Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Structure and Function of the Nervous System, the Endocrine and the Feeling Organs
Other languages of instruction: Catalan
Teaching staff
Head person:
Dr. Jacobo Rodríguez - jrodriguezs@uic.es
Horario:
Contact by e-mail.
Dr. Antoni Parcerisas
aparcerisas@uic.cat
Sra. Sara Ortiz
sortiz@uic.es
Dr. Jacobo Rodríguez
jrodriguezs@uic.es
Introduction
The course Structure and Function of the Nervous System, Endocrine System and Sense Organs provides an understanding of how bodily activities are regulated by nerve impulses, contributing to the maintenance of bodily homeostasis. The description of the sensory and motor pathways will enable us to understand how impulses are transmitted to the medulla and the brain, and from there to the muscles and glands. We will also study the part of the nervous system that operates without voluntary control, the autonomic nervous system, and conclude with the protective systems. Of special interest to us is vascularisation in order to introduce us to cerebral vascular pathologies and their rehabilitation.
* In the event that the health authorities decree a new period of confinement due to the evolution of the health crisis caused by Covid-19, the teaching staff will communicate in due course the possible effects on the methodologies and training activities, as well as on the evaluation systems.
Pre-course requirements
Not specified.
Objectives
1. To know the structure, organisation and functions of the nervous system. To know the electrical signals of neurons and how they are transmitted at synapses.
2. Identify and describe the macroscopic and microscopic morphology of the spinal cord, brainstem, diencephalon and cerebrum, as well as their respective functions.
3. Describe the structure of the cerebellum and its connections, as well as the cerebellar control of motor functions.
4. Know the electrical signals of neurons and their transmission at the synapse.
5. Describe the nervous circuits and know the neurotransmitters. Study the phenomena of regeneration and repair of nervous tissue.
6. Understand the ventricular system and the cerebrospinal fluid. Identify the meninges and the spaces they delimit. Describe the vascularisation of the nervous system.
7. Know the composition and function of the autonomic and neuroendocrine nervous system.
8. Solve clinical problems based on deductions made from basic knowledge of anatomy and physiology of the nervous system applied to the senses.
9. Identify in imaging techniques the elements belonging to the nervous system.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
Understand and recognise the normal structure and function of the human body at molecular, cellular, tissue, organ and systems levels at different stages of life. Correctly interpret the results of laboratory tests, together with clinical information. Obtain the necessary information to plan a research project in the field of health.
Be aware that physiotherapy is an experimental science and that it is the progress of research which, when applied ethically, enables professional practice to be improved. Develop teamwork skills and work with colleagues from the same and other health professions. Personally manage learning and improvement needs through the resources considered most appropriate.
Learning outcomes of the subject
- During the course, the student will acquire basic knowledge of the central, peripheral, autonomic and endocrine nervous system; its macro and microscopic structure. Describe the main covering membranes, arterial and venous vascularisation, composition and circulation of the cerebrospinal fluid, as well as the division and distribution of the normal encephalic and medullary parenchyma.
- Familiarity with accepted international nomenclature, as well as the ability to deal with both real and simulated cases.
- Know and identify the physiological modifications that these systems undergo during the development and life of each individual, as well as the clinical exploration and the different neuroimaging techniques, basic for the physiological and pathological study of the human being.
Syllabus
PART I. PHYSIOLOGY OF THE NERVOUS AND ENDOCRINE CONTROL SYSTEMS
Topic 1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. CONTROL SYSTEMS. Introduction to the structure and function of the nervous and endocrine systems.
1.2. NERVOUS SYSTEM. Structural and functional organisation. Cell type - cells. Regeneration of the nervous system.
1.3. ENDOCRINE SYSTEM. Endocrine glands. Hormones: functions of hormones. Hormone receptors. Regulation of hormone secretion.
Theme 2. FUNCTIONS OF THE NEURON.
2.1. NEUROPHYSIOLOGY. Electrical signals of neurons. Neuronal communication, membrane potentials of nerve cells. Nerve impulse conduction. Resting potential. Action potential. Phases Refractory periods Threshold potential.
