Ateneo - UPO

BLOOD.
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM.
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM.
BODY FLUIDS AND KIDNEYS.
ENDOCRINE SYSTEM.
NERVOUS SYSTEM.
GASTROINTESTINAL PHYSIOLOGY.

1. Zocchi L., "Principi di Fisiologia", EdiSes.
2. Germann & Stanfield, Fisiologia II ed., EdiSes.
3. Silverthorn, “Fisiologia Umana”, Casa Ed. Ambrosiana.

The module aims to allow the learning of the principles that determine and regulate the functional activity of the various systems of the organism and provide an experimental knowledge that can help their study. It also aims to clarify the physiological bases of diagnostic procedures used in clinical practice and to deepen the knowledge of the theoretical and practical aspects of some experimental techniques used in basic and applied medical research.

The student must have basic knowledge in Anatomy, Chemistry and Biochemistry.

MS-Power Point slides. Students will receive a PDF copy of the projected images. The PDFs of the images projected during the lessons can be found on the DIR platform.

At the end of the course, an exam simulation is carried out in which quizzes similar to those used for the exam are proposed. After the exam, the public correction of the exam is made.

The exam consists of a written test with multiple choice questions. The student must demonstrate that he has assimilated the basic notions of Physiology, learned during the lessons, in an adequate way to effectively face the subsequent courses. The sufficiency is set at 50% of the correct answers and must harmonize with the other subjects of the integrated course so that the final result reaches at least 60% of the correct answers. Exceeding the threshold of 90% of correct answers is considered a result of excellence.

BLOOD: Composition and functions of the blood. Hematocrit. Red blood cells. Hemoglobin. Blood groups. The Rh factor. White blood cells. The platelets. Plasma proteins. Lipoproteins. Hemostasis. Coagulation.

CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM: Intrinsic myocardial properties. Cardiac cycle. Heart tones. Cardiac Output. Mechanical factors of arterial pressure. Workout of the heart. Electrocardiogram. Principles of hemodynamics. Regulation of the functionality of the cardiovascular system. Capillary circulation. The venous return. Neural control of cardiovascular system.

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM: The chest wall. The pleural cavity. The tracheobronchial system. The structure of the alveolus. The laws of gases. The pulmonary volumes and capacities. The intrapulmonary and intrapleural pressure. Respiratory muscles. Transport of oxygen in the blood. Hemoglobin dissociation curve. Transport of carbon dioxide in the blood. Diffusion of gases through the respiratory membrane. Effect of the ventilation-perfusion ratio on alveolar gas concentration. Exchange of respiratory gases. Nervous regulation of breath. Chemical regulation of the breath.

BODY FLUIDS AND KIDNEYS: The nephron. The renal glomerulus. The tubular processes that lead to urine formation. Glomerular filtration. Resorption and tubular secretion mechanisms. Renal clearances. Tubular reabsorption of water and salts. Mechanisms of concentration of urine. Role of the kidney in the control of acid-base balance. Renal circulation. RAS, renin-angiotensin system.

ENDOCRINE SYSTEM: Generalities on hormones. Hypothalamic-hypophyseal axis. Glandotropic hypothalamic-hypophyseal hormones. Non-glandotropic hypothalamic-hypophyseal hormones. Endocrine pancreas. Thyroid. Adrenal glands. Ovary. Testis.

NERVOUS SYSTEM: The neuron. The nerve fiber. The resting potential. The action potential. The synapse. Reflexes. Motility. Sensitivity. Skeletal muscle. The Special Senses (vision, hearing, taste and smell).

GASTROINTESTINAL PHYSIOLOGY: Functional anatomy of the digestive tract. Gastrointestinal motility. The accessory glands: pancreas and liver. Salivary glands. Digestion and absorption of carbohydrates, lipids and protides. Water absorption. Vitamins.

The expected results consist in the students' acquisition of the mechanisms underlying the normal functioning of the organs and systems of the human body. These concepts will constitute a wealth of knowledge that will facilitate the learning of human pathologies and related therapies. In this way, the knowledge learned in this course, together with the skills acquired in subsequent courses, will shape the professionalism of the graduate.