OVERVIEW

The Physiology course provides the elements to understand the physiological functioning of organs and systems. Starting from the mechanisms of functioning of the neuron and the nervous system, the elements for understanding the functions of the muscular, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, endocrine, and in particular of the stomatognathic apparatus, are provided

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The student have to know the functioning of nervous and endocrine systems and the control exercised in vegetative and relationship life; furthermore, the student have to know the functioning  of the systems that supervise the vegetative life and their dynamic integration into the maintenance of homeostasis. In particular, the physiology of the stomatognathic apparatus will be treated with attention to the functional aspects of the oral cavity, sensitivity and oral motility.

LEARNING OUTCOMES (FURTHER INFO)

The student has to learn the excitatory cell physiology and therefore the functioning of the nervous system and the control that it, with the endocrine system, exerts on the vegetative life and on the relationship life. In addition, the student has to know the functioning of the systems and their dynamic integration into the maintenance of the homeostasis of the organism. In particular, the student has to learn in detail the physiology of the stomatognathic apparatus.

TEACHING METHODS

Frontal lessons of Physiology

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

General physiology: cell membrane and transport, ion pumps and channels; Ionic bases of membrane potential. Cell excitability: genesis and propagation of the action potential.
Synapse and synaptic transmission. Neurotransmitters, receptors and postreceptor transduction. Muscle contraction physiology. Motor units. Nervous control of muscular contraction Physiology and contraction of smooth muscle.

Morpho-functional organization of the central and peripheral nervous system. Role of associative corteces.
Spinal mechanisms of motor coordination: proprioceptive and esterocytic reflexes. Truncal-brainstem control of motor activity: posture and locomotion. Voluntary movement control: cortical areas, cortico-spinal pathway. Motion control and planning systems: cranial and basal ganglia.

Receptors and sensory transduction. Somatic sensitivity: tactile, painful, thermal, proprioceptive. Pain and analgesia. Physiology of taste and smell.
The trigeminal nerve: territory of innervation; Sensory and motor function.
The autonomic nervous system and the homeostatic functions of the hypothalamus.

General concepts of endocrine control. The hypothalamus-neuropophysear axis. The hypothalamus-adenoipophysary axis. Integrated growth control. The integrated control of calcium and phosphorus metabolism. Integrated control of energy metabolism. Integrated control of the hydro-salt balance.
Blood, hemostasis and hemodynamics.

The electrical activity of the heart: excitability and automation. Genesis and conduction of the potential of action in the heart. Electrocardiogram. The heart cycle: heart mechanics, regulation of cardiac contractility. Arterial, capillary, venous system. Wave of the wrist and blood pressure. Microcirculation and capillary exchanges. Venous return and lymphatic circulation. Mechanisms for regulating cardiac activity and blood pressure.

The water compartments of the body. Renal function. The mechanisms of urine formation: glomerular filtration and its regulation. The mechanisms of urine formation: reabsorption and tubular secretion.

Destiny of the major components of the plasma during passage through the kidney. Renal clearance. Concentration and dilution of urine. Renal adjustment of the osmolarity and volume of body fluids. Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Integrated acid-base balance adjustment.

Respiratory Mechanics. Pulmonary volume and capacity. Compliance. Pulmonary surfactant. Pulmonary circulation. Ventilation / perfusion ratio. Respiratory gases and gaseous alveoli-capillary exchanges. Transport of respiratory gases in the blood. Nervous and chemical control of respiratory activity.
Salivary glands: formation and composition of saliva. Temporo-mandibular joint and mandible movements. Chewing. Muscles chewing and chewing gum reflexes. Control chewing. Swallowing. Movements of tongue and mandibular posture.
Digestive tract structure and function: esophagus, stomach, intestine. Digestive secretions and motility. Digestion and absorption of food principles. Function of the liver and the pancreas.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Berne & Levy, FISIOLOGIA, CEA
Ferguson, BIOLOGIA DEL CAVO ORALE, CEA 

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

FRANCO ONOFRI (President)

CARLA COGO

ANNA MARGHERITA CORRADI

EMANUELA LUISA FAELLI

LESSONS

LESSONS START

03/10/2016

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam is oral and involves two questions of human physiology and a question of physiology of the stomatognathic apparatus by several teachers

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The preparation of the candidate and the achievement of the learning outcomes related to the program are evaluated by Physiology professors. The candidate has to demonstrate that he has acquired sufficient knowledge of the general physiology and the specific function of the organs, apparatus and stomatognathic apparatus present in the program.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

On aulaweb are available slides provided by the professors of the course