2.2. SYNAPSIS Type of synapses. Dendrite-soma-axon information flow. Excitatory, inhibitory and modulatory synapses. Synaptic plasticity. Neuromuscular synapses. Excitatory and inhibitory potentials. Genesis and propagation of action potentials in axons.
2.3. NEUROTRANSMITTERS Definition and classification. Types of neurotransmitters, receptors and intracellular signalling in the central and peripheral nervous system.
Topic 3. SENSITIVE SYSTEMS
3.1. GENERAL SENSITIVITY. Sensory modality and sensation processing. Transduction. Sensory receptors: Type. Adaptation of receptors Receptor potential. Receptive fields. Somatic and visceral sensations. Painful tactile and proprioceptive sensations.
3.2. SOMATOSENSORY PATHWAYS.
Topic 4. MOTOR SYSTEMS
4.1. MOTOR CIRCUITS. Circuits of the cerebral cortex, brainstem, basal ganglia and cerebellum. Spinal reflex circuits. Neural control of muscle tone, posture, balance and ambulation.
4.2. MOTOR PATHWAYS
subject 5. autonomic or visceral nervous system
5.1. AUTONOMIC SYSTEM. Visceral sensitivity. Visceral motor responses. Sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. Enteric nervous system. Vegetative functions. Visceral reflexes. Visceral pain.
topic 6. SPECIAL SENSORY SYSTEMS
6.1. VISION. Physiology of vision. Visual pathways.
6.2. HEARING. Anatomical recollection. Physiology of hearing. Auditory pathways.
6.3. SENSES OF SMELL AND TASTE. Anatomical recollection. Physiology. Olfactory and gustatory pathways.
Topic 7. BRAIN STEM. CRANIAL NERVES
7.1. CRANIAL NERVES. Modalities and function. Summary of cranial nerves
physiology of the endocrine system
8.1. GENERAL. Types of glands. Hormones.
8.2. HYPOTHALAMO-PITUITARY AXIS. Adenohypophysis and neurohypophysis.
8.3. GLANDS. Thyroid gland. Adrenal glands.
8.4. ENDOCRINE PANCREAS. Hormones, functions and metabolic regulations.
PART II. NEUROANATOMY.
Topic 1. ORGANISATION, FUNCTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
1.1. DEVELOPMENT. Development of the nervous system.
1.2. NEUROANATOMY. Regional neuroanatomy of the central nervous system. Grey and white matter. Main divisions of the nervous system.
1.3. CEREBELLUM. External morphology. Internal morphology. Functional anatomy of the cerebellum.
1.4. DIENCEPHALON. Components. Thalamus: External morphology. Internal organisation. Functional organisation of the nuclei of the thalamus.
1.5. TELENCEPHALON. Cerebral hemispheres and cerebral cortex. Cerebral cortex gyri or convolutions, sulci and lobes of the cortex. histological structure and functional organisation. White matter of the cerebral hemispheres. Type of fibres.
1.6. NUCLEI OF THE BASE. Topographical and functional anatomy of the basal nuclei.
1.7. LIMBIC SYSTEM. Anatomy and function of the olfactory bulb and hypothalamus.
protective and irrigation structures the encephalon.
2.1. PROTECTIVE STRUCTURES. Encephalon and spinal cord coverings. Skull: anterior, middle and posterior cranial fossa. Cranial meninges. Dura mater, arachnoid and pia mater.
2.2. VENTRICULAR SYSTEM. Topographical anatomy of the ventricular system. Formation and circulation of cerebrospinal fluid .
2.3. IRRIGATION OF THE BRAIN. Arterial and venous vascularisation of the brain and spinal cord .
Topic 3: SPINAL MEDULLA AND BRAIN STEM.
3.1. SPINAL CORD. External morphology of the spinal - cord: segmental organisation. Spinal nerves. Spinal meninges. Grey substance. Spinal cord. White substance Spinal tracts.
