Physiology for BDS: Course Outline

General Physiology / Cell

Basic concept:

• Functional organization of human body
• Homeostasis
• Control systems in the body
• Cell membrane and its functions
• Transport through cell membrane
• Genetics
• Blood
• Composition and General Functions
• Plasma proteins
• Red Blood Cell (Erythropoiesis)
• Haemonglobin & Blood
• Indices
• Iron metabolism
• Fate of Hb
• White Blood Cells
• Leucopoiesis, functions
• Platelets
• Haemostasis

Blood groups

• Blood Transfusion & complications
• Reticuloendothelial systems, spleen

Nerve and muscle

• The neuron-structure & functions
• Properties of Nerve Fibers
• Physiology of action Potential
• Including compound action potentials
• Conduction of Nerve Impulse, Nerve
• Degeneration and regeneration
• Synapses
• Structure of the muscle
• Skeletal muscle contraction
• Isometric and isotonic contraction
• Smooth muscle contraction
• Neuromuscular Transmission
• Excitation-contraction coupling
• Motor Unit
• Neuromuscular Blockers
• Gastrointestinal Tract
• Structure and General Functions
• Enteric nervous system (Gut Brain)
• Mastication, Swallowing and their control
• Functions and movements of Stomach
• Functions and movements of small intestine
• Functions and movements of large intestine 
• Hormones of GIT
• Vomiting and its pathway
• Defecation and its pathway
• Functions of Liver

Cardio Vascular system:

Introduction to heart & circulation:

• Physiology of cardiac muscle
• Action potential in atrial & ventricular
• Muscle and pacemaker potential
• Regulation of cardiac functions
• Cardiac impulse-origin & propagation
• Cardiac cycle- various events
• ECG-Recording & interpretation
• Functional types of blood vessels
• Local control of blood flow
• Systemic circulation,
• Characteristics and control
• Regulation of peripheral resistance
• Arterial pulse
• Arterial blood pressure (short/longTerm regulation)
• Cardiac output
• Heart sound/murmurs
• Venous return & its regulation
• Coronary circulation
• Pulmonary circulation
• Cerebral circulation
• Cardiovascular changes during exercise

Respiratory System:

• Organization / functions of respiratory tract
• Functions of Lungs (respiratory & non respiratory
• Mechanics of breathing
• Protective reflexes
• Lung volumes and capacities
• Dead space
• Diffusion of Gases (composition)
• Ventilation / perfusion
• Transport of C02 in blood
• Regulation of respiration
• (Nervous / Chemical)
• Abnormal breathing
• Hypoxia-types and effects
• Physiology of Cyanosis
• Physiology of high altitude
• Oxygen debt

Clinical/Applied Concepts:

• Abnormalities of the cell & its organelles
• Anemia
• Blood indices in various disorders
• Leucopoiesis, Leucocytosis
• Thrombocytopaenia
• Clotting disorders
• Blood grouping / cross matching & significance immunity
• Nerve Injury
• Rigor Mortis & Contractures
• Myasthenia Gravis
• Dysphagia, achlasia of esophagus
• Examination of abdomen
• Peptic Ulcer, pancreatitis
• Gastric function tests
• Vomiting and its effects
• Diarrhoea
• Jaundice, Liver function tests
• Correlation of cardiac cycle with ECG & heart sounds
• Jugular venous pulse
• Radial/other pulses
• Hypertension, types & effects
• Types of shock
• Types of respiration (intrapleural pressure, pneumothorax, Lung function tests spirometry)
• Obstructive/Restrictive lung
• Disease (FEV1 / FVC)
• Ventilation / perfusion
• Respiratory
• Asphyxia
• Hypoxia, cyanosis dyspnoea
• Artificial respiration
• Oxygen therapy

Recommended Modes of Assesment:

• Continuous Internal Assessment ( as recommended by PM&DC).

Theory:

• Descriptive: consisting of short essay questions and short notes.
• Multiple choice questions (MCQ’s)

Oral & Practicals:

• Viva voce: it should be about definitions, normal values, mechanisms, interpretations. drawing / labelling of graphs /diagrams. Conceptual questions should be asked.

• Practical: Two experiments to be performed by the student OSPE (Objective structured practical examinations) should be encouraged.

Experimental Physiology:

• Haematolgy
• Study of the microscope determination
• Haemoglobin (Hb%)
• Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
• Packed cell volume (PVC) Haematocrit
• Bleeding time (BT)
• Clotting time (CT)
• Blood Groups
• Study of Neubauer chamber
• RBCs Count
• Red cell indices
• WBCs Count
• Differential leucocyte Count (DLC)
• Osmotic fragility of chest
• Demonstration of prothrombin time and thrombin time
• Respiratory System
• Measurement of Pulmonary volumes and capacities (Spirometry) stethography
• Examination of superficial reflexes
• Examination of deep reflexes
• Examination of sensory
• Motor system
• Clinical examination of cranial nerves
• Cardiovascular system
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
• Examination of arterial pulse
• ECG recording/interpretation
• Measurement of arterial blood pressure
• Effect of exercise & posture on BP
• Examination of apex beat
• Heart Sounds – auscultation of normal sounds/murmurs
• Special Senses
• Taste sensation
• Recording of body temperature