History of Physiology

Assessment of long-term physiological effects

The history of medicine and physiology contains examples where initial triumph was later overshadowed by severe consequences. A striking precedent is the history of the insecticide DDT. In the 1950s, Swiss scientist P.H. Müller was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. His invention showed remarkable results in combating insect vectors of typhus and malaria. However, serious toxic and environmental consequences of the substance's use were discovered later.

This historical lesson dictates the need for thorough investigation of the long-term effects of any new implementations. In particular, genetically modified food sources (soy, corn, tomatoes) and nanotechnology products require independent international research today to ensure their mass use does not turn into an uncontrolled experiment on the population.

Study of fetal physiology and the development of perinatology

After World War II, birth rates dropped sharply in developed countries, forcing the medical community to reevaluate the value of every newborn's life, including those born prematurely. This provided impetus for an in-depth study of embryonic and fetal physiology.

In the early 1970s, European researchers initiated the establishment of a new discipline—perinatology (from Greek peri meaning around, Latin natus meaning related to birth, and logos meaning study). The field received official recognition in 1973 at the World Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in Moscow. The introduction of unified international standards enabled doctors from different countries to exchange experience and objectively compare the quality of medical care.

Historically, the threshold of the antenatal (prenatal) period was set at 28 weeks with a fetal weight of 1000 grams. Today, thanks to an understanding of physiological processes and technological advancements, this boundary has shifted to 22–23 weeks (weight 500 g).

Evolution of functional diagnostic methods

The development of obstetrics and perinatology would have been impossible without the introduction of equipment enabling the objective assessment of the fetus's physiological state:

• Phonocardiography and electrocardiography (ECG): became the first tools for recording the cardiac activity of an unborn child.
• Cardiorate monitors: made it possible to continuously record instantaneous heart rate, allowing differentiation between normal physiological heart function and pathological changes during oxygen deprivation.
• Ultrasonography (ultrasound): triggered a true revolution. The method provided visual control over the development of the gestational sac from early stages of gestation, allowed detailed study of placental and fetal pathophysiology, and enabled the development of intrauterine therapeutic approaches.

Modern physiological and hygienic challenges

At the present historical stage, nutritional physiology faces serious negative trends. First, food quality is declining due to xenobiotic contamination: residual pesticides, nitrates, aflatoxins, antibiotics, and heavy metal salts.

Second, there is a decrease in the consumption of nutrient-rich foods. Deficiencies arise in essential amino acids, iron, and calcium (due to a lack of animal products), as well as vitamins (ascorbic acid, beta-carotene) and minerals (selenium, copper, cobalt) amid a lack of vegetables and fruits.

Historical aspects of domestic otorhinolaryngology and nasal anatomy

The formation of scientific schools in Russia is associated with such prominent figures as V.I. Voyachek, B.S. Preobrazhensky, V.T. Palchun, and others. Today, major scientific and practical centers operate in Moscow and St. Petersburg, and specialized departments function in all medical universities.

In the context of clinical anatomy and respiratory physiology, special attention is paid to the initial section—the nose (nasus). The external nose (nasus externus) has the shape of a triangular pyramid. Its bony skeleton is formed by the paired nasal bones (ossa nasalia) and the frontal processes of the maxillae (processus frontalis maxillae). The cartilaginous part includes the lateral nasal cartilages (cartilago nasi lateralis) and greater and lesser alar cartilages (cartilago alaris major et minor). The physiological role of the rudimentary muscles of the external nose is reduced to slightly narrowing and widening the entrance to the nasal cavity.

Class and exam questions

What else to study on this topic

• The impact of xenobiotics (pesticides, nitrates, heavy metals) on food quality.
• The problem of nutrient deficiencies (amino acids, vitamins, trace elements) in the diet.
• Prominent Russian obstetrician-gynecologists and their contribution to science.
• Clinical significance of the glands and hair of the nasal vestibule (risk of furuncles and sycosis).
• Potential risks of genetically modified food sources and nanotechnology products.

Prepared by WhiteCoat Pro faculty in accordance with the medical school curriculum. For educational purposes only.