Learning objectives
The knowledge of the functional mechanisms of the human organs and apparati taugh during the course, the knowledge of their dynamic integration and the general mechanisms of functional control in normal conditions and in particular pathological conditions.
Prerequisites
Students must possess basic and fundamental notions of Anatomy, cell and tissue biology and biochemistry of the organs and systems which are the topic of this part of the course.
Course unit content
The course addresses the second part of the physiology of the human body, by focusing on the physiology of the heart and circulatory system and of the respiratory and urinary systems.
Full programme
Cardiovascular apparatus (Prof. Gallese). Physical principles of hemodynamics. Physical properties of blood. Miocardial 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. Coronaric circulation and and heart metabolism. Local circulation: muscle, skin, kidney, splancnic. Brain circulation: chemical, metabolic and nervous regulation.
Respiratory Apparatus (Prof. Gallese). Physical laws of gases. Chest and respiration muscles. Alveolar and pulmunary ventilation. Lung volumes and capacities. Anatomic and functional dead space. Mechanics of breathing. Intra-pulmunary 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. Pulmunary 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.
BODY FLUIDS AND RENAL FUNCTION (Prof. Tirindelli).
Body Fluids and Renal Function. Physiology of the body fluids. Filtration and blood flow. Proximal tubule function. The loop of Henle and the distal nephron. Regulation of osmolarity and volume of the body fluids. Acid-base balance and regulation of H+ excretion. Potassium balance and regulation of potassium excretion. Regulation of calcium, magnesium and phosphate excretion.
Bibliography
FISIOLOGIA MEDICA. a cura di Fiorenzo Conti. Edi-Ermes Editore
BASI FISIOLOGICHE DELLA PRATICA MEDICA di West, Ed. Piccin per l'Apparato Urinario.
L'ABC DELL' EQUILIBRIO ACIDO-BASE di Davenport, per l'equilibrio acido-base. Libro non più ristampato ma fotocopie disponibili dei capitoli trattati a lezione.
Teaching methods
Frontal lectures with audio-visual material.
Assessment methods and criteria
Learning is verified by means of an oral examination.
Other information
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