Duration
46h Th
Number of credits
| Bachelor in medicine | 5 crédits |
Lecturer
Didier Cataldo, Aude Lagier, Bernard Lambermont, Pascale Quatresooz
Coordinator
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the second semester
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
This module covers the various anatomical, histological, biochemical, physiological, pathophysiological and embryological aspects of the digestive system.
At the anatomical level, knowledge of the various digestive elements and their interrelationships is of considerable importance in medical practice. It is common practice to be able to locate these elements, palpate them and recognise them on X-rays.
At the histological level, students will learn about the microscopic appearance of all the organs and the relationship between this appearance and their functions. Through practical work, they will learn the criteria enabling them to establish a differential diagnosis and to interpret the appearance of these organs on microscopic sections.
The basic principles of biochemistry and physiology will be reviewed. The fundamental processes that govern the functioning of the digestive tract will be examined, and in particular the secretory, nervous and endocrine activities. A number of pathophysiological pictures linked to disturbances in the biochemistry and physiology of the digestive tract will be reviewed. The functioning of the glands annexed to the digestive tract will be integrated into the functions of the tract. The general modes of absorption of different types of nutrient will be considered.
At the embryological level, from the moment of fertilisation, the genetic material encoding the future human being is definitively constituted. Students will need to understand the different stages in the organisation and differentiation of the tissues of the embryo and then the foetus. Knowledge of these mechanisms, which follow one another harmoniously, will enable the student to understand how the malformations that will be detected later in pregnancy or at birth are formed. In addition, mastery of digestive organogenesis is an essential step towards a knowledge of constituted anatomy.
From a semiological point of view, the semiology of the digestive, hepatobiliary and pancreatic systems is broadly covered in order to familiarise the student with these presentations and to facilitate the approach to other subjects, in particular through the APP. This course is also an introduction to digestive semiology, which will be taught in the pathology course.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
ANATOMY-HISTOLOGY-EMBRYOLOGY
Knowledge of the anatomy of the digestive system in its different sections: cervical, thoracic above and below the colon, pelvic and perineal (macroscopic and developmental aspects).
Know the anatomy of the abdominal, pelvic and perineal walls.
macro and microscopic knowledge of the elements of the digestive tract, from the oral orifice to the anal level.
macro and microscopic knowledge of the peritoneal cavity.
Macro and microscopic knowledge of the liver, the biliary system and the pancreatic gland.
Knowledge of the pancreaticoduodenal junction (relationship with the biliary and vascular elements and the spleen).
Know the vessels of the abdominal region.
Know the areas of cutaneous projections of the intra-abdominal organs and master the principle of projected pain concerning the digestive organs.
Know the elements of lymphatic drainage.
PHYSIOLOGY and BIOCHEMISTRY:
Understand the main ways in which the musculature of the digestive walls functions and the main digestive movements.
Understanding the main mechanisms for stimulating and regulating the digestive tract.
Understand how the intestinal hormone system works.
Understand the different stages in the digestion of different types of nutrient
Understand and know the mechanisms underlying digestive secretions and the regulation of chyme progression throughout the digestive system.
Understand and know the main elements of liver function
Understand the main pathologies affecting the digestive tract (details of these pathologies will be covered in specific courses later in the course).
DIGESTIVE SEMIOLOGY
-history of abdominal pain
-oesophageal semiology
-semiology of hepatobiliary pathologies and differential diagnosis of jaundice
-semiology of cirrhosis (portal hypertension and liver failure)
-semiology of transit disorders
-acute abdomen and peritonitis
-occlusion
-digestive haemorrhage
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Please refer to curses scheddule
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
This is a multidisciplinary course. It comprises a majority of theoretical courses, supplemented by practical activity sessions (course codes MEDE0124 and MEDE0125) and analysis of clinical vignettes (problem-based learning - APP course code APPR0141).
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Presential lessons combined with on-line ressources and mall groups learning.
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus
- MyULiège
Further information:
Slideshows and lecture notes are available to students on eCampus. A syllabus pack is also available from AREM. A list of reference books is provided by the Teaching Office.
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire, open-ended questions )
Out-of-session test(s)
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
Contacts
Professor Aude Lagier
Aude.Lagier@uliege.be
Professor Didier Cataldo
didier.cataldo@uliege.be
Professor Pascale Quatresooz
pascale.quatresooz@uliege.be
Professor Bernard Lambermont
b.lambermont@uliege.be
Secretariat :
Geneviève Legrain
Bureau pédagogique
glegrain@uliege.be