Functions 2

Function I and II are two strictly related courses which, together, focus on the fundamental mechanisms of body functions. Both courses are organized around the central theme of homeostasis, i.e. how the body maintains the constancy of the internal environment needed for all cells and organs to function properly despite continuously changing external and internal demands.
By combining Physiology and Anatomy, Functions II provides students the functional organization of the nervous system in its somatic and autonomic components, the main principles of the endocrine function, the interplay between endocrine system and nervous system within the Hypothalamic-Hypophyseal axis, main endocrine glands and their role in homeostasis together with their specific functions related to non strictly homeostatic functions as reproduction and growth. The course will also address the skeletal and smooth muscle and the mechanisms adopted by the human body to maintain the homeostasis of the thermal regulation and within the complex biological response to stress and the general entrainment of the body functions with the environment within the circadian rhythmicity.
As a preliminary step, membrane potential and its determinants, synaptic communications, skeletal and smooth muscle contraction will be discussed in Functions I module.
Specifically Functions II Anatomy and Physiology will be integrated to address the anatomo-functional organization of the sensory system from receptor along the ascending pathway to the higher centers, the modulation of the sensory information and motor systems organization and their interplay on the somatic and on the autonomic division of the nervous system, the special senses,
The anatomo-functional organization of spinal cord, brain stem. Thalamus, Hypothalamus and Cortex (archi, paleo and neo cortex)
During the course, the topics of the lectures will be reinforced and expanded by practical activities, problem-based learning, problem-based tutorials and seminars.

At the end of the course students are expected to achieve knowledge on the interaction and communication at the cellular, tissue, organ and system level in the organization of adaptive responses, on the anatomo-functional properties of the neural circuits subserving neurological functions and the interplay between nervous and endocrine system with the organs and systems to assure homeostasis

At the end of the course the students are expected to achieve knowledge on:
- the structure, metabolism and function of the nervous system and of the endocrine system and specifically:
- antomo-functional organization of the autonomic nervous system (successivamente definit come vegetative, quale usiamo?)
-anatomo-functional organization of the endocrine system
- anatomo-functional organization of the somatic nervous system
- anatomo-functional organization of the special senses
- computational analysis of the sensory information subserving the emergence of sensation, perception, motor control, body schema
- different degree of complexity of movement from reflex to voluntary movement
- anatomo-functional substrates of dexterity and phono-articulation
- sensorimotor integration in motor control
- associative cortices and cognitive functions
- anatomo-functional substrates of emotions
- anatomo-functional organization of the spinal cord, brain stem, diencephalon, telencephalon
- entrainment of the body functions with environment: circadian rhythms
- the dynamic integration of organs into apparatuses and the general functional control mechanisms in physiological conditions: thermal regulation and biological response to stress.
- Homeostasis of the interstitial fluid of the nervous system
- The changing brain: development, aging and plasticity