Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology
The Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, as it exists today, was established only after 1989. Until then, the existing Department of Morphology (later renamed the Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology) covered two separate institutes since the 1960s - Department of Anatomy and Department of Histology and Embryology, the foundation of which dates back to the establishment of the College of Veterinary Medicine in 1918.
From the very beginning, the building, construction and development of both departments were very closely connected with the Faculty of Medicine of the present-day Masaryk University. Immediately after the establishment, the departments were located in the premises of the Department of Anatomy of the Faculty of Medicine in Údolní Street. The anatomy was later moved to the premises of the present-day VFU, specifically to the premises of the former canteen for employees. In 1932, a new modern building of the Department of Anatomy was completed. The Department of Histology and Embryology was relocated to the school premises in 1923 (to building no. 32) and was definitively moved to the building of the Department of Anatomy (no. 34) only in 1977 as part of the Department of Morphology.
Since 1997, the department has undergone several construction modifications and reconstructions, the last and most important began in 2006 in connection with the construction of tunnels, which are part of the transit route through the city. The department was completely relocated to temporary premises. In this context, the operation of the institute was completely paralyzed in terms of ongoing research activities. The equipment of the department was also devastated. However, the teaching was maintained at a standard level with great effort. At present, the department is already fully consolidated, however much remains to achieve the initial state.
The basis of the present-day Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology was the Department/Field of Anatomy and the Department/Field of Histology and Embryology. Later these were departments with different names. In 1970, the Department of Anatomy and the Department of Histology and Embryology became part of the Department of Morphology.
In 1990, the Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology became the Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology. In the years 1990-1996, the department was headed by prof. MVDr. Čeněk Červený, CSc., since 1996 prof. MVDr. Frantisek Tichy, CSc. has been the head of the department.
In 1990, the Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology became the Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology. In the years 1990-1996, the institute was headed by prof. MVDr. Čeněk Červený, CSc., Since 1996 prof. MVDr. Frantisek Tichy, CSc.
In organizational terms, the Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology (DAHE) is integrated into the Section of Morphology and Physiology within FVM.
Education
The Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology provides teaching of the following disciplines: Anatomy I and II, Histology and Embryology I and II, as well as compulsory elective courses: Clinical Anatomy of Domestic Animals, Experimental Embryology, Comparative Anatomy of Vertebrates, Microscopic Anatomy of Vertebrates, Autopsy Practice. All disciplines are taught for both veterinary faculties in the Czech and English languages. An essential part of teaching morphological disciplines is encouraging students to acquire new skills in medical ethics, including the use of professional terminology and the ability to describe the structures and functions of the organism professionally. Postgraduate education is carried out within the doctoral degree programme in morphology, physiology and pharmacology. The department's participation in lifelong learning is limited to selected lectures at the University of the Third Age. The department promotes and popularizes morphology to the general public, e.g. by creating audio-visual recordings of anatomical autopsies and publishing them in the media.
Research
The research activity is conducted as an interdisciplinary activity in cooperation with experts from various fields. In this context, cooperation with domestic and foreign workplaces is being developed, including participation in the organization of professional courses and congresses.
Research and creative activities are directed towards the following areas:
Ontogenetic research is focused on the morphogenesis of orofacial structures and is carried out in cooperation with the Department of Histology and Embryology and the Department of Anatomy of the Faculty of Medicine of Masaryk University. The topics are following:
Development, differentiation and structure of mucosal structures of the oral cavity in selected vertebrate species
Development, differentiation and structure of sensory epithelium in selected animal species
Odontological research is carried out in cooperation with the Department of Animal Physiology and Genetics of the ASCR, v. v. i. It is focused primarily on the development and differentiation of dentition in selected animal species.
Osteological and archaeoosteological research is carried out in cooperation with the Institute of Archeology of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, the Moravian Museum, the Brno City Museum and the Institute of Archaeological Conservation.
Applied research addresses the following topics:
Suppression of sexual activity in male pets
Distribution and subtyping of mast cells in the genitals of female cats and female dogs
The results of the research are presented annually at a regular meeting of the Biological Society. In 2017, the department was the organizer of the international meeting of young veterinary anatomists YGVA 2017.
