Key concepts of normal physiology, one per page: definition, mechanism, regulation, normal values, and clinical significance.
Physiology
Physiology concepts
62 topics with brief reviews: definitions, key facts, and class questions.
Section Topics
Persistent depolarization blockpersistent depolarization inhibitionInotropic effectinotropyDromotropic effectdromotropyChronotropic effectchronotropyТХА2thromboxane A2OsmoreceptorsosmoreceptorsProopiomelanocortin (POMC)POMCThyrotropin-releasing hormoneTRHRAAS (renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system)RAASTissue thromboplastintissue factorAbsolute refractory periodabsolute refractory periodPhysiology of excitable tissuesExcitable tissues are body structures capable of responding to stimuEPSPEPSPInhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP)IPSPHyperpolarization inhibitionhyperpolarization inhibitionHypothalamushypothalamusCorticotropin-releasing hormoneCRHVasomotor centervasomotor centerVasomotor center (VMC)vasomotor centerFibrinfibrinRepolarizationrepolarizationSinoatrial nodesinoatrial nodeAction potential plateauplateau phaseSarcomeresarcomerePurkinje cellsPurkinje cellsZona fasciculata of adrenal cortexzona fasciculataAlveolar macrophagespulmonary macrophagesBundle branch blockBundle branch block is a disorder of intraventricularPulse wavepulse waveCoronary sinussinus coronariusSomatomedinIGF-1EndothelinendothelinBradycardiabradycardiaTroponintroponinTachycardiatachycardiaAtrioventricular nodeatrioventricular nodeGlucocorticoidsglucocorticoidsMethemoglobinmethaemoglobinANP (atrial natriuretic peptide)ANPVentromedial hypothalamusventromedial hypothalamusMineralocorticoidsmineralocorticoidsESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate)Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is a nonspecific laboratoryBradykininbradykininMotor unitmotor unitMiosismiosisSolitary tract nucleusNTSNeurohypophysisneurohypophysisPreganglionic fiberpreganglionic fiberAdenohypophysisadenohypophysisDiastolic soundS2Sympathetic nervous systemsympathetic nervous systemReleasing hormonesreleasing hormonesParasympathetic nervous systemparasympathetic nervous systemCRH (corticotropin-releasing hormone)CRHPostganglionic fiberpostganglionic fiberParaventricular nucleusnucleus paraventricularisSuprachiasmatic nucleinucleus suprachiasmaticusMydriasismydriasisGonadoliberinGnRHCortisolcortisolGigantismGigantism is an endocrine disorder manifested by excessively highFibrin and fibrinogen degradation productsfibrin degradation products
Frequently asked questions for this section
How does persistent depolarizing inhibition differ from hyperpolarizing inhibition?
Hyperpolarizing inhibition is caused by the action of inhibitory neurotransmitters and leads to membrane hyperpolarization. Persistent depolarizing inhibition occurs due to the accumulation of an excitatory neurotransmitter at a high excitation frequency, preventing the membrane from returning to the resting state.
How do cardiotonics enhance myocardial contractility?
Through an increase in free calcium concentration in the cardiomyocyte cytosol or an increase in the sensitivity of contractile proteins to this ion.
What happens during an excessive negative dromotropic effect?
An atrioventricular block develops. In complete heart block, the ventricles may switch to an autonomous (idioventricular) rhythm generated by cardiomyocytes of the bundle of His at a rate of 40–60 beats per minute.
What is a positive chronotropic effect?
This is an increase in heart rate (tachycardia). It occurs upon stimulation of cardiac $\beta_1$-adrenoceptors and in hyperthyroidism.
What role does TXA2 play in chronic inflammation?
In chronic inflammation, macrophages fixed in tissues begin to intensely synthesize inflammatory mediators, which are products of arachidonic acid oxidation. One such mediator is TXA2.
Do osmoreceptors belong to conscious sense organs?
No, these are unconscious receptors. They are not organized into complex anatomical structures, are not part of analyzers in the classical sense, and the stimulation of such receptors does not reach human consciousness.
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