MBBS

Introduction to Physiology
By Dr Usha Kumari
Physiology Unit
• TOPIC OTCOMES
• At the end of this lecture students should be
able to
• Describe the aim and scope of discipline of
Physiology
• Explain the role of physiology in learning other
medical disciplines.
 What is Physiology?

• Physiology deals
with study of
FUNCTIONS of
living organisms,
human body
& the mechanisms
by which the
functions are
carried out and
Regulated
 What is the role of Physiology in clinical
medicine?

• Human physiology: The study of the normal functioning of

the human body; usually studied as general & systemic
Physiology
• Applied/Clinical physiology: Physiology applied to clinical
medicine; helps diagnosis & treatment of diseases
• Pathophysiology: study of the functional changes associated
with or resulting from disease
 Levels of study of human Physiology
• Biochemical /biophysical level
• Cellular level
• Tissue level (cells having similar structure &
function are organized into tissues)
• Organ level (Different tissues are organized into
organs for definite function/s)
• Systemic level (man-made; to study
systematically)
Specialized cells
Claude Bernard,
a world famous
French
Physiologist in
1840
still
remembered for
his concept of
“Milieu interior”
 HOMEOSTASIS
Homeostasis is defined as the maintenance of
steady state of the internal environment of the body

•Internal environment
of the body is the
extracellular fluid (ECF)
Internal
•All organ systems of environment
human body function
to achieve homeostasis
 Body systems are:
• Lymphatic system
• Integumentary system
• Musculoskeletal system • Renal (urinary) system
• Digestive system-GIT • Endocrine system
• Respiratory system • Nervous system
• Circulatory system (Blood • Reproductive system
& cardiovascular system)
Name the
Regulatory systems
amongst the above
Organ Organ
system

Interaction – Respi & CVS

Organ Systems
1. Integumentary system
◼ Components:
❑ Skin, hair nails, sweat
glands, and sebaceous
glands
◼ Functions:
❑ Covers and protects the
body; regulate body
temperature
Organ Systems
2. Skeletal system
◼ Components:

❑ Bones, cartilage,
ligaments
◼ Functions:

❑ Provides body
framework and support
protects; Provides
attachment of muscles
to bones; provides
calcium storage
Organ Systems
3. Muscular system
◼ Components:

❑ Muscles

◼ Functions:

❑ Produces movement;

maintains posture;
provides heat

SKELETAL +MUSCULAR=
MUSCULOSKELETAL
SYSTEM
Organ Systems
4. Nervous system
◼ Components:

❑ Brain, spinal cord, nerves,

sensory receptors
◼ Functions:

❑ By receiving and

transmitting neural signals

(Action potentials)
Coordinates body
activities- fast or slow in
comparison hormones?
Organ Systems
5. Endocrine system
◼ Components:

❑ Pituitary, adrenal,
thyroid gland many
more --------
◼ Functions:

❑ Regulates metabolic

activities and body

chemistry- compare
with other regulatory
system
Organ Systems

6. Circulatory system
( Cardiovascular)
◼ Components:

❑ Heart, blood vessels,

and blood
◼ Functions:

Heart pumps blood

❑ Blood Transport
materials from one part
to another; defends
against disease
Organ Systems
7. Lymphatic system
◼ Components:

❑ Lymph, lymph vessels,

and lymphoid organs
◼ Functions:

❑ Returns tissue fluid to

the blood; defends

against disease
Organ Systems
8. Digestive system
◼ Components:

❑ Mouth, esophagus,
stomach, intestine, liver,
and pancreas
◼ Functions:

❑ Ingests and digests food;

absorbs nutrients into
blood, provides energy for
all bodily functions.
Organ Systems
9. Respiratory system
◼ Components:

❑ Air passageways and

lungs
◼ Functions:

❑ Exchanges gases

between blood and

external environment,
provides oxygenation,
CO2 elimination
Organ Systems
10. Urinary system
◼ Components:

❑ Kidneys, ureter, urinary

bladder, urethra
◼ Functions:

❑ Purifies blood by Excreting

metabolic wastes; regulates
extracellular fluid balance
and acid-base balance
Organ Systems
11. Reproductive system
◼ Components:

❑ Testes, ovaries, and

accessory organs
◼ Functions:

❑ Forms new individuals to

provide continuation of
the animal species
 How is Physiology studied & understood?

• Animal experiments
• Biochemical studies
• Biophysical studies
• Clinical studies- on
human
 READ TEXT BOOKS- reference
provided in your schedule.

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