Medicine and Surgery

Contents: Cellular physiology. Cellular homeostasis. The water compartments of the organism. Volume and composition of body fluids. Transmembrane exchanges. Intracellular transport. Intercellular communication. Excitable tissues and transmembrane electrical events. Origin and propagation of the nervous impulse. Synaptic transmission. The neuromuscular junction. Neurotransmitters. Membrane receptors. The contractile elements. The striated muscle. Molecular basis of contractility. Excitation-contraction coupling. Mechanics and muscular energy. Smooth muscle. The heart muscle. Functional organization of the autonomous nervous system. Sympathetic system. Parasympathetic system. Elements of the endocrine system. Cardiovascular system. Properties of the myocardium. Onset and propagation of the impulse. Physiological conduction in the myocardium. Electrocardiogram. Cardiac cycle. Volumetric and pressure variations of the heart chambers. Heart tones. Innervation of the heart. Heart rate control. Humoral control of myocardial activity. Coronary circulation and its regulation. Principles of fluid dynamics and physical circulation models. Cardiac output and its control. The flow in the arteries. Arterial pressure: arterial pulse and sphygmic wave. Nervous control of arterial pressure. Cardiocirculatory reflexes. Humoral arterial pressure control. The flow in the capillaries. Capillary exchange function. Venous return and its control. Hemodynamic effects of breath.

The knowledge of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Histology, Anatomy, and Biochemistry are the prerequisites considered indispensable to face the study of Physiology.

‘Fisiologia medica’ Ferraina, Grassi, Pagliaro [a cura di] Edizioni ALE; ‘Fisiologia medica’ Guyton and Hall; Edizioni EDRA;

In presence. Sometime online, if necessary.

The candidate is invited to explain the control mechanisms involved in the various homeostatic functions described by the subject.

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