Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Structure and Function: Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Renal Systems
Other languages of instruction: Catalan, English
Teaching staff
Contact the teacher via email bmezquita@uic.es
Introduction
This course offers an integrated view of the morphology and function of the cardiocirculatory, respiratory and renal systems. Knowing the function of these systems is essential to understand the diseases that affect a large part of the population. Our goal is that learning is not based solely on the acquisition of information. In this course, students will learn to define the determining variables of the different functions of the cardiocirculatory, respiratory and renal systems and will learn to establish cause-effect relationships between these variables. In this way we intend to strengthen the causal reasoning and scientific thinking of our students.
Pre-course requirements
As an optimal background for this subject, it is recommended that the student has obtained the credits of the biology and biochemistry subjects in the previous years.
Objectives
- To understand the role of the cardiocirculatory system in maintaining the organism's homeostasis and its implications in the pathophysiology.
– To know the anatomy of the cardiocirculatory system.
- The intrinsic, neural and endocrine mechanisms that regulate cardiac activity.
- The mechanisms that regulate blood pressure.
- The mechanisms that regulate angiogenesis and vasculogenesis.
- The mechanisms that regulate minute volumes in the different tissues of the body.
- To understand the role of the respiratory system in maintaining the organism's homeostasis and its implications for the pathophysiology.
– To know the anatomy of the respiratory system.
– To know the main ventilation control mechanisms.
– To know the main mechanisms that regulate the transport of gases and the pH of plasma.
- To understand the function of the renal system in maintaining the organism's homeostasis and its implications in the pathophysiology.
– To know the anatomy of the renal system.
- To know the main mechanisms of regulation of the glomerular filtration rate.
– To know the main systems that regulate the hydroelectrolytic balance through kidney function.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- Recognize the aspects that govern the pathological state and its implications at the clinical and diagnostic level.
- Identify the effects, mechanisms and manifestations of the disease on the structure and function of the human body at the molecular, cellular and tissue levels.
- Develop the organization and planning skills appropriate to the moment.
- Develop the capacity for analysis and synthesis.
- Using the internet as a means of communication and as a source of information.
- Reason and evaluate situations and results from a critical and constructive point of view.
- To be able to teamwork.
- Know how to communicate and make presentations.
- Being able to carry out autonomous learning.
- To be able to transmit information, ideas, problems and solutions to both a specialized and non-specialized audience
Learning outcomes of the subject
At the end of the course, the student: Has acquired an integrated vision, from the structural and functional point of view, of the cardiocirculatory, respiratory and renal systems. Knows how to define precisely the determining variables of the different functions of the cardiocirculatory, respiratory and renal systems. Knows how to establish cause-effect relationships between these variables. Knows the bases of the most prevalent human pathologies in relation to these systems.
Syllabus
TOPIC 1. INTERNAL MEDIA AND HOMEOSTASIS.
1.1- Contribution of the cardiocirculatory, respiratory and renal systems to the maintenance of homeostasis.
TOPIC 2. CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM.
2.1.- The heart
2.1.2- Anatomy of the heart. Location. Pericardium. Structure of the cardiac wall (epicardium, myocardium and endocardium). Cardiac cavities (atria, ventricles). Heart valves (pulmonary, aortic, mitral, and tricuspid). Coronary circulation. Myocardial histology.
2.1.3- Physiology of the heart.
Introduction to the circulatory system.
Electrical activity of the heart. Cardiac automation. Sinus node. Action potentials of fast fibers. Electrocardiogram.
Mechanical activity of the heart. Mechanism of contraction. Relaxation mechanism. Relationship between cytosolic calcium concentration and intensity of cardiac contraction. Relationship between oxygen supply, ATP production and intensity of contraction.
Regulation of cardiac activity. Regulation of electrical activity. Regulation of mechanical activity. Cardiac minute volume. Frank-Starling law. Preload, afterload and inotropism. Regulation of the cardiac minute volume. Cardiac hypertrophy and apoptosis of the cardiomyocytes.
Cardiac cycle. Phases of the cardiac cycle. Diastole. Systole. Variations of ventricular volume during the cardiac cycle. Ventricular pressure variations during the cardiac cycle. Blood pressure variations during the cardiac cycle. Atrial pressure variations during the cardiac cycle. Heart sounds. Pressure-volume diagram of the heart.
2.1.4- Related clinical cases.
2.2.- Vascular system
2.2.1- Anatomy. Basic structure of blood vessels. Arteries, arterioles, capillaries, veins. Anastomosis. Main branches of the aorta. Main veins of the circulatory system. Main components of the lymphatic system.
2.2.2- Physiology of the vascular system.
Distribution system. Function of the distribution system. Aortic pressure wave. Determining factors of blood pressure. Mechanisms involved in the contraction of the smooth muscle of the vessels. Mechanisms involved in the relaxation of the smooth muscle of the vessels. Regulation of blood pressure.
Exchange system. Function of the exchange system. Exchange mechanisms. Regulation of exchange by controlling blood flow to tissues.
