43533 - Physiology of Organs and Apparatuses

Course contents

Hormonal and Reproductive systems

Homonal control mechanisms 

General basis of hormonal physiology. Mechanisms of hormonal action. Mechanisms of control of hormonal secretion. Role of hypothalamus and pituitary on the control of hormone secretion. Physiological functions of different hormones.

Reproductive functions 
Male reproductive functions. Hormonal control of male reproductive functions. Female reproductive functions. Hormonal control of menstrual cycle and endometrial changes.

Cardiovascular system

Organization of cardiovascular system 

Overall design of cardiovascular system. Characteristics of the great and small circulation. 

Mechanical activity of heart 
Functional anatomy of heart; structure of myocardium. Mechanical events of cardiac cycle. Blood pressure and volume changing in atria and ventricules.



Electrical activity of heart 
Electrical characteristics of cardiac cells. Genesis of cardiac cycle. Electrical conduction system of the heart. Refractory period of the heart. Control of excitation and condution in the heart.



Control of cardiac output 
Cardiac output: normal values and range of variation. Mechanisms of regulation of cardiac output: control of heart rate and stroke volume.



Vascular network 
Characteristics and functions of vascular network: arteries, arterioles, capillaries, veins, lymphatic vessels. Diffusion across the capillary wall. Regulation of local hematic flow.



Regulation of systemic arterial pressure 
Values of arterial pressure. Systems of regulation of arterial pressure: short, medium and long-term control.


Respiratory systems

Pulmonary ventilation 

Functional anatomy of respiratory systems; characteristics and functions of cunducting zone and of alveolar wall. Mechanics of the pulmonary ventilation. Alveolar and intrapleural pressure changes during the respiratory cycle. Ventilation and alveolar perfusion.



Exchanges of gases in lungs and tissues 
Composition of atmospheric air and alveolar air. Differences in pressure of oxygen and carbon dioxide in lungs and tissues. Factors involved in gas exchange in lungs and tissues.



Transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide 
Transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide in blood. Oxygen-hemoglobin dissociation curve and its functional implications.



Control mechanisms of respiratory activity 
Genesis of rythmical breathing. Brainstem-encephalic structures involved in control of breathing. Nervous modulation of rythmical breathing: upper centers and afferentsignals. Chemical modulation of rythmical breathing: central and peripheral chemoreceptors, control of breathing by carbon dioxide, pH and oxygen.




Renal system

Basic renal process 

Functional anatomy of kidney. Functions of renal network. Process involved in urine production. Glomerular filtration: glomerular filtration barrier, velocity of filtration, physiological control of glomerular filtration. Tubular reabsorptions and secretions. 



Balance of sodium and water and regulation of diuresis 
Mechanism of regulation of diuresis. Mechanism of urine concentration: the countercurrent multiplier system. Renal water regulation. Regulation of sodium reabsorption.



Regulation of acid-base balance 
Biological buffer systems. Respiratory and renal homeostatic response to variations of acid-base changes.

Gastrointestinal system

Functional organization of gastrointestinal system, digestion and absorption of nutrients.

Readings/Bibliography

FISIOLOGIA dalle molecole ai sistemi integrati . Carbone, Cicirata & Aicardi et al., EdiSES 2009. 


VANDER FISIOLOGIA. Widmaier Eric P., Raff Hershel, Strang Kevin T.; Ambrosiana Editori.


 Fisiologia – un approccio integrato . Silverthorn. Casa Ed Ambrosiana, 2007. 


Fisiologia medica . Guyton & Hall, Elsevier-Masson Ed., XI edizione italiana, 2006 

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons with the help of Power Point presentations

Teaching tools

Frontal lessons with the help of Power Point presentations. Practical sessions.

Office hours

See the website of Rossella Breveglieri