Pulmonary Function Tests
Overview Definition Examples Indications Contraindications Lung Volumes Lung volumes are measured by: Lung volumes: Lung capacities: Spirometry Spirometry records the volume of air moving in and out of an individual’s lungs. Diffusing Capacity of the Lung for Carbon Monoxide (DLCO) Table: Parameters of obstructive and restrictive lung disease Parameter Obstructive lung disease Restrictive lung disease […]
Gastrointestinal Secretions
Phases of Digestion Digestion is divided into 3 phases, namely cephalic, gastric, and intestinal. Cephalic phase Begins when the brain receives stimulatory sensory inputs about food from the chemo- and mechanoreceptors located in the oral and nasal cavities Sensory inputs capable of stimulating gastric activity include: Seeing, smelling, tasting, or thinking about food Chewing and […]
Gastrointestinal Neural and Hormonal Signaling
Overview of GI Tract Physiology Functions of the GI tract The GI system is constantly working to meet human energy demands. To achieve this end, the GI system has several major functions: Anatomical structures and their associated functions Autonomic Control of the GI Tract Autonomic control of the GI tract relies on the enteric, parasympathetic, […]
Gastrointestinal Motility
Overview of GI Motility Definition GI motility refers to the contraction of smooth muscle within the walls of the GI tract, which: Important types of movements/contractions Peristalsis Segmentation Sphincter contraction and relaxation Review of Nervous System Control over GI Smooth Muscle GI motility is controlled primarily via the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) and the ENS. […]
Diagnostic Procedures in Gynecology
Overview The female reproductive organs are split into the lower and upper genital tracts. Lower genital tract Includes: Cervix Vagina Vulva Types of procedures used to assess the lower tract: Speculum exam Colposcopy Cervical biopsy Endocervical curettage Loop electrosurgical excision procedure Vulvar biopsy Upper genital tract Includes: Uterus Fallopian tubes Ovaries Types of procedures used […]
Smooth Muscle Contraction
Location, Functions, and Contraction Patterns of Smooth Muscle General characteristics of smooth muscle Nonstriated muscle (i.e., no striations on microscopy) Involuntary muscles that generally control internal organs and vessels Innervated by the ANS Locations Smooth muscle is primarily found in the walls of hollow structures and some visceral organs, including: Vasculature GI tract: Esophagus Stomach […]
Cardiac Cycle
Definition and Anatomy Review Definitions The cardiac cycle describes 1 complete contraction and relaxation of all 4 chambers of the heart during a standard heartbeat. The 7 phases of the cardiac cycle all occur in < 1 second. Anatomy review Blood sequentially flows through the heart in 1 direction through the following structures: Phases of […]
Digestion and Absorption
Overview of Digestion and Absorption Digestion and Absorption of Carbohydrates Digestion Amylases: Brush border enzymes: Brush border enzymes are membrane-bound proteins on the luminal surface of enterocytes in the small intestine. There are 4 major brush border enzymes involved in carbohydrate digestion. Absorption Carbohydrates are absorbed as monosaccharides by the enterocytes in the small intestines […]
Skeletal Muscle Contraction
Overview of Skeletal Muscle Tissue Primary characteristics of muscle tissue Contractibility: ability to contract/shorten its length Excitability: responds to stimulus (including electrical, hormonal, and mechanical) Extensibility: ability to extend/stretch Elasticity: ability to recoil/return to normal shape when tension is released Skeletal muscle anatomy review Sarcoplasm: Muscle cell cytoplasm Contains high amounts of myoglobin and glycogen […]
Cardiac Physiology
Electrical Conduction in the Heart Anatomy of the cardiac conduction system Sinoatrial (SA) node: The AV node: Bundle of His and Purkinje fibers: Nonpacemaker myocytes: Summary of the electrical pathway Conduction times Action potentials travel at different speeds through different tissues and segments of the conduction system. Electrophysiology of Nonpacemaker Myocytes Background Resting membrane potential […]