Learning objectives
At the end of the course the student has the knowledge and capacity of understanding the mechanisms underlying the cellular homeostasis e the electrical properties of membranes, the mechanisms underlying the activity of the muscle tissue, the functional features of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems as well as their integration for pressure and hydro-electrolyte homeostasis.
The student will be able to describe these phenomena and to use afterwards this information for the physiopathological interpretation of signs and symptoms.
Prerequisites
Basic notions of electrophysiology, fluid dynamics, gas laws, chemistry and anatomy.
Course unit content
General Physiology, Muscle physiology; physiology of the cardiovascular apparatus; physiology of the respiratory apparatus.
Full programme
GENERAL PHYSIOLOGY
The cell membrane
Cell membrane structure; membrane proteins; transport mechanisms across membranes.
Electrical properties of membranes
Electrochemical gradients; passive and active ion channels; resting membrane potential; passive electrical properties of the membrane; action potential, genesis and conduction; classification of nerve fibers.
Synaptic mechanisms
Electrical and chemical synapses; neuromuscular transmission; synapses in the central nervous system, neurotransmitters; receptors.
MUSCLE PHYSIOLOGY
Basic Physiology of the Nervous System. Functional properties of nerve fibers. Basic anatomy and functional properties of skeletal and smooth muscles. Synaptic transmission. Neurotransmitters. Membrane receptors. Reflexes. Flexion and stretch reflexes. Muscle spindles.
CARDIOVASCULAR APPARATUS. (Stefano Rozzi)
Physical principles of hemodynamics. Physical properties of blood. Myocardial properties: rhythm, conduction, excitability, contraction. Heart electrophysiology. Ionic theories of resting and action potentials. Electrocardiogram. Heart mechanics and the cardiac cycle. Cardiac output. Intrinsic and extrinsic regulation of heart activity. The vascular system. Passive mechanical properties. Vascular smooth muscles. Nervous and endocrine regulation of blood vessels. Blood pressure; systolic, diastolic, mean and pulsatory. Measuring blood pressure. Venous pressure and blood circulation. Arterial and venous pulse. Coronary circulation and heart metabolism. Local circulation: muscle, skin, kidney, splanchnic. Brain circulation: chemical, metabolic and nervous regulation.
RESPIRATORY APPARATUS.
Physical laws of gases. Chest and respiration muscles. Alveolar and pulmonary ventilation. Lung volumes and capacities. Anatomic and functional dead space. Mechanics of breathing. Intra-pulmonary and intra-pleural pressures. Compliance. Pressure-volume curves. Airway resistance. Work of breathing. Inspirated air, alveolar air, and expirated air. Blood-tissue gas exchange in the lung: relationships between ventilation and alveolar pressures of gases. Distribution of ventilation. Gas exchange between alveoli and capillaries. Blood transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide. Pulmonary circulation. Ventilation-perfusion relationships. Respiratory centers: Genesis of the rhythm of respiration. Ventilation responses to variation in alveolar pressures of oxygen and carbon dioxide. Chemical and central regulation of respiration. Hypoxia. Respiratory mechanisms controlling the acid-base status.
Bibliography
Fisiologia medica a cura di Fiorenzo Conti, Ed. Edi-Ermes
Berne-Levy Fisiologia casa ed. Ambrosiana
Basi fisiologiche della pratica medica di West, Ed. Piccin
Teaching methods
Frontal lessons with powerpoint presentations
Assessment methods and criteria
The content of this course will be object of the final exam planned at the end of the second course of physiology (II semester)
Other information
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