Medical Embryology

Code: BIO13996I

3 ECTS

Duration: 15 weeks/78 hours

Scientific Area: Biological Sciences

Teaching languages: Portuguese

Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese

Presentation

Sustainable Development Goals

Saúde e bem-estar - Assegurar uma vida saudável e promover o bem-estar para todos, em todas as idades.

Educação de qualidade - Assegurar a educação inclusiva, e equitativa e de qualidade, e promover oportunidades de aprendizagem ao longo da vida para todos.

Learning Goals

The two general objectives are that students simultaneously acquire a general perspective of the embryonic development of the vertebrates. In this context, the competences for the student to acquire are: mastering the terminology associated with Veterinary Embryology; be able to differentiate the subsequent stages of embryonic and fetal development, as well as the most frequent congenital anomalies; the ability to describe and discern the variations inherent to different species, such as, for instance, the fetal membranes, the stomach of ruminants, or the mammary gland. Additionally, the student should be able to establish the connection between embryonic and fetal development and the adult individual, as well as understand the use of this knowledge in the clinic of reproduction, pre-natal diagnosis and fetal Veterinary Medicine.

Historical aspects of embryology;
Gametogenesis;
Fertilization;
Cleavage;
Gastrulation;
Cell signaling and gene functioning during development;
Stem cells;
Establishment of the basic body plan;
Coelomic cavities;
Fetal membranes;
Forms of implantation and placentation;
Embryo mortality in domestic species;
Cardiovascular system. Embryological and postnatal features of hematopoiesis;
Nervous system;
Muscular and skeletal systems;
Digestive system;
Respiratory system;
Urinary system;
Reproductive system;
Structures in the head and neck;
Endocrine system;
Eye and ear;
Integumentary system;
Age determination of the embryo and fetus;
Assisted reproductive technologies used in domestic species;
Genetic, chromosomal and environmental factors which adversely affect prenatal development.

Teaching Methods

The theoretical classes will be descriptive, supported by audiovisual aids (PPT, videos and computer models). They will also include the presentation, when adequate of clinical cases, comprising their analysis, diagnosis and counseling in the context of clinical embryology. The theoretical-practical classes will be used for the presentation and discussion by the students (in groups) of papers and clinical cases, being the teachers responsibility to enhance the dynamics of the process.
The evaluation will be conducted by completing 2 (partial) written tests or a single (all encompassing) final test. These will determine 70% of the final grade. The theoretical-practical component will account for the remaining 30%, with the presentations being weighted at 20% and the answer to specific questions (inserted as a separate section in the tests) regarding the papers and clinical cases at 10%.