Lymphatic and venous return systems. Functions of return systems. Function of the lymphatic system. Venous system function. Determinants of venous return.
Angiogenesis, vasculogenesis, and lymphangiogenesis.
Local circulations. Coronary circulation. Brain circulation. Circulation in the skeletal musculature. Splanchnic circulation. Skin circulation.
2.2.3- Related clinical cases.
TOPIC 3. RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
3.1- Anatomy and histology of the respiratory system. Nose and nostrils. Paranasal sinuses Pharynx. Larynx. Windpipe. Lungs Pleuras. Bronchi. Alveoli Breathing muscles.
3.2- Physiology of the respiratory system.
Respiratory function.
Ventilation. Spirometry Elastic properties of the lung. Elastic properties of the chest wall. Respiratory tract resistance. Perfusion. Characteristics of the pulmonary circulation. Ventilation-perfusion relationship.
Transport of gases through the blood. O2 transport in the lungs and CO2 transfer. CO2 uptake in the tissues and O2 transfer. CO2 and O2 transport curves. PH regulation.
Regulation of respiratory function. General characteristics of the regulation of respiratory function. Regulation by the decrease of PaO2. Regulation by increasing PaCO2. Regulation by the decrease of the pH of the plasma and of the cerebral extracellular fluid. Regulation of breathing during exercise. Nervous regulation of breathing.
3.3- Related clinical cases.
TOPIC 4. RENAL SYSTEM 4.1- Anatomy and histology of the renal system. Macroscopic and microscopic structure of the kidneys. Ureters. Urinary bladder. Urethra. 4.2- Physiology of the renal system. Functions carried out by the kidneys. Glomerular function. Glomerular filtration rate. Determining factors of glomerular filtration. Regulation of renal blood flow. Measurement of the glomerular filtration rate. Tubular function. Tubular reabsorption mechanisms. Tubular secretion mechanisms. Excretion and urination. Renal regulation of the hydroelectrolytic balance. 4.3- Related clinical cases.
Teaching and learning activities
In person
Lectures: presentation of a topic by the teacher. Participation of students solving questions related to the topics discussed in previous classes. Updates: students present scientific articles in class that represent updates on the topics covered. Clinical cases or case methods (CM): Approach to a real or imaginary situation. Students work on the questions formulated in small groups or in active interaction with the teacher and the answers are discussed. The teacher intervenes actively and, if necessary, contributes new knowledge. Virtual education (VE): Self-evaluations and other types of online material that the student can consult from any computer, at any time and that will contribute to the self-learning of concepts related to the subject. Workshops: At the dissection laboratory, review of the concepts studied in the theoretical classes.
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
1) Students in first call: Attendance, participation and attitude in class: 5% Case sessions: 10% Updates: 5% Self-assessments: 10% Midterm exam: 20% Final exam: 50% 2) Students in second call: same criteria as in the first call. In second call, no honors will be awarded. 3) Repetitive students: the marks of "Attendance, participation and attitude", "Updates", "Self-evaluations" and "Case sessions", will be kept. However, if requested at the beginning of the course, these aspects can be repeated and re-evaluated.
General points to keep in mind about the evaluation system: 1) In the final exam, a minimum grade of 5 must be obtained to be able to make an average with the continuous evaluation marks ("Attendance, participation and attitude", "Updates", "Self-evaluations", "Case sessions" and "Partial exam ”). 2) The exams will include questions of different types: multiple choice, writing, anatomical illustrations, cause-effect relationships ... 3) 10% of the exam questions can be about concepts that have not been explained directly in the classroom but that are present in the recommended bibliography as well as in discussed articles, press or recommended virtual material. 4) Class participation is understood to be the contribution of interesting ideas or the raising of pertinent questions that help to improve the quality of the session, whether it is a lecture or case methods. 5) Class attendance: Regular attendance at classes in theory and case methods is recommended. Class attendance is part of the continuous assessment. The expulsion of a student from the master class or from the case sessions will have a negative impact on his continuous evaluation. Attendance at practices is compulsory and students must attend in the assigned groups. The expulsion of a student from the laboratory classroom will mean the automatic suspension of the course. 6) The improper use of electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablets or laptops can lead to expulsion from class. Misuse is understood to be the recording and dissemination of both students and teachers during the different lessons, as well as the use of these devices for recreational and non-educational purposes.
Bibliography and resources
Mezquita. Fisiología Médica, 2ª ed. Panamericana (2018).
Stephanie McCann and Eric Wise. Anatomy Coloring Book, 5th ed. Kaplan (2014)
Tortora and Derrickson. Principios de anatomía y fisiología.15 ed. Ed. Panamericana (2018).
Vander’s Renal Physiology. 9th ed. McGraw-Hill Education (2018).
West's Respiratory Physiology: The Essentials.10th ed. Ed. Wolters Kluwer (2016).
Evaluation period
- E1 10/01/2021 A08 11:00h