OVERVIEW

The Human Physiology module of the teaching of Anatomy and Human Physiology and Laboratory is held in the first semester of the second year.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course will give the fundamental principles of cellular physiology to understand the mechanisms at the basis of the function of human tissues and organs. Students will acquire basic knowledge on how main tissues and organs of the human body work, their complex relationships and the control systems to maintain homeostasis. The laboratory activity will integrate the contents of the lectures with experimental models and methods to evaluate the main physiological parameters.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The teaching of Human Physiology aims to provide students with the elements to understand the physiological functioning of organs and systems. In particular, the basic notions will be provided so that the student can acquire notions of the physiology of excitable cells, the functioning of the nervous system and its control over vegetative life. The student will also acquire knowledge about the functioning of the apparatus and their dynamic integration in maintaining the homeostasis of the organism.

TEACHING METHODS

The teaching activity is organized in lectures for a total amount of time of 64 hours. During these lectures all the issues the student have to know for the final exam will be explained and discussed with the help of visual aids.

Any Student with documented Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), or with any special needs, shall reach out to the Lecturer(s) and to the dedicated SLD Representative in the Department before class begins, in order to liase and arrange the specific teaching methods and ensure proper achievement of the learning aims and outcomes.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Cell membrane functions: transport across cell membrane. Passive and active transports (primary and secondary). Ion Channels and pumps.

Resting membrane potential. Local and graduate potential. Excitable membranes. Structure and function of excitable cells. Electrical messages in the nervous system. Functional classes of neurons: afferent, efferent, interneurons. Specialized neuronal function: integration, start, conduction and transmission of the pulse. Action Potential: phases, threshold, whole or no law, refractory. Genesis and propagation of the action potential. Action potential in different types of excitable cells. Synaptic transmission: electrical and chemical synapses. Neurotransmitters and receptors.

Neuromuscolar junction. Motility and muscle tissue types. Organization of skeletal and smooth muscle. Skeletal muscle fiber structure and molecular mechanism of contraction. The role of calcium in muscle contraction. Skeletal muscle motor unit. Excitation/contraction coupling. Comparative aspects of muscle contraction: skeletal and smooth muscle. General organization of the central and peripheral nervous system. General organization of the autonomic nervous system. The sensory system. Principles of sensory physiology: transduction and codification. Adaptation. Somatosensory cortex. Somatic sensation. Somatic receptors. Spinal reflexes: general properties. Spinal cord reflexes: muscle stretch reflex, Golgi tendon reflex and flexor reflex. Motor system: reflex, rhythmic and voluntary movements. Role of the cerebellum and the base ganglia in the motor control.

Cardiovascular system. Anatomy of cardiac muscle fibers. Myocardial specific and myocardial work. Cardiac electrical activity: heartbeat origin, conductive system, atrial and ventricular cardiac action potentials. Cardiac cycle, cardiac output and control mechanisms. Circulation. Blood pressure and its regulation. The microcirculation and lymphatic system. Capillary fluid exchange. Blood coagulation and hemostasis.

Functional organization of lung and airways. Mechanics of pulmonary ventilation. Pulmonary Compliance. Gas concentrations and gas partial pressures. Principles of gas exchange. Transport of respiratory gases in blood. Nervous and chemical regulation of respiration.

Kidney structure: the nephron. The iuxtaglomerular apparatus. Renal clearance. Glomerular filtration and GFR. Renal tubular functions: passive and active transports; reabsorption and secretion. Renal control of extracellular fluid volume and osmolarity: urine concentration and dilution (ADH). Endocrine regulation of renal function. Acid-base regulation.

Anatomic-functional organization of the gastrointestinal system. Motility and secretions: saliva, gastric secretion, pancreatic, bile and enteric secretion. Liver functions. Nervous and endocrine regulation of gastrointestinal function. Digestion and absorption of glucids, lipids, proteins.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

G.J. Tortora & B. Derrickson - Principi di Anatomia e Fisiologia Umana. Ed. Ambrosiana

Alternative textbooks for the Human Phisiology part of the course:

• Silverthorn D.U. - Fisiologia umana: un approccio integrato. Casa Editrice Pearson
• Stanfield & Germann - Fisiologia. EdiSES
• D’Angelo & Peres - Fisiologia. Edi-Ermes

The slides of the presentations in PDF format can be downloaded from AulaWEB.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

ANNA FASSIO (President)

FABIO GIUSEPPE GHIOTTO (President)

SILVIA GIOVEDI' (President)

FABIO BENFENATI

ANDREA NICOLA MAZZARELLO

BRUNO STERLINI

LESSONS

LESSONS START

I semester, in October.

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral test.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The knowledge and understanding of the morphology and structure of organs and systems of the human body will be assessed. Moreover, the comprehension of how the organ structure determines his own function will be evaluated.

Exam schedule