3.2. BRAINSTEM. External morphology of the brainstem. Dorsal side. Ventral side. Internal structure of the brainstem.
PART III. PRACTICAL PROGRAMME
1. Anatomy and physiology of the auditory pathway.
2. Anatomy and physiology of the gustatory pathway.
3. Anatomy and physiology of the visual pathway.
4. Histology of the nervous system.
5. Dissection of the protective structures: skull and meninges.
6. Dissection of the brain, brainstem and medulla - the.
7. Dissection of basal ganglia, thalamus and hypothalamus.
8. Dissection of motor and sensory pathways.
9. Motor pathway lesions. Dissection of the polygon of Willis.
10. Dissection of the cranial nerves.
11. Encephalogram practice.
12. Reflex practice.
13. Test
Teaching and learning activities
In blended
Sempre que les normes de seguretat ho permetin, s'utilitzaran diferents metodologies docents:
Classe magistral (CM), Pràctiques laboratori , Tutoria de grup (TR)
Metodologia en les classes teòrico-pràctiques d'histologia: Una part inicial correspondrà al comentari del tema del dia amb explicacions per part del professor i participació activa amb preguntes i dubtes dels alumnes. La segona part correspondrà a l'examen microscòpic de diverses preparacions histològiques tenyides amb hematoxilina i eosina, per realitzar un treball fotogràfic de les mateixes amb el seu corresponent comentari per part de l'alumne.
Evaluation systems and criteria
In blended
1st, 3rd and 5th exam consists of: 20% partial exam, 25% practical exam, 40% final exam and 15% continuous assessment.
Partial exam
- Date: 18th October.
- Type of test: 25 multiple-choice questions and 2 essay questions (including images, diagrams, dissections and images of diagnostic tests).
- This test will include all the material worked on up to the day before (in lectures and laboratory practicals), as well as the contents included in the recommended bibliography.
Practical test
- Date: 28 January.
- Type of test: 10-14 questions related to the practical contents.
- Incorrect questions will not be deducted.
- The person who does not pass this exam does not pass the subject.
Final exam
- Date: January 28st.
- Type of test: 40 multiple-choice questions and 4 essay questions.
- It covers all the material explained in the classes (theoretical and practical), as well as the contents included in the recommended bibliography.
- It is essential to pass this exam in order to pass the course.
Continuous assessment: questions, assignments and tests carried out during the classes (either oral or written).
OBSERVATIONS:
- The final exam and the practical exam must be passed in order to pass the subject with a mark equal to or higher than 5.
- An average mark of 5 or more is required to pass the course.
- The person who has passed the practical exam and the final exam, but the average is not higher than 5, will have to sit for the recovery of the multiple-choice exam and get a better result in this exam so that the average is equal to or higher than 5.
2nd, 4th and 6th exam consists of: 25% practical test, 55% final exam and 20% continuous assessment.
- The final exam and the practical test have the same characteristics as the previous exams.
- The mark for the continuous assessment is the mark obtained during the previous exam session.
Bibliography and resources
Tortora - Derrickson. Principios de Anatomía y fisiología (11ª edición). Editorial Panamericana. 2006
Principles of Neural Science. Eric R. Kandel, Edited, James H. Schwartz, Edited, Thomas M. Jessell, Edited, Steven A. Siegelbaum, Edited, A. J. Hudspeth, Edited, Sarah Mack, Art Editor. Editorial Elsevier
Schünke. Prometheus. Texto y Atlas de Anatomía. Tomo 3. Cabeza y neuroanatomía. Ed. Panamericana.
Alan Stevens y James Lowe. HISTOLOGÍA HUMANA (3ª edición). Ed. Elsevier. 2006.
A.L. Kierszenbaum. Histología y Biología celular (2ª edición). Ed. Elsevier. 2008.
Crossman AR; Neary D. Neuroanatomia ( 3ª edición) Elsevier Masson (2007)
Turlough Fitgerald MJ, Gruener G, Mtui E. Neuroanatomia Clinica y Neurociencia(6ª Edición) Elsevier Saunders (2012)
Evaluation period
- E1 28/01/2022 10:00h
- E2 27/06/2022 10:00h