semmelweis university 2 0 1 2 / 2 0 1 3

MEDICAL PHYSIOLOGY
Institute of Human Physiology and Clinical Experimental Research
Tutor: Dr. Tamás Ivanics
First Semester
Week Lecture (6 hours per week)
SEMMELWEIS UNIVERSITY / FACULTY OF MEDICINE
1 Historic overview, concepts of physiological control, homeostasis. Basics in cell physiology.
Cell-to-cell interactions. Cellular membranes and transmembrane transport. Membrane
receptors. Ionic equilibria and resting membrane potentials, ion channels and gates.
Action potentials, synaptic transmission.
2 Muscle. Contractile mechanism. Skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscles. Biomechanics,
electrical properties, metabolism.
3 Physiology of blood circulation. Introduction. Functional organization of the cardiovascular
system, basic principles and conditions of its healthy functioning. Dynamics of
blood and lymph flow: Physiological functions of the blood vessels, their significance in the
healthy functioning of the organism. Principles of hemodynamics. Rheology of blood.
4 Biomechanical properties of the vessel wall. Significance of vessel geometry. Signal
transduction in the blood vessels. Pressure & flow in large vessels. Circulatory resistance.
Measurement of pressure, flow and cardiac output. Factors influencing blood
pressure.Venous circulation.
5 Cardiac functions: Biomechanical basis of cardiac functions. Cardiac pump. Signal
transduction in the cardiomyocytes.
6 Cardiac cycle. Electrical activity of the heart. Transmembrane potentials. Conduction in
cardiac fibers, cardiac excitability, cardiac rhythmicity, electrocardiography,
echocardiography.
7 Microcirculation. Tissue oxygenization. Fluid movement across the capillary wall. Control of
lymphatic flow and interstitial fluid volume. Cardiovascular control mechanisms: Local
control mechanisms.
8 Cardiovascular control mechanisms: Systemic control mechanisms. Control of cardiac
output.
9 Circulation through organs and special regions: Coronary circulation. Circulation of blood
and cerebrospinal fluid in the brain. The blood-brain barrier. Regulation of cerebral
circulation. Brain metabolism & oxygen requirements.
10 Splanchnic circulation. Circulation through skeletal muscles. Circulation of the skin.
Thermoregulation. Placental & fetal circulation. Physiological aspects of circulatory shock.
11 Pulmonary circulation. Structure and function of the respiratory system, pulmonary
mechanics. Gas transport between the lungs and the tissues. Regulation of RBC count -
erythropoietin, acclimatization.
12 Regulation of respiration: Neural and chemical control of respiration. Adaptation of
cardiorespiratory system and skeletal muscle to physical exercise.
13 Whole body metabolism. Gastrointestinal motility and secretions. Innervation of the GI
tract. GI hormones. Regulation of GI motility. Regulation of GI secretion: Salivary secretion;
Gastric secretion; Exocrine pancreas.
14 Liver & biliary system. Digestion & Absorption. Carbohydrates, lipids and proteins.
Absorption of water and electrolytes. Absorption of vitamins and minerals.
Faculty of Medicine
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