Histotechnology

Anatomy, Cellular Biology and Histology

Theoretical development of the program contents previewed using an expository and interrogative method and with direct student’s participation.
In the practical classes will be use a demonstrative methodology of the concepts learned, with resolution and discussion of practical problems, implementation of individual techniques and microscopic observation of histological slides.

Theoretical Component (T)

The student must acquire knowledge and competences to:

Recognise the contribution of Histotechnology within the context of Anatomical Pathology.
Understand the theoretical-practical concepts of Histotechnology, characterising the histological technique from a biological, physical and chemical point of view, and recognising the conditions for its application.
Understand the role of the professional in the anatomical pathology laboratory, as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Understand laboratory dynamics and the ethical/deontological attitude in handling human and animal biological samples.

Practical-Laboratory Component (PL)

The student must acquire skills and competences to:

Apply histotechnology methodologies in the laboratory context, interpreting macro- and microscopically the chemical, physical and biological reactions of histological samples from biopsies or surgical specimens, with a view to implementing corrective measures.
Manage reagents and materials in an economically and environmentally sustainable manner.
Use the various laboratory equipment.
Autonomously select and control the different procedures and stages of the histological technique, according to the different types of biological material to be processed and the structures to be demonstrated, identifying technical errors and their resolution.
Integrate hygiene and safety practices in the laboratory context, safeguarding the final quality of the product obtained.

– Introduction:

• The pathological anatomy laboratory

• Pathological anatomy
• Histological technique
• Organization of the pathological anatomy laboratory
• Laboratory equipment and materials apllied to pathological anatomy

– Reception and macroscopic recording:

• Types of biological material

– Macroscopic examination:

• Material and equipment
• Macroscopic description

-Fixation and fixatives

– Decalcification of tissues

– Histological processing

– Inclusion

-Microtomy

– Coloration

– Light and Eletronic Microscopy

– Quality Control

Assessment of the theoretical component: One individual written test (70%), with a minimum grade of 9.5/20.

Assessment of the Laboratory Practice component (30%): Laboratory practical assessment with a weighting of 30% and a minimum grade of 9.5/20.

Students may take the final examination of the course unit during the examination periods established in the academic calendar, by completing a theoretical test (70%) and a laboratory practical assessment (30%), with a minimum grade of 9.5/20 in each assessment.

NAO