.muni.cz/histology/education to prepare for practical exercises.
Method of verifying learning outcomes and course completion requirements
A detailed description of the course and evaluation of practical exercises can be found on the institute’s website (http://www.med.muni.cz/histology/education) under the title ‘Provision of the Head of the Department on the Rules and Conditions Applicable for Practical Training and for Examining in Histology and Embryology/cz.’ Ongoing knowledge checks are conducted in the form of tests. Each student takes 4 partial tests during the semester. Tests are graded by awarding a point for each correct answer, and a majority of correct answers (points) is graded as ‘Pass’ (P). If a student fails, the result is graded as ‘Fail’ (N), and in that case, only one retake is allowed. One of the conditions for obtaining credit is to pass all tests with a ‘P,’ meaning that the student must pass 4 out of 4 tests or, with one retake, 4 out of 5 tests. If the student does not meet this condition, a make-up credit test covering the entire semester will follow in the same examination period, and if the make-up test is failed, credit will not be granted. Conditions for obtaining credit: Completion of all practical exercises (100% attendance, all absences must be properly excused (IS) and made up). Successful completion of all tests (partial, possibly 1 retake or credit test). Submission of all protocols for credit (properly filled out protocol forms, signed by the instructor).
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
Study Materials
Listed among pre-requisites of other courses
The course is also listed under the following terms spring 2021, spring 2022, spring 2023, spring 2024, spring 2025.
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