Medicine and Surgery

Cell Physiology and Biophysics - What physiology studies. Concept of homeostasis. Body fluids. - The cell as a basic unit: electrical parameters of the cell membrane and equivalent circuits; resting potential; action potential. - Voltage-dependent ion channels. - Biophysical methods for studying membrane electrical events. - Neurotransmitters - Electrical synapses: structure and function. - Chemical synapses. Spontaneous and evoked transmitter release. Synaptic potential; spatial and temporal summation. The neuromuscular junction. - Membrane receptors: Families of ionotropic receptors: structural similarities and functional peculiarities. - Metabotropic receptor families: structural similarities and functional diversity. - Second messenger systems and signal transduction. Synaptic activity and cognitive and mnemonic processes. - Muscle Physiology The muscle: structure and function of the various types of muscle. - The contraction of skeletal, smooth and cardiac muscle. - Blood cell physiology The general functions of blood. - The constituents of blood: plasma, erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets. Hemostasis. - Ortho- and parasympathetic autonomic nervous system. Respiratory and cardiovascular centers - Physiology of the heart and blood circulation Laws of fluid mechanics applied to blood circulation. Blood pressure and peripheral resistance. The heart: physiological aspects of the myocardium; the cardiac cycle. Cardiac output and venous return. Myocardial excitation and impulse conduction; mechanisms of nerve control. - The electrocardiogram. - Microcirculation and lymphatic system: Exchanges between blood and tissues. - Control of blood flow and blood pressure. Methods of blood pressure measurement.

Having completed the exams required by the degree program. It is recommended that the human anatomy exam be taken beforehand.

Medical Physiology. Rhoades and Bell (De Falco) Medical Physiology. Guyton and Hall (Edises) Medical Physiology. Conti and other authors (Edises)

"Attendance is mandatory and must be certified by signature; attendance is required for at least 66% of the lessons."

The student will be assessed through questions related to the program covered (three to five questions). Answers will be considered adequate if the student can demonstrate an understanding of the mechanisms underlying the functioning of the cells, tissues and organs described in this part of the course, and an understanding of their functional regulation for the purpose of maintaining homeostasis.

Traditional in-class lecture. At the end of the lessons, a multiple-choice self-assessment test will be administered and reviewed in class with the instructor.

Human Physiology (I) electrical parameter of cell membrane and equivalent circuits. Resting membrane potential. Action potential. Biophysical techniques to study membrane electrical events. Voltage-dependent ion channels. Electrical synapses: structure and function. Chemical synapses: structure and function. Neurotransmitter release, Synaptic potential, spatial and temporal summation. Families of ionotropic receptors: structure and function. Families of metabotropic receptors: structure and main mechanisms. Synaptic activity and synaptic plasticity.

Boron & Boulpaep, Fisiologia Medica. (EDRA ISBN: 978882144457-9) JH Hall: Guyton and Hall, Fisiologia Medica (Elsevier ISBN 978-1-4160-4574-8) Conti e autori Vari, Fsiologia Medica (EdiErmes ISBN 978-88-7051-346-2 e 978-88-7051-347-9)