Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Structure and Function: Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Renal Systems
Other languages of instruction: Catalan, English
Teaching staff
Whenever necessary, the teaching team is available to help you (either in person or online). We would appreciate it if you could contact us in advance for an appointment by email.
Dr. Michel Zabalza mzabalza@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.
The course contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda—particularly SDGs 3 and 4—by fostering an understanding of health, disease, and cardiovascular prevention, as well as by developing rigorous, evidence-based medical training grounded in science.
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
Explain the function of the cardiocirculatory system in maintaining body homeostasis and its implications for pathophysiology.
- Foster knowledge of:
- The anatomy of the cardiocirculatory system.
- The intrinsic, neural, and endocrine mechanisms regulating cardiac activity.
- The mechanisms regulating blood pressure.
- The mechanisms regulating angiogenesis and vasculogenesis.
- The mechanisms regulating cardiac output to the body's various tissues.
Facilitate understanding of the respiratory system's function in maintaining body homeostasis and its implications for pathophysiology.
Promote knowledge of:
- The anatomy of the respiratory system.
- The main mechanisms controlling ventilation.
- The main mechanisms regulating gas transport and plasma pH.
Explain the function of the renal system in maintaining body homeostasis and its implications for pathophysiology.
- Foster knowledge of:
- The anatomy of the renal system.
- The main mechanisms regulating the glomerular filtration rate.
- The main mechanisms regulating fluid and electrolyte balance through renal function.
- Train the student to immediately identify cardiorespiratory arrest and systematically execute the Basic Life Support algorithm, integrating the safe use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- CN06 - Describe the anatomical, physiological and histological aspects of the organs and systems in the human body at different stages in life, in both sexes.
- CN07 - Identify the structure, function and action mechanisms of the components of the immune system, both when healthy or when experiencing a pathology.
- CP02 - Apply scientific methodology to interpret practical or theoretical data by evaluating situations and results from a critical and constructive point of view.
- CP05 - Apply biological foundations in the search for practical solutions to health problems, following ethical standards and scientific rigour and respecting fundamental equal rights between men and women, and the promotion of human rights and the values inherent in a peaceful society of democratic values that includes inclusive, non-discriminatory language without stereotypes.
Learning outcomes of the subject
Upon completing the course, students should be able to:
Identify the anatomy, physiology, and histology of the cardiovascular, respiratory, and renal systems of the human body.
Precisely define the key variables determining the functions of these systems.
Establish cause-effect relationships among the variables of the cardiovascular, respiratory, and renal systems.
Explain the contribution of these systems to maintaining internal homeostasis.
Analyze the regulatory mechanisms of cardiac, respiratory, and renal functions, as well as their integration under physiological and exercise conditions.
Relate the structure and function of tissues in these systems to their specific physiological roles.
Interpret physiological parameters and functional graphs as tools for understanding systemic function.
Recognize basic functional alterations through the analysis of clinical cases related 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 Pleura. 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.
BLS-AEDTraining in Basic Life Support (BLS) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED): combining a theoretical foundation
with hands-on practice in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and device operation (AED).
PRACTICAL TRAINING.
The practical sessions will foster learning and autonomy in performing electrocardiograms and spirometry, as well as in the assessment of basic urinalysis.
Additionally, students will be trained to identify cardiac, respiratory, and renal anatomical structures of the human body using dissected specimens.
Teaching and learning activities
In person
The course content will be delivered using three different methodologies or training activities:
1. Lectures – 52 hours: the teaching staff conveys knowledge to the entire student group in the classroom.
2. Case Method (CM) – 24 hours: students work in groups to solve clinical cases provided by the teaching staff on the day. In the classroom, students present their conclusions with the active participation of the teaching staff, who may introduce new concepts as necessary.
3. Practical classes – 12 hours: experimental demonstrations in the laboratory regarding concepts studied in theory classes, conducted under the supervision of the teaching staff.
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
1st, 3rd and 5th year students.
The final grade of the subject will be made up of the following percentages:
50% final exam.
20% partial exam.
25% continuous assessment.
5% BLS-AED training
Attendance at BLS-AED training is voluntary but highly recommended for the development of clinical competencies.
To approve the subject in these calls you must:
- That the final mark of the subject is equal to or higher than 5 (regardless of the marks obtained in each of the parts).
- That the final exam has been passed (grade equal to or higher than 5). The student who has not passed the final exam will be suspended (he will not be averaged with the other grades).
- Regardless of the reason why a student fails the subject (subject average, final exam, etc.), the student must make up the subject through a make-up exam.
2nd, 4th and 6th year students.
The recovery grade will be obtained from a single exam (recovery exam) that will be worth 100% of the final grade of the subject. To pass this exam, the grade obtained must be equal to or higher than 5.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE EVALUATION:
Final exam.
- test type 5 options and only one correct answer. For each correct answer, 1 point will be added, and for each incorrect one, 0.25 points will be deducted.
- 50 to 70 questions.
- Content taught during classes, practices, case methods or appearing in the recommended bibliography or documents provided.
Partial exam.
- test type 5 options and only one correct answer. For each correct answer, 1 point will be added, and for each incorrect one, 0.25 points will be deducted.
- 20 to 40 questions.
- Content taught during classes, practices, case methods or appearing in the recommended bibliography or documents provided.
The continuous assessment:
- It consists of multiple notes obtained without prior notice during classes, case methods, practices, outside school hours...
- They can be exercises, oral questions, small tests or exams...
- If the student does not complete one of these exercises (regardless of the reason), the grade obtained for this exercise will be "0".
Remedial exam.
- test type 5 options and only one correct answer. For each correct answer, 1 point will be added, and for each incorrect one, 0.25 points will be deducted.
- 50 to 70 questions.
- Content taught during classes, practices, case methods or appearing in the recommended bibliography or documents provided.
IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS:
-. To pass the subject, it is essential that the student attends a minimum of 8 methods of the case (out of the 12 that are assigned).
-. To pass the subject, it is essential that the student attends a minimum of 3 practicals (out of the 5 that are assigned).
-. The student can change groups (either for the MCs or for PRACTICES), if a colleague is located to make the change (you must bring a document signed by both parties).
-. Recording in audio or video the teachers or their presentations during the practices, classes or methods of the case causes the subject to be suspended.
-. Improper use of electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablets, computers, smart watches... during the exam will result in the subject being suspended.
Bibliography and resources
Tortora and Derrickson. Principios de anatomía y fisiología.15 ed. Ed. Panamericana (2018).
Guyton, A. (2011). Fisiologia Médica. Buenos Aires: Panamericana.
Mezquita. Fisiología Médica, 2ª ed. Panamericana (2018).
Stephanie McCann and Eric Wise. Anatomy Coloring Book, 5th ed. Kaplan (2014).
Vander’s Renal Physiology. 9th ed. McGraw-Hill Education (2018).
West's Respiratory Physiology: The Essentials.10th ed. Ed. Wolters Kluwer (2016).