Al-Nahrain University

College of Medicine

Department of Physiology

Grade: Second Class

Semester: First Semester

Total Hours:  Theory: 60 hours     Practical: 45 hours       Clinical: nil

Hours/week:  Theory:4 hours        Practical: 3 hours          Clinical: nil

1. Learning Objectives:

1.1. Theory:

The course is designed to enable the student to:

1. Describe the structure of the spinal motor neuron and uncover how neurons in the CNS and PNS are myelinated.

2. Explain how defects in myelin can have adverse neurological consequences- Clinical attachment.

3. Describe the gross and microscopic structure of skeletal muscles.

4. Illustrate motor units, and explain the significance of recruitment of motor units.

5. Understand the molecular basis of contraction.

6. Explore the principle of Electromyography and its application in clinical diseases.

7. Realize how the myocardium act almost as if it is a single cell; a syncytium.

8. Discuss the concept of “volume conduction” in the way of recording the electrocardiogram (ECG).

9. Explore the cardiovascular regulatory mechanisms.

10. Review the extrinsic regulation of cardiac rate and contractility.

11. Clarify the relationship between stroke volume and venous return.

12. Review the structures and functions of the conducting and respiratory zones of the lungs.

13. Elucidate the lung volumes and capacities, their measurements and how pulmonary function tests relate to clinical disorders.

14. Explain how lung compliance, elasticity, and surface tension affect breathing.

15. Expose the Neural and chemical control of breathing with relevant clinical conditions.

16. Describe the gross and microscopic structure of the kidneys.

17. Define glomerular filtration rate, describe how it can be measured, and list the major factors affecting it.

18. Discuss tubular reabsorption and secretion of various electrolytes and nutrients.

19. Describe how the countercurrent mechanism in the kidney operates to produce hypertonic or hypotonic urine.

20. List the major classes of diuretics; understand how each operates to increase urine flow.

1.2. Practical

1- learn how to apply experimentally factual information presented in lectures and textbook.

2- gain experience in use of scientific method to design experiments, acquire data, and interpret that data meaningfully.

3- acquire knowledge in working with live animals and tissue preparations that simulate human anatomy and physiology.

4- perform several clinical tests, involving both fresh and preserved blood samples which will describe some important physiologic aspects of this fluid.

5- prepare the students to solve any problem that they might face during their future practical profession.

2. Instructional and Learning Methods and Tools:

The syllabus is given to the students through lectures, with quizzes (arranged and not arranged). The lectures are given as a power point slides and teaching videos with some illustration on white board. Regarding laboratory experiments, the students are divided into 20 groups, 4-5 students per each, who work on as team for each experiment and they are responsible for doing the experiment, discussing their own results with the teaching staff.

3.Syllabus:

3.1. Theory:

AL-Nahrain University /College of Medicine

Department of Physiology  

First semester /2^nd year Medical students

Syllabus of theoretical lectures

2023 - 2024

3.2. Practical

AL-Nahrain University /College of Medicine

Department of Physiology  

First semester /2^nd year Medical students

List of Experiments in Practical Physiology

 2023 - 2024

يشترك في التدريسات في المختبر كل من اعضاء الهيئة التدريسية  ومساعدتي المختبر  ادناة:

- أ.م.د.ابراهيم عبد الله محمود / رئيس الفرع

- ا.م.د. عباس فاضل عبد الوهاب

-  ا.م.د. زينب حسن هاشم

-  م. د. ماجد حميد احمد

-  م.د. حسين غي قدوري

-  م..د. جمانه مهدي كريم

- البايولوجي انسام حسن جواد

- م.مختبر البايولوجي ساره ضياء ابراهيم

           وبإشراف مباشر من رئيس ومقرر الفرع

4. Student Assessment:

The minimum requirement of a student to pass is to achieve at least 50% of the total marks assigned for the course.

The marks are distributed as follows:

Students who fail to attain the 50% cut-off mark are required to re-sit for a second trial examination similar to the final one. Failing in the second trial entails the student to repeat the academic year.

5. Books and References:

1. Guyton & Hall Text book of Medical Physiology, 14^th edition, 2021.

2.  Ganong's Review of Medical Physiology, 26^th edition2021.