Objectives/ aim
After having followed this course, the student can:
define and describe the functions of the cardiovascular system, the respiratory system and the kidneys;
relate the functions of these organs/systems to the specific anatomical, mechanical and (with regard to the heart) electrical properties;
illustrate by clinical examples how several pathophysiologic conditions of these organs/systems can be viewed from basic physiological principles.
Content
The course Physiology, Basic Concepts, consists of five themes.
Theme 1. Cardiovascular System – Heart – Electrical Function
anatomy of the heart with emphasis on its electrical properties
resting and action potential of the cardiac myocyte
impulse formation and conduction in the heart
genesis of the electrocardiogram (ECG), with practical
ECG leads, lead systems and vectorcardiogram
the normal electrocardiogram
cardiac arrhythmias
primary electrical disease (channelopathy)
Theme 2. Cardiovascular System – Heart – Mechanical Function
anatomy of the heart with emphasis on its mechanical function
contraction mechanism of the cardiac myocyte
excitation-contraction coupling
characterization of pump function, with working group
Theme 3. Cardiovascular System – Circulation
macroscopic and microscopic anatomy of the circulation, with practical
physical concepts, with working group
arteries – capillaries – veins
neural control of the circulation
humoral control of the circulation and autoregulation
special circulations
exercise and orthostasis
physiology of heart failure
Theme 4. Respiratory System
anatomy of the lungs, with practical
gas transport in the lungs and in blood, with practical
ventilation-perfusion ratio
control of breathing, with practical
Theme 5. Kidneys
anatomy of the kidneys, with practical
glomular filtration rate
renal plasma flow
tubular functions
acid-base / potassium
Literature
Moore KL et al, 2006 (5th Edition): Clinically oriented anatomy
Ross MH et al, 2006 (5th Edition): Histology, a text and atlas
Boron WF & Boulpaep EL, 2005 (updated edition): Medical physiology: a cellular and molecular approach
Klabunde RE, 2005 (1st Edition): Cardiovascular physiology concepts (on internet : <http://cvphysiology.com>)
Malmivuo J & Plonsey R, 1993-2005: Bioelectromagnetism (E-book, on internet http://butler.cc.tut.fi/~malmivuo/bem/bembook).
Form of tuition
Lectures (about 30), for every 2-3 lectures an interactive tutorial with on-line voting in a smaller group (max 1/3 of the cohort), 6 practicals, 2 working groups, polls (rehearsal exams).
Mode of assesment
Multiple choice exam, possibly taken in two sessions (Cardiovascular System / Respiratory System & Kidneys).
Entry requirements/recommended prior knowledge
General knowledge of the English language, biology, mathematics, physics, and chemistry as required for students to be accepted for Biomedical Sciences.