SGS8120

Medical Physiology

Introduction: Physiology is the study of the normal function of the body. An understanding of the physiological mechanisms regulating normal function is essential to understand the pathophysiology underlying disease.

Goals of the course: This course is designed to provide students with a basic understanding of the biological mechanisms by which the body responds to internal and external stimuli and to provide the basis for understanding the mechanisms behind pathological responses to these stimuli.

Objectives: By the end of the course you will be expected to understand:

• Cell membrane physiology and its role in maintaining cell function
• Origin and regulation of electrical activity in the body
• Biological and molecular basis of muscle contractility
• Muscle mechanics
• Electrocardiology - ECG
• Cardiovascular mechanics
• Hemodynamics
• Arrhythmia and conduction defects
• Cardiac output and control
• Capillary and venous circulation
• Pulmonary mechanics
• Pulmonary gas transport and exchange
• Regulation of pulmonary blood flow
• Regulation of ventilation
• Physiological adaptations to altitude and diving
• Regulation of body fluid volume, osmolarity, distribution and electrolyte balance
• Mechanisms underlying renal filtration, reabsorption and secretion
• Regulation of renal function
• Acid-base balance
• Hormone action
• Major functions of hormones
• Regulation of hormone secretion
• Endocrinology of reproduction
• Major physiological changes occurring in pregnancy, parturition and lactation
• Physiological basis for common endocrine pathologies
• Physiological basis for gastrointestin secretion, motility and absorption
• Regulation of gastrointestinal secretion, motility and absorption
• Physiological benefits of exercise
• Exercise and health
• Physiology of temperature regulation

Neuroscience
Neuroscience is an integrated course for freshmen medical students organized primarily by the faculty of the Departments of Physiology and Cellular Biology & Anatomy. The course presents a comprehensive survey of the structure and function of the nervous system, including an introduction to clinical neuroscience.
At the end of the course, students should be able to:

• Identify important nervous system structures and their interconnections.
• Recall the spatial and functional relationships of important nervous system structures.
• Describe the mechanisms of neural signaling, within and between neurons and along neural pathways.
• Describe the physiological mechanisms that account for sensory, motor and higher brain functions.
• Describe the neuroanatomical and neurophysiological bases of certain neurological signs and symptoms.