PHYSIOLOGY

GENERAL PHYSIOLOGY (Prof. Luppino)
The cell membrane. Cell membrane structure; membrane proteins; transport mechanisms across membranes. Electrical properties of membranes. Electrochemical gradients; passive and active ion channels; resting membrane potential; passive electrical properties of the membrane; action potential, genesis and conduction; classification of nerve fibers. Synaptic mechanisms. Electrical and chemical synapses; neuromuscular transmission; synapses in the central nervous system, neurotransmitters; receptors.

SKELETAL MUSCLE AND NEUROPHYSIOLOGY (Prof. Luppino)
Methods for studying the functions of the central nervous system. Organization of the spinal cord; spinal reflexes. Organization of the brainstem; vestibular system; posture. Sensory systems: somatosensory system, visual system

CARDIOVASCULAR APPARATUS (Prof. Rozzi).
Physical principles of hemodynamics. Physical properties of blood. Miocardial properties: rhythm, conduction, excitability, contraction. Heart electrophysiology. Ionic theories of resting and action potentials. Electrocardiogram. Heart mechanics and the cardiac cycle. Cardiac output. Intrinsic and extrinsic regulation of heart activity. The vascular system. Passive mechanical properties. Vascular smooth muscles. Nervous and endocrine regulation of blood vessels. Blood pressure; systolic, diastolic, mean and pulsatory. Measuring blood pressure. Venous pressure and blood circulation. Arterial and venous pulse. Coronaric circulation and and heart metabolism. Local circulation: muscle, skin, kidney, splancnic. Brain circulation: chemical, metabolic and nervous regulation.

RESPIRATORY APPARATUS (Prof. Rozzi).
Physical laws of gases. Chest and respiration muscles. Alveolar and pulmunary ventilation. Lung volumes and capacities. Anatomic and functional dead space. Mechanics of breathing. Intra-pulmunary and intra-pleural pressures. Compliance. Pressure-volume curves. Airway resistance. Work of breathing. Inspirated air, alveolar air, and expirated air. Blood-tissue gas exchange in the lung: relationships between ventilation and alveolar pressures of gases. Distribution of ventilation. Gas exchange between alveoli and capillaries. Blood transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide. Pulmunary circulation. Ventilation-perfusion relationships. Respiratory centers: Genesis of the rhythm of respiration. Ventilation responses to variation in alveolar pressures of oxygen and carbon dioxide. Chemical and central regulation of respiration.

BODY FLUIDS AND RENAL FUNCTION (Prof. Tirindelli).
Body Fluids and Renal Function. Physiology of the body fluids. Filtration and blood flow. Proximal tubule function. The loop of Henle and the distal nephron. Regulation of osmolarity and volume of the body fluids. Acid-base balance and regulation of H+ excretion. Potassium balance and regulation of potassium excretion. Regulation of calcium, magnesium and phosphate excretion.

ENDOCRINE SYSTEM (Prof. Tirindelli)
Principles of hormone action and endocrine control. The hypothalamic-pituitary control system. The endocrine pancreas. The thyroid gland .The adrenal gland. Hormonal regulation of bone metabolism.

PHYSIOLOGY OF THE STOMATOGNATHIC APPARATUS (Prof. Tirindelli)
Salivary secretion; salivary fluid composition; Function of the salivary fluid, Metabolism of calcium and phosphate. Sensorial aspect of the neurophysiology of the stomatognathic apparatus: mechanoreception, thermoception, nociception. Motor aspects of the neurophysiology of the stomatognathic apparatus: Masticatory muscles and the masticatory mechanics; Trigeminal reflexes; Control mandibular and body posture.