Following research activities, closer cooperation appears to be a priority, especially within the Morphology and Physiology Section, as well as affiliated morphological institutes of faculties of medicine in Brno, Pilsen, Prague, institutes of the ASCR (ÚEM AV ČR, v. v. i., ÚŽFG AV ČR, v. v. i.) and morphological institutes of foreign universities (Freie Universität Berlin, Veterinärmedizinische Universität Wien, Companion Care Vets Broadstairs, UK). The cooperation is mainly focused on the development of laboratory methodologies, joint grant applications and lecture activities (learning topics and presentation of research results).
Buildings, facilities and equipment
The Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology is currently located in Building No. 34, which is intended as the seat of the Section of Morphology and Physiology. In the past, the building was designed for both anatomical and histological institutes.
In all stages of development, the department's equipment was at a relatively good level and great attention was paid to its gradual modernization. At present, the department possesses standard laboratory equipment and furnished offices and workplaces. Recently, it was possible to equip the premises directly used for teaching students (a lecture room, an autopsy room, a microscopic hall, and cloakrooms). Common audio-visual equipment (data projector, visualizer, video recorder, sound system) is installed in the lecture hall. Autopsy rooms (small and large) have been newly reconstructed, equipped with common equipment (autopsy tables, negatoscopes, air conditioning) and supplemented with the necessary technical facilities (warehouses, preparation and laboratory operations). The microscope room for teaching histology and embryology is equipped with new furniture, an appropriate number of microscopes and audio-visual equipment.
The Anatomical Museum was constructed as a new museum hall. The exhibits are classified into sections or departments reflecting the requirements for teaching systematic, topographic and clinical anatomy. The development aspects of the presented organ systems are also taken into account. Part of the exhibits, which are routinely used for educational purposes, is displayed in the corridor adjacent to the autopsy rooms. The Anatomical Museum not only enables a comprehensive presentation of the morphological collections of the department and their optimal arrangement but also opens up the possibility of expanding the depository with exhibits of animal species, which have so far been presented in classes only marginally. This aspect is especially important in connection with the current trend in the study of veterinary medicine.
Eminent professors and personalities in the history of the department
prof. MUDr. Otomar Völker – first head of the Department of Anatomy, head of the department from 1919 to 1929, rector of the university from 1921 to 1922
prof. MVDr. Jan Kolda – head of the Department of Anatomy from 1929 to 1955, renowned anatomist, teacher and scientist, founder of Czech veterinary anatomy
doc. MVDr. Radim Najbrt, CSc. – head of the Department of Anatomy from 1955 to 1965, and from 1971 to 1972, author of important anatomical textbooks Veterinary Anatomy I and II, used in teaching for more than 30 years, excellent teacher
prof. MVDr. Hugo Černý, DrSc. – head of the Department of Morphology (later Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology) from 1975 to 1990, author of important anatomical textbooks, respected teacher
prof. MUDr. Karel Šulc – first head of the Department of Histology and Embryology and representative of histology in the period 1919 to 1939
prof. MVDr. RNDr. Vlastimil Vrtiš – head of the institute in 1939 and the period 1945 to 1947
prof. MVDr. Evžen Novotný – head of the department and later head of the department in the period 1950 to 1971, dean of the faculty in the period 1954 to 1959 and rector of the university in the period 1968 to 1971, author of an important textbook Veterinary Histology
prof. MUDr. Drahomír Horký, CSc. – representative of histology in the period from 1975 to 1992, outstanding figure in veterinary and human histology
prof. MVDr. František Tichý, CSc. – current representative of histology since 1992 and head of the Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology since 1996 until now, recognized teacher, an expert in histological diagnostics of pathological processes and animal diseases
Interesting facts of the department
Cooperation with the university in the state of Sv. Kryštof and Nevis (Lesser Antilles), including participation in teaching morphological disciplines, was established. MVDr. Michal Kyllar, Ph.D. became Secretary General of the major Pan-European organization of veterinary anatomists (EAVA).
Veterinary activities have been established at the department since 2007. It focuses on the histological processing of samples for institutes and clinics of the entire university. It is mainly the production of histological specimens from tissues and organs assessed within research activities, for the needs of the PhD degree programme, etc. Other specimens are intended for diagnostic activities, especially of clinical operations.
text: prof. MVDr. František Tichý, CSc.
