AIMS AND CONTENT

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Aims of Human Physiology course is to provide students with the elements to understand the physiological functioning of organs and systems. More in details, the basics will be provided in way that the student can acquire notions on the physiology of excitable cells, the functioning of the nervous system and the control that, with the endocrine system it exercises on vegetative life and on life relationship. In addition, the student will acquire knowledge on the functioning of the systems and their dynamic integration in maintaining body's homeostasis.

At the end of the course, the student must know and be able to analytically describe the basic notions of Human Physiology of the cardiovascular, renal, respiratory, nervous, endocrine, muscular and general physiology sistems. Must be able to explain, critically evaluate and distinguish the functions of the apparatuses in maintaining the homeostasis of the individual.

TEACHING METHODS

Frontal lessons with the use of slides

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Physiology of excitable cells

• Cell membrane: structure and permeability. The transport of substances through the membrane: ion channels and transporters.

• Membrane potential at rest.

• Action potential. Conducting action potential.

• Synapse: electrical and chemical synapses. Neurotransmitters and receptors. Excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic potentials; spatial and temporal summation.

Physiology of the nervous system and muscle

• Muscle cell. The mechanism of contraction in the striated muscle cell.

• Neuromuscular plaque. Motor units.

• Motor system. Spinal reflexes and notes on the central organization of the movement.

• Sensory system. Principles of sensory physiology. Sensory neurons. Somatic sensitivities and conduction pathways. Pain and analgesia.

Autonomic nervous system

• Organization, neurotransmitters, receptors and responses of effector organs.

Physiology of the cardiovascular system

• Blood and hemostasis.

• Characteristics of myocardial cells: rest  potential and action potentials. Heartbeat origin. The conduction system.

• Mechanical events of the cardiac cycle and cardiac output.

• Blood circulation. Blood pressure and its regulation. Capillary exchanges and venous return.

• Cardiovascular system control.

Physiology of respiration

• Functional organization of the lung and airways. Alveolar and pulmonary ventilation. Lung volumes and spirometry.

• Mechanics of breathing

• Properties of gases. Gaseous exchanges. Transport of blood gases.

• Nervous and chemical regulation of breathing.

Renal physiology

• Glomerular filtration.

• Renal clearance.

• Functions of the renal tubules: reabsorption and secretion.

• Regulation of water-saline metabolism (ADH and aldosterone).

Physiology of the Endocrine System

• Types of hormones. Hormone receptors. Control of hormonal secretion.

• Hypothalamic-pituitary axis. Endocrine growth control (GH and thyroid hormones).

• Endocrine regulation of calcium and phosphate metabolism.

• Regulation of intermediate metabolism (pancreatic and adrenal hormones).

• Male and female reproductive systems: testicle and ovary; pregnancy.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Silverthorn, Fisiologia umana, Casa editrice Ambrosiana.

Sherwood, Fondamenti di Fisiologia Umana, PICCIN

Stanfield, Fisiologia, EDISES

Vander, Fisiologia, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana 

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

FRANCO ONOFRI (President)

CARLA COGO

ANTONELLA MARTE

CATERINA MICHETTI

PIERLUIGI VALENTE

ANNA MARGHERITA CORRADI (President and Coordinator of Integrated Course)

SILVIA GIOVEDI' (President Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Second semester approximately April

Class schedule

HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam is oral and includes two questions of Human Physiology. To access the oral exam you must pass a written quiz test.

The exam takes place at an integrated course level. The assessment of learning for the specific course takes place through an oral exam.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Human Physiology student's knowledge will be assessed with the verification of the student's exposition of the answers to the questions asked by the teacher.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

The slides of the lessons provided by the teachers of the course are available on aulaweb.

The following two lesson modules are also available for students on aulaweb: Cardio-vascular system - Prof. Onofri, Spinal reflexes - Prof. Bove.